News and press releases

COPENHAGEN, 18 May 2021 – The challenge of repatriating, prosecuting, rehabilitating and reintegrating foreign terrorist fighters was in focus today at a hearing organized by the OSCE Parliamentary Assembly’s Ad Hoc Committee on Countering Terrorism (CCT). Concerned particularly with the possibility of repatriating nationals detained in conflict-affected areas following the territorial defeat of the Islamic State terrorist group, the event examined the experience of Kazakhstan as a case study for lessons learned and good practices.

COPENHAGEN, 3 May 2021 – Leaders of the OSCE Parliamentary Assembly expressed concern today over the decision of the Russian Federation to implement travel restrictions against the President of the European Parliament and seven other European Union officials. The new sanctions ban EP President David Sassoli and Jacques Maire, a member of the French delegation to the Parliamentary Assembly of the Council of Europe where he serves on the PACE Presidential Committee, as well as several others, from entering Russian territory.

TIRANA, 26 April 2021 – The Albanian parliamentary elections were characterized by a lively and inclusive campaign, thanks to a legal framework that helped ensure respect of fundamental freedoms. At the same time the campaign saw authorities taking advantage of public office and allegations of pervasive vote buying, international observers said in a statement today...

COPENHAGEN, 21 April 2021 – United States Senator Ben Cardin, the OSCE Parliamentary Assembly’s Special Representative on Anti-Semitism, Racism and Intolerance, on Tuesday issued the following statement in response to former police officer Derek Chauvin being convicted in the death of George Floyd:..

COPENHAGEN, 13 April 2021 – Concerned by moves to legally dissolve the People’s Democratic Party (HDP) in Turkey, leaders of the OSCE Parliamentary Assembly’s human rights and democracy committee said today that banning one of the country’s largest political parties would be a mistake and could further undermine democratic principles in Turkey. The recent arrest of HDP parliamentarian Ömer Faruk Gergerlioğlu, following the stripping of his parliamentary immunity, is only the latest in long string of elected officials whose mandates have been removed, the OSCE PA members said.

COPENHAGEN, 7 April 2021 – Amid reports of rapidly growing military deployments by the Russian Federation in and around Ukraine, senior OSCE Parliamentary Assembly officials warned of the risk of escalation and reaffirmed its full support for the sovereignty and territorial integrity of Ukraine within its internationally recognized borders.

COPENHAGEN, 30 March 2021 – Some 45 parliamentarians and staff from 12 OSCE countries will observe the parliamentary elections in Bulgaria on 4 April. Deploying in the capital, Sofia, and other regions, the OSCE PA observers will work closely with colleagues from the OSCE Office for Democratic Institutions and Human Rights and the Parliamentary Assembly of the Council of Europe...