News and press releases
News and press releases from the OSCE's global activities.
International observers present OSCE/ODIHR final report and recommendations in Moscow
Publishing date: 19 January 2017
MOSCOW, 19 January 2017 – Representatives of the OSCE Office for Democratic Institutions and Human Rights (ODIHR) and the OSCE Parliamentary Assembly (PA) are in Moscow from 18 to 20 January 2017 to present the final report of the ODIHR election observation mission for the 18 September 2016 parliamentary elections in the Russian Federation. The report’s findings and recommendations will be discussed with representatives of state authorities, election administration, civil society and the international community...
OSCE/ODIHR report on United States general elections recommends measures to ensure universality and equality of vote for all citizens
Publishing date: 18 January 2017
While stating that the 8 November 2016 elections were highly competitive and demonstrated commitment to fundamental freedoms of expression, assembly and association...
Restrictions to fundamental freedoms, political rights, media and civil society in Russia challenge democratic commitments, says OSCE/ODIHR report on State Duma elections
Publishing date: 23 December 2016
The final report by the OSCE Office for Democratic Institutions and Human Rights (ODIHR) on the 18 September 2016 State Duma elections in the Russian Federation recommends that national legislation concerning the freedoms of association, assembly and expression be aligned with international
OSCE/ODIHR presents recommendations from final report on parliamentary elections in Belarus
Publishing date: 22 December 2016
A team from the OSCE Office for Democratic Institutions and Human Rights (ODIHR) and the OSCE Parliamentary Assembly (PA) visited Minsk from 20 to 22 December 2016 to present the final report of the OSCE/ODIHR election observation mission for the 11 September 2016 parliamentary elections in
OSCE Chairperson-in-Office Steinmeier sees elections in the former Yugoslav Republic of Macedonia as an important step for further reforms
Publishing date: 12 December 2016
BERLIN, 12 December 2016 – OSCE Chairperson-in-Office and German Foreign Minister Frank-Walter Steinmeier in a statement today said he considered the elections that took place in the former Yugoslav Republic of Macedonia on 11 December 2016 to be “an important step to settle the continued political crisis in the country.” Steinmeier noted that the International Election Observation Mission under the aegis of the OSCE Office for Democratic Institutions and Human Rights found in its statement, as presented today in Skopje, that the election proceeded without major incidents...
Competitive elections follow cross-party co-operation to end political crisis, though need for sustainable reforms remains, international election observers say in Skopje
Publishing date: 12 December 2016
SKOPJE, 12 December 2016 – The 11 December parliamentary elections in the former Yugoslav Republic of Macedonia were competitive and an essential step in resolving two years of deep political crisis, but took place in an environment characterized by widespread public mistrust in institutions and the political establishment, international election observers concluded in a preliminary statement released today...
OSCE/ODIHR final report on parliamentary elections in Belarus recommends review of legislation, ensuring an equal playing field and respect for fundamental freedoms
Publishing date: 8 December 2016
The final report by the OSCE Office for Democratic Institutions and Human Rights (ODIHR) on Belarus’s 11 September 2016 parliamentary elections recommends a comprehensive review of the legislation in line with international obligations and standards for conducting democratic elections, and ensuring