News and press releases
News and press releases from the OSCE's global activities.
OSCE PA’s Sanchez Amor statement on death of Archil Tatunashvili
Publishing date: 26 February 2018
COPENHAGEN, 26 February 2017 – Following the recent reported death of Archil Tatunashvili in South Ossetia, Georgia, OSCE PA human rights chair Ignacio Sanchez Amor stressed the need for close cooperation and a transparent investigation into the events leading to the death. Sanchez Amor expressed his sincere condolences to the family of Mr. Tatunashvili...
Participants in ODIHR event in Astana call for continued capacity-building efforts, dialogue to advance freedom of religion or belief in Kazakhstan
Publishing date: 13 February 2018
The importance of promoting the right to freedom of religion or belief as a core component of ensuring sustainable security in Kazakhstan was highlighted by participants in a meeting organized by the OSCE Office for Democratic Institutions and Human Rights (ODIHR) in Astana on 13 February 2018.
OSCE/ODIHR facilitates dialogue between members of UN Subcommittee on Prevention of Torture and authorities in Bosnia and Herzegovina
Publishing date: 7 February 2018
The establishment of a national body to monitor places of detention in Bosnia and Herzegovina as part of efforts to prevent torture and other ill-treatment was the focus of high-level meetings in Sarajevo, supported by the OSCE Office for Democratic Institutions and Human Rights (ODIHR) and the OSCE Mission to Bosnia and Herzegovina, on 5 and 6 February 2018.
OSCE PA human rights chair concerned about reversal of release of Amnesty head in Turkey
Publishing date: 1 February 2018
COPENHAGEN, 1 February 2018- Ignacio Sanchez Amor (MP, Spain), Chair of the OSCE Parliamentary Assembly’s Committee on Democracy, Human Rights and Humanitarian Questions, expressed his concern today over developments in the case of Taner Kiliç, Chair of Amnesty International Turkey. Kiliç, accused of being a member of the Fethullah Gülen Terrorist Organization (FETÖ), was granted a conditional release on Wednesday, with the court reversing the decision today...
OSCE/ODIHR Director says ongoing operation of Guantanamo Bay detention facility contravenes international human rights standards, reiterates call for closure
Publishing date: 11 January 2018
WARSAW, 11 January 2018 – Today, on the 16th anniversary of the opening of the Guantanamo Bay detention facility, Ingibjörg Sólrún Gísladóttir, Director of the OSCE Office for Democratic Institutions and Human Rights (OSCE/ODIHR), reiterated her Office’s calls for the facility’s prompt closure...
Crisis in and around Ukraine, protracted conflicts, Mediterranean security, migration among Italy’s OSCE priorities, Chairperson-in-Office Alfano tells Permanent Council
Publishing date: 11 January 2018
VIENNA, 11 January 2018 – Addressing the crisis in and around Ukraine, the protracted conflicts, the security of the Mediterranean region, and the challenges of migration, including by combating human trafficking and all forms of xenophobia and discrimination, are among Italy’s OSCE Chairmanship priorities, OSCE Chairperson-in-Office and Italy’s Foreign Minister Angelino Alfano told the Permanent Council in Vienna today...
OSCE/ODIHR Director voices concern over arrest of and charges against head of Memorial Human Rights Centre in Chechnya
Publishing date: 10 January 2018
WARSAW, 10 January 2018- Ingibjörg Sólrún Gísladóttir, Director of the OSCE Office for Democratic Institutions and Human Rights (ODIHR), today voiced serious concerns regarding the arrest and detention of Oyub Titiev, Director of the Memorial Human Rights Centre in Chechnya, in the North Caucasus republic of the Russian Federation, yesterday...