News and press releases
News and press releases from the OSCE's global activities.
OSCE High Commissioner discusses national minority issues in Hungary and Slovakia
Publishing date: 17 October 2012
The OSCE High Commissioner on National Minorities Knut Vollebaek visited Hungary and Slovakia from 8 to 11 October 2012 to discuss bilateral issues between the two countries related to national minority matters, including citizenship...
OSCE Mission in Kosovo help municipal officials develop returns and repatriation databases
Publishing date: 16 October 2012
A series of two training workshops on systematic data collection and development of databases on returnees and repatriated persons for 19 municipal officers for communities and returns from Gjilan/Gnjilane region concluded on 12 October 2012 in Gjilan/Gnjilane.
OSCE High Commissioner on National Minorities warns against demolishing ethnic-Georgian villages in South Ossetia
Publishing date: 22 August 2012
THE HAGUE, 22 August 2012 – OSCE High Commissioner on National Minorities Knut Vollebaek today asked the de-facto leadership of the Georgian breakaway region of South Ossetia to clarify a statement indicating that it plans to demolish ethnic-Georgian villages...
OSCE High Commissioner on National Minorities urges dialogue and compromise on ‘divisive’ language law in Ukraine
Publishing date: 26 July 2012
KYIV, 26 JULY 2012 – OSCE High Commissioner on National Minorities Knut Vollebaek described the situation surrounding a new language law in Ukraine as “deeply divisive” at the conclusion of his visit to the country today, and urged the authorities to engage in dialogue.
OSCE High Commissioner on National Minorities visits Georgia ahead of elections
Publishing date: 25 July 2012
OSCE High Commissioner on National Minorities (HCNM) Knut Vollebaek visited Georgia from 15 to 19 July 2012 to get an update on the situation ahead of parliamentary elections expected in October...
Challenges remain in promoting community rights in Kosovo, says new report of OSCE Mission
Publishing date: 19 July 2012
PRISHTINË/PRIŠTINA, 19 July 2012 – Despite an advanced legislative framework in place to protect and promote the rights of communities in Kosovo, only limited progress has been made in its implementation since 2010, says a report published today by the OSCE Mission in Kosovo...
OSCE High Commissioner on National Minorities highlights new and ongoing challenges at anniversary conference
Publishing date: 17 July 2012
Marking the first event in the lead-up to the 20th anniversary of the establishment of the OSCE High Commissioner on National Minorities (HCNM), current High Commissioner Knut Vollebaek spoke at a conference organized by the European Centre for Minority Issues on “HCNM 20 Years On” in Flensburg, Germany, on 6 July 2012...