News and press releases
News and press releases from the OSCE's global activities.
Solutions to multiple challenges faced by Roma women urgently needed, OSCE human rights head says
Publishing date: 6 April 2023
WARSAW, 6 April 2023 — Greater efforts are needed at all levels to combat the intersecting and overlapping discrimination suffered by Roma and Sinti women, compounded by long-standing social and economic exclusion, said the OSCE Office for Democratic Institutions and Human Rights (ODIHR) ahead of International Roma Day on 8 April.
OSCE Mission to Montenegro assess capacities and needs of police dogs
Publishing date: 6 April 2023
From 27 to 31 March, the OSCE Mission to Montenegro, in co-operation with the OSCE Forum for Security Co-operation Support Section and the French Gendarmerie, organized an assessment of the capacities of the Montenegrin police in terms of use of K9 – police dogs to detect small arms and light weapons (SALW), ammunition, explosives, illegal drugs and currency.
Press communiqué of the Co-Chairs of the Geneva International Discussions
Publishing date: 5 April 2023
GENEVA, 5 April 2023- The 57th round of the Geneva International Discussions (GID) took place on 4 and 5 April 2023 in two working groups meeting in parallel, in line with the Six-Point Agreement of 12 August 2008 and the Implementing Measures of 8 September 2008.
OSCE Presence in Albania facilitates co-operation between University of Tirana and Democritus University of Thrace
Publishing date: 5 April 2023
On 4 April 2023, the University of Tirana and the Democritus University of Thrace (DUTH) signed a co-operation agreement, facilitated by the OSCE Presence in Albania, in the premises of the Greek university. The memorandum of understanding aims at regulating the co-operation between the two
Ukraine appoints three experts following invocation of the OSCE’s Moscow Mechanism
Publishing date: 5 April 2023
On 30 March 2023 and following consultation with Ukraine, 45 OSCE participating States invoked the Moscow Mechanism in order to “ address the Deportation of Children amidst Human Rights Violations and Humanitarian Impacts of Russia’s war of aggression against Ukraine”. More specifically, the tasks
Montenegro’s presidential runoff competitive and well run despite harsh rhetoric and legal uncertainties, international observers say
Publishing date: 3 April 2023
PODGORICA, 3 April 2023 – The second round of Montenegro’s presidential election was competitive and as in the first round candidates were able to campaign freely with fundamental freedoms respected, but the tone was increasingly negative and the gaps in the legal framework became ever more apparent, international observers said in a statement today.
Bulgaria’s parliamentary elections competitive and well-managed, but frequent changes to legal framework created challenges, international observers say
Publishing date: 3 April 2023
SOFIA, 3 April 2023 – Bulgaria’s 2 April early parliamentary elections were competitive and well-managed but, while the legal framework is adequate for holding democratic elections, frequent changes erode trust, undercut efficiency and create challenges to making timely preparations, international observers said in a statement today. In particular, controversial amendments that reduced the use of voting machines reignited concerns about the secrecy and integrity of the ballot and undue influence on voters in socially vulnerable communities, the statement says.