News and press releases
News and press releases from the OSCE's global activities.
OSCE report calls for more adequate and effective criminal sanctions for domestic violence in Bosnia and Herzegovina
Publishing date: 22 February 2012
SARAJEVO, 22 February 2012 – Criminal sanctions for domestic violence should reflect the gravity of the offence, to ensure their effectiveness as part of a comprehensive approach to prevent and combat domestic violence in Bosnia and Herzegovina, concludes a report presented by the OSCE Mission to Bosnia and Herzegovina today...
OSCE facilitates discussion on prevention of torture in Kyrgyzstan
Publishing date: 22 February 2012
BISHKEK, 22 February 2012 – The implementation of the Istanbul Protocol standards for the effective investigation and documentation of torture and ill treatment in Kyrgyzstan was the focus of a roundtable discussion organized today by the OSCE Centre in Bishkek in co-operation with the UN OHCHR Regional Office for Central Asia, the Soros Foundation and the US-based NGO Physicians for Human Rights...
OSCE/ODIHR ready to co-operate with Asian Partners on promoting democracy and respect for human rights
Publishing date: 15 February 2012
The OSCE is ready to co-operate with its Asian Partners in promoting democracy and human rights to contribute to broader security in the region, Janez Lenarčič, the ODIHR Director, told the OSCE-Thailand Conference in Chiang Mai on 14 February 2012...
OSCE Centre to continue promoting fundamental rights in Kazakhstan, says new Head of Centre
Publishing date: 7 February 2012
ASTANA, 7 February 2012 – A roundtable meeting held in Astana today reviewed the implementation of the parts of the country’s National Human Rights Action Plan for 2009-2012 devoted to improving the enforcement of the right to life and the rights of prisoners...
Council of Europe Human Rights Commissioner addresses OSCE, stresses need to co-operate to confront negative trends
Publishing date: 2 February 2012
VIENNA, 2 February 2012 – The Council of Europe Commissioner for Human Rights, Thomas Hammarberg, in today’s address to the OSCE Permanent Council emphasized the need for the Council or Europe, the OSCE and other international actors to further co-operate to counter negative developments in relation to human rights issues...
OSCE rights chief welcomes decision to release Zhovtis, but expresses concern about clampdown on Kazakh opposition
Publishing date: 1 February 2012
WARSAW, 1 February 2012 – Ambassador Janez Lenarčič, the Director of the OSCE Office for Democratic Institutions and Human Rights (ODIHR), today welcomed the decision by a court in Ust-Kamenogorsk to release prominent human rights defender Yevgeniy Zhovtis, but expressed concern about the continuing clampdown on opposition activities in Kazakhstan in the wake of December’s violence in Zhanaozen and parliamentary elections held earlier this month...
Bialiatski should be set free, says OSCE Chairperson
Publishing date: 24 January 2012
DUBLIN, 24 January 2012 – The OSCE Chairperson-in-Office, Irish Deputy Prime Minister and Minister for Foreign Affairs and Trade Eamon Gilmore, expressed regret today that prominent Belarusian human rights defender Aliaksandr (Ales) Bialiatski was not freed on appeal...