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ODIHR Office for Democratic Institutions and Human Rights
Azerbaijan's Parliamentary Elections: Lack of Competition and Restricted Fundamental Freedoms Draw International Criticism
On 1 September 2024, early parliamentary elections were held in Azerbaijan, which were sharply criticized by international observers from the OSCE. Despite efficient organization, the election was marked by a lack of political competition and an increasingly repressive political climate, which raised doubts about the democratic legitimacy of the entire process.
September 8, 2024
Two Years of War in Ukraine: Solidarity and demands for peace from the international community in Vienna
Two years after the start of the Russian invasion of Ukraine, the international community remains alarmed and united in its support for Ukraine. The ongoing violence against civilians, including children, and Russia's violation of international human rights norms have sparked concern and outrage around the world. The OSCE and international representatives have spoken out strongly, calling for an end to the war.
February 26, 2024
Escalation after Navalny's Death: Diplomatic Aftermath Between Austria and Russia
The death of Russian opposition leader Alexei Navalny has not only caused international outrage but has also led to a diplomatic dispute between Austria and Russia. An investigation into Navalny's death amidst unjust imprisonment has been also requested by the OSCE in Vienna.
February 20, 2024
International Observers: Lack of Political Alternatives in Presidential Elections in Azerbaijan
International observers have found that the early presidential election in Azerbaijan lacked genuine political pluralism due to a restrictive environment. Russia has sharply criticized the OSCE mission for its lack of understanding of election monitoring.
February 11, 2024
Russia Refuses OSCE Observer's Invitation to Presidential Elections
The Russian Federation's decision not to invite observers from the Organization for Security and Co-operation in Europe (OSCE) to the upcoming presidential elections has been met with deep regret by the leaders of the OSCE Office for Democratic Institutions and Human Rights (ODIHR) and the OSCE Parliamentary Assembly (OSCE PA).
February 11, 2024
Belarus Refuses OSCE Observation of Parliamentary Elections
The Belarusian authorities have decided not to invite observers from the OSCE to the upcoming parliamentary and local elections. This decision contradicts Belarus' international commitments and highlights concerns about the transparency and democratic standards of the elections.
January 16, 2024
International Observers Highlight Concerns in Serbia's Early Parliamentary Elections
In Serbia's early parliamentary elections, held amidst a politically and socially divided landscape, international observers have raised significant concerns about the fairness and integrity of the electoral process. The OSCE and the European Parliament expressed their criticism. The elections were marked by overwhelming advantages for the ruling party and the dominant involvement of the President, overshadowing the technical efficiency of the voting process.
December 19, 2023
ODIHR and OSCE Combat Hate Crime and Promote Tolerance
In light of a worrying rise in hate crimes, particularly against Jewish and Muslim communities, the Office for Democratic Institutions and Human Rights (ODIHR) of the Organization for Security and Co-operation in Europe (OSCE) is intensifying its efforts to counter this trend.
November 13, 2023
OSCE Monitoring Reveals Instances of Torture and Sexual Violence in Ukraine
The OSCE Office for Democratic Institutions and Human Rights (ODIHR) has released a new report summarizing its continuous monitoring of international law violations following Russia's military attack in Ukraine.
July 17, 2023
OSCE Experts Present Findings on Child Abductions in Ukraine to Permanent Council
A recent report by the Organization for Security and Co-operation in Europe (OSCE) demonstrates that practices that violate international humanitarian law have been used in the abduction of Ukrainian children to areas controlled by Russia, or even as far away as Russia itself. OSCE experts were tasked to establish the facts and circumstances surrounding possible violations of OSCE commitments and possible cases of war crimes.
May 4, 2023
European Anti-Semitism Conference in Vienna
Anti-Semitism is still widespread in Europe and must be curbed. The European conference on anti-Semitism is taking place in Vienna for the second time.
April 17, 2023
OSCE Will Investigate Allegations Against Russia on Child Abductions
The abduction of Ukrainian children in the wake of Russia's war of aggression is to be investigated within the framework of the Organization for Security and Cooperation in Europe (OSCE).
March 30, 2023
Challenges of the OSCE in Montenegro's Presidential Election
The OSCE Office for Democratic Institutions and Human Rights (ODIHR) opened an election observation mission for the March 19 presidential elections in Montenegro. The OSCE mission taking place in the former Yugoslav republic of Montenegro faces a country that had problems with the legality of elections and the circumstances in which they are conducted, now in the shadow of the Ukraine war and after a turbulent past few months of political conflict between the ruling parties in the country.
March 9, 2023
Moscow Bans Oldest Russian Human Rights NGO Related to OSCE
A court in the Russian capital has ordered the closure of the Moscow Helsinki Group, a human rights organization founded in Soviet times. The Russian Justice Ministry's request for liquidation was granted, Judge Mikhail Kazakov ruled in the Moscow City Court. The OSCE strongly condemns this, especially since the Helsinki Group is linked with the establishment of the OSCE itself.
January 26, 2023
Weekly Briefing: IAEA Finally Sent Mission to Ukraine
The Find out more about this week's developments. The IAEA finally sent its mission to Ukraine's Zaporizhzhya nuclear power plant and will build a continued presence at the nuclear site. Read about the latest developments in diplomacy in Vienna and Austria.
September 1, 2022
OSCE's Dilemma over Bulgaria's Parliamentary Elections
The OSCE Office for Democratic Institutions and Human Rights (ODIHR) opened its election observation mission on the 2 October early parliamentary elections in Bulgaria, following an official invitation from the national authorities. The OSCE mission will face political turmoil in a country fighting corruption, threatened to be overshadowed by Russian influence and the war in Ukraine
August 31, 2022
Weekly Briefing: Latest Developments in and Around Diplomacy
The Find out more about this week's developments. Last week was turbulent for the most important matters of diplomacy in Vienna. The war in Ukraine, the European Forum Alpbach or the efforts of international organizations in Vienna towards peaceful solutions shows once again how multifaceted diplomacy is. Read about the latest developments in diplomacy in Vienna and Austria.
August 25, 2022
OSCE's Dilemma over Bosnia and Herzegovina’s General Elections
The OSCE Office for Democratic Institutions and Human Rights (ODIHR) today opened an election observation mission for the 2 October parliamentary elections in Bosnia and Herzegovina. The OSCE mission is taking place in a country deeply scarred by war, now in the shadow of the Ukraine war and after a turbulent past few months of political conflict between the ruling parties in the country.
August 24, 2022
Weekly Briefing: Vienna Iran Nuclear Talks Back on Track
The Find out more about this week's developments. Negotiations with Iran to save the nuclear agreement have resumed in Vienna. The Ukrainian ambassador, Vasyl Khymynets, recently criticized the Austrian police. Read about the latest developments in diplomacy in Vienna and Austria.
August 4, 2022
Commemoration of the Genocides of Sinti and Roma
In Europe, the Nazis slaughtered hundreds of thousands of Sinti and Roma people. Prominent Austrian politicians, like Alexander Van der Bellen and Michael Ludwig, attended the commemoration of the Roma Holocaust Memorial Day. The OSCE also declared the importance of this day and commemorated the victims.
August 2, 2022
Austria Confirms Poland's Role in Aid to Ukraine
Austria's Foreign Minister Alexander Schallenberg visited the Polish capital Warsaw for a working visit. There, Foreign Minister Schallenberg explained that Poland is the hub for Ukraine's assistance.
June 7, 2022
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