Security is much more than the absence of conflict. For genuine and sustainable security, we need respect for democratic principles, the rule of law, and human rights. Read more 👇

All OSCE countries have recognised that respect and protection of human rights is essential for sustainable security. International humanitarian law explicitly prohibits indiscriminate attacks against civilians and civilian infrastructure.

Our statement on today's tragic anniversary in #Ukraine ⬇️

Are you a human rights defender?

ODIHR's online game is a fun approach to a serious topic, helping human rights defenders stay safe while doing their important work.

🎮 Play it now: t.co/LSGxG2RiaJ

Democracy and human rights are under pressure, but we have the power to fix it if we work together.

Thanks to the Konrad Adenauer Foundation and @politischemeinung.bsky.social for the invitation to speak about @odihr.pl's work and why there’s hope even in dark and difficult times.

Throughout 2025 ODIHR worked on publications and practical guides to strengthen democracy and human rights, helping to make our societies both safer and fairer.

👉🏼 Here they are all in one place, ready to download and use: buff.ly/VGAuOsi

ODIHR wishes a good start to 2026.

Working together, we can make this a year to strengthen democracy and human rights across the OSCE region and beyond.

Many trafficked women are in plain sight and yet still unseen, unheard and unprotected.

ODIHR has worked to develop survivor-informed indicators that show how often warning signs are missed.

Let's work together to end this crime. Read more: buff.ly/GcJ8soW

#16Days

ODIHR will shortly publish a legal review of recent legal changes in 🇬🇪#Georgia affecting freedom of peaceful assembly on request from @Ombudsman_Geo.

We are closely monitoring developments & continue to offer our assistance in strengthening democracy & human rights in Georgia.

Today is #WorldDayAgainstTheDeathPenalty.

The death penalty is widely recognised as a cruel & inhuman punishment. It does not deter crime & causes terrible suffering.

All OSCE countries should join the global trend of abolition & make the OSCE region a death penalty-free zone.

#Georgia has committed to respect and protect the right to freedom of assembly in line with its international and OSCE human rights obligations. The detention of peaceful protesters, human rights defenders and opposition politicians goes against international human rights standards.

Zwei Personen stehen vor einem Bild, auf dem Teile der Worte "Human Dignity" zu lesen sind. Eine lächelt in die Kamera, die andere schaut ernst. Dazu der Text: „Demokratiefeindliche und menschenverachtende Parteien und Stimmungen nehmen überall in Europa zu. Gerade jetzt braucht der demokratische Rechtsstaat Politiker*innen, die für die Menschenrechte aller eintreten, für unabhängige Institutionen, für eine starke Zivilgesellschaft.“

Maria Telalian, Direktorin des @odihr.pl, war zu Besuch im Institut.

Gemeinsam mit der Direktorin des Instituts, Beate Rudolf, bekräftigte sie die große Bedeutung von Politiker*innen, die für die Menschenrechte aller eintreten, für unabhängige Institutionen und für eine starke Zivilgesellschaft.

Regrettably, the Georgian authorities’ decision to invite ODIHR to observe the forthcoming local elections at such a late stage prevents meaningful observation, and we will not be in a position to deploy an election observation mission. #Georgia #elections

Security begins with freedom, fairness and dignity.

To achieve that goal, ODIHR works each day throughout the OSCE region to strengthen respect for democratic principles and human rights.

Find out what we do: buff.ly/ASg7uZa

The OSCE was founded on the principle that security is only possible when human rights are placed at its centre.

Fifty years after the Helsinki Final Act signature, this vision is more vital than ever.

ODIHR turns this vision into action, every day ⏩ bit.ly/4ffnWuq

Today ODIHR publishes its 7th monitoring report on violations of international law in 🇺🇦#Ukraine, documenting evidence of human rights violations that are increasing amid escalating attacks by the Russian armed forces. Find out more here: www.osce.org/odihr/594793
#HumanRights #IHL

The closure of Golos, respected for its independent election monitoring in 🇷🇺#Russia, underscores the years of pressure on civil society. ODIHR urges the authorities to ensure that civil society can operate freely, an essential element to any genuine democracy.

ODIHR notes with particular concern the arrests of dozens of protestors in recent months and reports of the lack of respect for fair trial standards, as well as increased pressure on human rights defenders and civil society actors carrying out their legitimate work. 🇬🇪#Georgia

ODIHR urges the 🇷🇸 Serbian authorities to respect the right to peaceful assembly, refrain from any excessive or indiscriminate use of force, and ensure that any violations are investigated.

ODIHR is Bluesky and away! Join us for updates on democracy, human rights and the rule of law across the 57 countries of the OSCE region.

High audience engagement at the ODIHR‬ & FRA‬ session on communicating the rule of law at #WorldJusticeForum2025 underlined not just the importance of the topic, but also how many of us share the challenge of making it tangible to the general public.

@odihr.pl
@fra.europa.eu

OSCE/ODIHR welcomes the release of Siarhei Tsikhanouski and others unjustly imprisoned in #Belarus. We continue to call for the release of all those who remain behind bars simply for exercising their fundamental rights to peaceful protest and freedom of expression.

Everyone has the right to seek safety in another country, no matter where they come from or who they are.

OSCE/ODIHR statement 👉 bit.ly/3ZFGvl1
#WorldRefugeeDay #WithRefugees

Voting is well underway in 🇵🇱#Poland's presidential run-off, and OSCE/ODIHR has been observing since early April.

Join the international observers tomorrow at 15:00 to hear our initial findings: www.osce.org/odihr/electi... #WyboryPrezydenckie #wybory2025

Conviction of independent election monitor in Russia undermines human rights and democratic standards, OSCE human rights office says WARSAW, 15 May 2025 – The OSCE Office for Democratic Institutions and Human Rights (ODIHR) expresses serious concern following the conviction and sentencing of Grigory Melkonyants, co-chair of the ind...

OSCE/ODIHR expresses serious concern following the conviction and sentencing of Grigory Melkonyants, co-chair of the independent Russian election monitoring group Golos, to 5 years in a penal colony after a verdict by a Moscow court. Read more: www.osce.org/odihr/electi...

Voting is underway in #Romania’s presidential election, and OSCE/ODIHR has been observing in the country since March.

Tune in at 15:00 local time tomorrow to watch the press conference of the international observers: www.osce.org/odihr/electi... #elections #alegeri

ODIHR Election Observation to the 2025 Presidential Election in Poland This factsheet explains the purpose of the Limited Election Observation Mission to Poland's 2025 Presidential Election.

All OSCE countries have committed to hold elections in line with international democratic standards.

As Poland heads to the polls on 18 May, ODIHR is on the ground to observe.

Find out more about our observation mission here: bit.ly/3GJZa8t

Check out all OSCE/ODIHR legal reviews on Poland here: legislationline.org/Poland

OSCE/ODIHR deplores today’s attack by the Russian Federation on Sumy 🇺🇦#Ukraine and the resulting civilian deaths, which once again include children. Targeting civilian life is a violation of international humanitarian law and must stop immediately. #IHL

USA 2024 general elections: ODIHR observation mission final report While the general elections in the United States demonstrated the resilience of the country’s democratic institutions, the election process took place in a highly polarized environment. The election w...

While the #US general #elections demonstrated the resilience of the country’s democratic institutions, it was marred by disinformation and repeated, unfounded claims of election fraud negatively impacted public trust. Find out more here ▶️ bit.ly/3RLWCZQ

Georgia’s foreign agents legislation raises concerns over negative impact on civil society, OSCE human rights office says WARSAW, 2 April 2025 – Georgia’s new law ‘On the Foreign Agents Registration Act’, requiring all individuals or organisations considered to act in the interest of a foreign entity to register as forei...

🇬🇪Georgia's foreign agents legislation raises concerns over negative impact on civil society. See OSCE/ODIHR’s full statement: buff.ly/PaujVUU #Georgia