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.

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

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

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

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. See OSCE/ODIHR’s full statement: buff.ly/PaujVUU #Georgia

Challenges to democracy and human rights are increasing, regrettably also in an increasing number of countries. OSCE/ODIHR continues working to strengthen respect for democratic principles, human rights, and the rule of law. Learn more about our work and impact 👉 bit.ly/3XOhAuw

Efforts to uphold justice and achieve accountability remain crucial for a just and lasting peace as we mark the third year since the beginning of the war in #Ukraine. Today’s statement from OSCE/ODIHR > www.osce.org/odihr/586050

The right to peaceful protest is the lifeblood of democracy. If this is a topic you work on, check out OSCE/ODIHR’s new monitoring report, with findings from our own monitoring: www.osce.org/odihr/585436

Genuinely democratic #elections are a lynchpin of democracy. In a time of democratic challenges, independent and impartial election observation is more important than ever. Find out more about ODIHR’s election observation and how you can join us: www.osce.org/odihr/electi...

Today marks 80 years since the liberation of the Auschwitz-Birkenau extermination camp. The Holocaust demonstrates the horrific consequences of prejudice and hatred when they are not only allowed, but encouraged & rewarded. www.osce.org/odihr/584953 #HolocaustRemembranceDay #WeRemember #NieWieder

RIP Martin. You will be missed.

The late invitation from #Belarus only 10 days before the presidential election prevents OSCE/ODIHR from accessing key stages of the election process, making meaningful observation impossible. The information in our statement from 9 January stands. Read it here 👉 www.osce.org/odihr/electi...

Support to strengthen democracy and human rights in #Ukraine is a priority for OSCE/ODIHR, helping to build resilient, inclusive societies even during the most challenging of times. This overview is only 850 words, check it out here 👉 www.osce.org/odihr/523236

I’m not saying there aren’t challenges, but I prefer to see the positives for my first @bsky.app post. Working together, we can overcome division and polarisation to make this a better year for democracy and human rights, across the 57 countries of the OSCE and beyond.