On the Anniversary of the Fraudulent Election in Belarus

Three years after the fraudulent presidential election that inspired so many Belarusians to take to the streets and demand a democratically elected government that respects their human rights, the United States continues to stand with the brave people of Belarus and to support their demand to hold the Lukashenka regime to account. 

Read More»

On the Murder of Political Activist Oleg Horjan in the Transnistrian Region of the Republic of Moldova

The United States is deeply disturbed by reports of the death of political activist and former political prisoner Oleg Horjan just seven months after his release from unjust detention by the de facto authorities in the Transnistrian region of the Republic of Moldova.

Read More»

Statement on the Secretary General’s Report “Response to the Implications of Afghanistan for the OSCE Region” (RIAOR)

Recognizing that the OSCE is uniquely positioned to address the regional consequences of the crisis, the United States has provided significant financial and in-kind contributions to the projects associated with the three pillars of the framework on Response to the Implications of Afghanistan for the OSCE Region. 

Read More»

Conference of the States Parties of the Treaty on Conventional Armed Forces in Europe: Withdrawal of the Russian Federation from the Treaty

To be clear, Russia’s behavior is the key factor creating today’s crisis in European security, and Russia’s actions have had global consequences well beyond the military sphere, as we have seen the rapid rise in food insecurity and other economic impacts.  

Read More»

Response to the Head of the OSCE Programme Office in Bishkek and the Director of the OSCE Academy in Bishkek

The effects of Russia’s war of aggression against Ukraine have had an impact on the economic development of Central Asia as well, leading to high inflation rates and driving up prices of basic necessities such as food and energy. 

Read More»

Joint Statement on the Report by the Rapporteur under the OSCE Moscow Mechanism on the Serious Threat to the OSCE Human Dimension in Belarus

The first steps toward security and stability for the people of Belarus remains for the Belarusian authorities to release all those unjustly imprisoned, to end the campaign of violence against peaceful protesters, and to hold perpetrators to account. 

Read More»

Joint Statement: Moscow Mechanism Invocation on Human Rights Violations and Abuses in the Republic of Belarus

We invoke paragraph 12 of the 1991 Document of the Moscow meeting of the Conference on the Human Dimension of the (then) CSCE in order to establish a fact-finding mission of experts to examine the human dimension issues identified above.

Read More»

Response to the Report by the Director of the Office for Democratic Institutions and Human Rights

ODIHR’s quick reaction to Russia’s brutal and unprovoked full-scale invasion of Ukraine through your human rights monitoring work is an important contribution to international accountability efforts. 

Read More»

Opening Statement at the OSCE Economic and Environmental Dimension Implementation Meeting

The massive humanitarian crisis caused by Russia’s war of aggression against Ukraine, with its disproportionate impact on all women, presents an ongoing urgent threat that has only compounded the pandemic’s continuing gendered impacts. 

Read More»

Joint statement on the anniversaries of the Moscow Mechanism Report on Belarus and the invocation of the Vienna Mechanism

The Belarusian authorities have further increased harassment and intimidation efforts by widening of the scope of the death penalty to vaguely defined “attempted terrorist activities”.

Read More»

Response to the Special Representative and Coordinator on Combatting Trafficking in Human Beings, Val Richey

One of the many unfortunate impacts of Russia’s aggression has been the enormous refugee and humanitarian crisis that, in turn, has created the conditions for a significantly increased risk of trafficking in human beings throughout the region. 

Read More»

Response to the Report of the Head of the OSCE Mission in Kosovo, Michael Davenport

We continue to urge the governments of Kosovo and Serbia to fully implement their past commitments, refrain from actions and rhetoric that increase tensions, and to engage urgently, constructively, and in good faith in the EU-facilitated Dialogue. 

Read More»

Moscow Mechanism Report On Russia’s Legal and Administrative Practice in Light of its OSCE Human Dimension Commitments

This report effectively summarizes the terrible cost of a decade of legislative attacks on human rights in Russia under what can only be described as a police state.

Read More»

Joint Statement on invoking the Moscow Mechanism: Human Rights Violations and Abuses in the Russian Federation

According to a statement made by the OSCE Representative on Freedom of the Media on 16 March 2022, “the Russian Federation is rapidly moving towards a situation of complete censorship and isolation of its citizens from any form of independent information”

Read More»

Response to the OSCE Secretary General on the Implementation of the 2004 Gender Equality Action Plan

Through the implementation of the Women, Peace, and Security (WPS) Act of 2017 and ongoing support for UN Security Council Resolution 1325, the United States continues to advance the full, equal, and meaningful participation of women, in all their diversity, across diplomatic and foreign policy engagements.

Read More»

Response to the Report by the OSCE High Commissioner on National Minorities, Ambassador Kairat Abdrakhmanov

Russia’s cynical attempt to use minority issues to justify its brutal war – a war which is wreaking death and destruction on Ukrainian citizens of many ethnicities, including ethnic Russians – is a chilling example of “the serious dangers of exploiting minority issues.” 

Read More»

Response to the Report by the OSCE Project Coordinator in Ukraine, Ambassador Henrik Villadsen

We commend your longstanding efforts in support of the government of Ukraine on rule of law, human rights, democratization, and good governance, all of which are indispensable to Ukraine’s implementation of its OSCE commitments and to its future as a vibrant democracy. 

Read More»

Right of Reply to the Russian Federation’s Current Issue “On biological programmes and activities of the United States of America in Ukraine”

Russia’s long track record of accusing others of the violations it itself is perpetrating, or plans to perpetrate, raises the possibility that the Kremlin may be laying the predicate for a false flag operation using biological or chemical weapons.

Read More»

Response to the Report of the Head of the OSCE Mission in Kosovo, Michael Davenport

The United States strongly supports the work of the Mission and appreciates our close collaboration to support Kosovo’s development as a secure, democratic, and inclusive member of the European community of nations.  

Read More»

Right of Reply to Belarus on the Russian Federation’s Ongoing Aggression Against Ukraine

Right of Reply to Belarus on the Russian Federation’s Ongoing Aggression Against Ukraine As delivered by Ambassador Michael Carpenter to the Permanent Council, Vienna March 24, 2022  Thank you, Mr. Chair. So, with regards to the intervention, just now, from the Belarusian representative, where he says that his country has no plans to attack Ukrainian …

Read More»

Joint Statement of the Group of Friends of  Georgia 

We reiterate our full support for the territorial integrity and sovereignty of Georgia within its internationally recognized borders, and remain deeply concerned over the continued occupation of parts of the territory of Georgia by the Russian Federation as well as by steps to integrate Abkhazia and South Ossetia into the Russia’s socio-economic sphere.    

Read More»

Closing Statement at the 30th OSCE Economic and Environmental Forum Preparatory Meeting

The United States will continue to emphasize the importance of the clean energy transformation, role and contributions of women and girls, minorities, and historically marginalized communities, and anti-corruption as key parts of the economic recovery from the pandemic.  

Read More»

Response to Italian Deputy Foreign Minister Benedetto Della Vedova on the Italian Presidency of the Committee of Ministers of the Council of Europe

Response to Italian Deputy Foreign Minister Benedetto Della Vedova on the Italian Presidency of the Committee of Ministers of the Council of Europe As delivered by Ambassador Michael Carpenter to the Permanent Council, Vienna February 3, 2022 Thank you, Mr. Chair. Thank you, Deputy Minister Della Vedova, the United States warmly welcomes you to the …

Read More»

On the Summit for Democracy

On the Summit for Democracy As delivered by Acting Deputy Chief of Mission Elisabeth Rosenstock-Siller to the Permanent Council, Vienna December 10, 2021 Thank you, Madam Chair.  Yesterday and today, coinciding with International Human Rights Day, President Biden is hosting a Summit for Democracy.  As the OSCE has long recognized, democracy, the rule of law, …

Read More»

On the PC Decision on the Theme, Agenda, and Modalities for the 30th Economic and Environmental Forum

The United States welcomes the adoption of this decision and the 2022 Polish Chair’s efforts to promote comprehensive security, stability, and sustainable development in the OSCE area through sustainable economic recovery from the COVID-19 pandemic.

Read More»

Joint Statement on OSCE’s Role in Supporting Security Sector Governance and Reform as part of OSCE’s Comprehensive Approach to Security | OSCE MC

An inclusive, accountable and democratically controlled security sector with respect for human rights and the rule of law can promote confidence and trust between society and state, and stability and peace in the entire OSCE region.

Read More»

Joint Statement of the Group of Friends of Georgia | OSCE Ministerial Council

Thirteen years since the Russian Federation’s military invasion of Georgia, we remain deeply concerned over the continued occupation of parts of the territory of Georgia and underline the need for the peaceful resolution of the conflict based on full respect for the UN Charter, the Helsinki Final Act and international law.

Read More»