On World Press Freedom Day
Statement delivered at the Permanent Council on May 7, 2020 marking World Press Freedom Day. Read More»
Joint Statement announcing the 2020 Democracy Defender Award Recipient
A joint statement delivered to the Permanent Council announcing this year’s Democracy Defender Award winner. Read More»
On the Parliamentary Elections in Belarus
Statement delivered at the Permanent Council on the Parliamentary Elections in Belarus. Read More»
HDIM 2019 Statement on the Moscow Mechanism in Turkmenistan and Belarus
Statement delivered at the Human Dimesnsion Implementation Meeting 2019 under Any Other Business. Read More»
Human Dimension Implementation Meeting 2019: Working Session 6
U.S. Statement delivered at HDIM 2019 Working Session 6 on the Freedom of Assembly Read More»
Human Dimension Implementation Meeting 2019: Working session 1
U.S. Statement on Fundamental Freedoms of Free Expression and Media delivered at HDIM's Working Session 1. Read More»
HDIM: Working Session 3 – Freedom of the Media
Statement at HDIM Working Session 3: Freedom of the Media (Part 2) Read More»
Restrictions on the Freedoms of Expression, Association and Peaceful Assembly in Belarus
We have been following with deep concern reports regarding the response by government authorities to peaceful public demonstrations that took place in several locations in Belarus over the last weekend. Read More»
Response to the Report by Representative on Freedom of the Media Dunja Mijatović | Statement to the PC
The office of the Representative on Freedom of the Media has been a vocal and courageous advocate for freedom of expression, both on- and off-line. Read More»
Freedom of Movement | Statement at Working Session 13 of HDIM 2016
In Vienna in 1989, all participating States committed to, “respect the right of everyone to freedom of movement and residence within the borders of each State, and to leave any country, including his own, and to return to his country.” This right is still not fully respected in all participating States. Let me make it ... Read More»
Freedom of Expression, Information, and Media Freedom | Statement at Working Session 6 of HDIM 2016
In establishing the Representative on Freedom of the Media in 1997, the OSCE participating States recognized that “free, independent, and pluralistic media are essential to a free and open society and accountable systems of government.” Read More»
Freedom of Association and Peaceful Assembly | Statement at Working Session 5 of HDIM 2016
Freedom of association is necessary for the fullest exercise of the freedoms of expression and of religion or belief, and for the conduct of free and fair elections. It is a cornerstone for the rights of persons seeking to form independent trade unions. Read More»
Freedom of Association and Peaceful Assembly | Statement at Working Session 4 of HDIM 2016
In many participating States, the exercise of peaceful assembly and association is subject to undue and serious restrictions. Read More»
Democratic Institutions | Statement at Working Session 1 of HDIM 2016
Elections are an essential element of democracy and a cornerstone of democratic institutions. The U.S. greatly appreciates the OSCE’s invaluable role in election observation – indeed, this organization has developed what is known as the “gold standard” for its methodology on evaluating elections. Read More»
Freedom of Expression Concerns in the OSCE Region: Statement to the PC
The actions of some participating States in the past few weeks do not appear consistent with OSCE commitments on free expression. Read More»
On the presidential election in Belarus: Statement to the PC
The United States joins other participating States in welcoming the peaceful conduct of the October 11 presidential election in Belarus. We were, however, disappointed that the election fell significantly short of Belarus’ OSCE commitments and international standards for holding democratic elections, as demonstrated by reports from the OSCE ODIHR and Parliamentary Assembly election observation mission. ... Read More»
Closing Reinforced Plenary – Any Other Business: HDIM 2015
The United States, for several years, has used this agenda item to follow up on the invocation of the Moscow Mechanism concerning Turkmenistan and Belarus. The United States believes it is important that we continue to use our human rights mechanisms – and that means we, the participating States, need to take action based on the outcomes of ... Read More»
On the Release of Political Prisoners in Belarus: Statement to the PC
For many years, and as recently as May, the United States has used the Permanent Council to call on the government of Belarus to release all political prisoners immediately and unconditionally, and to restore fully their political and civil rights. Consequently, the United States welcomes the August 22 release from prison in Belarus of Mikalai ... Read More»
On Mikolai Statkevich, Mikalai Dziadok, and other political prisoners in Belarus: Statement to the PC
The United States is concerned by recent developments in the treatment of political prisoners in Belarus. On May 4, former presidential candidate Mikolai Statkevich was sentenced to harsher prison conditions and increased security measures for alleged violations of prison rules. Mr. Statkevich is serving a six-year sentence related to his participation in peaceful protests following ... Read More»
Closing Reinforced Plenary: Any Other Business | HDIM 2014
The United States for several years has used this agenda item to follow up on the recommendations made by the fact-finding missions resulting from the invocation of the Moscow Mechanism concerning Turkmenistan and Belarus. Because the conditions that gave rise to invocations of the Mechanism remain ongoing, my delegation will again address these serious issues. ... Read More»
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