Newsroom
Berlin conference on how religious leaders can help to re-invigorate European democracies
As part of Liechtenstein’s Presidency of the Committee of Ministers, an international conference on “How can interreligious engagement help to re-invigorate the European democracies?” will take place on 14 May at the Federal Ministry for Economic Co-operation and Development (BMZ) in Berlin,...
Foreign ministers of 46 member states meet a year after Reykjavik Summit
The Foreign Affairs Ministers of the Council of Europe’s 46 member states will hold their annual session on 17 May 2024, in the context of the organisation’s 75th anniversary. The agenda will include the measures which the Council of Europe is continuing to take in response to the Russian...
Hate crimes must be unmasked, recorded and investigated, and victims supported
New Committee of Ministers Recommendation
Council of Europe evaluates anti-corruption progress in Belgium
The Council of Europe’s Group of States against Corruption (GRECO) has published two reports on Belgium, assessing progress towards implementing GRECO recommendations concerning members of parliament, judges and prosecutors as well as central governments (top executive functions) and law...
Council of Europe adopts guidelines on emergency responses to terrorist attacks
The Committee of Ministers has adopted a series of guidelines aimed at its 46 member states, in order to help public authorities and the public sector to strengthen their emergency responses in case of a terrorist attack. Prepared by the Committee on Counter-Terrorism (CDCT), the guidelines...
"Defending fundamental freedoms in times of war and crises” on the Kristiansand conference agenda
The future of European co-operation and justice for Ukraine featured heavily at the 5th European Conference on Democracy and Human Rights in Kristiansand, Norway on 6 May. Following a welcome address by the Mayor of Kristiansand, Matthias Bernander, the official opening speeches focused on the...
Europe Day 2024 : video message from Secretary General
Council of Europe Secretary General Marija Pejčinović Burić marks the organisation’s 75th anniversary. The Council of Europe was founded in London on 5 May 1949 by ten European countries. The organisation now comprises 46 member states, representing 700 million European citizens. 5 May is...
“Confidence in Tomorrow”
Statement by Secretary General on Europe Day 2024
Situation in Georgia: Statement by the Secretary General
Council of Europe Secretary General Marija Pejčinović Burić today made the following statement: “I am deeply concerned by the developments unfolding in Georgia and regret Parliament’s adoption in second reading of the draft law ‘on transparency of foreign influence’, despite calls by Georgia’s...
World Press Freedom Day
2024 election year: Secretary General urges governments to protect journalists to safeguard democracy
Ukraine: Disregard false information concerning derogations from the European Convention on Human Rights
In 2022, Ukraine notified the Council of Europe of derogations to several articles of the European Convention on Human Rights resulting from the Russian aggression and ongoing state of war in the country. Ukraine regularly updates the Council of Europe about these derogations. As of 4 April 2024...
“Our rights, our future”
Secretary General 2024 report on democracy, human rights, and rule of law in Europe
L’Atelier de l’Europe: immersion in the Council of Europe’s art collection
To mark its 75th anniversary, the Council of Europe is offering a unique audio experience featuring 12 works of art that are emblematic of the organisation’s history, heritage and values. L’Atelier de l’Europe (Europe’s workshop), a 12-episode podcast in French, will be available from 1 May. The...
Anti-trafficking group GRETA issues 2023 report
The Council of Europe's Group of Experts on Action against Trafficking in Human Beings (GRETA) has published its latest general report of activities, highlighting the key achievements in 2023. These include the publication of 11 new country evaluation reports (in respect of Azerbaijan, Estonia,...
Secretary General welcomes new three-year contract “Strasbourg, European Capital”
Statement by Secretary General Marija Pejčinović Burić
Ukraine: Anti-torture committee expresses concern over prison overcrowding and informal hierarchies
The European Committee for the Prevention of Torture and Inhuman or Degrading Treatment or Punishment (CPT) has published the report on its October 2023 periodic visit to Ukraine, the first since the start of the full-scale military aggression by Russia in February 2022. Despite the efforts by...
Human Rights Commissioner calls for stronger support for Ukraine
The new Council of Europe Commissioner for Human Rights, Michael O’Flaherty, carried out a visit to Kyiv, Ukraine from 23-25 April. This was his first visit to a member state since taking up his post on 1 April. With the current human rights landscape in Europe being dominated by Russia’s war...
Secretary General attends OSCE Permanent Council in Vienna
“I said at the very beginning of my mandate, in 2019, that I wanted to reinforce co-operation between the Council of Europe and other international organisations in the interest of people in Europe, and the wider world. And I cannot think of a better way to mark the Council of Europe’s 75th...