Newsroom
Statement by the Secretary General Thorbjørn Jagland on the outcome of the Turkish constitutional referendum
“The Turkish electorate has voted on the amendments to the Constitution. In view of the close result the Turkish leadership should consider the next steps carefully. It is of utmost importance to secure the independence of the judiciary in line with the principle of rule of law enshrined in the...
New factsheets on the supervision of execution of Strasbourg Court judgments
In order to improve the transparency of the execution process of judgments of the European Court of Human Rights, the Department for the Execution of Judgments of the Council of Europe has published country factsheets. The factsheets present an overview of the main issues revealed by judgments...
Justice, social cohesion and media freedom remain top challenges in Kosovo*
Human Rights Commissioner Nils Muižnieks releases a Memorandum following his mission to Kosovo from 5 to 9 February
Terrorist attack in Stockholm
Statement from Ioannis Kasoulides, Chairman of the Committee of Ministers and Minister for Foreign Affairs of Cyprus
Stockholm attack
In a first reaction to the Stockholm truck attack today Secretary General Jagland said: “I am shocked by the sad news from Stockholm. It looks like another attack on our common values and freedoms, another attack on a vibrant European city. My thoughts go to Sweden and the people of Stockholm.”
International Roma Day: Statement by the Secretary General Thorbjørn Jagland
10 goals for the next 10 years
Anti-torture Committee: urgent action is required in prisons and police establishments in France
In a report published today on its most recent visit to France (15-27 November 2015), the Council of Europe’s Committee for the Prevention of Torture and Inhuman or Degrading Treatment or Punishment (CPT) calls on the French authorities to take urgent measures to address the problem of prison...
Regional and minority languages: evolution over 20 years
The impact of rapid technological developments, such as the expansion of the Internet and social media, on the way regional and minority language media work in Europe, as well as other new challenges they bring in the context of the European Charter for Regional and Minority Languages is the...
Supervision of the execution of judgments of the Court: Committee of Ministers publishes 10th annual report
Positive trends continue in 2016 – yet a new record number of cases closed
Venice Commission international conference in Bucharest: “Interaction between political majority and opposition in a democracy”
What are the main responsibilities and rights of the majority and of the opposition? What are the main obstacles to a positive and meaningful interaction majority - opposition? The European Commission for Democracy through Law (Venice Commission), in co-operation with the Presidential...
Saint-Petersburg metro attack: Secretary General conveys message of solidarity to Russian people
The Secretary General of the Council of Europe, Thorbjørn Jagland, sent a letter to the President of the Russian Federation, Vladimir Putin, today, following deadly attacks in the Saint-Petersburg metro on 3 April. "I was shocked and greatly saddened by the news of the deadly attack perpetrated...
Secretary General meets Danish Foreign Minister
Secretary General Jagland today met Foreign Minister Anders Samuelsen, ahead of the Danish Chairmanship of the Committee of Ministers. Topics of discussion included the threat of terrorism and the attack in St Petersburg, the situation in Turkey and the debate about the European Convention on...
The Shrinking Space for Human Rights Organisations
“In recent years I have noticed a clear trend of backsliding in several European countries in the area of freedom of association, particularly in respect of human rights organisations and defenders.” says Nils Muižnieks, Council of Europe Commissioner for Human Rights, in his latest Human Rights...
Attack in Saint Petersburg’s underground
Statement by Ioannis Kasoulides, Chair of the Committee of Ministers and Minister for Foreign Affairs of Cyprus
Debate on Democratic Security, with Ambassador Wolfgang Ischinger
Ambassador Wolfgang Ischinger, Chairman of the Munich Security Conference, introduces the tenth debate on Democratic Security which is addressing the protection of democracy in the digital age. For Amb. Ischinger, the development of new information and communication technologies is radically...
Regional and Local Representatives reaffirmed their commitment to the fight against anti-Gypsyism
Today, in the framework of the debate on the fight against anti-Gypsyism, the Congress for Local and Regional Authorities adopted a Declaration of Mayors and Elected Local and Regional Representatives of Council of Europe Member States against anti-Gypsyism. The declaration was presented by John...
Trafficking of children: experts highlight widespread problems
In its latest annual report, published today, the Council of Europe’s Group of Experts on Action against Trafficking in Human Beings (GRETA), has highlighted important shortcomings in a number of European countries related to the trafficking of children. The report shows that 4,361 children were...
Congress adopts report on the situation of mayors in Turkey
On 29 March 2017, the Congress adopted a recommendation and resolution on the situation of mayors and councillors in Turkey, and, in particular, on the detention of elected mayors and their replacement by mayors appointed by the central authorities. The co-rapporteurs Anders Knape (Sweden,...
Ireland should remove obstacles to the equality of Travellers, women and children
“The Irish government should ensure that the economic upturn benefits the most vulnerable groups and should promote equality of Travellers, women and children by removing the barriers that disproportionately hinder them from fully enjoying their rights”, said the Council of Europe Commissioner...
Migration: Congress adopts report on the role of local authorities in reception and integration
Local authorities are in the front line when it comes to dealing with the increase in the number of migrants and refugees arriving in Europe and must have adequate resources to meet these needs. That was the conclusion reached by Congress members at their 32nd session in Strasbourg on 28 March...
G7-Culture Florence: Secretary General Thorbjørn Jagland to present forthcoming Blood Antiquities Convention
Secretary General Thorbjørn Jagland will take part on 30-31 March in Florence (Italy) in the G7 Ministerial meeting on Culture: Culture as a tool for dialogue among peoples. The G7-Culture will focus on the protection of cultural heritage, fight against traffic of artistic and historic items and...
Gudrun Mosler-Törnström : "Local and regional authorities are essential to the democratic stability of Europe”
In her communication at the opening of the 32nd Session of the Congress of local and regional authorities (Strasbourg, 28-30 March 2017), President Gudrun Mosler-Törnström recalled that “local and regional authorities are responsible for carrying out a considerable share of public action in...
Europe for Roma empowerment: Taking stock and looking forward
Senior figures from the 47-nation Council of Europe (CoE) and the 28-member European Union (EU) are among those taking part in a conference in Brussels on 28 March looking at joint efforts to promote Roma participation and empowerment across Europe. Participants including EU First Vice-President...
Launching of Morocco’s participation in the CEPEJ evaluation cycles
The Minister of Justice and Liberties of Morocco, El Mostafa Ramid, chaired the launching event of Morocco’s participation in the European Commission for the Efficiency of Justice (CEPEJ) evaluation cycles on 27 March 2017. On this occasion, the President of the working group on evaluation of...
Russia: Secretary General Jagland concerned about freedom of expression and freedom of assembly after mass detentions at demonstrations
The detention of hundreds of citizens, including opposition leader Alexey Navalny while exercising their right to freedom of expression and to peaceful assembly raises issues under the European Convention on Human Rights. I am particularly concerned about the reported detention of minors. I call...
32nd Session of the Congress to focus on migration, citizen participation and local and regional democracy in Europe
The 32nd Session of the Congress of Local and Regional Authorities will take place in Strasbourg from 28 to 30 March and will include several debates focusing on the role of local authorities facing migration, the reception of unaccompanied child migrants and border regions facing migration...
Rights of people with disabitlies in Europe: a new strategy based on ability rather than disability
The Council of Europe launched today its new Disability Strategy 2017-2023 at a two-day conference in Nicosia (Cyprus) to support its 47 member states in making human rights a reality for all. The strategy focuses on five rights-based priority areas which are anchored in the European Convention...
Council of Europe calls on Hungary to reconsider new law that risks exposing migrant children to sexual exploitation
In a letter to Hungarian Prime Minister Viktor Orbán, published today, Claude Janizzi, the Chairperson of the Council of Europe Lanzarote Committee expressed his concern that the adopted law – “On the amendment of certain acts related to increasing the strictness of procedures carried out in the...
Conference on Strasbourg Court´s case law on freedom of expression
A conference to discuss the case law of the European Court of Human Rights on media freedom and freedom of expression is bringing together in Strasbourg today judges and lawyers of the European Court of Human Rights, media lawyers, academics, policymakers, journalists, media professionals and...
New standards on community sanctions and preventing radicalisation in prisons and probation
The Committee of Ministers of the Council of Europe has adopted this week a Recommendation to governments containing the European rules on community sanctions and measures. The new rules aim to strike a balance between protection of society and improving the social reintegration of offenders....
Slovenia: More should be done to ensure that Roma, migrants and those in poverty are not left behind
During his visit in Slovenia from 20 to 23 March, the Council of Europe Commissioner for Human Rights, Nils Muižnieks, examined the situation of Roma, migrants and asylum seekers and of the increasing number of people living in poverty in the country. He stressed the centrality of human rights to...
Committee of Ministers´ recommendation calls for strong regulations on lobbying
The Council of Europe has called on its 47 member states to ensure that they have in force a strong legal framework promoting transparency of lobbying activities. In a Recommendation, the Committee of Ministers – the executive body of the organisation – recognises that lobbying can make a...
Terrorist attack in London
Statement by Ioannis Kasoulides, Chair of the Committee of Ministers and Minister for Foreign Affairs of Cyprus
Trafficking in human beings: Latvia should improve the identification, protection and compensation of victims
In a report published today, the Council of Europe’s Group of Experts on Action against Trafficking in Human Beings (GRETA) considers that Latvia has strengthened its legislation but asks the authorities to improve the identification, protection and compensation of victims of trafficking. From...
London attack: statement by Secretary General Thorbjørn Jagland
Reacting to the events in London this afternoon, the Secretary General of the 47-nation Council of Europe, Thorbjørn Jagland, said: “I am very alarmed by the events in Westminster this afternoon, which appear to have resulted in a number of casualties. Our thoughts are with all those hurt or...
SRSG identifies main challenges for migrant and refugee children in Europe
The Special Representative of the Secretary General on Migration and Refugees (SRSG), Tomáš Boček publishes a Thematic Report on migrant and refugee children. The report, based on his on-the-ground experience gathered during the fact-finding missions in 2016*, calls for urgent measures to find...
Rights of people with disabilities in Europe: a new strategy based on ability rather than disability
There are 80 million persons in Europe who live with a disability and many of them continue to be victims of discrimination or abuse. In response, the Council of Europe will be launching its new Disability Strategy 2017-2023 at a conference in Nicosia (Cyprus) on 27 and 28 March. “Our focus must...
Cyprus Chairmanship Conference in Nicosia: 'Securing Democracy through Education'
Education to fight violent extremism and radicalisation leading to terrorism. Education to build Inclusive Societies, valuing diversity and dialogue. Education to create a provision for refugees, from short term solutions to long term integration. These major challenges that Education systems are...
21 March 2017: International Day for the Elimination of Racial Discrimination
Statement by Ioannis Kasoulides, Chair of the Committee of Ministers and Minister for Foreign Affairs of Cyprus
Combatting human trafficking: Armenia has made good progress, but more effort needed to prevent the crime and help victims
Armenia has advanced in the legislation and practices for preventing and combatting trafficking in human beings, said the Council of Europe Group of experts on action against trafficking in human beings (GRETA), in its new report published today. However, more needs to be done to prevent...
Preventing corruption in top governmental functions
The Council of Europe anti-corruption body (GRECO) is organising a High Level conference in Strasbourg on 20 March to discuss the prevention of corruption in top governmental functions and law enforcement agencies. Speakers include Deputy Secretary General Gabriella Battaini-Dragoni, Attorney...
Portugal should improve the identification and protection of child victims of trafficking in human beings, according to GRETA
In a report published today, the Council of Europe’s Group of Experts on Action against Trafficking in Human Beings (GRETA) urges the Portuguese authorities to improve the identification and protection of child victims of trafficking. GRETA’s second report on Portugal’s implementation of the...
Malta urged to improve assistance of victims of human trafficking
In a report published today, the Council of Europe’s Group of Experts on Action against Trafficking in Human Beings (GRETA) has urged Malta to step up efforts to provide assistance, including safe accommodation, to victims of human trafficking. The report assesses developments since the...
Canada joins Eurimages, the Council of Europe’s film co-production fund
Canada has become the first non-European country to accede to the Council of Europe’s cultural fund, Eurimages, as an associate member. The country joins 37 European states already participating in the Fund, which distributes 25 million euros annually to film co-production, distribution and...
Ten years in partnership for human rights, democracy and the rule of law
The European Union and the Council of Europe share a mutual commitment to human rights, the rule of law and democracy. 2017 marks the 10th anniversary of their Memorandum of Understanding. With Europe facing many challenges – populism, extremism, terrorism, xenophobia, the refugee crisis – the...
Anti-torture committee: fact sheet on immigration detention standards
The Council of Europe´s anti-torture committee (CPT) has published today a fact sheet compiling its standards on immigration detention, one of the issues where it has regularly found shortcomings during its visits to member states. Foreign nationals may be deprived of their liberty following a...
GRECO calls on Switzerland to develop ethical rules applicable to federal members of parliament, judges and prosecutors
In a report published today, the Council of Europe anti-corruption body (GRECO) highlights the specificities of Switzerland’s institutions which enjoy considerable public confidence. It underlines, however, that the very organisation of the system allows subtle pressure to be exerted on...
Committee of Ministers reviews the implementation of judgments of the European Court of Human Rights
On 7-10 March, representatives of the 47 member States of the Council of Europe held their first “Human Rights” meeting of 2017, during which they examined the implementation of judgments of the European Court of Human Rights in keeping with the supervisory role of the Committee of Ministers,...
Europe’s prison population falls, but there is no progress in tackling overcrowding, says annual Council of Europe survey
The number of people held in European prisons decreased by 6.8% from 2014 to 2015, although prison overcrowding remained a problem in 15 countries, according to the latest Council of Europe Annual Penal Statistics (SPACE), published today (SPACE I: report and summary ; SPACE II: report). In 2015,...
Call for applications for the Council of Europe Prize “Crystal Scales of Justice” for innovative practices contributing to the efficiency and quality of justice
The Council of Europe is organising the 9th edition of the Crystal Scales of Justice Prize. The aim of the prize is to identify and promote innovative practices regarding the conduct of proceedings, court organisation and the functioning of court systems in general. To be eligible for...
