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Celebrating Routes, Networks, and Connections: European Heritage Days 2024 Opens its Doors
Heritage of Routes, Networks, and Connections : European Heritage Days (EHD) highlight this year the inter-connections shaping Europe’s rich and diverse heritage, from ancient routes and trade networks to modern digital links. By exploring the 2024 theme, "Heritage of Routes, Networks, and...
Justice Ministers discuss accountability for crimes committed in Ukraine and open AI Convention for signature at meeting in Vilnius
The Ministers of Justice will meet in Vilnius (Lithuania) on 5 September at a conference entitled “Towards accountability for international crimes committed in Ukraine” and held under the Lithuanian Presidency of the Committee of Ministers. Prior to the meeting, the Council of Europe’s Convention...
Three candidates shortlisted for the 2024 Václav Havel Prize
The selection panel of the Václav Havel Human Rights Prize, which rewards outstanding civil society action in defence of human rights in Europe and beyond, has announced the shortlist for the 2024 Award. Meeting in Prague, the panel – made up of independent figures from the world of human rights...
Italy must improve system for promoting integrity and preventing corruption in government and law enforcement agencies
In a new report, the Council of Europe’s Group of States against Corruption (GRECO), calls for determined measures to prevent corruption in Italy in respect of persons with top executive functions (PTEFs), including the President of the Council of Ministers, ministers, undersecretaries of state,...
The Paralympic Flame stops at the Council of Europe on its way to Paris
Three days before the opening of the Paris 2024 Paralympic Games, the Council of Europe kicked off the start of the Paralympic Torch Relay in Strasbourg, at a ceremony organised under the auspices of the Secretary General of the Organisation, Marija Pejčinović Burić. Carried by Jean-Paul Greth,...
CoEMoN! 2024 - 250 European students get familiar with the Council of Europe’s negotiation model
From 26 to 28 August 2024, the Council of Europe will welcome 250 students from 29 countries for three days of simulation of negotiations in English and French. The simulation will focus on the work of the Parliamentary Assembly (and its committees) and the Committee of Ministers. Organised by...
The Council of Europe to welcome the Paralympic Torch on 25 August
On arrival in France, the Paralympic Flame will be divided into 12 Flames to be welcomed simultaneously in the same number of locations, including Strasbourg. The Council of Europe will welcome the Paris 2024 Paralympic Torch on Sunday 25 August, prior to its journey to Paris for the opening...
Council of Europe pays respects to the victims of terrorism
Terrorism and violent extremism continue to injure and kill thousands of innocent people each year. Terrorist attacks, and the violent and hateful ideologies that drive them, are contrary to the fundamental values of our societies and an affront to democracy, human rights, and the rule of law. On...
A treaty for the people of Europe: Videos showing the impact of the ECHR
In recent years, the Council of Europe has published a number of videos explaining how the European Convention on Human Rights has improved the lives of people across the continent. These short films tell the stories of ordinary citizens who have won cases at the European Court of Human Rights,...
“I have confidence in tomorrow because I have confidence in youth”
Statement by the Secretary General
Forerunner of Council of Europe Parliamentary Assembly first met 75 years ago
The first session of the Consultative Assembly, which later became the Parliamentary Assembly of the Council of Europe (PACE), was held 75 years ago, on Wednesday, August 10, 1949, in the aula of the University Palace, Place Brant, in Strasbourg. The provisional president, French statesman...
Greece marks 75 years of Council of Europe membership
75 years ago, on 9 August 1949, Greece became the eleventh member of the Council of Europe. The organisation had been founded in London three months earlier on 5 May by the ten original member countries: Belgium, Denmark, France, Ireland, Italy, Luxembourg, the Netherlands, Norway, Sweden, and...
First meeting of Committee of Ministers took place 75 years ago
75 years ago, Monday August 8th, 1949, was the start of a momentous week for the Council of Europe. It began with a meeting chaired by Belgium’s long-serving Foreign Minister Paul Henri Spaak, which saw the first gathering of the Committee of Ministers. Later in the week there was a similar debut...
Rabbit reprieve: European pharmacopoeia shares positive news for animal welfare
The European Directorate for the Quality of Medicines & HealthCare (EDQM) has announced the suppression of a widely-used test in rabbits from the quality standards of the European Pharmacopoeia. Since 1971, manufacturers of injectable medicines in Europe have used the test on rabbits to check if...
Freeing of Vladimir Kara-Murza and other political prisoners: 'Our collective resolve can make a difference'
Council of Europe Parliamentary Assembly President Theodoros Rousopoulos today made the following statement: “It is with great joy that I welcome, on behalf of the Assembly, the liberation of our friend Vladimir Kara-Murza as well as the other political prisoners who have reached safety today,...
Why teaching Roma history – and the Roma Holocaust – is more important than ever
Ahead of the 80th anniversary of the European Roma Holocaust Memorial Day, 2 August, Secretary General Marija Pejčinović Burić, made the following statement: “On the night of 2–3 August 1944, over 3,000 Roma women, men and children were exterminated in the gas chambers of the ‘Zigeunerlager’ at...
Groundbreaking Council of Europe treaty to protect women and girls entered into force 10 years ago
The Council of Europe Convention on Preventing and Combating Violence against Women and Domestic Violence, also known as the Istanbul Convention after the city in which it opened for signature, marks 10 years since it entered into force on 1 August 2014. It is the most far-reaching international...
Increased risks of human trafficking require concerted action to reduce children’s vulnerability to trafficking
On the occasion of the World Day against Trafficking in Persons, the Council of Europe Group of Experts on Action against Trafficking in Human Beings (GRETA) joins the Inter-Agency Coordination Group against Trafficking in Human Beings (ICAT) in calling for concerted measures to reduce the...