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PACE Spring Session: the consequences of Russia’s aggression against Ukraine
A general policy debate on the consequences of the Russian Federation’s aggression against Ukraine will be at the centre of the spring plenary session of the Parliamentary Assembly of the Council of Europe (PACE), to be held in hybrid format from 25 to 28 April 2022. In the context of this...
Prison overcrowding: Anti-torture committee calls for setting a limit to the number of inmates in every prison and promoting non-custodial measures
The Council of Europe’s Committee for the Prevention of Torture (CPT) is calling on European states with persistent prison overcrowding to address this problem with determination by setting a maximum threshold to the number of prisoners in every penal institution - to be strictly respected - and...
Council of Europe expert advisory group starts its work supporting Ukraine’s Prosecutor General Office
The Council of Europe’s Directorate General Human Rights and Rule of Law has set up an expert advisory group to support the Office of the Prosecutor General of Ukraine. This initiative is part of its immediate assistance to Ukraine following Russia’s aggression, and follows initial consultations...
Cartoon mouse explains Council of Europe and six-month Italian Presidency of Committee of Ministers to children
The famous cartoon mouse Geronimo Stilton, created by Elisabetta Dami and loved by children all over the world, is the star of a new book to mark the six-month Italian Presidency of the Council of Europe’s Committee of Ministers. Welcome to the Council of Europe aims to allow children to discover...
Romanian prisons continue to face extensive challenges
The Council of Europe’s Committee for the Prevention of Torture (CPT) has called on the Romanian authorities to vigorously pursue the reform of the prison system to address some serious and persistent shortcomings. In its report on the ad hoc visit to Romania carried out from 10 to 21 May 2021,...
Work-life balance crucial for gender equality and empowering women
Gender and labour ministers from all regions of Europe took part at a high-level conference in Rome on 12 April to explore how to face the challenge of creating a better work-life balance for women, ensure that family responsibilities can be better shared, improve gender equality and prevent...
How well are states protecting children from sexual exploitation and abuse during the refugee crisis?
With Europe facing the second major refugee crisis in less than a decade, the Council of Europe’s Lanzarote Committee has published ten compliance reports evaluating legislation, services and other measures in place for the protection of children affected by the refugee crisis from sexual...
Education in time of crisis
As a result of the Russian Federation’s armed attack on Ukraine, millions of people are fleeing Ukraine. In anticipation of the immediate and short-term impact of such an inflow of refugees and, in particular, young adults and children, the Council of Europe’s Education Department, in close...
European Label of Governance Excellence launched in Venice
A launch conference for the European Label of Governance Excellence (ELoGE) was held under the Italian Presidency of the Committee of Ministers of the Council of Europe in Venice on 11 April. Good Democratic Governance is encapsulated in the 12 Principles which can be measured by applying the...
Learning Equality, Dignity, Democracy: forum on citizenship and human rights education in Europe
A Forum on the present and future of citizenship and human rights education in Europe has opened in Turin, Italy. It aims to strengthen the quality, recognition and outreach of young people’s education in the fields of democratic citizenship and human rights. The event, from 11 to 13 April has...
Ministers to share workplace equality proposals
Gender and labour ministers from all regions of Europe are to meet in Rome to share how countries are facing the challenge of creating a better work-life balance for women. The conference, to be held in Rome on April 12, will look at ways that family responsibilities can be better shared and...
Child self-generated sexual images and videos: new report provides guidance to governments
Addressing challenges raised by the significant increase and exploitation of child self-generated sexual images and videos is the focus of the new monitoring report presented by the Council of Europe’s Lanzarote Committee in Rome. The report covers 43 European states Parties (*) to the Lanzarote...
“Local governments unite for welfare and peace”: online marathon exchanges between Ukrainian local leaders and international counterparts
Through its Centre of Expertise for Good Governance the Council of Europe has held a series of online conferences “Local governments unite for welfare and peace” from 18 March to 7 April 2022. Amid the ongoing aggression from the Russian Federation, local authorities in Ukraine continue to...
Roma in Ukraine and throughout Europe in 2022
Statement by Council of Europe Secretary General Marija Pejčinović Burić on International Roma Day
Council of Europe bank issues a new social inclusion bond to bolster its response to Ukraine refugee crisis
The Council of Europe Development Bank (CEB) issued a new € 1 billion seven-year Social Inclusion Bond (SIB) to bolster its response to the social crisis unfolding due to the war in Ukraine and help its member states assist millions of refugees seeking safety. The proceeds of the new bond could...
Children’s rights in crisis and emergency situations: a new Council of Europe priority for 2022-2027
With climate change, the Covid-19 pandemic and the Russian Federation’s ongoing aggression against Ukraine, securing and protecting children’s rights in crisis and emergency situations has been designated a new priority in the Council of Europe’s Strategy for the Rights of the Child for 2022-2027...
Justice needed for residents of Bucha and all other victims of the war in Ukraine
Statement by Commissioner for Human Rights Dunja Mijatović
Congress President condemns the crimes against Ukrainian citizens and elected local leaders
On the occasion of his exchange of views with the Deputies in the Committee of Ministers on 6 April, the President of the Congress of Local and Regional Authorities of the Council of Europe, Leendert Verbeek made the following statement: “The war in Ukraine has entered a new phase of atrocities....
Assembly delegation condemns atrocities and pledges help after first Ukraine visit
Parliamentary Assembly President Tiny Kox has condemned atrocities by the Russian army and promised all possible assistance in investigating war crimes following the first official visit to Ukraine since hostilities began. “I strongly condemn the atrocities against innocent civilians, including...
Tackling the risks for democracy of digital political campaigning: Council of Europe issues guidelines
The Council of Europe has issued a set of guidelines to its 46 member states to address the challenges to the fairness and legitimacy of electoral processes created by new digital political communication techniques. These challenges include the possible abusive use of microtargeting, personal...
