Newsroom
The role of the media in promoting greater gender equality in sport
On 22 November, some 30 media professionals and sports journalists from 20 countries gathered at the headquarters of the European Broadcasting Union (EBU) in Geneva, Switzerland, and online, to discuss the role of media in promoting greater gender equality in sport as part of the Council of...
Switzerland must improve the way it addresses corruption risks within the government and law enforcement authorities
In a new report the Council of Europe’s Group of States against Corruption (GRECO) has called for specific measures to be taken to prevent corruption in Switzerland regarding persons with top executive functions (PHFE), i.e. members of the Federal Council, the chancellor of the Confederation,...
Governments can do more to stop violence against women by using the Istanbul Convention’s definition of rape
Statement by Secretary General Alain Berset
Statement by the Secretary General on the 80th Anniversary of the Liberation of Strasbourg
Council of Europe Secretary General Alain Berset has today (23 November) participated alongside French President Emmanuel Macron and President of the Bundesrat Anke Rehlinger in a ceremony to mark the 80th anniversary of the liberation of the city of Strasbourg from Nazi control. Reflecting on...
Human Rights Commissioner O’Flaherty: It is time to rally to defend human rights
The Council of Europe Commissioner for Human Rights, Michael O’Flaherty, marked the 25th anniversary of the Institution with a speech in which he emphasised the urgent need for a collective recommitment to human rights amid escalating global challenges. “This moment of crisis for human rights is...
Protecting women from violence more effectively through local and regional action
“Regrettably, not much progress has been made in eliminating violence against women since the adoption of the latest Congress texts on this matter, notably on combating domestic violence in 2009 and on fighting sexist violence against women in politics in 2020”, underlined Congress Spokesperson...
Ukraine requests Council of Europe advice on Decentralisation Reform
In response to the request from Ukrainian authorities, the Congress of the Council of Europe has prepared an analysis on the state of implementation of Ukraine’s 2014 Decentralisation Reform Concept and recommendations for its revision in light of the current challenges and the EU integration...
Montenegro: progress countering violence against women, but urgent action needed to protect victims, fight gender stereotypes, improve investigations and prosecutions
A new report by the Council of Europe’s independent expert group responsible for monitoring implementation of the Istanbul Convention, GREVIO, recognises progress made since October 2018 but identifies areas which require urgent action from the Montenegrin authorities to bring support, protection...
Congress and OSCE work together for greater transparency of election management bodies
Voters’ trust in the integrity of electoral processes is crucial for their democratic participation, commitment to democracy and for preventing democratic backsliding. This analysis formed the core of a speech by Stewart Dickson (United Kingdom, ILDG), the Congress Spokesperson for local and...
Over 3,300 European films on release in cinemas worldwide in 2023
The European Audiovisual Observatory has published a new analysis of European and global ticket sales for European films. Ticket sales for European films are increasingly concentrated locally: in 2023, 92% of tickets to European films were sold in Europe, and 68% were sold in the film’s country...
Istanbul Convention: experts praise Spain’s commitment to combatting violence against women, call for improving the training of professionals
In a new report the Council of Europe Group of Experts on Action against Violence against Women and Domestic Violence (GREVIO) welcomes the Spanish authorities’ steady commitment and the progress achieved in measures to prevent and combat violence against women. GREVIO also identifies areas which...
Informal exchange of views between member states and civil society representatives
At an informal meeting on 20 November 2024, delegations from the Council of Europe’s 46 member states held an exchange of views with representatives of civil society on “Promoting ratification and implementation of the Istanbul Convention”. The Council of Europe Convention on Preventing and...
Access to education for children from Ukraine in Europe: time to move from emergency response to long-term solutions, says Council of Europe study
On World Children’s Day, the Council of Europe warns that language barriers, limited school capacity, and difficult tracking of out-of-school children are among the key challenges faced by millions of children from Ukraine seeking refuge and access to education in Europe - as well as by their...
Council of Europe adopts new Action Plan for Republic of Moldova
The Committee of Ministers, representing the 46 Council of Europe member states, has adopted the Action Plan for the Republic of Moldova 2025-2028, drawn-up with the country’s national authorities and civil society organisations. The Council of Europe will continue to support the Republic of...
World cities ready to deliver the G20 agenda
Mayors from across the globe convened a meeting of Urban 20 on the margins of the G20 in Rio de Janeiro, Brazil from 14-17 November 2024. President Lula da Silva of Brazil, chair of the G20, declared at the Urban 20 meeting: “Following the pledges by national governments, cities will deliver.”...
Enhancing local leadership to reinforce democracy in Cyprus
Developing the capacities of local leaders to strengthen democracy is key to ensuring the local government reform in Cyprus meets the needs of citizens. This was the objective of a two-day workshop for sixty local leaders from municipalities and communities across Cyprus, organised in Limassol on...
1,000th day of Russian war of aggression against Ukraine: video statement by Parliamentary Assembly President
In a video statement to mark the 1,000th day of the Russian war of aggression against Ukraine, the President of the Parliamentary Assembly of the Council of Europe (PACE), Theodoros Rousopoulos, recalls the nightmares experienced by Ukrainian citizens who see foreign troops occupying their...
1,000th day of the Russian war of aggression against Ukraine: Committee of Ministers declaration
To mark the 1,000th day of the Russian war of aggression against Ukraine, the Council of Europe’s Committee of Ministers has adopted the following declaration: “For 1,000 days, Russia has been pursuing a war of aggression against Ukraine in flagrant violation of international law, including the...
European Union delegation visits the European Court of Human Rights
On 18 November 2024 a delegation from the Court of Justice of the European Union (CJEU), headed by its President, Koen Lenaerts, paid a visit to the European Court of Human Rights, to attend the two Courts’ annual meeting. The delegation was received by the President of the European Court of...
Warsaw conference explores impact of new technologies on democracy and human rights
The 2024 edition of the Warsaw Dialogue for Democracy will discuss some of the most pressing issues facing democracies today with a focus on the impact of new technologies on democracy and human rights. This year´s event is also celebrating the 75th anniversary of the Council of Europe, with the...
