News 2024
New grant launched for civil society organisations
The Council of Europe’s Democratic Institutions and Civil Society Division has launched a grant for non-governmental organisations (NGOs). It aims to foster democratic culture and strengthen the engagement of citizens in decision making in their countries, and to enhance the mutual engagement...
Protecting journalists from threats and violence
The Council of Europe is hosting a conference, The Protection of Journalists – a multistakeholder dialogue, to highlight the importance of media safety, given the key democratic function of journalists during crises, elections, demonstrations, and in conflict zones. As indicated in the 2024...
Protecting Europe's landscapes for future generations
A conference on the Council of Europe Landscape Convention is focusing on improving cooperation among member states, in line with the new priorities set out by the Heads of State and Government during the 4th Summit of the Council of Europe, held in Reykjavík, Iceland in May 2023. The conference...
DSG in Brazil: highlights role of Council of Europe and multilateralism, calls for strengthening cooperation
At the Horasis Global Meeting in Vitória, Brazil, Deputy Secretary General (DSG), Bjørn Berge, highlighted the role of the Council of Europe and multilateralism in today’s challenging world, afflicted with major conflicts and wars. The meeting, focused on Building Bridges to the Future, gathered...
Celebrating social projects in Europe: CEB Social Cohesion Award
The Council of Europe Development Bank (CEB) has announced the launch of the sixth edition of the CEB Award for Social Cohesion today. The Award honours organisations and individuals dedicated to driving social change and addressing critical issues in their communities, thereby fostering greater...
Strengthening Justice in Morocco: CEPEJ’s First Meeting with Partners
In partnership with Morocco’s key judicial bodies, the European Commission for the Efficiency of Justice (CEPEJ) is spearheading initiatives to improve justice accessibility, efficiency, and protection through an inaugural partnership meeting of the “MA-JUST” programme: “Towards a More...
Georgia: elections marred by uneven playing field, pressure and tension, but voters offered a wide choice, say international observers
While voters were offered a choice between 18 candidate lists and candidates could generally campaign freely, Georgia’s parliamentary elections were marred by entrenched polarization and concerns over recently adopted legislation and its impact on fundamental freedoms and civil society, as well...
Protecting child victims of sexual violence: taking stock of the Barnahus project in Spain
A conference held in Madrid on 25 October took stock of the achievements of a Council of Europe/European Union DG REFORM joint project to promote the Barnahus model in Spain. The Barnahus (‘Children´s House’ in Icelandic) is a leading European response model to child sexual abuse, aimed at...
Council of Europe experts call for measures to support LGBTI people and refugees in the UK
Authorities in the United Kingdom should adopt an LGBTI action plan for England and make sure there is no gap in provision for refugees transferring from the asylum support system to mainstream systems of support, according to Council of Europe experts. These are the two priority recommendations...
Intercultural Conference in Montenegro on youth strategies against racism and xenophobia online
At opening of the North-South Intercultural Conference on Digital resilience: Youth strategies against acts of a racist and xenophobic nature committed through computer systems, Deputy Secretary General Bjørn Berge said: “Together, we must build digital resilience to combat cyber hate and foster...
“Vilnius Dialogue” launches public debate on freedom of expression in Europe
An international conference held on 24 October in Vilnius, under the Lithuanian Presidency of the Committee of Ministers of the Council of Europe, discussed ways of strengthening judicial capacity to implement Council of Europe standards and instruments protecting freedom of expression, in...
Secretary General condemns fatal attack in Türkiye
Secretary General Alain Berset has issued the following statement on the deadly attack near Ankara on Wednesday 23 October: “I am deeply shocked about yesterday’s fatal attack and shooting near Ankara, which has killed several people and left many injured. “The Council of Europe strongly condemns...
Council of Europe urges measures for young people and climate change
Climate action is a top priority for most young people in Europe. The Council of Europe has therefore proposed a set of measures on climate action dedicated to young people. In a new Recommendation, the first international text on this topic, the organisation’s Committee of Ministers underlines...
Lithuania should better promote LGBTI equality, Roma inclusion
In a new report the Council of Europe Anti-racism Commission (ECRI) calls on the Lithuanian authorities to consider adopting an LGBTI equality strategy and ensure that Roma have better access to education (see also the translation of the report in Lithuanian). ECRI notes a number of positive...
Council of Europe experts urge Türkiye to step up the fight against human trafficking
Experts from the Council of Europe have urged the Turkish authorities to take a number of important steps to better combat trafficking in human beings. The Group of Experts on Action against Trafficking in Human Beings (GRETA) has published its latest report evaluating Türkiye’s implementation of...
The rollout of artificial intelligence in Europe’s audiovisual industries is causing concern in the sector
European Audiovisual Observatory publishes report on development and dangers of AI in the European cinema, TV and Streaming industries. The use of artificial intelligence models such as Claude, Midjourney and DALLE within the audiovisual industries, whether for the creation or consumption of...
Italy should set up an independent and effective equality body and do more to counter hate speech
In a new report the European Commission against Racism and Intolerance (ECRI) calls on Italy to set up a fully independent and effective equality body and reinforce the National Office Against Racial Discrimination as a fully-fledged official co-ordinating body. Italy should in particular adopt a...
Andorra Should Combat Racism, LGBTI-Phobia, and Expand Voting Rights
A new report from the European Commission against Racism and Intolerance (ECRI) calls on Andorra to adopt a national programme to combat racism and LGBTI-phobia. As a matter of priority, Andorra should also grant the right to vote and to stand for local elections to non-nationals residing in the...
Spain ratifies the Macolin Convention
Juan Ignacio MORRO, Ambassador and Permanent Representative of Spain to the Council of Europe, has deposited, this 17 October 2024, before the Deputy Secretary General of the Council of Europe, Bjørn BERGE, the instrument of ratification of the Council of Europe Convention on the Manipulation of...
New guide published to enhance minority rights via inclusive education
Inclusive educational environment recognising diversity, promoting a spirit of tolerance and mutual respect, addressing discrimination and segregation is crucial for enhancing the rights of persons belonging to national minorities. What should be done in practice by European states, civil society...
