Newsroom
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...
Decline in media pluralism is a threat to democracy and human rights
“Where there is a lack of local media, democracy and human rights suffer. The decline of local media directly affects the exercise of free expression, access to information and media...
Well-organised but ineffective elections maintain the status quo in Bulgaria, say PACE observers
The early parliamentary elections held on 27 October in Bulgaria were competitive and professionally managed by the election administration, however the persistently low voter turnout underscored a deep-seated lack of trust among the electorate in the country’s political leadership, a delegation...
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...
“Towards a more protective, accessible, and efficient justice in Morocco”: First partnership meeting with the CEPEJ as part of the MA-JUST Programme - European Commission for the Efficiency of Justice (CEPEJ)
The European Commission for the Efficiency of Justice (CEPEJ) is organising a first meeting in Rabat on October 28 and 29 with its main partners, including the Supreme Judicial Council, the...
Georgia elections: Congress President expresses concern over deepening political divisions
Reacting to the statement by the PACE/OSCE/NATO/European Parliament international observation mission, the President of the Congress of Local and Regional Authorities of the Council of Europe,...
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...
Regional cross-border co-operation is a key element of addressing security issues
The continent is facing multiple security challenges (such as the Russian Federation's war of aggression against Ukraine, consequences of the COVID-19 pandemic and environmental disasters) and...
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...
PACE President: ‘If we all stand united with Ukraine, we will ensure that the rule of law prevails over the rule of force’
Addressing the 3rd Parliamentary Summit of the International Crimea Platform in Riga today, PACE President Theodoros Rousopoulos highlighted the Assembly’s range of proposals since April 2022 calling for the establishment of “a comprehensive system of justice for the crimes committed by Russia in...
“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...
CDDH-ELI, 2nd meeting - Human Rights Intergovernmental Cooperation
DRAFTING GROUP ON THE ERADICATION OF IMPUNITY FOR SERIOUS HUMAN RIGHTS VIOLATIONS The Drafting Group on the eradication of impunity for serious human rights violations (CDDH-ELI) held its...
Meeting of the Ministers’ Deputies on 23 October 2024
At their meeting on 23 October, the Ministers’ Deputies adopted a Recommendation to member States on young people and climate action, which underlines young people’s freedom of expression...
In a new vodcast, Theodoros Rousopoulos speaks to the President of the European Court of Human Rights Marko Bošnjak
PACE President Theodoros Rousopoulos, in the third episode of his new series of vodcasts posted today, talks to the current President of the European Court of Human Rights Dr Marko Bošnjak about the work of the Court, how judges are elected and how they deal with the many cases coming before them...