Newsroom
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...
Understanding the risks of trafficking: a crucial step in protecting children of Ukraine
War and mass displacement typically amplify the risks linked to human trafficking, and the war in Ukraine is no exception. As the war drags into its third year, these risks have not diminished but changed form. Children, particularly those displaced by Russia’s war of aggression, face an...
Congress youth delegates on Council of Europe's impact: “I use the gained knowledge actively every day”
During its 47th Session (15-17 October 2024), the Congress of Local and Regional Authorities is celebrating the 10th anniversary of the Rejuvenating Politics initiative aiming at promoting democratic principles and human rights among young people through their participation in public life and...
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...
For 10 years, Congress youth delegates have been revitalising local and regional democracy
In 2014, the Congress became the first European assembly to involve youth delegates in its work and allowing them to speak at its sessions. Since then, the youth delegates have not only “Rejuvenated Congress politics”, but have also helped to “reinvigorate democracy”. This unique and successful...
Türkiye must revise restrictions on the right to vote and stand in elections, says Congress
Türkiye should revise the restrictions on the right to vote and stand in elections as well as on the freedom of expression, enhance the accuracy of electoral rolls, strengthen the...
Statement from the Secretary General on European Anti-Trafficking Day, 18 October
In 2024, armed conflict and humanitarian crises are intensifying, with ongoing violence in Ukraine and the Middle East. Migrants and asylum seekers, especially those traveling under unsafe conditions, always increase in number during such conflicts. They are particularly exposed to trafficking...
Participatory democracy is antidote to populism and key to resilient democracies
Speaking at the opening of the 23rd Conference of the International Observatory on Participatory Democracy organised in Valongo on 17-19 October on “How can participatory democracy help us counter populist threats and build democratic resilience”, Konstantinos Koukas, Congress spokesperson on the...
Congress urges Georgia to recommit to democracy
The Congress of Local and Regional Authorities of the Council of Europe has reiterated its call on the Georgian authorities to reverse the recently adopted anti-human rights legislation and to refrain from taking any action that would further threaten political pluralism, infringe on human rights...
Congress monitoring and election observation, a tool for early warning of democratic backsliding
On 16 October 2024, the Congress held a debate on the key challenges faced by local and regional authorities in Europe over the past five years, based on the findings of its monitoring and election observation missions. Inadequate financial resources for local and regional authorities, a...
Local and regional democracy beyond Europe: outreach of Congress
Le 15 octobre 2024, le Congrès a débattu de la situation de la démocratie locale et régionale dans le monde et de la pertinence de la Charte européenne de l'autonomie locale pour inspirer les processus de décentralisation dans les États non membres. S'adressant à la 47e session, la...
Local self-government in Iceland, Latvia and Malta: Congress adopts new recommendations
The Congress of Local and Regional Authorities of the Council of Europe at its 47th session has adopted recommendations on the application of the European Charter of Local Self-Government by Iceland, Latvia and Malta. The Congress has called on Iceland to incorporate local self-government into...
Congress calls for investing in more age-friendly communities
2024 will be the year when Europe will count more people aged over 65 years than those younger than 15 years, and most Council of Europe member states are affected by this trend. These demographic changes are not without consequences, in particular for local and regional authorities, who face a...
Lithuanian Vice-Minister of the Interior: Congress plays an important role in protecting Council of Europe values
Addressing the 47th session, Vice-Minister of the Interior of Lithuania Arnoldas Abramavičius, speaking on behalf of the Presidency of the Committee of Ministers, underlined the paramount role of the Congress in protecting the values of the Council of Europe. He acknowledged the Congress's...
Parliamentary Assembly to observe the presidential election and constitutional referendum in the Republic of Moldova
A 21-member delegation of the Parliamentary Assembly of the Council of Europe (PACE), led Petra Bayr (Autriche, SOC), will travel to the Republic of Moldova from 18 to 21 October to observe the presidential election and the constitutional referendum, alongside observers from the OSCE...
ECHR Judge Guyomar calls on local representatives to defend citizens against human rights violations
The protection of human rights by locally elected representatives was at the centre of the thematic debate held during the 47th session of the Chamber of Local Authorities, on 16 October. The debate focused on the role of locally elected representatives in safeguarding and implementing human...
Jörgen Pettersson: “Regional autonomy benefits both regions and the countries they belong to”
Having always been in favour of increasing regional autonomy, the Congress regularly studies its development and is intending to prepare a new report on the subject, as the previous one dates back to 2013. On Wednesday 16 October, the Chamber of Regions discussed some particularly successful...
Malta praised for local government reform but should increase local authorities’ competences
In a recommendation adopted today, the Congress of Local and Regional Authorities of the Council of Europe welcomed the 2019 local government reform in Malta, the lowering of the minimum age for local elections to 16, and Malta's ratification of the Additional Protocol to the European Charter of...
European regions encouraged to establish partnerships for Ukraine’s reconstruction
Meeting on 16 October 2024 during the 47th session, the Congress Chamber of Regions held debates on regions with a special status; the place of digitalisation and artificial intelligence in regional governance (with an emphasis on the opportunities and risks of integrating them in political...
Ireland: the situation of Travellers, Roma and asylum seekers requires more attention
The Council of Europe Commissioner for Human Rights, Michael O’Flaherty, encourages further steps in Ireland in the field of combating racism and discrimination and addressing prejudice against Travellers, Roma and migrants. He welcomes the progress made in policy development, stressing the need...
