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Promoting integrity in governance to tackle political corruption
Stepping up the fight against corruption and restoring trust in the efficiency and effectiveness of democratic institutions “must be a priority” for many European democracies, including European institutions, the Assembly said today at the end of a debate on promoting integrity in governance to...
Lubomír Zaorálek: Czech chairmanship to focus on the protection of vulnerable and disadvantaged groups
“Our priority line of action, in the framework of our chairmanship, will focus on the protection of rights of persons belonging to vulnerable or disadvantaged groups”, said Lubomír Zaorálek, Minister for Foreign Affairs of the Czech Republic and Chair of the Committee of Ministers, addressing the...
Duško Marković: Montenegro will be a ‘constructive partner’ for the Council of Europe
Montenegro’s Prime Minister Duško Markovic has reaffirmed his government’s commitment to implementing Council of Europe standards and recommendations – and outlined work carried out so far on combating corruption, ensuring media freedom and strengthening equality, among other areas. Addressing...
The Parliamentary Assembly adopts a procedure allowing for the dismissal of its members holding high elective office
The Parliamentary Assembly of the Council of Europe (PACE), meeting in plenary session in Strasbourg, has decided to amend its Rules of Procedure and to institute a procedure to bring into play the institutional accountability of holders of elective offices within the Assembly and “to dismiss...
Secretary General Jagland says justice must start to work in Turkey now
Council of Europe Secretary General Thorbjørn Jagland, in reply to questions, has told PACE members that he is concerned by the current situation regarding fundamental rights in Turkey. Following the decision to charge Taner Kiliç, Chair of Amnesty International Turkey, with “membership of a...
Pavel Filip hails his country’s ‘shared history’ with the Council of Europe
Moldovan Prime Minister Pavel Filip has hailed the transformations his country is undergoing on the path of European integration, with the help of the Council of Europe – and urged Europe to stay true to its values. “The Republic of Moldova and the Council of Europe are connected by a shared...
Secretary General Jagland calls for release of Turkish hunger strikers
Secretary General Thorbjørn Jagland has called for the release of Nuriye Gülmen and Semih Özakça. Nuriye Gülmen, a professor, and Semih Özakça, a teacher, have been on hunger strike since March to protest against their dismissal on the basis of state of emergency decree-laws. Since then, they...
Women and the drug trade: users and victims
On the International Day against Drug Abuse and Illicit Trafficking, the Council of Europe’s drug policy experts, The Pompidou Group, highlight the vulnerability and the role of women in the drug trade at a two-day seminar in Rome. Held in the National School of Administration in Rome from 26-27...
International conference on fighting the smuggling of migrants
The Council of Europe is organising an international conference in Strasbourg on 23 June to discuss ways to prevent and combat the smuggling of migrants. The prevention and suppression of smuggling of migrants in Europe and its severe implications for human rights pose complex legal challenges....