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The anti-racism commission publishes its annual report
Strong surge of nationalistic populism, xenophobic hate speech were key challenges in Europe in 2016
GRECO issues critical assessment of the Parliamentary Assembly integrity framework
The Group of States against Corruption (GRECO) today published an assessment of the Code of Conduct for Members of the Parliamentary Assembly of the Council of Europe (PACE) in which it identifies significant shortcomings and points out the need for a number of improvements. The President of...
Criminal use of child self-generated sexual images and videos: how can states counter it?
New monitoring launched by the Council of Europe
Conference of directors of prison and probation services
The Council of Europe´s annual Conference of Directors of Prisons and Probation Services is discussing in Lillestrøm (Norway) on 20 and 21 June ways to improve the recruitment, training and professional development of their staff. Held under the theme "Staff selection, training and development in...
Learning to Live Together: a Shared Commitment to Democracy
Conference on the Future Citizenship and Human Rights Education in Europe
International conference in Brno, Czech Republic, on the binding effect of judicial decisions
Presidents of Supreme and Constitutional courts from Council of Europe member states will gather in Brno, Czech Republic on 20 and 21 June for a high-level international conference to discuss the binding effect of judicial decisions taken by the European Court of Human Rights, the Court of...
Council of Europe adopts new Recommendation on Standards for E-Voting
The Ministers' Deputies adopted at their 1289th meeting on 14 June a new Recommendation on Standards for E-Voting. The new recommendation CM/Rec (2017)5, which follows the previous Rec(2004)11, was developed to ensure that electronic voting complies with principles of democratic elections and is...
Ukraine: anti-torture committee concerned about police ill-treatment, poor conditions of detention of remand and life-sentenced prisoners
The Council of Europe’s Committee for the prevention of torture (CPT) in its new report on the situation of Ukrainian prisons welcomed law enforcement sector reform and positive developments in the previously visited Colonies, but expressed serious concern about ill-treatment by police officers...
European countries must lift obstacles to reunification of refugee families
“The right to family reunification is a fundamental part of the right to family life, which is protected by international human rights law. This right is particularly important for refugees in Europe. Because of the dangers they face at home, their only option to enjoy their right to family life...
Hungarian law on foreign-funded NGOs - despite amendments - still raises Venice Commission concerns
The European Commission for Democracy through Law (the “Venice Commission”) today adopted an opinion clarifying its preliminary opinion on the previous Draft Law on the Transparency of Organisations Receiving Support from Abroad of Hungary. In the clarification, the Council of Europe expert body...
Conference on reporting about terrorism: challenges and ethical dilemmas
The Council of Europe is organising a conference in Strasbourg on 19 June to discuss the responsibilities and the challenges that journalists face when reporting about terrorist attacks, including the widespread use of social media and the constraints created by anti-terrorist laws. The event...
Moldova: plans to reform electoral system and presidential powers critically assessed by the Venice Commission
During its plenary session today, the Council of Europe’s constitutional law experts – the Venice Commission - adopted opinions that critically assess a draft law for Moldova’s electoral system for the election of Parliament and a proposal to expand presidential powers. Proposed reform to the...
Georgia: constitutional revision on right track, but changes needed to ensure political pluralism, says Venice Commission
Meeting for its June plenary session, the Council of Europe’s constitutional experts, (the Venice Commission), positively assessed the constitutional revision process in Georgia, but urged the authorities to reconsider the rules of Parliament formation, in order to increase pluralism in...
Bosnia and Herzegovina: Greater efforts needed to enhance social cohesion and media freedom
Declaration by Human Rights Commissioner Nils Muižnieks, following a four-day visit to the country
Europe and migration to take centre-stage at the Parliamentary Assembly Summer Session
Europe and migration will be one of the central themes of the Council of Europe Parliamentary Assembly (PACE) Summer plenary session, to be held in Strasbourg from 26 to 30 June 2017. Four reports will be debated on Wednesday 28 June, focusing on the humanitarian and political response to the...
EU signs Council of Europe convention to stop violence against women
Global support for the Council of Europe Convention on preventing and combating violence against women and domestic violence (“Istanbul Convention”) significantly increased today with the official signature by the European Union. Ambassador Joseph Filletti, Permanent Representative of Malta to...
Turkey: compliance with recommendations to fight corruption remains “globally unsatisfactory” GRECO says
The Council of Europe’s anti-corruption group (GRECO) today published an interim compliance report on Turkey. The report examines the compliance of the member state with 17 recommendations adopted in March 2010. These recommendations cover “incrimination” and “transparency of political funding”....
The Committee of Ministers reviews the implementation of the European Court of Human Rights' judgments
On 6-7 June, representatives of the 47 member States of the Council of Europe held their second “Human Rights” meeting of 2017, during which they examined the implementation of judgments of the European Court of Human Rights in keeping with the supervisory role of the Committee of Ministers,...
The European Roma Institute for Arts and Culture Launches in Berlin
A new institute committed to establishing the artistic and cultural presence of Europe’s 12 million Roma people was launched today in Berlin – dedicated to the principle that Roma themselves should present the image of who they are, and who they are not. The new European Roma Institute for Arts...
Special Representative of the Secretary General on migration and refugees visits Serbia and two transit zones in Hungary
The Special Representative of the Secretary General on Migration and Refugees (SRSG), Ambassador Tomáš Boček, is conducting a fact-finding mission to Serbia and two transit zones in Hungary from 12 to 16 June 2017. The Special Representative will visit various reception centres for migrants and...
Council of Europe urges states to step up their action to prevent corruption
The Group of States against Corruption publishes its annual report
London terrorist attack
Statement by Lubomír Zaorálek, Chair of the Committee of Ministers and Minister for Foreign Affairs of the Czech Republic
Statement by the Secretary General on the London attack
Council of Europe Secretary General Thorbjørn Jagland made the following statement today following the attack in London last night that left several people dead and dozens wounded: "This was another cruel attack on our common values and freedoms. We stand united with our member state UK in the...
Venice Commission on Hungarian law on foreign-funded NGOs: legitimate aims, but excessive obligations, disproportionate sanctions
The Venice Commission has published today its preliminary opinion on the Draft Law on the Transparency of Organisations Receiving Support from Abroad of Hungary. The Venice Commission acknowledges that the draft law pursues the legitimate aim of ensuring transparency of civil society...
Launch event for the European Roma Institute for Arts and Culture: 8 June in Berlin
The European Roma Institute for Arts and Culture (ERIAC) will be officially launched in Berlin on Thursday, 8 June. The launch event is organised by the German Federal Foreign Office, the Alliance for the European Roma Institute for Arts and Culture, the Council of Europe and the Open Society...
European Dialogue on Internet Governance
Why have “fake news”, hate speech and propaganda become widespread on the Internet? What can users do to face disinformation? How can freedom of expression and privacy be further protected in the online environment? What should be done to secure criminal evidence online to fight cybercrime more...
Quality youth work key to preventing a “lost generation” in Europe
Young people are a key resource for building a social and just Europe, and providing them with structured support is an important investment Europe has to make for its present and future. This is the underlying idea of the new Recommendation to the Council of Europe member states on youth work,...
Germany: Uneven progress in treatment of detained persons and detention conditions, says anti-torture committee
In the report on its most recent visit to Germany, published today, the Council of Europe’s Committee for the Prevention of Torture and Inhuman or Degrading Treatment or Punishment (CPT) praises progress made to improve the treatment of detained persons and detention conditions, but also found...
Lisbon Forum 2017: managing migration in the face of populism
The North-South Centre's Lisbon Forum 2017 is tackling on 1 and 2 June the challenges to manage migration flows while preventing the growth of anti-immigrant populist movements, promote inclusive societies that respect cultural diversity and reinforce the dialogue between the North and the South....
North-South Prize 2016
Giuseppina Nicolini and Mbarka Brahmi are the two laureates of the XXII North-South Prize of the Council of Europe in recognition of their work towards the promotion of human rights, pluralistic democracy and north-south solidarity. Giuseppina Nicolini will be awarded for her commitment in the...
MONEYVAL: annual report for 2016
MONEYVAL, the Council of Europe’s body in charge of fighting money laundering and financing of terrorism, today made public its annual report for 2016. Continuing mutual evaluations of states in 2016, the ongoing 5th round of evaluations focused on whether states actually and efficiently made use...
Switzerland: Commissioner Muižnieks welcomes progress on asylum, but the most vulnerable need better protection
“I call on the Swiss authorities to stop detaining migrant children arriving at Swiss international airports. Children, with or without their families, do not belong in detention” said today Nils Muižnieks, the Council of Europe Commissioner for Human Rights, after a three-day visit (22-24 May)...
Discrimination against national minorities in Norway must be addressed
Norway should take effective measures to rebuild trust and raise awareness in particular of the Tater/Romani and the Roma national minorities in the country; step up efforts to preserve their cultural identities and facilitate their access to education. Alternative measures to the placement of...
Secretary General Jagland on official visit to the Republic of Moldova
Council of Europe Secretary General Thorbjørn Jagland made an official visit to the Republic of Moldova on 30 and 31 May. During his visit to Chisinau, the Secretary General launched the Council of Europe Action Plan for the Republic of Moldova 2017-2020, together with Andrei Galbur, Deputy Prime...
The Palme d'Or goes to a EURIMAGES supported film
The Jury of the 70th Cannes Film Festival chaired by Pedro Almodovar has awarded the Palme d’Or to the Eurimages-supported film The Square by Ruben Östlund, a co-production between Sweden, Germany and France. In addition to the 9th Palme d’Or after Winter Sleep by Nuri Bilge Ceylan in 2014, the...
Terrorist attack in Manchester
Statement by Lubomír Zaorálek, Chair of the Committee of Ministers and Minister for Foreign Affairs of the Czech Republic
Secretary General expresses condolences to UK for victims of Manchester attack
Secretary General Thorbjørn Jagland has written a letter of condolence to UK Prime Minister Theresa May following the terrorist attack at a pop concert in Manchester which has left at least 22 people dead and 59 injured. He said he was shocked to hear the news and his thoughts were with the...
Deputy Secretary General praises legacy of crusading anti-Mafia prosecutor Falcone
“Giovanni Falcone set a model for international judicial co-operation and law enforcement against organised crime, expanding his investigations beyond the scope of traditional prosecutorial work for a criminal phenomenon that was no longer national. Falcone applied a determined focus on...
Committee of Ministers: chairmanship handover from Cyprus to Czech Republic
At the end of their meeting in Nicosia (Cyprus) the six month chairmanship of the Committee of Ministers passed from Cyprus to the Czech Republic. Foreign Affairs Minister Ioannis Kasoulides took stock of Cyprus’s chairmanship and made the handover to Czech Foreign Minister Lubomír Zaorálek, who...
47 European States agreed on an Action Plan on how to protect children in migration
On 19 May 2017 in Nicosia, Cyprus, during the 127th Session of the Committee of Ministers, 47 European states adopted an Action Plan on protecting refugee and migrant children (2017-2019). “Today, the Council of Europe has agreed on concrete action on protecting refugee and migrant children...
Committee of Ministers meet in Nicosia, Cyprus
Foreign Affairs Ministers from the Council of Europe’s 47 member states are meeting in Nicosia (Cyprus). President of Cyprus Nicos Anastasiades opened the session, which is being chaired by Cypriot Foreign Affairs Minister and Committee of Ministers Chairman Ioannis Kasoulides. The Council of...
Illicit trafficking and destruction of cultural property: Council of Europe’s new criminal law treaty opened for signature
Six states signed today in Nicosia (Cyprus) the Council of Europe Convention on Offences relating to Cultural Property. Armenia, Cyprus, Greece, Portugal and San Marino as well as Mexico, one of the Organisation’s observer states, were the first to sign the convention, which is open for signature...
United Nations Secretary General António Guterres meets Thorbjørn Jagland
United Nations Secretary General António Guterres paid a visit to the Council of Europe today and met with Secretary General Jagland. The meeting covered a broad range of subjects including migration, conflict prevention, combatting corruption and the fight against terrorism. Messrs Jagland and...
Victims of terrorism and refugees on agenda as Committee of Ministers meets in Cyprus
Foreign Affairs Ministers of the Council of Europe’s 47 member states will meet in Nicosia (Cyprus) on 19 May. Agenda highlights include a new convention against trafficking of cultural property (including by terrorists who are financed by such trafficking), innovative guidelines to protect...
The Council of Europe member states have an obligation to protect LGBTI people
They have the same rights as everyone else
New reports on racism and discrimination in Denmark and Serbia
The Council of Europe’s anti-discrimination commission, European Commission against Racism and Intolerance (ECRI) has published today new reports on Denmark and Serbia. Both countries have made some progress but nevertheless, the fulfilment of the ERCI’s recommendations leaves much to be desired....
Childrens’ Forum “Children, actors of Citizenship” on 12 May
The Directorate General of Democracy organised the second edition of the Childrens’ Forum “Children, actors of Citizenship” in co-operation with the Association Themis On 12 May, in the Hemicycle, 650 pupils aged 8-10 from 25 classes of the Haut-Rhin and 650 pupils aged 8-10 from 25 classes of...
Violence against women: Thorbjørn Jagland welcomes EU decision to sign the Istanbul Convention
The Secretary General of the 47-nation Council of Europe, Thorbjørn Jagland, has warmly welcomed today’s decisions by the EU Council that the European Union as a whole should sign up to the Council of Europe’s Istanbul Convention on violence against women and domestic violence. “Violence against...
Combating Anti-Semitic Hate Speech
On the 10th of May an open seminar on combating Anti-Semitic Hate speech was held in Strasbourg at the European Youth Centre under the No Hate Speech Movement of the Council of Europe. During this session representatives of the Parliamentary Assembly of the Council of Europe, campaign partners,...
Tonga joins the Budapest Convention on Cybercrime
The Kingdom of Tonga has today acceded to the Budapest Convention on Cybercrime to become the 55th Party to this treaty which allows for effective international co-operation on cybercrime and electronic evidence. “Tonga’s accession to the Budapest Convention is further evidence of the global...
Eurimages films out in strength at Cannes
The 70th edition of the Cannes Film Festival now includes no less than 12 films supported by Eurimages, five of which are selected in official competition: NELYUBOV (LOVELESS) by Andrey Zvyagintsev (RU, FR, DE, BE); A GENTLE CREATURE by Sergei Loznitsa (FR, DE, NL, LT); HAPPY END by Michael...
Protection of national minority rights inconsistent in Austria, say Council of Europe experts
An opinion published today by the Council of Europe’s Advisory Committee to the Framework Convention for the Protection of National Minorities (FCNM) says that little has changed since 2012. Although bilingualism has become more accepted and equal access to education for minority language...
Statement of the Chairman of the Committee of Ministers on the Occasion of the Day of Europe
In 1964, the Committee of Ministers took the decision to celebrate the Day of Europe, that is the establishment of the Council of Europe, on May 5th. The Council of Europe was created in the aftermath of the Second World War, in the context of a new European structure, contemplated to bring...
Combatting illicit trafficking and destruction of cultural property: Council of Europe adopts new convention
The Council of Europe today adopted a new criminal law convention to prevent and combat the illicit trafficking and destruction of cultural property, in the framework of the Organisation’s action to fight terrorism and organised crime. The Convention on Offences relating to Cultural Property,...
Youth Peace Camp 2017
Some 70 young people from conflict-affected regions are taking part in a Youth Peace Camp event from 30 April to 7 May; they come from Kosovo*; Ukraine (especially from border regions and Luhansk and Donetsk), and from the South Caucasus. In the framework of the Cypriot Chairmanship of the...
Public service broadcasting under threat in Europe
“Well-funded and strong public service media are a good indicator that a democracy is healthy – this is the result of a study published last year by the European Broadcasting Union (EBU).” says Nils Muižnieks, Council of Europe Commissioner for Human Rights, in his latest Human Rights Comment...
PACE Bureau declares ‘no confidence’ in Pedro Agramunt as President
The Bureau of the Parliamentary Assembly of the Council of Europe (PACE), meeting in Strasbourg today, resolved that it has no confidence in Pedro Agramunt as President of the Assembly. It further resolved that Mr Agramunt is not authorised to undertake any official visits, attend any meetings or...
Parliamentary Assembly calls on Hungary to stop work on NGO funding and university laws
The Parliamentary Assembly of the Council of Europe (PACE) has called on Hungary to suspend the parliamentary debate on the draft law on the “Transparency of Organisations receiving Foreign Funding” and the implementation of the Act amending the National Higher Education Act, pending the opinion...
Sa Majesté le Roi d'Espagne : 'L'Europe reste un projet enthousiasmant'
« Dans le monde globalisé du XXIe siècle, l'Europe doit rester une référence pour la liberté et l'intégration. Si nous restons fidèles à ces valeurs, l'Europe, en tant qu’espace de civilisation, continuera d'être une source d'inspiration pour d'autres régions de la planète. Si, par contre, nous...
Prokopios Pavlopoulos: representative democracy, the most effective system in protecting human rights
Representative democracy is a system of governance that is the most effective in protecting human rights, said Prokopios Pavlopoulos, President of the Hellenic Republic, addressing the Parliamentary Assembly. The organisation of representative democracy is linked to the institutional checks and...
PACE commends CPT on its ‘outstanding work’ and makes proposals for reinforcing its impact
PACE today congratulated the European Committee for the Prevention of Torture (CPT) for its “outstanding work” over the past 25 years, which has led to significant improvements in the States Parties. The parliamentarians also emphasised that notable progress has been made in terms of “improving...
A critical turning point, not business as usual, for human rights in Europe
“2016 will likely be remembered as a critical turning point for human rights in Europe” said the Council of Europe Commissioner for Human Rights, Nils Muižnieks today while presenting his annual activity report for 2016. “We will either see it as a low point from which European countries,...
Parliamentary Assembly creates independent external investigation body to look into allegations of corruption
The Council of Europe Parliamentary Assembly (PACE) today ratified the terms of reference of an independent external investigation body to carry out a detailed independent inquiry into the allegations of “corruption and fostering of interests” made against certain PACE members or former members....
Secretary General Jagland says PACE must be seen to act with “One hundred per cent integrity”
Council of Europe Secretary General Thorbjørn Jagland replied to questions from PACE members in a question and answer session during the Assembly’s Spring part-session. During this exchange, parliamentarians asked Mr Jagland what he could do concerning allegations of corruption inside the PACE....
Parliamentary Assembly reopens monitoring procedure in respect of Turkey
The Parliamentary Assembly of the Council of Europe (PACE) decided today to reopen the monitoring procedure in respect of Turkey until “serious concerns” about respect for human rights, democracy and the rule of law “are addressed in a satisfactory manner”. The resolution adopted calls on the...
Ioannis Kasoulides: the Committee of Ministers and the Assembly must continue to concert their efforts
“It is important that the Committee of Ministers and the Parliamentary Assembly, as well as the Secretary General, continue to concert their efforts to face up to the numerous challenges confronting Europe today,” said Ioannis Kasoulides, Minister for Foreign Affairs of Cyprus and Chair of the...
Secretary General meets Hungarian Justice Minister
Hungarian Minister of Justice László Trócsányi today attended the swearing-in of Péter Paczolay, the new Hungarian judge at the European Court of Human Rights in Strasbourg. After the ceremony, Mr Trócsányi met with Council of Europe Secretary General Thorbjørn Jagland. They discussed current...
Parliamentary Assembly President agrees to take part in a hearing on his recent visit to Syria
PACE President Pedro Agramunt, in view of the request of a significant number of members, agreed to participate in a hearing, open to all Assembly members, on his recent visit to Syria. The hearing is due to be held tomorrow at 1 p.m. in Room 1. Before formally opening the session, the President...
Secretary General Jagland visits the Czech Republic
Meetings with Prime Minister Sobotka and Minister of Foreign Affairs Zaorálek
Populism - How strong are Europe’s checks and balances?
Secretary General 2017 report on democracy, human rights and the rule of law in Europe
Anti-torture committee urges European states to hold persons in remand detention only as a measure of last resort and in adequate conditions
The European Committee for the Prevention of Torture (CPT) urges the 47 Council of Europe member states to use remand detention only as a measure of last resort and to provide remand prisoners with adequate detention conditions. During visits to prisons throughout Europe, the CPT has often found...
Journalists suffer violence, intimidation and self-censorship in Europe, says a Council of Europe study
A survey published today by the Council of Europe, based on a sample of 940 journalists reporting from the 47 Council of Europe member states and Belarus, shows that journalists in Europe are often exposed to serious unwarranted interference in their work, including intimidation and violence. As...
New Human Rights report on Lithuania
Lithuania should strengthen the protection of women and children against violence and build a more inclusive society for persons with disabilities
Anti-torture committee highlights spiralling violence in UK prisons
The European Committee for the Prevention of Torture (CPT) has published its latest report on the United Kingdom, following a visit to several places of detention in the country last spring. The report expresses deep concern about “severe generalised violence” in a number of UK prisons and says...
GRECO expresses concern about the use of emergency procedures to amend legislation in Romania
In a report published today, the Council of Europe anti-corruption body (GRECO) expresses concern about the use of emergency procedures to amend legislation in Romania instead of using proper parliamentary process. GRECO has followed closely recent developments in Romania related to the...
Statement by the Secretary General Thorbjørn Jagland on the outcome of the Turkish constitutional referendum
“The Turkish electorate has voted on the amendments to the Constitution. In view of the close result the Turkish leadership should consider the next steps carefully. It is of utmost importance to secure the independence of the judiciary in line with the principle of rule of law enshrined in the...
New factsheets on the supervision of execution of Strasbourg Court judgments
In order to improve the transparency of the execution process of judgments of the European Court of Human Rights, the Department for the Execution of Judgments of the Council of Europe has published country factsheets. The factsheets present an overview of the main issues revealed by judgments...
Justice, social cohesion and media freedom remain top challenges in Kosovo*
Human Rights Commissioner Nils Muižnieks releases a Memorandum following his mission to Kosovo from 5 to 9 February
Terrorist attack in Stockholm
Statement from Ioannis Kasoulides, Chairman of the Committee of Ministers and Minister for Foreign Affairs of Cyprus
Stockholm attack
In a first reaction to the Stockholm truck attack today Secretary General Jagland said: “I am shocked by the sad news from Stockholm. It looks like another attack on our common values and freedoms, another attack on a vibrant European city. My thoughts go to Sweden and the people of Stockholm.”
International Roma Day: Statement by the Secretary General Thorbjørn Jagland
10 goals for the next 10 years
Comité anti-torture : actions urgentes requises dans les prisons et les établissements de police en France
Dans un rapport publié aujourd’hui concernant sa dernière visite en France (15-27 novembre 2015), le Comité pour la prévention de la torture et des peines ou traitements inhumains ou dégradants (CPT) du Conseil de l’Europe appelle les autorités françaises à prendre des mesures urgentes pour...
Regional and minority languages: evolution over 20 years
The impact of rapid technological developments, such as the expansion of the Internet and social media, on the way regional and minority language media work in Europe, as well as other new challenges they bring in the context of the European Charter for Regional and Minority Languages is the...
Supervision of the execution of judgments of the Court: Committee of Ministers publishes 10th annual report
Positive trends continue in 2016 – yet a new record number of cases closed
Venice Commission international conference in Bucharest: “Interaction between political majority and opposition in a democracy”
What are the main responsibilities and rights of the majority and of the opposition? What are the main obstacles to a positive and meaningful interaction majority - opposition? The European Commission for Democracy through Law (Venice Commission), in co-operation with the Presidential...
Saint-Petersburg metro attack: Secretary General conveys message of solidarity to Russian people
The Secretary General of the Council of Europe, Thorbjørn Jagland, sent a letter to the President of the Russian Federation, Vladimir Putin, today, following deadly attacks in the Saint-Petersburg metro on 3 April. "I was shocked and greatly saddened by the news of the deadly attack perpetrated...
Secretary General meets Danish Foreign Minister
Secretary General Jagland today met Foreign Minister Anders Samuelsen, ahead of the Danish Chairmanship of the Committee of Ministers. Topics of discussion included the threat of terrorism and the attack in St Petersburg, the situation in Turkey and the debate about the European Convention on...
The Shrinking Space for Human Rights Organisations
“In recent years I have noticed a clear trend of backsliding in several European countries in the area of freedom of association, particularly in respect of human rights organisations and defenders.” says Nils Muižnieks, Council of Europe Commissioner for Human Rights, in his latest Human Rights...
Attack in Saint Petersburg’s underground
Statement by Ioannis Kasoulides, Chair of the Committee of Ministers and Minister for Foreign Affairs of Cyprus
Debate on Democratic Security, with Ambassador Wolfgang Ischinger
Ambassador Wolfgang Ischinger, Chairman of the Munich Security Conference, introduces the tenth debate on Democratic Security which is addressing the protection of democracy in the digital age. For Amb. Ischinger, the development of new information and communication technologies is radically...
Regional and Local Representatives reaffirmed their commitment to the fight against anti-Gypsyism
Today, in the framework of the debate on the fight against anti-Gypsyism, the Congress for Local and Regional Authorities adopted a Declaration of Mayors and Elected Local and Regional Representatives of Council of Europe Member States against anti-Gypsyism. The declaration was presented by John...
Trafficking of children: experts highlight widespread problems
In its latest annual report, published today, the Council of Europe’s Group of Experts on Action against Trafficking in Human Beings (GRETA), has highlighted important shortcomings in a number of European countries related to the trafficking of children. The report shows that 4,361 children were...
Congress adopts report on the situation of mayors in Turkey
On 29 March 2017, the Congress adopted a recommendation and resolution on the situation of mayors and councillors in Turkey, and, in particular, on the detention of elected mayors and their replacement by mayors appointed by the central authorities. The co-rapporteurs Anders Knape (Sweden,...
Ireland should remove obstacles to the equality of Travellers, women and children
“The Irish government should ensure that the economic upturn benefits the most vulnerable groups and should promote equality of Travellers, women and children by removing the barriers that disproportionately hinder them from fully enjoying their rights”, said the Council of Europe Commissioner...
Migration: Congress adopts report on the role of local authorities in reception and integration
Local authorities are in the front line when it comes to dealing with the increase in the number of migrants and refugees arriving in Europe and must have adequate resources to meet these needs. That was the conclusion reached by Congress members at their 32nd session in Strasbourg on 28 March...
G7-Culture Florence: Secretary General Thorbjørn Jagland to present forthcoming Blood Antiquities Convention
Secretary General Thorbjørn Jagland will take part on 30-31 March in Florence (Italy) in the G7 Ministerial meeting on Culture: Culture as a tool for dialogue among peoples. The G7-Culture will focus on the protection of cultural heritage, fight against traffic of artistic and historic items and...
Gudrun Mosler-Törnström : "Local and regional authorities are essential to the democratic stability of Europe”
In her communication at the opening of the 32nd Session of the Congress of local and regional authorities (Strasbourg, 28-30 March 2017), President Gudrun Mosler-Törnström recalled that “local and regional authorities are responsible for carrying out a considerable share of public action in...
Europe for Roma empowerment: Taking stock and looking forward
Senior figures from the 47-nation Council of Europe (CoE) and the 28-member European Union (EU) are among those taking part in a conference in Brussels on 28 March looking at joint efforts to promote Roma participation and empowerment across Europe. Participants including EU First Vice-President...
Launching of Morocco’s participation in the CEPEJ evaluation cycles
The Minister of Justice and Liberties of Morocco, El Mostafa Ramid, chaired the launching event of Morocco’s participation in the European Commission for the Efficiency of Justice (CEPEJ) evaluation cycles on 27 March 2017. On this occasion, the President of the working group on evaluation of...
Russia: Secretary General Jagland concerned about freedom of expression and freedom of assembly after mass detentions at demonstrations
The detention of hundreds of citizens, including opposition leader Alexey Navalny while exercising their right to freedom of expression and to peaceful assembly raises issues under the European Convention on Human Rights. I am particularly concerned about the reported detention of minors. I call...
