Newsroom
Armenia: Council of Europe launches package of measures in response to refugee influx
The Council of Europe has launched a €2.8 million comprehensive response package to the refugee influx in Armenia. It includes four new initiatives and incorporated additional components into two ongoing projects. “The response package aims at protecting the human rights of refugees, resilience...
Annual report on the implementation of ECHR rulings: Significant progress, but important challenges remain
The latest annual report from the Council of Europe’s Committee of Ministers highlights significant progress on implementing rulings from the European Court of Human Rights in 2023, whilst underlining that several important challenges remain. According to the report, the Committee of Ministers...
Strengthening a youth perspective within the Council of Europe: Congress Secretary General meets youth representatives
“Many young people are still not able to contribute meaningfully to political debates or can only do so under agendas that they have not shaped themselves”, stressed Congress Secretary General Mathieu Mori, praising in this regard the important work done by the Joint Council on Youth to overcome...
Parliamentary Assembly spring session
A debate on the application by Kosovo* for membership of the Council of Europe, and vote on a draft opinion, will be one of the highlights of the spring session of the Parliamentary Assembly of the Council of Europe (PACE), taking place in Strasbourg from 15-19 April. There will also be a joint...
Preventing corruption in France: progress report on central government and law enforcement agencies
The Council of Europe’s anti-corruption body (GRECO) has just published a report evaluating the measures taken by the French authorities to implement the recommendations from 2019 on preventing corruption and promoting integrity in central government (top executive functions) and law enforcement...
Three climate change rulings from the European Court of Human Rights
The Grand Chamber of the European Court of Human Rights has today issued three separate rulings on cases related to climate change. In the case of Verein KlimaSeniorinnen Schweiz and Others v. Switzerland, the Court found violations of Article 8 (right to respect for private and family life) and...
Deputy Secretary General visits Republic of Moldova
During his two-day visit to the Republic of Moldova, Deputy Secretary General Bjørn Berge has expressed his support for the authorities’ efforts to strengthen healthcare for prisoners, and promote gender equality and action to combat violence against women. He also held a series of meetings with...
Launch of “Journalists Matter” campaign in Ukraine
The Ukrainian national chapter of the Council of Europe “Journalists Matter” Campaign for the Safety of Journalists is being launched in Kyiv on 9 April during the roundtable “Safety of journalists and other media actors in Ukraine in the context of martial law”. The event is organised by the...
Secretary General makes official visit to Armenia
Secretary General Marija Pejčinović Burić has met Prime Minister Nikol Pashinyan, Minister of Foreign Affairs Ararat Mirzoyan, and President of the National Assembly Alen Simonyan during an official visit to Armenia. During her meetings, the Secretary General discussed the follow-up to the...
International Roma Day: Congress supports Roma rights
As the world marks International Roma Day on 8 April 2024, Gudrun Mosler-Törnström (Austria, R, SOC/G/PD), Standing Rapporteur on Human Rights for the Congress of Local and Regional Authorities of the Council of Europe, reaffirms the Congress’ commitment to protecting the rights of Roma...
Award for Innovative School Projects in History Education
The HISTOLAB Award for Innovative School Projects in History Education goes to eight schools from France, Ireland, Serbia, Spain and Türkiye and one transnational project. The Award was presented to students and teachers from the winning schools during the HISTOLAB European Innovation Days in...
New Recommendation on equality for Roma and Traveller* women and girls
Ahead of International Roma Day, the Committee of Ministers has adopted a Recommendation to the 46 Council of Europe member states to ensure equality for Roma and Traveller women and girls and address the specific vulnerabilities they face. International Roma Day is a moment for us to celebrate...
We cannot truly support Roma and Traveller communities without empowering women and girls
Statement by Secretary General Marija Pejčinović Burić
SLAPPS: abusive lawsuits aimed at silencing journalists must be stopped
Alarmed by the chilling effect that abusive lawsuits have on freedom of expression and public participation, the Committee of Ministers has issued a Recommendation to its 46 member states aimed at countering the use of strategic lawsuits against public participation (SLAPPs), often used against...
Draft legislation on “transparency of foreign influence” in the Parliament of Georgia
Statement by the Secretary General
New Toolkit to debunk fake news in history classes
The Council of Europe and the European Union have developed a new tool to prepare young people to evaluate content online and in the media, to identify historical distortions, and to think critically about the content they encounter. The “Toolkit for History Classes: Debunking Fake News and...
Secretary General delivers keynote speech at the Conference of Participants of the Register of Damage for Ukraine in The Hague
“The world has just marked two years since the liberation of Irpin and Bucha, where terrible crimes were committed against civilians. This tragic milestone is a further reminder of what is at stake and how important it is that we do everything we can to support Ukraine and its people as the...
Council of Europe Congress: Local elections in Türkiye overall well organised and respecting the will of the voters
Despite certain deficiencies observed in the electoral campaign, local elections in Türkiye were overall well organised and respected the will of the people – these were the preliminary findings of the election observation mission of the Council of Europe Congress of Local and Regional...
Sviatlana Tsikhanouskaya asks the Congress to support democracy in her country
The goal of the Belarusian democratic forces was to decentralise governance and foster greater empowerment and autonomy within local communities, stressed Leader of the Belarusian democratic forces Sviatlana Tsikhanouskaya addressing the Congress session on 27 March 2024. Convinced that the...
Fight the upsurge in antisemitism and anti-muslim hatred: a major challenge for European cities and regions
The events in the Middle East have led to an unprecedented upsurge in antisemitic and anti-Muslim incidents in Europe. During the thematic debate on 26 March, Congress members shared both recent information regarding their local authorities and also best practices for preventing violence and...
Natural disasters and climate hazards: Congress calls on its members to be better prepared
Council of Europe member states are increasingly confronted with natural disasters and climate hazards, and local and regional authorities are in the first line to respond. To do this in the most effective, yet democratic manner, it will be crucial for local and regional authorities to develop a...
Congress President: Local and regional authorities can usefully contribute to the execution of Court judgments
“Local and regional authorities can make a valuable contribution to the execution of judgments of the European Court of Human Rights on involuntary detention and treatment for mental health reasons”, stressed Congress President Marc Cools, speaking on 27 March 2024 at the Conference on "Of...
Local self-government: France must pursue decentralisation and clarify division of powers, says Congress
The Council of Europe Congress of Local and Regional Authorities has called on France to pursue decentralisation, clarify the division of powers between the state and subnational authorities and provide better protection for mayors. Adopting its recommendation based on a report by Bryony Rudkin...
PACE committee recommends that Kosovo* be invited to become a member of the Council of Europe
The Committee on Political Affairs and Democracy of the Parliamentary Assembly of the Council of Europe (PACE) has recommended that Kosovo* be invited to become a member of the Council of Europe. Approving a draft Opinion during a meeting held today in Paris, based on a report by Dora Bakoyannis...
Support for Ukraine, need to halt democratic backsliding top US visit agenda
Deputy Secretary General Bjørn Berge has concluded a three-day working visit to the United States (25-27 March), where he found widespread support for Ukraine, concern about democratic backsliding around the world, and a hunger for working together to find solutions. Starting in Washington DC,...
Two years of war: Council of Europe Congress calls for greater support to Ukraine
The Congress of Local and Regional Authorities of the Council of Europe adopted on 26 March 2024 a Declaration on the second anniversary of the Russian Federation’s war against Ukraine, presented by Martine Dieschburg-Nickels (Luxembourg, L, ILDG) and Gunn-Marit Helgesen (Norway, R, EPP/CCE). The...
Secretary General meets Minister of Justice of Moldova
Council of Europe Secretary General Marija Pejčinović Burić has met the Minister of Justice of the Republic of Moldova, Veronica Mihailov-Moraru. The meeting focused on the close co-operation under the Council of Europe Action Plan for the Republic of Moldova 2021-2024, especially in the...
Secretary General marks Council of Europe 75th anniversary at Congress session
Secretary General Marija Pejčinović Burić has marked the importance of the Council of Europe 75th anniversary in her speech at the Congress of Local and Regional Authorities session, coinciding with its 30th anniversary and the 10th anniversary of its youth initiative. “I am very pleased with the...
Young Ukrainian musicians play at the opening of the 46th Congress session
The 46th session of the Congress opened in Strasbourg today to the sound of the European and Ukrainian anthems played young musicians from Ukraine. The 3-day session’s agenda features debates on two years of the Russian Federation's war against Ukraine, with the adoption of a declaration, and on...
Congress members committed to protecting the rights of the children of Ukraine
The situation of the children of Ukraine was at the heart of the debate of Congress members on Tuesday 26 March. Daria Herasymchuk, Presidential Commissioner for Children’s Rights and Child...
Secretary General election: Committee of Ministers submits candidatures to Parliamentary Assembly
The Committee of Ministers has decided to submit to the Parliamentary Assembly, for appointment to the post of Secretary General of the Council of Europe, with effect from 18 September 2024, the following candidatures: Alain BERSET (Switzerland) (Curriculum vitae) Indrek SAAR (Estonia)...
Azerbaijan should end the intimidation and harassment of journalists and civil society activists
“The increasing repression faced by journalists and civil society members in Azerbaijan is reason for deep concern”, says the Council of Europe Commissioner for Human Rights, Dunja Mijatović, referring to the arrests, detentions and judicial harassment that are stifling freedom of expression in...
President of the Committee of Ministers and Secretary General visited Ukraine
President of the Committee of Ministers Dominique Hasler and Secretary General Marija Pejčinović Burić have inaugurated the Kyiv office of the Register of Damage Caused by the Aggression of the Russian Federation against Ukraine, during a working visit to the country. "The Liechtenstein...
Survey finds “widespread and concerning pattern” of NGO stigmatisation
A survey prepared by the Expert Council on NGO Law of the Conference of INGOs of the Council of Europe indicates serious stigmatisation of NGOs across Europe, based on 55 responses to a questionnaire by NGOs operating in 31 Council of Europe member states[1] plus Russia, as well as from two...
GRETA triggers positive changes in the fight against human trafficking: celebrates 15 years of its monitoring work
The Group of Experts on Action against Trafficking in Human Beings (GRETA) has taken stock of its 15 years of monitoring the implementation of the Council of Europe Anti-Trafficking Convention, on the occasion of its 50th plenary meeting. Its latest publication on “The practical impact of GRETA’s...
Congress 46th session agenda: Russia’s war against Ukraine, rising antisemitism and anti-Muslim hatred, support to Belarus democratic forces and Congress 30th anniversary
The Congress of Local and Regional Authorities of the Council of Europe will hold its 46th Session from 26 to 28 March 2024 in Strasbourg, France. On this occasion, the Congress will hold a special ceremony on Wednesday 27 March to mark its 30th anniversary. The session’s agenda features debates...
PACE President: ‘Russian and Belarusian athletes should not compete in the Paris Olympic Games’
Following yesterday's decision by the International Olympic Committee not to allow Russian and Belarusian athletes to participate in the opening ceremony of the Paris 2024 Olympic Games, and responding to a call by Ukraine’s Olympic Champions* urging PACE’s continued support for a total ban on...
European Committee of Social Rights publishes 2023 Findings and Conclusions on Children, Family and Migrants
The European Committee of Social Rights (ECSR) has published its Conclusions 2023 in respect of the articles of the European Social Charter relating to Children, Family and Migrants. In the framework of the reporting procedure, the ECSR adopted 799 conclusions: 415 conclusions of conformity with...
Making justice for and with children in Europe: the goal of a new EU-Council of Europe joint project
The new European Union-Council of Europe joint project on Child-friendly Justice has been launched in Strasbourg. Co-funded by the EU and the Council of Europe and implemented by the Council of Europe's Children's Rights Division in close co-operation with Belgium, Poland and Slovenia as focus...
Germany: Follow through with human rights commitments and improve access to social rights
Council of Europe Commissioner for Human Rights, Dunja Mijatović, published today the report following her visit to Germany from 27 November to 1 December 2023, with recommendations regarding the available structures and legal frameworks to protect human rights, and on access to social rights, in...
Hungary: Venice Commission assesses law on national sovereignty protection
In an opinion on Hungary’s Act LXXXVIII on the Protection of National Sovereignty, the Council of Europe’s Venice Commission has examined the main elements of the Act, particularly the prohibition of foreign funding in electoral campaigns and the establishment and activities of the Sovereignty...
Congress to observe local elections in Türkiye
A twenty-member delegation from the Congress of Local and Regional Authorities of the Council of Europe will carry out a mission from 29 March until 1 April to observe local elections in various regions of Türkiye to be held on 31 March 2024. The delegation will be accompanied by an expert and...
Promoting measures for reducing drug supply and demand worldwide: Pompidou Group Italian Presidency
In an address to the 67th Session of the United Nations Commission on Narcotic Drugs in Vienna (14-22 March 2024), the Italian Presidency of the Council of Europe’s drug policy cooperation platform stressed that for drug supply reduction, worldwide efforts must be aimed at the control of drug...
Presidential 'election' in Russia: "Let's not recognise Putin’s legitimacy as president", PACE President says
Following the Presidential election in Russia, PACE President Theodoros Rousopoulos today made the following statement: "Some minutes ago, the polling stations in the so-called ‘elections’ in the Russian Federation closed and the exit polls announced the projections. And there was little surprise...
Venice Commission adopts opinion on the rule of law requirements of amnesties with particular reference to the amnesty bill in Spain
The European Commission for Democracy Through Law of the Council of Europe, better known as the Venice Commission, adopted today, during its 138th plenary meeting, an opinion on the rule of law requirements of amnesties, with particular reference to the parliamentary bill “on the organic law on...
10 years of Crimea’s illegal annexation: Statement by the Congress President
The President of the Congress of Local and Regional Authorities of the Council of Europe, Marc Cools, has made the following statement: “Ten years ago, on 16 March 2014, the illegal referendum in the Ukrainian region of Crimea, organised at Russian gunpoint, set off a spiral of violence leading...
Artificial Intelligence, Human Rights, Democracy and the Rule of Law Framework Convention
Statement by Secretary General Marija Pejčinović Burić on the occasion of the finalisation of the Convention
Implementing ECHR judgments: Latest decisions from the Council of Europe’s Committee of Ministers
The Council of Europe’s Committee of Ministers has published the case-by-case decisions taken during the Committee’s meeting from 12 to 14 March to supervise the implementation of judgments and decisions from the European Court of Human Rights. The Committee of Ministers adopted 40 decisions...
Committee of Ministers condemns Russia for Alexey Navalnyy’s death, calls for independent international investigation
The Council of Europe’s Committee of Ministers has strongly condemned the Russian authorities for the recent death of Alexey Navalnyy. At the Committee’s latest quarterly meeting on the implementation of judgments from the European Court of Human Rights, it called for an international commission...
Venice Commission plenary under way
During its plenary session on Friday and Saturday, 15- 16 March in Venice, the Venice Commission is set to adopt six draft opinions concerning: Bosnia and Herzegovina on certain questions relating to the functioning of the Constitutional Court; Bulgaria on the Code of Ethical Conduct for Judges...
Secretary General opens first Co-ordination Meeting on Combating Anti-Muslim Hatred and Discrimination
“There is no doubt that while many Muslim communities are well-integrated throughout Europe, contributing to civic life and being appreciated for it, there remain many instances of prejudice, discrimination and even violence targeted against Muslim people because of their faith. Following recent...
Human rights of trans people: increased visibility and legal recognition contrast with lived experience of discrimination, violence
“Realising the rights of trans people is a matter of applying human rights equally to everyone, and states have the primary responsibility to lift the barriers trans people are facing in exercising their human rights”, said the Council of Europe Commissioner for Human Rights, Dunja Mijatović,...
Grants to Armenian municipalities hosting refugees: Call for projects
The Congress of Local and Regional Authorities, in line with its commitment to support Karabakh Armenians and its “readiness to assist, using all statutory, cooperation and political tools at its disposal” (Declaration 7 (2023) has launched a grant scheme in support of municipalities hosting...
Child human rights defenders want to be heard by their governments: Council of Europe study
Child human rights defenders want governments to start listening to their opinions, ideas, and proposals in the development of laws and policies. This is one of the main findings of a new report: “Children as defenders of human rights: a study on Council of Europe member states” published today....
Meeting UN Secretary General, PACE President urges more effective co-operation with the world body
PACE President Theodoros Rousopoulos has urged more effective and properly institutionalised co-operation between the United Nations and the Council of Europe during a meeting yesterday in New York with UN Secretary General Antonio Guterres, who is a former member of PACE. Such co-operation would...
Lanzarote Convention: a tool to fight child sexual exploitation and sexual abuse worldwide
The Council of Europe and the Permanent Mission of Iceland to the United Nations in Geneva have hosted an event “Join states in a class of excellence to fight child sexual exploitation and sexual abuse” on the margins of the 55th Session of the UN Human Rights Council. The event aimed at...
Liechtenstein should develop anti-discrimination legislation and better inform and support migrants
In a report published on 12 March, the Council of Europe anti-racism commission (ECRI) calls on the Liechtenstein authorities to develop specific anti-discrimination legislation and establish an information and support centre for migrants (see also the German version of the report). ECRI notes a...
Republic of Moldova: GRECO calls for improvements in preventing corruption in the central government and the police
The Council of Europe’s Group of States against Corruption (GRECO) has acknowledged the progress achieved by the Republic of Moldova in setting up an institutional and legal framework to promote integrity and prevent corruption in the top executive functions of the central government and its law...
Implementing European Court of Human Rights judgments
The Council of Europe’s Committee of Ministers is holding its quarterly meeting to oversee the execution of judgments and decisions from the European Court of Human Rights in Strasbourg from 12 to 14 March. Cases proposed for detailed examination concern Armenia, Azerbaijan, Bulgaria, Croatia,...
The Council of Europe at 75
Ambassador Dr Ion I. Jinga, the Permanent Representative of Romania to the Council of Europe, has written an opinion article on the history and achievements of the Organisation, as it approaches its 75th anniversary on 5 May 2024. The article, aimed at raising the Organisation’s visibility,...
Secretary General speaks at opening of Fundamental Rights Forum 2024 and visits Austria
Secretary General Marija Pejčinović Burić took the floor at the opening of the Fundamental Rights Forum 2024 “Rights in motion – Embracing human rights for Europe’s future” in Vienna. She lauded the excellent co-operation between the European Union Agency for Fundamental Rights (FRA), the...
Promoting greater gender equality in sport: Roundtable on how to combat discrimination against female referees
On the occasion of International Women’s Day on 8 March 2024, the Council of Europe’s Enlarged Partial Agreement on Sport (EPAS) is holding its annual gender equality roundtable with a focus on sport officiating. The roundtable discussion includes personal experiences from female referees from a...
More women in politics, a shared battle
On the occasion of International Women’s Day 2024, 8 March, Congress Thematic Spokesperson on Gender Equality Eirini Dourou (Greece, SOC/G/PD) has made the following statement: “On this year’s International Women’s Day, we echo the words of the Reykjavik Principles for Democracy and call for...
Artificial Intelligence - Bridging the Equality Gap
Statement by Council of Europe Secretary General Marija Pejčinović Burić ahead of International Women’s Day
Council of Europe adopts Gender Equality Strategy for 2024-2029
The Council of Europe’s Committee of Ministers has adopted a new Gender Equality Strategy for 2024-2029. In line with the Reykjavik commitments of the Heads of State and Government, this Strategy will guide the organisation’s work towards gender equality over the next six years. Secretary General...
For Belarus, the path towards Europe runs through Strasbourg
Euronews publishes opinion article jointly written by Secretary General and Sviatlana Tsikhanouskaya
Youth for Democratic Recovery: Council of Europe delegation visits Ukraine
A delegation of the Council of Europe Youth Department has made a visit to Kyiv, Ukraine. The aim was to confirm solidarity with the Ukrainian youth community in the face of Russia’s ongoing aggression against Ukraine, to participate in the Steering Committee meeting of the Council of Europe...
Council of Europe takes stock of work protecting children’s rights since 2022
Freedom from violence for all children, equal opportunities and social inclusion, access to technologies and their safe use, child-friendly justice and child participation – these are key objectives of the Council of Europe Strategy for the Rights of the Child (2022-2027) that was adopted on 23...
Safety of Journalists platform 2024 report: serious concern about the use of spyware against journalists, abusive lawsuits and journalists in exile
The unlawful deployment of spyware against journalists, the use of abusive lawsuits against journalists to hamper their investigative work and the precarious situation of many journalists in exile, notably from Russia and Belarus, are among the main concerns expressed by partner organisations to...
Deputy Secretary General visits Poland: Support for Ukraine and the rule of law high on the agenda
Deputy Secretary General Bjørn Berge paid a working visit to Poland March 4-5. In Warsaw he met the Polish Minister of Foreign Affairs, Mr Radosław Sikorski. Their conversation focused on the need for multilateral support for Ukraine and the Council of Europe’s specific role in addressing the...
Secretary General in Brussels
Secretary General Marija Pejčinović Burić is visiting Brussels today, where she is speaking at the opening plenary session of the Ideas Lab 2024, organised by the Centre for European Policy Studies, alongside European Commission Executive Vice-Presidents Valdis Dombrovskis and Maroš Šefčovič and...
Rule of Law Youth Network launched in Tunis
The North-South Centre of the Council of Europe (NSC) and the joint initiative between the European Union and the Council of Europe ‘South Programme V’ today are launching the Rule of Law Youth Network (RoLYN) in Tunis. Over the next two years (2024-2026), network members will explore...
GRECO: Czechia must improve the effectiveness of its system to promote integrity and prevent corruption in government and the police
The Council of Europe’s Group of States against Corruption (GRECO), calls in a new report for determined measures to prevent corruption in Czechia in respect of persons with top executive functions, including the Prime Minister, ministers, deputy ministers, ministers’ advisers, as well as members...
Antalya Diplomacy Forum: Secretary General highlights Council of Europe’s commitment to fighting racism and discrimination
Secretary General Marija Pejčinović Burić has highlighted the Organisation’s commitment to combating all forms of racism and discrimination, including anti-Muslim racism and hatred, while addressing the 3rd edition of the Antalya Diplomacy Forum in Türkiye. Taking the floor during the Panel on...
Czechia extends protection of German language under the minority languages charter
Czechia has decided to extend its undertakings under the European Charter for Regional or Minority Languages (ECRML) regarding German in the districts of Cheb, Karlovy Vary, Sokolov, Liberec, Ústí nad Labem, Český Krumlov, Opava and Svitavy (see the notification in full here). The authorities...
Lithuania should do more to ensure access to justice for trafficking victims, say Council of Europe experts
The Council of Europe’s Group of Experts on Action against Trafficking in Human Beings (GRETA) has called on Lithuania to take further action against human trafficking, notably by improving the access of victims of trafficking to legal assistance and compensation, and by disassociating the...
Secretary General meets Yulia Navalnaya
Secretary General Marija Pejčinović Burić has met Yulia Navalnaya, the widow of Alexei Navalnyy. While expressing condolences and deep sadness for the loss of the prominent Russian opposition leader, the Secretary General underlined how Mr Navalnyy’s death cannot be separated from the grave human...
Civic Space, Democracy and Artificial Intelligence: how do they intersect?
On the occasion of World NGO Day, the Council of Europe’s Conference of International NGOs, bringing together representatives of civil society organisations enjoying participatory status with the Council of Europe, held a public interactive and hybrid event “Civic Space, Democracy and Artificial...
Congress President condemns plans for Russian presidential elections in occupied Ukrainian regions
The President of the Congress of Local and Regional Authorities of the Council of Europe, Marc Cools, has made the following statement: “I strongly condemn the plans by the Russian Federation to organise presidential elections in the temporarily occupied regions of Ukraine.” “The illegal conduct...
Congress President denounces so-called local elections in Belarus
The President of the Congress of Local and Regional Authorities of the Council of Europe, Marc Cools, has made the following statement: “The so-called local elections organised in Belarus on 25 February 2024 are nothing but a sham. Without freedoms of speech, assembly and association, without...
PACE President: “The ‘elections’ in Belarus are a travesty of democracy”
“There cannot be free and fair elections in a situation where freedoms of speech, assembly and association are curtailed; where opposition political parties are liquidated and their leaders persecuted; where the freedom of the media is not respected; and where there is no redress against these...
Hungary: report calls for improving access to justice and legal remedies for human trafficking victims
In a new report the Council of Europe Group of Experts on Action against Trafficking in Human Beings (GRETA) calls on the Hungarian authorities to take further action against human trafficking, notably by improving the assistance provided to victims of trafficking and their access to legal aid...
Council of Europe marks two years of Russia’s war of aggression against Ukraine
The Council of Europe has marked the second anniversary of Russia’s war of aggression against Ukraine by holding a special ceremony in front of its main headquarters building in Strasbourg, France. Taking part in the ceremony were Secretary General Marija Pejčinović Burić, President of the...
Extraordinary meeting of Ministers’ Deputies (23 February 2024) - Second anniversary of full-scale aggression of Russian Federation against Ukraine
On 23 February, the Ministers' Deputies held an extraordinary meeting on the occasion of the second-year anniversary of the full-scale aggression of the Russian Federation against Ukraine. They recalled the measures already taken by the Council of Europe and adopted a series of decisions,...
GRETA calls on Italy to better prevent human trafficking for labour exploitation and ensure effective sanctions for traffickers
The Council of Europe Group of Experts on Action against Trafficking in Human Beings (GRETA) has urged the Italian authorities to take further action against human trafficking, notably by strengthening measures to combat trafficking for the purpose of labour exploitation, ensuring effective...
Russia’s full-scale aggression against Ukraine: Two years on
Council of Europe leaders reiterate support and solidarity
Two years since Russia’s full-scale invasion of Ukraine: Declaration of the Congress Bureau
The President of the Congress of Local and Regional Authorities, Marc Cools, has made the following statement: “24 February 2024 will mark two years since the Russian Federation’s full-scale invasion of Ukraine. On this occasion, the Congress Bureau adopted a Declaration in which it reiterated...
Experts concerned about reduction of minority languages’ use and learning in Latvia
The Advisory Committee on the Framework Convention for the Protection of National Minorities has expressed concern in an opinion about Latvia’s policy to reduce the use and learning of minority languages and has addressed a number of urgent recommendations to the Latvian authorities. While...
Poland: Small cells and lacking legal access for remand prisoners among concerns raised by anti-torture group
A new report by the Council of Europe’s Committee for the Prevention of Torture and Inhuman or Degrading Treatment or Punishment (CPT) found problems regarding lacking legal assistance and prison cell sizes below the norm, among other issues. The report notes that most detained persons confirmed...
Challenging misunderstandings and myths about languages in Europe
With regard to attitudes towards languages in today’s society, two developments are of special concern for the Council of Europe. The first is a tendency on the part of public authorities and civil society to think that proficiency in one additional language is enough - as long as that language...
Minute of silence for Alexei Navalnyy
At the beginning of their meeting, on 21 February 2024, the Ministers' Deputies held a minute of silence in tribute to Russian opposition leader Alexei Navalnyy, who died on 16 February at the Russian Artic penal colony where he was serving a 19-year sentence. On 16 February, the President of the...
Council of Europe commemorates two years of Russia’s war of aggression against Ukraine
On 23 February, the Council of Europe will hold a ceremony to mark two years of Russia’s war of aggression against Ukraine, followed by an extraordinary meeting of the Committee of Ministers (to be broadcast live). At 9 am, on the Council of Europe forecourt, Secretary General Marija Pejčinović...
Photo exhibition “The DAWN" on Ukrainian children who suffered under Russian bombardment and occupation opens in Strasbourg
A photo exhibition has opened today, 19 February, at the Council of Europe, illustrating what the dawn of a new life would look like for Ukrainian children whose homes, villages and towns have suffered under Russian bombardment and occupation. Featuring pictures by French-Ukrainian photographer...
Sweden should ensure equal access to rights of all minorities through clearer guidance to its municipalities
Sweden continues to apply the Framework Convention for the Protection of National Minorities to the Jewish minority, Roma, Sweden Finns, Tornedalians and the Sámi people. The Advisory Committee’s Opinion on the implementation of the Framework Convention by Sweden concludes that despite some...
Death of Alexei Navalnyy: Statement by Secretary General Marija Pejčinović Burić
"I am profoundly dismayed and outraged by the news of the sudden death of prominent Russian opposition leader Alexei Navalnyy in a Russian prison. The Russian authorities must conduct an immediate and thorough investigation and make the findings available to the public in line with their...
"There is little doubt that the Russian state bears full responsibility for the death of Alexei Navalny", PACE President says
Following the death of jailed Russian opposition leader Alexei Navalny, Council of Europe Parliamentary Assembly (PACE) President Theodoros Rousopoulos made the following statement: "I am deeply shocked by today's terrible news of the death in prison of Russian opposition leader Alexei Navalny....
Death of Alexei Navalnyy: Statement by Committee of Ministers' President
Liechtenstein Minister of Foreign Affairs, Education and Sport and President of the Committee of Ministers, Dominique Hasler made the following statement: "Saddened and deeply disturbed by the reported death of Alexei Navalnyy today, I, in my capacity as President of the Committee of Ministers of...
Congress President dismayed at the death of Alexey Navalny in Russia
Congress President Marc Cools has made the following statement today: “I am shocked and dismayed by the news of the death of Alexey Navalny in a Russian prison. On behalf of the Congress of Local and Regional Authorities of the Council of Europe, I express my deep condolences to his family....
Protecting the human rights of sex workers
“The lived realities of sex workers across Europe raise serious human rights concerns. I call for an approach to sex work that is firmly based on human rights and focuses on the effective protection of sex workers’ rights, prioritising their safety, agency and bodily autonomy over stereotypes and...
Cinema attendance in Europe up by 18% in 2023, but is still below pre-pandemic levels
According to initial findings compiled by the Council of Europe’s European Audiovisual Observatory, cinema attendance in wider Europe rose to approximately 859 million admissions in 2023. This reflects a positive year-on-year rise of 18.1%, signifying an increase of 131.8 million tickets compared...