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Data protection and privacy rights: first regional HELP course launched in the Southern Mediterranean region
On 1 October, the Council of Europe launched the first regional course on Data Protection and Privacy Rights of the Human Rights Education for Legal Professionals (HELP) programme in the.... Latest news about Council of Europe work in field of data protection
Local elections in Bosnia and Herzegovina: improved electoral process but lack of genuine public engagement
At the invitation of the Bosnia and Herzegovina authorities, the Congress of Local and Regional Authorities of the Council of Europe deployed a mission to observe the local elections held on 6 October 2024 throughout the country. The Congress mission was led by Carla Dejonghe (Belgium, ILDG) and...
Report highlights inadequate healthcare access for LGBTI people, recommends solutions
A new Council of Europe report “Right to the Highest Attainable Standard of Health and Access to Healthcare for LGBTI People in Europe“ has revealed substantial disparities and systemic challenges. It proposes numerous recommendations to the Council of Europe member states to improve the...
One year after the Hamas attack, Secretary General commemorates victims, reiterates absolute condemnation of terrorism and calls for hostages to be freed immediately
“One year on from the horrific Hamas attack on Israeli civilians and civilians of other nationalities, we reiterate our absolute condemnation of terrorism, commemorate those who lost their lives and solemnly call for the prompt release of the hostages still held in Gaza. The Hamas attack has...
Council of Europe is “first line of defence” for democratic values in Europe
Deputy Secretary General Bjorn Berge has taken part in a lively and informative seminar on “How to ensure democratic resilience in Europe”, organised by the Norwegian Institute of International Affairs in Oslo, Norway. Other speakers included Norwegian Deputy Minister of Foreign Affairs Maria...
Secretary General attends 19th Francophonie Summit
“We are here to celebrate the central role of the French language as a driving force for democracy, human rights and multilateralism,” said Secretary General Alain Berset during his speech at the 19th Francophonie Summit on Creating, innovating and doing business in French, held in...
European Donation Day 2024: a celebration of life and giving
The European Day for Organ, Tissue and Cell Donation is a powerful initiative that has been raising awareness of the life-saving potential of organ, tissue and cell donation for almost 30 years. Driven by the European Directorate for the Quality of Medicines & HealthCare (EDQM) of the Council of...
CEC strengthens crisis communication skills ahead of 2024 elections
Around 15 representatives of the Central Electoral Commission (CEC) enhanced their crisis communication skills in preparation of Presidential Elections and the EU-related Republican Constitutional Referendum (20.10.2024) at the seminar organised by the Council of Europe Office in Chisinau....
Central Electoral Commission staff trained on the use of new Postal voting e-module
The Central Electoral Commission (CEC)’ s electronic system of the postal vote is now fully operational. Newly developed Postal voting module and an upgraded Preliminary Registration module of the of the State Automated Information System Elections have been tested during June-August. Both...
Ukrainian delegation visits Portugal to focus on post-war elections and out-of-country voting
From September 25 to 27, 2024, a Ukrainian delegation, including representatives from the Central Election Commission and the Ministry of Foreign Affairs of Ukraine, took part in a three-days visit to Lisbon, Portugal, organised and conducted with the support of the Council of Europe*. The visit...
Foreign Minister Timcho Mucunski reaffirms North Macedonia’s commitment to European values, human rights and rule of law
Addressing the Parliamentary Assembly of the Council of Europe (PACE) today, Timcho Mucunski, North Macedonia’s Minister of Foreign Affairs and Foreign Trade, reaffirmed his country's steadfast dedication to European values, human rights, and the rule of law. Minister Mucunski emphasised that...
Call for participation: Making justice accessible across Europe and strengthening the trust of citizens in the judicial system
Every year on 25 October, on the European Day of Justice, events for European citizens, students and justice professionals are organised across Europe. The CEPEJ supports the commitment of...
Ninety years on from the Holodomor, Ukraine once again faces the threat of genocide
Ninety years on from the Holodomor, Stalin's genocide by artificial famine which resulted in the deaths of millions of Ukrainians in 1932-33, Ukraine again faces the threat of genocide, Parliamentary Assembly has declared, urging all governments to help the people of Ukraine "fight off the...
Secretary General meets UNESCO Director-General
Secretary General Alain Berset met with UNESCO Director-General Audrey Azoulay at the Palais de l’Europe. The meeting followed up an exchange of views held on the sidelines of the 79th session of the United Nations General Assembly (UNGA 79) in New York and provided an opportunity to highlight...
European Commission for the Efficiency of Justice President visited Kazakhstan
The President of the CEPEJ, Francesco Depasquale (Malta), visited Kazakhstan on 3 and 4 October 2024. On the occasion of the 9th Congress of Judges and a Round Table on the strategy for...
Parliamentary Assembly pledges full support to Ukrainian prisoners of war and civilians ‘until the last captive is released’
Parliamentary Assembly has demanded that prisoners of war and civilians held in Russian captivity be treated in line with international humanitarian law and human rights standards, pledging to “remain involved until the last captive is released”. A total of 65 956 servicemen and civilians have...
Committee of Ministers' President Landsbergis: collective effort needed to ensure sustainable peace and respect for human rights
“It is time to put even more pressure on Russia and ensure its full accountability for its crimes,” said Gabrielius Landsbergis, President of the Committee of Ministers and Minister of Foreign Affairs of Lithuania, when addressing the Parliamentary Assembly. “Only this way will we lay the path...
Secretary General meets H.S.H. Prince Albert II of Monaco
The Secretary General, Alain Berset, and Prince Albert II of Monaco met during the Sovereign Prince’s visit to mark the 20th anniversary of the Principality of Monaco’s accession to the Council of Europe. They discussed Monaco’s contribution to the Council of Europe’s activities, the importance...
Parliamentary Assembly recognises Julian Assange as a ‘political prisoner’ and warns against the chilling effect of his harsh treatment
The Parliamentary Assembly of the Council of Europe (PACE) has expressed deep concern at “the disproportionately harsh treatment” faced by Julian Assange and said this has had a “dangerous chilling effect” which undermines the protection of journalists and whistleblowers around the world....
Combatting ageism: human rights should not be denied or limited with age
“Human rights should not be denied or limited with age”, said Andrea Eder-Gitschthaler, on the occasion of the International Day of Older Persons (1 October). Ms Eder-Gitschthaler, rapporteur on “Overcoming age-based discrimination against older persons”, underlines that access...
