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Round table surveys Human Rights situation in Crimea and Sevastopol
On 20 December 2022, a round table was held in Strasbourg to examine the Human Rights situation in the occupied Autonomous Republic of Crimea and the city of Sevastopol, Ukraine. It gathered Ukrainian stakeholders, including the Permanent Representative of the President of Ukraine in the...
Psychological support for refugees: training to strengthen capacities of professionals working in Poland
The Council of Europe has held a pilot training on Psychological Support to Refugees: Strengthening Professional Capacities in Warsaw, Poland. The event, held on 19 and 20 December, was aimed at enhancing the capacities of relevant professionals working on the ground to detect war-related traumas...
New thematic factsheet on Hate Crime and Hate Speech
The Execution Department has published a new thematic factsheet on Hate Crime and Hate Speech. Hate crime is a criminal act motivated by bias or prejudice towards a person or group of persons while hate speech concerns various forms of expression directed against a person or group of persons on...
International Migrants Day: Council of Europe publishes guidance on how to better protect children against sexual exploitation and abuse
Children’s lives are disrupted and seriously affected when forced to leave their homes, whilst on the move, internally displaced or once they have reached the host country. These circumstances make children particularly vulnerable to violence, sexual abuse and exploitation, including trafficking...
Istanbul Mayor Ekrem İmamoğlu’s sentence a direct attack on local democracy, says Congress President
The President of the Council of Europe’s Congress of Local and Regional Authorities, Leendert Verbeek, has made the following statement concerning the prison sentence and political ban imposed on the Mayor of Istanbul, Ekrem İmamoğlu, by a Turkish court on 14 December: "I am extremely concerned...
Freedom of expression of judges: Consultative Council of European Judges adopts new Opinion
In a new Opinion, the Council of Europe’s Consultative Council of European Judges (CCJE) has issued a set of recommendations to judges across Europe on the way to exercise their right to freedom of expression both inside and outside the court, including in the media and social media. The Opinion...
Resilience, recovery and reconstruction: Council of Europe adopts new Action Plan for Ukraine
The Council of Europe’s Committee of Ministers has adopted a record €50 million Action Plan for Ukraine for 2023-2026. “The Action Plan “Resilience, Recover and Reconstruction” (2023-2026) has been developed in close consultation with the Ukrainian authorities. It is part of our Organisation’s...
Age assessment in the context of migration: new Committee of Ministers Recommendation
The Council of Europe Committee of Ministers has adopted a new Recommendation to member States on human rights principles and guidelines on age assessment in the context of migration. Refugee and migrant children are among the most vulnerable and exposed persons on the move. Being unable to prove...
Ministers declare human rights centred approach to face drug addiction at Pompidou Group conference
Closing the 18th Ministerial Conference of the Council of Europe’s Pompidou Group, ministers and high-level participants from 41 Pompidou Group member states have called for a human rights centred approach to address drugs addictions and related disorders. In their “Lisbon Declaration”,...
Management of frozen or seized property: new report assesses compliance with Warsaw Convention
Most European states have put in place legislation or other measures to ensure the proper management of frozen or seized property, although improvements are still needed in certain countries, according to a report by the Conference of the Parties of Convention on Laundering, Search, Seizure and...
Monitoring violence against women: Key recommendations for nine member States published
Following a meeting of the Committee of the Parties to the Council of Europe Convention on preventing and combating violence against women and domestic violence (the Istanbul Convention) on 5 and 6 December 2022, the Committee adopted key recommendations on implementing the treaty in nine state...
Secretary General urges the Russian Foreign Minister to implement ECHR judgments
Council of Europe Secretary General Marija Pejčinović Burić has written to Russian Foreign Minister Sergey Lavrov urging the Russian Federation to implement outstanding judgments from the European Court of Human Rights. At its latest quarterly meeting on the execution of ECHR judgments, the...
Implementing ECHR judgments: Latest decisions from the 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 6 to 8 December to supervise the implementation of judgments and decisions from the European Court of Human Rights. The Committee adopted 46 decisions concerning 21...
Human Rights Day: Council of Europe leaders call for collective action to end impunity for crimes committed against Ukraine
Ahead of Human Rights Day (10 December), the Secretary General of the Council of Europe, Marija Pejčinović Burić, and the Committee of Ministers Chair, Þórdís Kolbrún Reykfjörð Gylfadóttir, Icelandic Minister for Foreign Affairs, have issued a joint statement calling for a collective response to...
Putting human rights at the heart of drug and addiction policies: Pompidou Group Ministerial Conference in Lisbon
The 18th Ministerial Conference of the Pompidou Group, Europe’s premier platform for drug policy (programme), will focus on promoting sustainable drug and addiction policies in conformity with human rights. The conference, taking place in Lisbon from 13-14 December, gathers Ministers, Government...
Anti-Corruption Day: GRECO president calls for transparency and appropriate consultation in law making processes
To mark International Anti-Corruption Day, commemorated every year on 9 December, the President of the Group of States against Corruption of the Council of Europe (GRECO), Marin Mrčela, issued the following statement: “Preventing corruption and promoting integrity in public life requires openness...
Secretary General participates in Washington International Anti-Corruption Conference
Secretary General Marija Pejčinović Burić today intervened in the high-level segment of the International Anti-Corruption Conference (IACC) alongside other political leaders from Council of Europe member states and beyond. The Secretary General highlighted the importance of ensuring public sector...
Joining forces in fighting digital violence against women
Applying Council of Europe legal instruments to the prevention of violence against women in the digital world, protection of victims and prosecution of perpetrators is the central theme of the conference held in Strasbourg today under the Icelandic Presidency of the Council of Europe. Marija...
Implementing European Court of Human Rights judgments
The Council of Europe’s Committee of Ministers holds its quarterly meeting to oversee the execution of judgments and decisions from the European Court of Human Rights in Strasbourg from 6 to 8 December. Cases proposed for detailed examination concern Albania, Armenia, Azerbaijan, Bulgaria,...
Anti-discrimination and inclusion: practical tools for reaping the benefits of migrant integration
Well-designed and well-managed intercultural integration strategies are essential to increase the resilience and cohesion of European societies, and to build a solid basis for the inclusion of everyone, including migrants arriving to Europe. The Council of Europe’s Steering Committee on...
Governing Board approves the CEB’s 2023-2027 Strategic Framework and an historic capital increase
The Governing Board of the Council of Europe Development Bank (CEB) approved today the CEB’s new Strategic Framework 2023-2027 and an historic capital increase. “The historic decision of our Member States to strengthen the CEB’s capital base is a clear vote of confidence in its special role in...
Enhanced co-operation and disclosure of electronic evidence: new countries join additional Protocol to Cybercrime Convention
The Second Additional Protocol to the Convention on Cybercrime (Budapest Convention), aimed at enhancing co-operation and disclosure of electronic evidence, has been signed by Croatia, the Republic of Moldova, Slovenia, Sri Lanka, Ukraine and the United Kingdom. With this, 30 states are now...
Europe needs more solidarity to help subnational governments face a 'perfect storm'
The Presidents of the European Committee of the Regions and of the Congress of Local and Regional Authorities of the Council of Europe have warned that local and regional governments are struggling to cope with the series of crises that have rocked the continent since 2020. The statements came at...
Anti-torture committee highlights continuing overcrowding and staff shortages in Belgium’s prisons
The European Committee for the Prevention of Torture and Inhuman or Degrading Treatment or Punishment (CPT) has highlighted a range of persistent problems, including long-standing overcrowding and staff shortages, in Belgian prisons. Its latest report on Belgium follows an ad-hoc visit to prisons...
InvestEU: Council of Europe Bank and European Commission sign agreement to mobilise €500 million in financing for social investments
The European Commission and the Council of Europe Development Bank (CEB) have signed an InvestEU guarantee agreement worth up to €159 million. This makes the CEB an InvestEU implementing partner and will mobilise around €500 million in additional loans for social projects. It represents an...
Council of Europe at the 2022 Internet Governance Forum in Ethiopia
The Council of Europe is taking part in the 17th United Nations Internet Governance Forum (IGF) hosted by the government of Addis-Ababa (Ethiopia) from 28 November to 2 December. Held in a hybrid format under the theme “Resilient Internet for a Shared Sustainable and Common Future”, the IGF will...
Observatory on History Teaching in Europe: Annual Conference tackles the future of history teaching
The past year has shown how historical arguments can be used to nurture hate, but when taught in all its complexity, history can in fact help appease conflicts - as the 70 years’ experience of the Council of Europe in the field has shown. On December 1-2 the Council of Europe’s Observatory on...
Norway: evaluation report on violence against women
The Council of Europe Expert Group on Action against Violence against Women and Domestic Violence (GREVIO) has published its baseline evaluation report on Norway. It contains a comprehensive analysis of the implementation of the Istanbul Convention in Norway. While acknowledging the steps taken...
“There’s no place for violence against women in democratic cities and regions” says Congress Spokesperson on Gender Equality
On the occasion of the International Day for the Elimination of Violence against Women the Congress spokesperson for Gender Equality, Eirini Dourou (SOC, Greece), made the following statement: “Inclusive societies start with inclusivity at decision-making levels. However, women still remain...
Statement by Committee of Ministers Chair, Þórdís Kolbrún Reykfjörð Gylfadóttir, Icelandic Minister for Foreign Affairs
“On the International Day for the Elimination of Violence against Women, I reaffirm Iceland’s steadfast commitment to gender equality and the protection of the hard-earned progress concerning the human rights of women and girls. Together, we must combat all forms of violence against women and...
Secretary General condemns Russia's attacks on hospitals and infrastructure in Ukraine, with repercussions in Moldova
“I condemn yet again Russia’s brutal attacks against hospitals (including a maternity ward), civilian and energy infrastructures in Ukraine, and their repercussions in the Republic of Moldova. This senseless and inhuman violence must stop.”
Ukraine: We must help victims of sexual violence by Russian soldiers
Statement by Marija Pejčinović Burić, Council of Europe Secretary General
Poland’s implementation of the European Convention on Human Rights: Secretary General’s Report
A report by Secretary General Marija Pejčinović Burić has been published on 23 November on serious issues raised by two judgments of the Polish Constitutional Court of 24 November 2021 and 10 March 2022. In these judgments, the Constitutional Court found that the European Convention on Human...
Violence against women in Cyprus: Despite positive developments, rape victims need more support says new report
The first evaluation of Cyprus by the Council of Europe’s Group of Experts on Action against Violence against Women and Domestic Violence (GREVIO) highlights positive steps by Cypriot authorities taken since ratification in 2017 of the Council of Europe Convention on Preventing and Combating...
First report on Georgia’s implementation of Istanbul Convention welcomes steps on legislation, calls for more services for victims and dissuasive sanctions for perpetrators
In its first report on Georgia the Council of Europe’s monitoring body GREVIO has welcomed the many steps taken by the Georgian authorities to align its laws, policies and institutional framework with the standards of the Istanbul Convention. However, further legal amendments are needed, more...
Vilnius conference discusses Public Service Media’s role in supporting democracy, including in times of crisis
The Council of Europe and the European Broadcasting Union (EBU) are organising a conference in Vilnius (Lithuania) on 22 November to discuss the way to protect the critical role of public service media in upholding democracy at times when their sustainability and independence are being challenged...
Local elections in Slovenia: Congress delegation welcomes an orderly ballot, but calls for more coherent regulations
A delegation from the Congress of Local and Regional Authorities carried out an observation mission of the local elections held on 20 November in Slovenia. The 18 observers were deployed to different regions of the country, in order to follow the electoral procedures in 120 polling stations,...
Downing of flight MH17: 'Finally justice has been done, no room for impunity', says PACE President
PACE President Tiny Kox has made the following statement: "The Hague District Court in the Netherlands has just ruled on the State responsibility of the Russian Federation under the European Convention on Human Rights and other international conventions concerning the downing over eastern...
Estonia needs to better address all forms of violence against women
In its first evaluation report on Estonia, the Group of Experts on Action against Violence against Women and Domestic Violence (GREVIO) recognises a clear commitment to eliminate gender-based violence, but also calls on the authorities to address all forms of violence against women, provide more...
Barnahus model helps children who suffered sexual abuse from feeling like victims for a second time, say Council of Europe leaders
Ahead of the European Day on the Protection of Children against Sexual Exploitation and Sexual Abuse marked on 18 November, Council of Europe Secretary General Marija Pejčinović Burić and Iceland’s Minister for Foreign Affairs and Chair of the Committee of Ministers of the Council of Europe,...
Conflict in Georgia: Secretary General’s Consolidated Report says human rights challenges persist in conflict-affected areas
Concerns persist regarding the human rights situation in the areas affected by the armed conflict between the Russian Federation and Georgia in August 2008, according to a report by Secretary General Marija Pejčinović Burić presented to the Committee of Ministers. The bi-annual report (covering...
Statement by Secretary General Marija Pejčinović Burić
"I condemn in the strongest possible terms the indiscriminate missiles strikes which hit Ukraine and Poland. On behalf of the Council of Europe, I express my condolences and full support to both countries. The bloodshed must immediately end. Europeans need peace and security to return to our...
Secretary General in Berlin for the Opening Ceremony of the 8th World Congress against the Death Penalty
“Death is not justice. Capital punishment replaces justice with revenge. This has to be wrong – and it must be stopped”, said Secretary General Marija Pejčinović Burić in a panel discussion at the opening of the 8th World Congress against the Death Penalty which is held from 15-18 November in...
Violence against women: Switzerland must take new measures
In its first report on Switzerland, the Council of Europe’s Group of Experts on Action against Violence against Women and Domestic Violence (GREVIO) calls on Switzerland to consolidate the measures it has already taken by strengthening its system of protection for women victims of violence and...
GREVIO publishes its report on Iceland
In its first (baseline) evaluation report on Iceland, the Group of Experts on Action against Violence against Women and Domestic Violence (GREVIO) welcomed the comprehensive action taken over the past decades to advance women’s rights and gender equality through action plans, legislative measures...
Special call for activities to support young people from Ukraine
The European Youth Foundation (EYF) has launched a special call to support young people from Ukraine. This initiative responds to current needs identified by the Ukrainian authorities and stakeholders in the youth field. Youth organisations in Ukraine or youth organisations working with young...
Iceland takes over Chairmanship of Committee of Ministers
Iceland has taken over the rotating Chairmanship of the Council of Europe’s Committee of Ministers from Ireland during a meeting with representatives of the Organisation’s 46 member states. The incoming Chair – Iceland’s Minister for Foreign Affairs, Þórdís Kolbrún Reykfjörð Gylfadóttir –...
Astrea Justice (Zimbabwe) wins Council of Europe’s Democracy Innovation Award
At the closing session of the 10th World Forum for Democracy, the Council of Europe announced that the winner of its 2022 Democracy Innovation Award was the Justice Code Foundation Trust (Zimbabwe) for its human rights remedy application Astrea Justice. The Justice Code Foundation Trust uses...
Bosnia and Herzegovina should take further measures to comply with the Istanbul Convention
In its first baseline evaluation report on Bosnia and Herzegovina, the Council of Europe Group of Experts on Action against Violence against Women and Domestic Violence (GREVIO) highlights positive legal and policy measures introduced by the authorities, but also outlines measures to meet...
Taking stock of Ireland’s Presidency
The Council of Europe has published a summary of Ireland’s six-month Presidency of the Committee of Ministers, which comes to an end on 9 November 2022. Ireland took over the Presidency on 20 May, a critical time in the Council of Europe’s history as the organisation sought to respond to the war...
World Forum for Democracy: “Democracy: A new hope?”
“Democracy: A new hope?” is the theme of this year’s World Forum for Democracy, which is celebrating its 10th anniversary. The event, taking place from 7 to 9 November at the Council of Europe in Strasbourg, will bring together intellectuals, politicians, activists, experts and young people from...
Secretary General opens first meeting of Contact Group on Belarus with democratic opposition representative Tsikhanouskaya
Secretary General Marija Pejčinović Burić has opened the 1st meeting of the Contact Group on Belarus, together with representative of the Belarusian democratic opposition Sviatlana Tsikhanouskaya. The meeting focused on the priorities of the newly-established group on co-operation between the...
4th Summit of Heads of State and Government of the Council of Europe
Statement by Council of Europe Secretary General Marija Pejčinović Burić
Summit in Reykjavik to renew ‘the Conscience of Europe’
Minister of Foreign Affairs of Ireland Simon Coveney, Prime Minister of Iceland Katrín Jakobsdóttir and Secretary General Marija Pejčinović Burić have all welcomed the Committee of Ministers’ decision to hold a Summit of the Heads of State and Government of the Council of Europe on 16-17 May 2023...
PACE President’s statement on 4th Summit of Heads of State and Government
Following the Council of Europe Committee of Ministers’ decision to hold a Summit of the Heads of State and Government of the Council of Europe on 16-17 May 2023 in Reykjavik, PACE President Tiny Kox made the following statement: “Our Assembly is convinced of the need for a new, 4th Summit of...
30th anniversary of European Charter for Regional or Minority Languages
On 5 November 1992, eleven Council of Europe member states, convinced that the preservation and development of Europe's cultural traditions and wealth depended on the protection of its regional or minority languages, signed the European Charter for Regional or Minority Languages. Today, this...
Combatting LGBTI-phobic hate crime discussed in Dublin
Right to life, security and protection from violence, and combating hate crime based on sexual orientation, gender identity, gender expression and sex characteristics (SOGIESC-based) across Europe were the themes of a roundtable held in Dublin on 27 October. It was organised under Ireland’s...
PACE President: “There should be no impunity, neither for the Russian President and Government, nor for the Parliament”
“The State Duma and Federation Council have given full support to the war of aggression against Ukraine and validated the recent illegal attempted annexations, after they acted in a similar way in 2014. Together with the Russian President and the Russian Government, the Russian Parliament...
Council of Europe anti-trafficking expert body says Belarus failed to prevent human trafficking on its borders
The Council of Europe’s Group of Experts on Action Against Human Trafficking (GRETA) has its second evaluation report on the implementation of the Council of Europe Anti-trafficking Convention by Belarus. The report assesses progress in the implementation of the Convention since the publication...
Environment : The Congress calls for the drafting of an Additional Protocol to the European Charter of Local Self-Government
A report newly adopted by the Congress of Local and Regional Authorities has called for a green reading of the European Charter of Local Self-Government, the benchmark treaty for local democracy, and for consideration to be given to drafting an additional protocol to ensure proper recognition for...
"We are defending not only Ukraine, but also European democratic values," Kyiv Mayor Klitschko and Minister Chernyshov tell Congress
The Mayor of Kyiv, Vitali Klitschko, and the Ukrainian Minister for Community and Territorial Development, Oleksiy Chernyshov have taken part (online) in a Congress debate on Russia’s aggression against Ukraine. The debate followed the Congress' statements deploring the loss of life and...
Mathieu Mori elected as Congress Secretary General
Mathieu Mori (France) has been elected as Secretary General of the Congress of Local and Regional Authorities for a five-year term of office. Addressing the Congress members attending the 43rd Congress session, Mr Mori highlighted the current unprecedented context in Europe, marked by the...
Secretary General in Sofia to mark 30th anniversary of Bulgaria’s accession to European Human Rights Convention
The 30th anniversary of accession to the European Convention on Human Rights is an “important milestone in Bulgaria’s European journey”, said Secretary General Marija Pejčinović Burić in her address to a special conference in Sofia on Tuesday 25 October. What Bulgaria has achieved through the...
Banning display of Russian army symbols in Republic of Moldova is “legitimate” says Venice Commission, among other opinions
Opinions published by the Council of Europe’s Venice Commission include one on banning, in the Republic of Moldova, the display of symbols used by Russia’s army during its aggression against Ukraine. The legal and constitutional experts determined that a measure adopted by the Moldovan Parliament...
17th Conference of Ministers for Sport in Antalya (Türkiye): focus on Sport for All and Rethinking Sport
Sport for All and Rethinking Sport were the two central themes of the 17th Council of Europe Conference of Ministers responsible for Sport (26 October) in Antalya (Türkiye), organised by the Enlarged Partial Agreement on Sport (EPAS) in co-operation with the Ministry of Youth and Sports of the...
Congress to hold a debate with Kyiv Mayor Klitschko and Ukrainian Minister Chernyshov
At the opening of the 43rd Session, the members of Congress adopted the final agenda of the session and confirmed the holding of a debate today at 2 pm CET on the Russian Federation’s war against Ukraine with the participation (online) of Oleksiy Chernyshov, Minister of Community and Territorial...
Montenegro must strengthen public trust in preventing and fighting corruption at the top executive level and in the police
In a new report evaluating the effectiveness of the framework in place in Montenegro to prevent corruption amongst members of the government and other top executive functions and in the police, the Council of Europe's Group of States against Corruption (GRECO) calls for strong political measures...
Human Trafficking: Simulation of Victim’s Referral Process for Better Protection
The first large-scale regional simulation exercise to be organised by the Council of Europe in the framework of its joint programmes with the European Union and in partnership with the Government of Malta is taking place from 23-29 October in Valletta, Malta. It represents a unique approach to...
Dublin conference on “Human Rights in a Time of Change”
A conference held in Dublin under the auspices of the Irish Presidency of the Committee of Ministers has discussed “Human Rights in a Time of Change: Perspeectives from Ireland and from Strasbourg”. Speakers included the Chief Justice of Ireland, Donal O’Donnell, the Irish Minister for Children,...
Congress of Local and Regional Authorities: 43rd Session
The Congress of Local and Regional Authorities of the Council of Europe will hold its 43rd Session from 25-27 October. The Russian Federation’s war against Ukraine; the application of the European Charter of Local Self-Government in Belgium, the Czech Republic, Denmark and Sweden, the observation...
Venice Commission plenary
The European Commission for Democracy through Law, better known as the Venice Commission is meeting on Friday 21 and Saturday 22 October for its third plenary session of the year, during which it is expected to adopt opinions on Andorra, Bulgaria, the Republic of Moldova, Serbia and Ukraine as...
New agreement between Council of Europe and UN Alliance of Civilizations
The Council of Europe and the United Nations Alliance of Civilizations have signed a memorandum of understanding by which they commit to enhance their co-operation and develop joint activities in fields of common interest, such as the fight against all forms of intolerance and hate speech,...
Human trafficking experts urge Belgium to improve access to legal aid and compensation for victims
The Council of Europe’s Group of Experts on Action against Trafficking in Human Beings (GRETA) has urged Belgium to improve trafficking victims’ access to legal aid and to guarantee their effective access to compensation. These are among the main proposals for action included in GRETA’s latest...
Secretary General: standards must be strengthened to tackle legal threats and lawsuits aimed at limiting freedom of expression
Speaking at the opening of the first European Anti-SLAPP Conference on 20 October, Secretary General Marija Pejčinović Burić said that the use of legal threats and lawsuits to limit freedom of expression, usually referred to a strategic lawsuits against public participation (SLAPPs), mostly...
North-South Prize: focus on safeguarding human rights in times of crisis
The 2021 North-South Prize has been awarded to the Covax Mechanism, major actor of global solidarity in the context of the Covid-19 health crisis, contributing to the protection of public health and the building of a more equitable world; and to Zarifa Ghafari, former Mayor of Maidan Shahr,...
ECHR launches online knowledge-sharing platform
Senior figures from the Council of Europe and the European Court of Human Rights launched a new knowledge-sharing platform for the Court on Tuesday 18 October. The online tool, known as ECHR-KS, gives legal professionals, academics and the general public easy access to comprehensive and...
Anti-torture Committee on Bulgaria: inter-prisoner violence, health issues, poor material conditions, staff shortages
In its new report on its visit to Bulgaria in October 2021, the Council of Europe’s Committee for the Prevention of Torture (CPT) welcomes rare occurrences of ill-treatment by staff, reduction of prison population and certain improvements in living conditions. However, it regrets the absence of...
European Anti-Trafficking Day: States must urgently tackle human trafficking for labour exploitation
Ahead of the European Anti-Trafficking Day (18 October) the Council of Europe’s Group of Experts on Action against Trafficking in Human Beings (GRETA) has stressed the urgency of tackling the growing menace of trafficking for the purpose of labour exploitation. Helga Gayer, President of GRETA,...
Russia’s so-called referendums in Ukraine ‘null and void’, says PACE
PACE has strongly condemned the attempted annexation of Ukrainian regions by Russia, describing the so-called referendums in these regions as “an affront to international law” and “null and void, with no legal or political effects”. The Assembly was debating a report by Emanuelis Zingeris...
The role of prosecutors in the protection of the environment
On 4 October 2022, the Consultative Council of European Prosecutors (CCPE) adopted its Opinion No. 17 (2022) on the role of prosecutors in environmental protection. The CCPE takes into account that the environmental crimes and related infringements increasingly become a source of global concern,...
Volodymyr Zelenskyy tells PACE: ‘Never yet in history was united Europe as strong as it is today’
Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy has told the Council of Europe’s Parliamentary Assembly (PACE) that dialogue between Europeans has had historically important results. “We see actions that have made Europe unprecedentedly stronger. Never yet in history was united Europe as strong as it is...
Secretary General underlines importance of a 4th Council of Europe Summit
In her dialogue with members of the Parliamentary Assembly, Secretary General Marija Pejčinović Burić underlined the strong support of the High Level Reflection Group for a fourth Summit of Heads of State and Government of the Council of Europe. The Summit would be an occasion for all Member...
Ireland’s Europe minister calls for Council of Europe summit in Reykjavik
Ireland’s Minister of State for European Affairs, Thomas Byrne, has given his backing to a fourth summit of Council of Europe Heads of State and Government to take place in Reykjavik as part of Iceland’s forthcoming presidency of the organisation’s Committee of Ministers. Addressing the...
PACE calls for new impetus in the EU enlargement process for the Western Balkans
The Council of Europe’s Parliamentary Assembly (PACE) has called on the European Union to give new impetus to the enlargement process to the Western Balkans. “It is imperative not to lose focus of the Western Balkans, even if the need to support the European aspirations of other countries, such...
Croatia: Improving data protection and efficiency in justice via digitalisation
A high-level conference in Zagreb, Croatia on the project “Digital by default – optimisation of efficiency and quality of judicial services and transparency of judicial decisions” – is addressing new AI and machine-learning technologies to make the justice system more efficient and to ensure...
Ireland’s President Higgins: We need a longer-term vision of the Council of Europe’s role in a post-conflict Europe
Ireland’s President Michael D. Higgins has called for a longer-term vision of the Council of Europe’s role in a post-conflict Europe, and how that might fit within the wider multilateral architecture, in order to effectively uphold human rights, the rule of law and democracy whilst ensuring there...
President of Swiss Confederation calls for new political momentum for the Council of Europe
“The crises we are going through today – foremost among them Russia’s military aggression against Ukraine - force us to question what we used to take for granted. They remind us of our duty to stand up for the values we hold dear, and that have been cherished by the Council of Europe since its...
2022 Václav Havel Prize awarded to imprisoned Russian opposition leader Vladimir Kara-Murza
The tenth Václav Havel Human Rights Prize – which honours outstanding civil society action in defence of human rights – has been awarded to imprisoned Russian opposition leader Vladimir Kara-Murza. The 60,000-euro prize was presented at a special ceremony on the opening day of the autumn plenary...
Council of Europe leaders condemn Russian air strikes against towns and cities in Ukraine
Ireland’s Minister for Foreign Affairs and Chair of the Council of Europe’s Committee of Ministers, Simon Coveney, the President of the Parliamentary Assembly of the Council of Europe, Tiny Kox, and the Secretary General of the Council of Europe, Marija Pejčinović Burić, have made the following...
Türkiye: Draft criminal provision on “false or misleading information” interferes with freedom of expression says Venice Commission
Following an urgent request from the Monitoring Committee of the Parliamentary Assembly of the Council of Europe (PACE), the Venice Commission has published an urgent opinion on draft amendments to the Penal Code introducing a provision on “false and misleading information”. The provision...
European and World Day against the Death Penalty, 10 October
Joint statement by the High Representative, on behalf of the European Union, and the Secretary General of the Council of Europe
Secretary General statement on awarding of Nobel Peace Prize to human rights activists in Belarus, Russia and Ukraine
"The Nobel Peace Prize was awarded this year to longstanding partners of the Council of Europe - Ales Bialiatski from Belarus, the Russian human rights organisation Memorial and the Ukrainian human rights organization the Center for Civil Liberties. We are delighted by the decision of the Nobel...
Germany: Council of Europe experts find serious gaps in protecting women and girls from gender-based violence
In its first baseline evaluation report on Germany, the Council of Europe Group of Experts on Action against Violence against Women and Domestic Violence (GREVIO) welcomes criminal law measures taken before and after Germany’s ratification of the Istanbul Convention in 2018, but also points out...
“Addressing disinformation and propaganda with a human rights framework”: informal exchange of views with civil society representatives
At an informal meeting on 6 October delegations from the Council of Europe’s 46 member states held an exchange of views with representatives of international civil society organisations active in the media field. They discussed the challenges of disinformation and propaganda which undermine...
Irish Presidency welcomes publication of report on the future of the Council of Europe
Ireland’s Minister for Foreign Affairs, Simon Coveney, and Minister for European Affairs, Thomas Byrne, have joined Council of Europe leaders today in welcoming the publication of a report on the future of the Council of Europe by a High-Level Reflection Group chaired by Ireland’s former...
Efficiency and quality of justice in Europe: Council of Europe publishes its 2022 report
The Council of Europe’s European Commission for the Efficiency of Justice (CEPEJ) has set out the main trends of the judicial systems of 44 European countries and 3 observer States (*) in a report, country profiles and an interactive database (all publicly available). This evaluation report, the...
Angela Merkel to receive UNHCR Nansen Refugee Award for protecting refugees at height of Syria crisis
UNHCR, the UN Refugee Agency, announced today that Dr. Angela Merkel, the former Federal Chancellor of Germany, will receive the 2022 UNHCR Nansen Refugee Award. Each year, the award – named after the Norwegian explorer, scientist, diplomat and humanitarian Fridtjof Nansen – is given to an...
Human trafficking: Council of Europe experts call on Luxembourg to step up efforts to identify and assist victims
The Council of Europe’s expert group on human trafficking (GRETA) has urged Luxembourg to make additional efforts to identify and assist victims of trafficking, and to ensure that human trafficking cases are investigated proactively and results in effective, proportionate, and dissuasive...
Bulgaria: progress on addressing inequalities, but more needed to protect LGBTI and Roma from discrimination and hate speech and help refugees
Bulgaria has achieved tangible progress since 2014 in fighting intolerance, introducing inclusive education, combating antisemitism, promoting integration of Roma and supporting refugees. However, hate and prejudice against LGBTI persons and Roma persist and should be addressed, and integration...
35 years of Cultural Routes: Safeguarding European Values, Heritage, and Dialogue
The Council of Europe Cultural Routes’ programme is celebrating its 35th anniversary at the 11th Advisory Forum which is taking place in Chania, Crete (Greece) from 5-7 October, including a special event to highlight the relevance of Cultural Routes for the promotion of cultural diversity,...
Dublin conference discusses rights and the best interests of the child in parental separation and care proceedings
Considering the voice of children and young people in determining their best interests in family courts during parental separation and care proceedings is the focus of an international conference taking place in Dublin on 3 October under the Irish Presidency of the Council of Europe. The Minister...
European ministers adopt “Dublin Declaration” on preventing violence through equality
Thirty-eight member states have backed a “Dublin Declaration” pledging a series of steps to promote gender equality in order to help prevent domestic, sexual and gender-based violence. The declaration is inspired by the Council of Europe’s Istanbul Convention on violence against women, and...
Council of Europe leaders condemn the illegal annexation of occupied territories of Ukraine
Ireland’s Minister for Foreign Affairs and Chair of the Council of Europe’s Committee of Ministers, Simon Coveney, the President of the Parliamentary Assembly of the Council of Europe, Tiny Kox, and the Secretary General of the Council of Europe, Marija Pejčinović Burić, have made the following...
Minority Languages promotion in Switzerland backed by expert report
French and German should be given more support in Swiss cantons where they are non-official languages, whilst Italian and Romansh need more promotion in economic and social life, the Committee of Experts of the European Charter for Regional or Minority Languages (ECRML) recommends in its latest...
Ireland must step up its fight against human trafficking
The Group of Experts on Action against Trafficking in Human Beings (GRETA) has urged authorities in Ireland to take further action against human trafficking, notably by improving prosecution of human traffickers and providing specialised shelters and compensation for victims. GRETA’s latest...
Migration and Refugees : Poland fact-finding mission
Following her recent visit to Poland, the primary destination for millions of people fleeing Ukraine since the aggression of the Russian Federation against Ukraine, the Special Representative of the Secretary General on Migration and Refugees, Leyla Kayacik presented her report to the Committee...
Migration and Refugees : Republic of Moldova fact-finding mission
In the face of an unprecedented influx of refugees, the Moldovan authorities managed to mobilise resources and join efforts in an outstanding response to provide immediate assistance to those fleeing Ukraine. In her recent report, the Special Representative of the Secretary General on Migration...
Putting children at the centre – Council of Europe and EU synergies in protecting children’s rights
The Council of Europe’s Strategy for the Rights of the Child 2022-2027 (the Rome Strategy) and the EU Strategy for the Rights of the Child share a common vision and objectives, focusing on the participation of children, integrated systems for child protection and child-friendly justice, said the...
War in Ukraine, Covid-19 and climate change key challenges for national minorities
National minorities in Europe faced multiple threats during the past two years, says a new report from the Advisory Committee on the Framework Convention for the Protection of National Minorities. Russia’s aggression against Ukraine caused a humanitarian catastrophe, including for national...
Committee of Ministers calls on member states to recognise the right to a clean, healthy and sustainable environment as a human right
In a Recommendation on human rights and the protection of the environment adopted today, the Council of Europe calls on its 46 member states to actively consider recognising, at national level, the right to a clean, healthy and sustainable environment, as a human right. Considering that measures...
Committee of Ministers calls on member states to better address human trafficking for labour exploitation
As trafficking in human beings for the purpose of labour exploitation has been on the rise across Europe, affecting an increasing number of women, men and children, the Committee of Ministers calls on its 46 member states to adopt national laws, policies and strategies to address the problem and...
Committee of Ministers adopts guidelines on preventing and remedying violations of the European Convention on Human Rights
The Committee of Ministers today adopted a set of guidelines aimed at assisting the 46 Council of Europe member states in their efforts to comply with their obligations to secure to everyone, within their jurisdiction, the rights and freedoms defined in the European Convention on Human Rights....
Licenciement abusif : la France viole la Charte sociale européenne
Dans une décision rendue publique aujourd’hui, le Comité européen des droits sociaux du Conseil de l’Europe (CEDS) considère que le plafonnement des indemnités prud’homales en cas de licenciement injustifié constitue une « violation » de la Charte sociale européenne (article 24b). Dans leurs...
Implementing ECHR judgments: Latest decisions from the Committee of Ministers
The Committee of Ministers has published the case-by-case decisions taken during the Committee’s meeting from 20 to 22 September to supervise the implementation of judgments and decisions from the European Court of Human Rights. The Committee of Ministers adopted 31 decisions concerning 19 member...
National minorities: new opinions on North Macedonia and Slovenia published
The Advisory Committee on the Framework Convention for the Protection of National Minorities (FCNM) published new opinions on North Macedonia (see summary in Macedonian) and Slovenia (see summary in Slovenian). North Macedonia has made significant progress in the legal protection of national...
Greece: Anti-racism commission praises Greece’s national action plans, but concerns remain
The European Commission against Racism and Intolerance (ECRI) has welcomed Greece’s anti-racism action plan, developments in LGBTI equality, changes to the migration code to help third party nationals and moves by national broadcasters to stop hate speech. But concerns remain, say ECRI in their...
Anti Racism Commission calls for French progress on police identity controls and minority rights
The European Commission against Racism and Intolerance (ECRI) has called for France to improve the recording of police identity controls and to recognise Travellers’ caravans as a type of housing. Its latest report also recommends human rights training for people working in schools; measures to...
Council of Europe Secretary General rejects so-called ‘referenda’ in occupied Ukrainian territories
The Secretary General of the 46-nation Council of Europe, Marija Pejčinović Burić, has today made the following statement: “The announced so-called ‘referenda’ in Ukrainian territories that are occupied by Russian forces is a further escalation of the conflict and the ongoing violation of...
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 20 to 22 September. Cases proposed for detailed examination concern Albania, Armenia, Azerbaijan, Belgium,...
Anti racism commission releases new conclusions on Albania, Austria, Belgium, Germany and Switzerland
The European Commission against Racism and Intolerance (ECRI) today published conclusions on how Albania, Austria, Belgium, Germany and Switzerland implemented priority recommendations addressed to them in 2020. These covered the situation of Roma, social rights of vulnerable groups, support to...
Russia ceases to be party to the European Convention on Human Rights
Six months after its exclusion from the Council of Europe, the Russian Federation ceases to be party to the European Convention on Human Rights on 16 September 2022. The European Court of Human Rights remains competent to deal with applications against Russia concerning actions or omissions...
ECHR judgments: New factsheet on personal data protection
A new thematic factsheet summarising how member states have responded following judgments by the European Court of Human Rights on the protection of personal data has been released. It gives examples of how member states have acted after judgments by the court, covering areas such as collection...
No impunity for Russia’s crimes against Ukraine
The Committee of Ministers of the Council of Europe has adopted a decision today in which it stresses the urgent need to ensure a comprehensive system of accountability for serious violations of international law arising out of the Russian aggression against Ukraine to avoid impunity and to...
Secretary General deplores Russian plans for a referendum to annex Ukrainian territories
Statement by the Secretary General of the Council of Europe, Marija Pejčinović Burić
Secretary General: Millions of Russians no longer protected by the European Convention on Human Rights
Following Russia’s exclusion from the Council of Europe on 16 March 2022, as a result of its aggression against Ukraine, the Russian Federation will cease to be a High Contracting Party to the European Convention on Human Rights on 16 September 2022. “Russia’s aggression against Ukraine continues...
Secretary General meets First Lady of Ukraine
Council of Europe Secretary General Marija Pejčinović Burić met in Strasbourg with the First Lady of Ukraine, Olena Zelenska. They discussed the situation in Ukraine and the support the Council of Europe is providing.
Positive progress for German detainees, but serious concerns remain, says Anti Torture Committee
The European Committee for the Prevention of Torture and Inhuman or Degrading Treatment or Punishment (CPT) has welcomed positive trends in prisoner treatment in Germany, but outlined a number of serious concerns. The delegation - which visited police stations, prisons and psychiatric clinics...
Civil Society in the spotlight at Venice Commission round table
The participation of civil society in public decision-making and the foreign funding of associations were the key themes of the international round table event entitled “Civil Society: Empowerment and Accountability” in Strasbourg, organised by the Venice Commission and OSCE/ODIHR in the...
Hostilities at the border between Armenia and Azerbaijan: Committee of Ministers Chair and PACE President call for de-escalation and respect for a cease-fire
Following last night’s escalation of violence along the Armenian-Azerbaijani border, which has reportedly already caused numerous casualties and significant damage, Ireland’s Minister for Foreign Affairs and the Chair of the Council of Europe’s Committee of Ministers, Simon Coveney, and the...
Hostilities around Armenian-Azerbaijan border: statement by Secretary General Marija Pejčinović Burić
“Reports of escalating armed hostilities around the Armenian-Azerbaijani border are very alarming. Disagreements between Council of Europe member States must be resolved peacefully through negotiations. Recent direct contacts between the highest authorities of both countries were promising and...
Council of Europe statement on the death of Her Majesty Queen Elizabeth II
The Secretary General of the Council of Europe, Marija Pejčinović Burić, has made the following statement: “I am deeply saddened by the death of Europe’s longest reigning monarch, Her Majesty Queen Elizabeth II. On behalf of the Council of Europe, I send my heartfelt condolences to the Royal...
Council of Europe launches regular dialogue with Belarusian democratic forces
The Council of Europe’s Committee of Ministers has agreed to hold regular exchanges with Sviatlana Tsikhanouskaya and other representatives of Belarusian democratic opposition forces, following a fruitful exchange of views with Ms Tsikhanouskaya on 6 July. The Committee has invited the Secretary...
European Heritage Days 2022 shine a spotlight on “Sustainable Heritage”
Sustainable Heritage is the theme for the 2022 European Heritage Days: a focus on the active role of communities building a more sustainable and resilient future for European heritage, in the context of environmental changes and related risks. The European Heritage Days, a joint initiative of the...
Three candidates shortlisted for the 2022 Václav Havel Prize
The selection panel of the Václav Havel Human Rights Prize, which rewards outstanding civil society action in defence of human rights in Europe and beyond, has announced the shortlist for the 2022 Award. Meeting in Prague the panel, made up of independent figures from the world of human rights...
Congress President condemns the continuing abduction of Ukrainian local elected representatives
In light of the continuing abductions of Ukrainian local elected representatives, the President of the Congress of Local and Regional Authorities of the Council of Europe, Leendert Verbeek, endorsing the statement made by Council of Europe Commissioner for Human Rights Dunja Mijatović on the...
Greece: Too many prisoners held in conditions that represent “an affront to their human dignity” according to CPT report
The Council of Europe’s Committee for the Prevention of Torture and Inhuman or Degrading Treatment or Punishment (CPT) has published its report on a visit to Greece (from 22 November to 1 December 2021) to examine prisoner treatment and review progress made by the authorities in implementing...
Lighting the Shade: Effective Application of the ECHR in Areas of Conflict in Europe
Areas of conflict in Europe are territories "where politics - and arms - stand between people and their rights", highlighted the Deputy Secretary General while giving the opening address to the conference "Lighting the shade: Effective Application of the ECHR in Areas of Conflict in Europe", held...
Congress President warns of fictitious Russian "referendums" in Ukrainian territories
Against the background of mounting indications of possible "pseudo-referendums" in Ukrainian territories currently occupied by Russia, the President of the Congress of Local and Regional Authorities of the Council of Europe, Leendert Verbeek, has urged the Russian authorities to refrain from such...
Statement by Simon Coveney, Chair of the Committee of Ministers, on the death of Mikhail Gorbachev
“Through his leadership, Mikhail Gorbachev contributed greatly to ending the Cold War, bringing down the Iron Curtain that had for so long divided our continent. His speech in the Palais de l'Europe in Strasbourg in 1989 was a seminal moment in the history of the Council of Europe. By referring...
Europride in Belgrade: statement by Simon Coveney, Minister for Foreign Affairs and Minister for Defence of Ireland and Chair of the Committee of Ministers
“Freedom of assembly and prohibition of discrimination are fundamental freedoms enshrined in the European Convention on Human Rights. As Council of Europe Presidency, Ireland recognizes LGBTQI rights as human rights and encourages Serbia to support and facilitate a peaceful and secure Europride.”
Council of Europe leaders pay tribute to Mikhail Gorbachev
PACE President Tiny Kox and Council of Europe Secretary General Marija Pejčinović Burić have paid tribute to former Soviet leader Mikhail Gorbachev. In a joint statement, they said: “Europe has lost a great statesman and peacemaker. By bringing the Cold War to a peaceful end, Mikhail Gorbachev...
Georgia: Draft surveillance law adopted hastily, needs further elaboration, finds Venice Commission opinion
The draft law amending Georgia’s procedure for the use of covert investigative measures was adopted in a hasty procedure and requires both impact assessment and more detailed justification, according to an urgent opinion from the Council of Europe’s Venice Commission of legal and constitutional...
PACE President marks Ukraine’s independence day: ‘Ukraine needs Europe, and Europe needs Ukraine’
PACE President Tiny Kox, in a message to mark the 31st anniversary of the independence of Ukraine, has again pledged the Council of Europe’s full support in the coming months and years, adding: “Ukraine needs Europe, and Europe needs Ukraine”. “I want to express my admiration for the courage and...
Council of Europe will continue to support Crimea and all of Ukraine, says Secretary General
The situation in the Autonomous Republic of Crimea and the city of Sevastopol has further deteriorated, but the Council of Europe will continue doing all it can to support the people of Crimea and of Ukraine in general, despite Russia’s brutal, illegal and ongoing aggression against the country,...
Secretary General took part in Second Summit of Crimea Platform
Council of Europe Secretary General Marija Pejčinović Burić participated in the Second Summit of the Crimea Platform on 23 August, hosted by President Volodymyr Zelenskyy. The Secretary General spoke about the support provided by the organisation to Ukraine and specifically addressed human rights...
New initiative to help Roma people in Bulgaria and Romania
A new agreement between the Council of Europe and the European Union will help marginalised Roma communities in Bulgaria and Romania to access education, housing and employment, and promote Roma inclusion. To date, the ROMACT programme has mobilised over €140 million to fund more than 120...
International Youth Day
“Creating stronger links between youth and other generations can help us find solutions to today’s challenges” says Congress Spokesperson
The right to a healthy environment, a universal human right and an emergency for all levels of governance
Following the resolution just adopted by the United Nations General Assembly declaring access to a clean, healthy and sustainable environment as a universal human right, Congress spokesperson on human rights Harald Bergmann (Netherlands, ILDG), welcomed this historic decision. "This recognition...
European Roma Holocaust Memorial Day
Statement by Council of Europe Secretary General Marija Pejčinović Burić
GRETA calls on states, civil society and tech companies to counter the use of technology to recruit and control victims of human trafficking
On the occasion of the World Day against Trafficking in Persons, held every year on 30 July, the Council of Europe Group of Experts on Action against Trafficking in Human Beings (GRETA) joins the Inter-Agency Coordination Group against Trafficking in Persons (ICAT) in calling on State Parties to...
Anti-torture Committee announces regular visits to eight countries in 2023
The European Committee for the Prevention of Torture and Inhuman or Degrading Treatment or Punishment (CPT) has announced its 2023 programme of regular visits. The Committee intends to examine the treatment of persons deprived of their liberty in the following countries: Albania Armenia Cyprus...
“Sport is a great leveller that can bring people together in a way that nothing else can”, Bjørn Berge tells Commonwealth Sports Ministers
“Sport is a great leveller that can bring people together in a way that nothing else can”, highlighted Deputy Secretary General while addressing the 10th Commonwealth Sports Ministers Meeting in Birmingham. Bjørn Berge underlined how the Council of Europe’s four-year strategic priorities for...
Council of Europe at the Ministerial Ukraine Accountability Conference
The Council of Europe was represented at the Ministerial Ukraine Accountability Conference in The Hague on 14 July by the Director General of Human Rights and Rule of Law, Christos Giakoumopoulos. The Conference was hosted by the Minister of Foreign Affairs of the Netherlands, the Prosecutor of...
SRSG on Migration and Refugees publishes reports of visit to Czech and Slovak Republics
The Special Representative on Migration and Refugees (SRSG), Leyla Kayacik, has emphasised in her report the efficient response of the Czech Republic to an unprecedented situation, resulting in a swift setting-up of well-run registration centres where national, local and non-governmental actors...
Trafficking in human beings: expert group GRETA releases its annual report
The Council of Europe’s Group of Experts on Action against Trafficking in Human Beings (GRETA) has published its annual report for 2021. During 2021 GRETA was able to achieve a number of milestones in spite of the negative impact of the Covid-19 pandemic, and continued to develop its cooperation...
For a quality education free of fraud and corruption – a new Recommendation adopted by the Committee of Ministers
The Committee of Ministers of the Council of Europe has adopted a Recommendation addressed to its 46 member states aimed at assisting them in combating fraud in the field of education. The recommendation follows four years of work in the framework of the ETINED platform of the Council of Europe...
ECHR judgment in the case Kavala v. Türkiye: joint statement by the Council of Europe leaders
Ireland’s Minister for Foreign Affairs and Chair of the Council of Europe’s Committee of Ministers, Simon Coveney, the President of the Parliamentary Assembly of the Council of Europe, Tiny Kox, and the Secretary General of the Council of Europe, Marija Pejčinović Burić, have made the following...
Secretary General attends Srebrenica Commemoration: Remembrance and reconciliation are hard, but essential
Secretary General Marija Pejčinović Burić has attended the Commemoration ceremony for the victims of the Srebrenica genocide. In her speech, she stressed the importance of remembrance and reconciliation. “We have gathered here today to pay tribute to the immense suffering of the victims, their...
Srebrenica: the mothers’ fight for justice should inspire us all
The Council of Europe Commissioner for Human Rights, Dunja Mijatović has taken part in the inauguration of the ‘Mother’s Scarf’ art installation initiated by the Mothers of Srebrenica, as part of the Srebrenica Heroines Initiative, and issued the following statement: “As we honour the memory of...
CEB approves €465 million in new loans, appoints new vice-governors and agrees on Ukraine’s accession to the Bank at zero cost
The governing bodies of the Council of Europe Development Bank (CEB) have discussed its strategic and policy priorities, with a focus on Ukraine’s membership. Noting that the process is well advanced, CEB members states agreed, as a tangible sign of support, to relieve the country from any...
Congress delegation meets women and child refugees in Polish cities
A delegation of the Congress of Local and Regional Authorities of the Council of Europe visited Poland from 4-5 July to gather experiences from Polish cities hosting Ukrainian refugees. Poland has received more Ukrainian refugees than any other member state, more than 90% of whom are women and...
Progress in legal gender recognition in Europe is slow, further steps needed on civil and human rights aspects
A new Council of Europe report reviews the progress achieved in European countries in guaranteeing full legal gender recognition (LGR) in all areas of life. The report acknowledges advances in legislation, practices and public attitudes, but progress is slow and additional steps are needed, inter...
CPT report on UK: persistent overcrowding and violence in prisons and insufficient legal safeguards for psychiatric patients
In a new report on the United Kingdom the Council of Europe’s Committee for the Prevention of Torture (CPT) again raises concerns over the numerous cases of serious inter-prisoner violence and violence by prisoners on staff and the lack of a coherent strategy to tackle chronic overcrowding. It...
Serbia: GRECO calls for further measures to prevent corruption among top public executives and in the police
In a new report on Serbia, the Council of Europe’s Group of States against Corruption (GRECO) calls for further measures to prevent corruption respect of persons with top executive functions, including the President of the Republic, ministers, assistant ministers, state secretaries, chiefs of...
Youth Action Week: young people call on European governments to step up action to revitalise democracy
The Council of Europe’s Youth Action Week concluded on Friday 1 July 2022 with a presentation by the participants of a call for action directed to national governments to step up the actions and policies to revitalise democracy with the participation of young people. The 450 young people who took...
Ukraine’s full recovery must be underpinned by good governance and European values, says Secretary General
“Ukraine’s recovery, in its fullest sense, requires good governance, European values to underpin it, and democratic security as the basis of lasting peace, so that stability, prosperity and progress can take root”, said Council of Europe Secretary General Marija Pejčinović Burić at the Ukraine...
Member States hold informal exchange of views with representatives of civil society
At an informal meeting on 1 July 2022, delegations from the Council of Europe’s 46 member States held an exchange of views with representatives of youth civil society organisations. They discussed how to overcome the obstacles to inviting young people and youth organisations to the policy-making...
Ukraine: Statement by Congress President condemning the abduction of the Mayor of Kherson
I strongly condemn the continued abduction of local officials in Ukraine, most recently of the mayor of Kherson, Ihor Kolykhayev, and call for his immediate release. The pressure and continuous offenses that the local elected representatives are suffering in the illegally occupied territories of...
PACE delegation, ending Kyiv visit: ‘The worst crime of all is the war itself'
A cross-party delegation of 10 members of the Parliamentary Assembly of the Council of Europe (PACE),* ending a visit to Kyiv on Ukraine’s Constitution Day (28 June 2022), has expressed shock at the level of evidence of war crimes and crimes against humanity it saw, denounced the war in the...
HELP Network conference focuses on Council of Europe response to the war in Ukraine
The Council of Europe HELP Programme (Human Rights Education for Legal Professionals) is holding its 2022 Annual Network Conference in Strasbourg and online from 30 June - 1 July 2022. This year, the Council of Europe’s response to the war in Ukraine is one of the key themes of the conference....
Council of Europe Digital Partnership: two new partners
The International Chamber of Commerce and The LEGO Group have joined the Council of Europe’s Digital Partnership, an initiative aimed at fostering cooperation with companies and their business associations to promote respect for human rights, democracy and the rule of law on the internet. During...
Council of Europe statement on missile attack in Kremenchuk
The Secretary General of the 46-nation Council of Europe, Marija Pejčinović Burić, has today made the following statement: “Yesterday’s missile attack carried out by the Russian Federation on a shopping centre in Kremenchuk, Ukraine, was utterly barbaric. Such senseless killing of civilians shows...
Young people should stand up against populism, nationalism and extremism that risk silencing their voices, says Secretary General
Opening the major event in Strasbourg, Youth Action Week which marks the 50th anniversary of the Council of Europe’s youth sector, Council of Europe Secretary General Marija Pejčinović Burić called on young people to remain engaged in revitalising democracy and in addressing the emerging threats...
New thematic factsheet on Protection of Property
The Execution Department issued today a new thematic factsheet on Protection of Property. The European Convention on Human Rights enunciates the principle of the peaceful enjoyment of one’s property and subjects its deprivation to conditions, protecting a person against unjustified interference...
MONEYVAL calls on Bulgaria to improve use of financial intelligence, investigation and prosecution and the confiscations regime
In a new report the Council of Europe’s anti-money laundering body MONEYVAL draws up a comprehensive assessment of the country’s level of compliance with the Recommendations by the Financial Action Task Force (FATF) as at the date of the onsite visit in September 2021. It calls on Bulgaria’s...
PACE President reacts to attack in Oslo
“I am shocked by last night’s terrible attack in Oslo – which seems to have specifically targeted the LGBTI community,” said the PACE President Tiny Kox. “My thoughts are with the families of the victims, and all those affected, as well as those who were looking forward to a peaceful Pride...
Council of Europe marks 20 years of action for the proper functioning of justice
The European Commission for the Efficiency of Justice of the Council of Europe (CEPEJ) is marking its 20th anniversary on 27 June in La Valletta (Malta) at an event devoted to challenges of a digitised judicial system and the way to improve the work of the CEPEJ in the future. Known mainly for...
Ireland supports Action Plans and joins Human Rights Trust Fund
In the framework of their Chairmanship of the Committee of Ministers, the Government of Ireland has made a voluntary contribution of €665 616 towards Council of Europe Action Plans and projects that support the priorities of the Irish Chairmanship. Ireland’s contribution will support the Council...
Flight MH17 shot down by a Russian-supplied Buk missile ‘most convincing scenario by far’, says PACE
PACE has said that, based on the evidence made available to its rapporteur by Ukrainian and Dutch authorities, it considers “as the most convincing scenario by far” that flight MH17 was shot down over Ukraine in 2014 by a Buk missile made available to military units controlled by the Russian...
“Brute force and misuse of power can never be allowed to have the last word” King of The Netherlands tells PACE
“Brute force and misuse of power can never be allowed to have the last word. That conviction is what inspired the Kingdom of the Netherlands to join with nine other countries in 1949 to establish the Council of Europe”, highlighted His Majesty King Willem-Alexander while addressing PACE. ‘It must...
Greek President calls for a strengthened Council of Europe to face Russian aggression and other challenges
In an address to the Parliamentary Assembly today, Greek President Katerina Sakellaropoulou called for a stronger Council of Europe and greater multilateralism to tackle the many challenges facing Europe today – ranging from the war in Ukraine to climate change and economic and social upheaval....
Simon Coveney at PACE: It’s time for Council of Europe Heads of State and Government to reconvene
In the wake of Russia’s aggression against Ukraine, Ireland’s Foreign Minister Simon Coveney has called for a fourth summit of Heads of State and Government of the 46-nation Council of Europe. Speaking to the Parliamentary Assembly of the Council of Europe as chair of the organisation’s Committee...
Marija Pejčinović Burić: upholding the principles of democratic security requires political will
“The time has come for a fourth Summit of Heads of State and Government” to agree on how we best fit in the newly shaped geopolitical architecture of Europe and how to put democratic security on a firmer footing for the years to come, said Council of Europe Secretary General Marija Pejčinović...
Sanctions and measures without deprivation of liberty in Europe: annual statistics for 2021
The number of persons subject to sanctions and measures which keep offenders in the community remained relatively stable from January 2020 to January 2021, after several years of regular growth, in the context of the Covid-19 pandemic, according to the 2021 SPACE II annual survey, carried out for...
Türkiye: Reducing threshold for parliamentary elections is welcome but other amendments could hamper inclusive democracy and impartiality of elections
Despite some positive aspects, a recent law amending parliamentary election procedures in Türkiye (Law No. 7393) could impede the participation of newer (and smaller) parties, according to an opinion by the Council of Europe’s Venice Commission of legal and constitutional experts. Jointly drafted...
Azerbaijan media law: overregulation in an already restrictive environment
In the context of an already extremely confined space for independent journalism and media in Azerbaijan, the new media Law in Azerbaijan will have a “chilling effect”, said the Council of Europe’s body of constitutional legal experts, the Venice Commission, in its joint opinion together with the...
Secretary General welcomes Ukrainian Parliament’s approval of Istanbul Convention
Council of Europe Secretary General, Marija Pejčinović Burić, has made the following statement today: “As women and girls are particularly vulnerable during the conflict, I warmly welcome the approval by the Ukrainian Parliament of the Council of Europe Convention on preventing and combating...
PACE President urges members not to get used to the war in Ukraine
In his opening speech of the PACE summer session, President Tiny Kox invited members to hold a minute of silence for all the victims of the war in Ukraine, urging them to help end the suffering of the Ukrainian people and to continue showing solidarity. “This horrible war should never become a...
Council of Europe and UNHCR: anyone fleeing war or persecution has the right to seek safety and protection
On the occasion of World Refugee Day on 20 June 2022, the Council of Europe and the UN Refugee Agency (UNHCR) emphasise that anyone fleeing war, conflict or persecution or risking violence, abuse or exploitation, has the right to seek safety and protection. Almost four months into the war in...
Continued use of the situation of Russian as a minority language as a pretext for aggression against Ukraine unacceptable
The Committee of Experts of the European Charter for Regional or Minority Languages in the statement adopted at the latest plenary session condemned in the strongest possible terms the aggression of the Russian Federation against Ukraine and expressed its solidarity with all people of Ukraine....
Moldova needs more resources and expertise to welcome refugees fleeing the war in Ukraine
The Special Representative of the Secretary General on Migration and Refugees (SRSG) has concluded her fact-finding visit to the Republic of Moldova (13-15 June 2022), which focused on the protection of the refugees fleeing the war in Ukraine. The number of arrivals in the country has decreased...
Venice Commission plenary session
The June plenary session of the Venice Commission took place on Friday 17 and Saturday 18 June. The constitutional law experts adopted opinions on the Media Law of Azerbaijan, the Independence of Judicial Courts of Lebanon, amendments to electoral legislation in Türkiye, the vetting of judges and...
Romania has improved protection of women from domestic violence, but progress needed on definition of rape
In its first report on Romania, the Council of Europe’s GREVIO – the independent expert group that monitors implementation of the Convention on Preventing and Combating Violence against Women and Domestic Violence (Istanbul Convention) – acknowledges the steps taken by the country to comply with...
Secretary General’s report on the human rights situation in Crimea: Committee of Ministers gravely concerned
In a decision adopted in the light of a report by Council of Europe Secretary General Marija Pejčinović Burić, the Committee of Ministers has condemned human rights violations committed by the Russian occupying authorities, against ethnic Ukrainians, Crimean Tatars and other residents of...
Anti-torture Committee reiterates its recommendations to address inter-prisoner violence, informal hierarchy in Georgia’s “zonas”
The Council of Europe’s Committee for the Prevention of Torture and Inhuman or Degrading Treatment or Punishment (CPT) has published a report on its May 2021 ad hoc visit to Georgia, together with the response of the Georgian authorities. The objective of the visit was to review the...
PACE session highlights: President of the Hellenic Republic and the King of the Netherlands
Addresses by the President of the Hellenic Republic, Katerina Sakellaropoulou, and by King Willem-Alexander of the Netherlands are among highlights of the summer session of the Parliamentary Assembly of the Council of Europe (PACE), which takes place in Strasbourg from 20-24 June 2022. There will...
Kazakhstan: corruption is a serious concern, more transparency and independence needed
The Council of Europe’s Group of States against Corruption (GRECO) has published its first evaluation report on Kazakhstan, focusing on issues such as independence, specialisation and means available to national bodies engaged in the prevention of and fight against corruption; extent and scope of...
Slovakia should improve education of Roma children and support to national minority cultures
The Council of Europe’s Advisory Committee on the Framework Convention for the Protection of National Minorities has urged the Slovak authorities to eradicate discrimination of Roma children in education and to improve the mechanism for supporting national minority cultures. In an Opinion the...
Bosnia and Herzegovina: Lack of co-ordination continues to hamper protection of regional and minority languages
In its third evaluation report on Bosnia and Herzegovina the Council of Europe’s Committee of Experts states that a clearly detectable lack of co-ordination among multiple levels of authority continues to hamper the implementation of the European Charter for Regional and Minority Languages...
Germany: Improve education about national minorities and support for Sinti and Roma, says Council of Europe committee
National minority representatives in Germany are expressing concern over lacking education about their history, culture and contribution to German society among the majority population. This concern is raised prominently in an opinion published by Council of Europe experts on Germany's...
