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Congress President deplores adoption of anti-LGBTI legislation in Georgia
Marc Cools, President of the Congress of Local and Regional Authorities, has made the following statement: “I am deeply concerned about the adoption by the Parliament of Georgia of the legislation “On protecting family values and minors”, despite the persistent calls from the Council of Europe...
New guidelines to protect voters' personal data
The Council of Europe has issued guidelines aimed at protecting individuals' personal data when registering as voters and when their identity needs to be authenticated to participate in elections. The guidelines, prepared by the Consultative Committee of the Convention for the Protection of...
ECHR Grand Chamber ruling against Spain
The Grand Chamber of the European Court of Human Rights has found a violation of the human rights convention in the case of Pindo Mulla v. Spain, concerning blood transfusions given to a Jehovah’s Witness against her wishes. The Court found in particular that the authorisation to proceed with...
Study visit to Austria sets groundwork for a free, post-war Ukraine
As part of a project to prepare for a free and independent Ukraine, ten representatives from six pilot territorial communities in Ukraine (local authorities and civil society organisations or CSOs) will participate in a study visit to Austria from 17 to 21 September 2024. The five-day visit,...
PACE committee urges steps to prevent violence and discrimination against lesbian, bisexual and queer women
PACE’s Equality Committee has called for a series of measures to combat violence and discrimination against lesbian, bisexual and queer (LBQ) women in Europe, pointing out that these women are now “especially targeted by anti-gender movements” which attempt to silence them or deny them their...
Committee calls on the Council of Europe Development Bank to boost support for reconstruction in Ukraine and focus on social dimensions of climate change
The Committee on Social Affairs, Health and Sustainable Development, meeting in Lisbon on 13 September, congratulated the Council of Europe Development Bank (CEB) for “its flexible and tailored support to its member states” in the context of the pandemic and natural disasters, and for the rapid...
Secretary General’s farewell statement to the Ministers’ Deputies
“In my remarks here five years ago, I said that: “The Council of Europe must…remain the benchmark for the promotion and protection of democracy, human rights, and the rule of law on our continent. In fact, this must be strengthened. This is the path that I intend to pursue.” I have pursued it,...
PACE committee proposes a ‘right to food’ in national constitutions
A PACE committee is urging steps to ensure accessible, sustainable and adequate food for all – including enshrining a “right to food” in national constitutions and giving priority to a coherent legal framework to make food distribution, processing and marketing systems fairer and more stable....
CEPEJ Experts’ Visit to Bosnia and Herzegovina for the implementation of a pilot project on satisfaction surveys for court users
The CEPEJ will organise an expert visit to the pilot courts of Brčko and Trebinje on September 17 and 18, 2024, to support the launch of user satisfaction surveys in these courts. A Steering...
Secretary General receives Légion d'honneur in Strasbourg
“The Légion d'honneur is a recognition of efforts made, but it is also a call to continue to strive tirelessly for peace, justice, and solidarity between peoples. Today, these values are more necessary than ever. In receiving this award today, I reaffirm my commitment to continuing this work with...
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 17 to 19 September. Cases proposed for detailed examination concern Albania, Armenia, Azerbaijan, Belgium,...
European Audiovisual Observatory: new report on the share of women in today’s European film industry
The proportion of women working in the various different roles in European film production only grew from 19% in 2015 to 24% in 2023. Between 2019 and 2023, the proportion of women in the cinema industry represented around 30% for producers, editors, screenwriters and directors, and only 12% for...
“I did not realise that human brutality could have such expressions”
In just over four years, 52,000 human beings – Jews, Roma and Sinti, LGBTI people, political opponents and others – were imprisoned at Natzweiler-Struthof. 22,000 people lost their lives there. The utter cruelty – the blatant evil – came as a huge shock to many of the prisoners and was very hard...
Congress examines the application of the European Charter of Local Self-Government in San Marino
A delegation of the Congress of Local and Regional Authorities, composed of rapporteurs Alexander Boomgaars, Netherlands and Tanja Joona, Finland, will conduct a monitoring visit to the Republic of San Marino from 17 to 18 September 2024 to assess the application of the European Charter of Local...
Local innovation is a catalyst for empowering communities
“We are living through unprecedented crises that pose new challenges and require innovating in response to them; local authorities are at the forefront of responding to these new challenges,” underlined Melanie Lepoultier, Deputy Permanent Rapporteur of the Congress on human rights and Mayor of...
Boosting citizen participation
A round table on “Boosting democracy by engaging all citizens”, held in Strasbourg on 13 September 2024, focused on the challenges faced by democratic societies such as a crisis of trust in...
Congress and national associations: Renewed commitment to upholding democratic values in cities and regions
At the close of the two-day conference in Strasbourg, the Congress of the Council of Europe and national associations of local and regional authorities from the 46 member states reiterated their shared commitment to upholding democracy, the rule of law, and human rights at the grassroots.
Democracy is built from the grassroots: Congress President statement for International Day of Democracy (15 September)
“Democracy is our common asset which is built from the grassroots, and local and regional authorities can make a valuable contribution to maintaining democratic stability,” stressed Marc Cools, President of the Congress of the Council of Europe, addressing national associations of local and...
Resilience and reconstruction of Ukraine: call for expanded partnerships with Ukrainian municipalities - Congress of Local and Regional Authorities
There is a need for expanding municipal partnerships and co-operation between Ukrainian and other European municipalities, and for sharing good practices of municipal support for rural and...
Co-rapporteurs express concern at Russia's attempts to interfere in the Republic of Moldova's domestic politics and electoral processes
In an information note declassified by the Monitoring Committee on 11 September, the co-rapporteurs for the monitoring of the Republic of Moldova, Pierre-Alain Fridez (Switzerland, SOC) and Zanda Kalniņa-Lukaševica (Latvia, EPP/CD), expressed their concern at “the exponential increase in attempts...
Protecting the rights of sex workers and improving their life conditions
The Committee on Equality and Non-Discrimination, meeting on 12 September in Paris, has expressed its concern that sex workers continue to face stigmatisation, are vulnerable to violence and abuse, and face discrimination in access to education, employment, health, housing, justice and protection...
Türkiye: concerns remain about the independence of the judiciary, prison conditions and the execution of the Court's judgments
In an information note following his visit to Türkiye from 11 to 14 June 2024, Stefan Schennach, one of the co-rapporteurs on the honouring of obligations and commitments by Türkiye, expressed a number of concerns relating to the independence of the judiciary, prison conditions, the execution of...
Monitoring Committee welcomes reforms in Bosnia and Herzegovina, but says there is ‘insufficient progress in some areas’
PACE’s Monitoring Committee has congratulated the authorities of Bosnia and Herzegovina for the pace of reforms since 2022 – but said it remains concerned about “the lack of, or insufficient, progress in some areas crucial for the functioning of democratic institutions”. Approving a draft...
Council of Europe Bank committed to strengthening resilience of local communities
"Strengthening subnational governments’ capacity is a priority for the Council of Europe Bank, to scale up investments and social impact,” stressed the Bank’s Vice-Governor Tomáš Boček during...
PACE delegation makes pre-electoral visit to the Republic of Moldova
A seven-member delegation of the Parliamentary Assembly of the Council of Europe (PACE), led by Thórhildur Sunna Ævarsdóttir (Iceland, SOC), will make a pre-electoral visit to the Republic of Moldova on 17-18 September to assess the election campaign and political climate prior to the...
Congress President meets Mayor of Istanbul
On 12 September 2024, Congress President Marc Cools met Ekrem Imamoglu, President of the Union of Turkish Municipalities and Mayor of Istanbul, on the occasion of the Conference of associations of local and regional authorities
Carabinieri trained on ensuring public order in the electoral process ahead of presidential elections and constitutional referendum in Republic of Moldova - Electoral assistance
(Seulement en anglais) In preparation for the upcoming 2024 Presidential election and constitutional referendum in Moldova, approximately 80 carabinieri representing the General Inspectorate...
Council of Europe contributed to the high-level ‘United for Justice’ Conference in Ukraine: Focus on Accountability for the Attacks against Civilian Objects
On 11 September 2024, the Council of Europe supported the international high-level expert conference ‘United for Justice: Accountability for Attacks Against Civilian Objects’, held in Kyiv,.... Latest news from the Directorate General Human Rights and Rule of Law
Updating the European Youth Foundation’s work after Reykjavik
The European Youth Foundation (EYF) gathered partners, international and independent funders active in the field of youth and member of the Council of Europe Joint Council on Youth in Strasbourg to chart the way to updating the Foundation’s work. The European Youth Foundation is a unique, agile...
Local and regional authorities play a crucial role in building resilient democratic societies: conference hosted by Council of Europe Congress
The role of local and regional authorities in effectively responding to the challenges facing European democracies, in supporting Ukraine, protecting human rights, saving the environment, and enabling young people’s involvement is the focus of a conference of associations of local and regional...
Congress strengthens co-operation with the Ukrainian Association of District and Regional Councils
On 12 September 2024, on the margin of the Conference of National Associations of Local and Regional Authorities, the Congress signed a memorandum of understanding with the Ukrainian Association of District and Regional Councils (UAROR) to increase co-operation and contribute to building...
3rd meeting of the Bureau of the Bern Convention - Convention on the Conservation of European Wildlife and Natural Habitats
The Bureau of the Standing Committee of the Bern Convention on the Conservation of European Wildlife and Natural Habitats held its third ordinary meeting of the year from 10 to 12 September 2024 in Strasbourg.
Secretary General at 4th Summit of International Crimea Platform
“This year, 10 years after the Russian Federation’s illegal annexation of the Autonomous Republic of Crimea and the City of Sevastopol, the European Court of Human Rights delivered a unanimous judgment, affirming that Russia has committed widespread and systemic human rights violations in the...
Committee expresses deep concern at harsh treatment of Julian Assange, warns of its chilling effect for the press
PACE’s Legal Affairs Committee has warmly welcomed the release of Julian Assange but expressed deep concern at “the disproportionately harsh treatment” he faced, and called on the US to investigate the alleged war crimes and human rights violations disclosed by him and Wikileaks. Approving a...
Commissioner O’Flaherty held a consultation meeting on the human rights of Roma and Travellers in the Council of Europe area
On 9 and 10 September in Strasbourg, Commissioner O’Flaherty convened a consultation meeting with experts working on the human rights of Roma and Travellers. The discussions...
Award of the 2024 Václav Havel Prize a highlight of the PACE autumn session
The award ceremony for the 2024 Václav Havel Prize – which honours outstanding human rights defenders worldwide – will be a highlight of the autumn session of the Parliamentary Assembly of the Council of Europe (PACE), to be held in Strasbourg from 30 September to 4 October 2024. An overall...
Committee denounces the human rights situation in Iran and calls for strengthening the protection of Iranians in Europe
The Political Affairs Committee, meeting on 9 September in Paris, expressed its concern about the persecution of human rights defenders in Iran and abroad by the Iranian regime. The report by Max Lucks (Germany, SOC), adopted by the committee, underlines that many Iranians in exile in Europe, and...
Council of Europe calls for strengthening international cooperation against migrant smuggling
The 2nd International Conference on Migrant Smuggling, organised by the Council of Europe in Strasbourg, has called on its 46 member states to explore all pathways to strengthen international cooperation. In her opening speech, Council of Europe Secretary General Marija Pejčinović Burić...
Georgian Parliament should not adopt anti-LGBTI law and should refrain from using stigmatising rhetoric
Council of Europe Commissioner for Human Rights, Michael O’Flaherty has a letter sent to the Chairman of the Parliament of Georgia in which he asks members of the Parliament to refrain from adopting the draft law “On protecting family values and minors” passed in second reading on 4 September...
Austria: despite positive steps, progress still needed in family law cases related to domestic violence
A new theme-based report published by the Group of Experts on Action against Violence against Women and Domestic Violence (GREVIO) commends the Austrian authorities for having taken steps to further align legislation with requirements of the Council of Europe Convention on preventing and...
Speech at the Conference on Migrant Smuggling
Speech by Michael O'Flaherty, Council of Europe Commissioner for Human Rights, at the 2nd International Conference on Migrant Smuggling, organised by the Council of Europe European Committee on Crime Problems (CDPC), in collaboration with the Office of the Special Representative on Migration and...
Round EUR 22 bn spent on European original TV and VoD content in 2023
The European Audiovisual Observatory publishes new free report on investments in European original content by broadcasters and streamers. The broadcasters and the big streaming platforms spent around EUR 22 bn on European original works in 2023, reflecting slower growth after the post-pandemic...
Congress President condemns illegal elections in the occupied Crimea
The President of the Congress of Local and Regional Authorities of the Council of Europe, Marc Cools, has issued the following statement: “On behalf of the Congress, I condemn the illegal conduct of so-called elections by the Russian Federation in Ukraine’s Autonomous Republic of Crimea and City...
Kazakhstan: Anti-corruption body publishes first report on progress implementing recommendations
The Council of Europe Group of States against Corruption (GRECO) has published the first report on Kazakhstan assessing progress made in implementing the recommendations issued to the country in the Joint First and Second Round Evaluation Report (2022). See also unofficial translations in Kazakh...
Speech at Informal Conference of the Ministers of Justice of the Council of Europe on accountability in Ukraine
Speech by Michael O’Flaherty at the Informal Conference of the Ministers of Justice of the Council of Europe “Towards Accountability for International Crimes Committed in Ukraine” in...
Justice for crimes committed in Ukraine: Ministers of Justice discuss legal cooperation and a special tribunal for the crime of aggression
Meeting under the Lithuanian Presidency of the Committee of Ministers, the Ministers of Justice of Council of Europe member and observer states have adopted a declaration outlining a series of principles to address critical justice and accountability issues related to Russia’s aggression against...
Secretary General at Conference of European Ministers of Justice in Vilnius
“More than two and a half years into the Russian Federation’s brutal and illegal war of aggression against Ukraine and with the ongoing violence and developments on the battlefield over this summer, the need for accountability burns more brightly than ever. We must be ready to extend the...
Council of Europe opens first ever global treaty on AI for signature
The Council of Europe Framework Convention on artificial intelligence and human rights, democracy, and the rule of law (CETS No. 225) was opened for signature during a conference of Council of Europe Ministers of Justice in Vilnius. It is the first-ever international legally binding treaty aimed...
PACE President welcomes opening for signature of new AI and human rights convention
PACE President Theodoros Rousopoulos has welcomed the opening for signature of the new Council of Europe Framework Convention on Artificial Intelligence and Human Rights, Democracy and the Rule of Law, which he hailed as “a major step forward” and a springboard for ongoing discussion about the...
Secretary General expresses condolences over loss of lives in English Channel
In response to the deadliest disaster in the English Channel this year, Council of Europe Secretary General Marija Pejčinović Burić expressed her condolences to the victims' families. “Yesterday, six children, a pregnant woman, and five other women and men lost their lives in the English Channel....
