Newsroom
Secretary General condemns anti-Semitic attack in Halle, Germany
Council of Europe Secretary General Marija Pejčinović Burić has condemned the anti-Semitic attack in which two people were killed in Halle. “I am deeply saddened and concerned by this cold-blooded attack aimed against the Jewish community on Yom Kippur. I extend my condolences to the families of...
Shootings in Halle, Germany
Council of Europe Secretary General Marija Pejčinović Burić has expressed her great sadness and concern over the killings in Halle, Germany, as well as her solidarity with the victims and the authorities dealing with the unfolding situation.
Death Penalty Day: EU/Council of Europe joint statement
The European Union’s High Representative for Foreign Affairs, Federica Mogherini, and the Secretary General of the Council of Europe, Marija Pejčinović Burić, have published a joint statement to mark the European and World Day against the Death Penalty on 10 October. The statement underlines both...
Switzerland urged to improve the identification and protection of victims of trafficking
In a report published today, the Council of Europe’s Group of Experts on Trafficking in Human Beings (GRETA) welcomes the progress made by Switzerland, but also asks the Swiss authorities to take further action to improve the identification and protection of victims of trafficking. GRETA notes...
Turkey urged to improve identification and protection of victims
The Council of Europe’s group of experts on human trafficking has urged the Turkish authorities to improve the identification of victims of trafficking and the protection which is given to them. In its first report on Turkey, published today, the Group of Experts on Action against Trafficking in...
Deputy Secretary General opens joint workshop on family
The Deputy Secretary General Gabriella Battaini-Dragoni will open together with the Italian Minister for Equal Opportunities and Family, Elena Bonetti the Joint Workshop on family as a hub for social policies. The event is organised by the Department for Family Policies of the Italian Presidency...
Cultural Routes: 9th Advisory Forum opens in Sibiu, Romania
Around 200 representatives from International Organisations, Representatives of the Cultural Routes of the Council of Europe, Member States, national and local authorities are meeting for three days in Sibiu, Romania. The event is jointly organised by the Enlarged Partial Agreement on Cultural...
Mechanisms to protect social rights: seminar In Madrid
The European Committee of Social Rights of the Council of Europe and the Inter-American Court of Human Rights are organising a seminar in Madrid on 3 and 4 October to discuss how to protect social rights effectively, at a time when these rights are exposed to growing risks. Organised in...
Cérémonie de commémoration du 70e anniversaire
Le Conseil de l’Europe a célébré son 70e anniversaire lors d’une cérémonie de commémoration qui s’est tenue le mardi 1er octobre à l’Opéra de Strasbourg. Le maire de la ville, Roland Ries, a ouvert la cérémonie. Son discours a été suivi des interventions de l’ancien Premier Ministre espagnol...
Secretary General to use full powers to ensure human rights protection
Extract of the speech (0'37") : Secretary General Marija Pejčinović Burić today pledged to use her full powers to ensure human rights standards were respected throughout the Council of Europe region. In her first address to Parliamentary Assembly, the Secretary General said respect for human...
Montenegro: good progress on national minorities, but situation of Roma and Egyptians must be improved
Montenegrin society is characterised by a general climate of tolerance, a good legal anti-discrimination framework has been set up and very welcome progress has been made on resolving the issue of displaced persons who arrived in Montenegro from Kosovo* in the late 90s. However, urgent efforts...
Emmanuel Macron: "The Council of Europe is where the divisions in our continent can be healed"
In his address to the Assembly today, the President of the French Republic Emmanuel Macron paid tribute to the “70 years of battles and conquests that are all part of the Council of Europe’s wealth of experience”. “The Council of Europe has advanced respect for fundamental rights, democracy and...
Amélie de Montchalin : "Rassembler notre famille européenne autour de valeurs communes"
Amélie de Montchalin, Secrétaire d'Etat française chargée des Affaires européennes s’est exprimée aujourd’hui au nom de la Présidence française du Comité des Ministres devant l’Assemblée parlementaire du Conseil de l’Europe. Après avoir rendu un hommage appuyé au Président Chirac, dans lequel...
2019 Václav Havel Prize shared by Ilham Tohti and the Youth Initiative for Human Rights
The seventh Václav Havel Human Rights Prize – which honours outstanding civil society action in defence of human rights – has been awarded jointly to imprisoned Uyghur intellectual Ilham Tohti from China and the Youth Initiative for Human Rights (YIHR), which brings together young people from...
President makes plea for constructive dialogue and maintaining order in ‘'our common home’'
In her opening address at her last plenary session, the PACE President made a fervent plea for maintaining order in what she described as “our common home” and for “constructive dialogue, even in the gravest crisis situations”. “Whenever the values of democracy, human rights and the rule of law...
Parliamentary Assembly Autumn Session
On the occasion of the Autumn Session of the Parliamentary Assembly of the Council of Europe (PACE) in Strasbourg (30 September-4 October), the President of the French Republic, Emmanuel Macron, will address PACE and answer questions from parliamentarians on Tuesday 1 October. French Secretary of...
ECRI adopts a roadmap to effective equality
Following a conference to mark its 25th anniversary, the Council of Europe’s anti-racism commission (ECRI) stressed the need for joint efforts to contain the threats that racism and intolerance pose to society, guarantee respect for human dignity and lay the ground for greater equality in Europe....
[Podcast] What motivates the new Secretary General of the Council of Europe?
In her first podcast, Marija Pejčinović Burić outlines her priorities for making Europe a more tolerant and inclusive place for its citizens, and identifies new challenges to human rights, such as Artificial Intelligence. The Secretary General was interviewed by Daniel Holtgen, the Council of...
Hungary: more help needed for child and migrant victims of human trafficking
The Hungarian authorities should strengthen efforts to prevent child trafficking, particularly by sensitising and training staff working with children and raising awareness of trafficking and online safety among children, including those in residential care institutions, the Council of Europe’s...
Implementing ECHR judgments: Latest decisions from the Committee of Ministers
The latest case-by-case decisions on the implementation of judgments and decisions from the European Court of Human Rights have been published by the Council of Europe’s Committee of Ministers. The Committee adopted 29 decisions concerning 17 member states at the end of its quarterly human rights...
Déclaration de la Secrétaire Générale, Marija Pejčinović Burić, suite à la disparition de Jacques Chirac
"Jacques Chirac, un immense Européen et grand Français n'est plus. Son engagement en faveur de la paix, du respect du droit international et de la tolérance ont marqué l’histoire de la France et de toute l'Europe. Nous gardons de lui l’image d’un homme d'Etat hors norme, humaniste et proche des...
The Council of Europe marks 25 years of the fight against racism and intolerance
On the occasion of the 25th anniversary of the Council of Europe's European Commission against Racism and Intolerance (ECRI), a high-level conference will be organised on 26 and 27 September in Paris to take stock of its action and of the progress achieved in Europe in the fight against racism...
Strasbourg railway station to be decorated to mark 70th anniversary
Speaking on the occasion of the inauguration of the decoration on the glass facade of Strasbourg railway station marking the 70th anniversary of the Council of Europe, the Deputy Secretary General, Gabriella Battaini-Dragoni, highlighted the importance of this project, which is both a “work of...
MONEYVAL: swift action needed to combat money laundering and terrorist financing risks
In its annual report for 2018, published today, the Council of Europe anti-money laundering and counter-terrorist financing body MONEYVAL calls on states to ensure that they have appropriate measures in place to combat “dirty money”. The impact by economic crime, organised criminal groups and...
Liechtenstein: professionals to be trained and victims to be better protected
In a report published today, The Group of Experts on Action against Trafficking in Human Beings (GRETA) welcomes the steps taken by Liechtenstein to combat trafficking in human beings, through the adoption of legislation, guidelines and a coordinating mechanism, and calls on the authorities to...
Anti-torture Committee publishes report on Russian Federation
The Council of Europe’s Committee for the Prevention of Torture and Inhuman or Degrading Treatment or Punishment (CPT) has published today the report on its ad hoc visit to the Russian Federation, which took place from 19 to 29 October 2018, together with the response of the Russian Government....
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 23 to 25 September. Information on the cases to be examined in detail during the meeting is available...
Conference on the fight against domestic violence: the role of the police
The Council of Europe is organising a Conference of high-ranking representatives of Ministers of Internal Affairs in Strasbourg on 24 and 25 September to highlight new measures enabling the police to fight domestic violence more effectively. Bringing together police officers, associations and...
Secretary General welcomes Maltese announcement to set public inquiry into the murder of journalist Daphne Caruana Galizia
In a statement today, Council of Europe Secretary General Marija Pejčinović Burić has welcomed the announcement of the Maltese Government to set up a public inquiry into the murder of investigative journalist Daphne Caruana Galizia in October 2017. “It is a positive development that the Maltese...
European Heritage Days 2019
Statement by Amélie de Montchalin, Representative of the Presidency of the Committee of Ministers, Secretary of State for European Affairs of the French Republic
Reinforcing social rights protection in Europe: to achieve greater unity and equality
In the framework of the French Presidency of the Committee of Ministers, the European Social Charter organises, on 19 September in Strasbourg, an expert seminar to highlight the protection of social rights in Europe so as to achieve greater unity and equality. Welcome addresses will be delivered...
Marija Pejčinović Burić, New Council of Europe Secretary General
Marija Pejčinović Burić (Croatia) began her position as Secretary General of the Council of Europe on 18 September, after being elected in June 2019 by the Parliamentary Assembly for a five-year mandate. She is the second woman in this position after the French Catherine Lalumière (1989-1994) and...
Symposium “The future of young people’s political participation”
The changing nature and pathways of young people engaging politically keep opening new horizons interesting for the researchers, policy-makers, youth workers and young people themselves. The EU-Council of Europe youth partnership will organise a symposium, from 18 to 20 September at the European...
Thorbjørn Jagland farewell speech at ECHR
After ten years as Secretary General, Thorbjørn Jagland delivered his farewell Speech at the European Court of Human Rights. Speech by Thorbjørn Jagland Video of the speech:
Reconstitution de la première réunion du Comité des Ministres du Conseil de l’Europe et exposition
Du 8 au 13 août 1949, le Comité des Ministres du Conseil de l’Europe se réunissait pour la première fois, à l’Hôtel de Ville de Strasbourg. Dans le cadre de la Présidence française du Comité des Ministres et du 70ème anniversaire du Conseil de l’Europe, les Ambassadeurs des 47 pays actuellement...
Online child sexual abuse experts visit Ukraine and Armenia
The Council of Europe experts will visit Yerevan and Kyiv on 17-19 September 2019 under the Project to End Online Child Sexual Exploitation and Abuse @ Europe to analyse legislation, policies and practices to prevent and combat this crime. The EndOCSEA@Europe Project promotes, facilitates and...
New Council of Europe action against sexism
In March 2019, the Council of Europe Committee of Ministers adopted a new Recommendation on Preventing and Combating Sexism. Not only does this text contain the first ever internationally agreed definition of sexism, but it also proposes a set of concrete measures to combat this wide-spread...
North-South Prize 2018 honours fight to end female genital mutilation and the promotion of social ecology
Jaha Mapenzi Dukureh founder and CEO of the Non-Governmental organisation “Safe Hands for Girls” and Damien Carême, Mayor of Grande-Synthe are the laureates of the North-South Prize of the Council of Europe 2018. The Award Ceremony of the XXIV North-South Prize of the Council of Europe took place...
Artificial intelligence: Expert committee to explore the development of a legal framework
The Committee of Ministers of the Council of Europe representing its 47 members states has decided to set up an intergovernmental committee of experts to examine the feasibility of a legal framework for the development, design and application of artificial intelligence. To carry out its work, the...
Congress President calls on Russia to allow international observers to strengthen the integrity of municipal elections
Following Sunday's municipal elections in the Russian Federation, the President of the Congress of Local and Regional Authorities of the Council of Europe, Anders Knape, underlined the importance of democratic framework conditions in order to ensure genuinely free and fair elections, in...
Malta: more needed to investigate and prosecute money laundering and strengthen its supervisory system
In a report published today, the Council of Europe’s anti-money laundering body MONEYVAL calls on the Maltese authorities to strengthen their practical application of their measures to combat money laundering and financing of terrorism (see also the summary of the report). The report makes a...
Free Press Unlimited and European Centre for Press and Media Freedom join Council of Europe Platform
Platform to promote the protection of journalism and safety of journalists now includes 14 partners
Moldova needs better criminal asset recovery and confiscation systems
In a report published today, the Council of Europe anti money laundering body MONEYVAL calls on the Moldovan authorities to fully and consistently use its legislative framework to combat money laundering and to increase the effectiveness of confiscation of proceeds, in particular regarding...
Finland: action needed to combat hate speech and scrap transgender persons sterilisation requirement
In a report published today, the Council of Europe Commission against Racism and Intolerance (ECRI) calls on Finland to tackle growing racist and intolerant hate speech, better coordinate integration activities for immigrants and review the law requiring transgender persons to be sterilised...
Trafficking and exploitation - Human Rights Commissioner calls for swift action
“Few human rights violations are so universally condemned by Council of Europe member states as the exploitation of the most vulnerable”, says Dunja Mijatović, Council of Europe Commissioner for Human Rights, in her Human Rights Comment published today. As a result, year on year, the fight...
School starts with more inclusion for Roma children in Romania – and beyond
On 9 September, Council of Europe Director General of Democracy Snežana Samardžić-Markovic joined Romanian President Klaus Iohannis to open the new school year through a visit to Ferdinand I Elementary and Secondary School in Bucharest, where they addressed the impact so far of a joint European...
Secretary General welcomes release of prisoners by Russia and Ukraine
Secretary General Thorbjørn Jagland made the following statement today: “The Council of Europe welcomes the release of prisoners by Russia and Ukraine today. This is an encouraging step towards the reconciliation of the two member states of the Council of Europe and an important element of the...
MONEYVAL issues follow up reports on Ukraine and Isle of Man
The Council of Europe´s anti money laundering and counter terrorist financing body MONEYVAL has published two follow up reports assessing the progress made by Ukraine and the United Kingdom Crown Dependency of Isle of Man in implementing its recommendations. MONEYVAL finds that Ukraine has made...
National minorities’ rights: new reports on Georgia and the Netherlands
New opinions on the situation of national minorities in Georgia and the Netherlands have published by the Advisory Committee on the Framework Convention for the Protection of National Minorities. Over the past three years, Georgia has strengthened its legislative framework for promotion of rights...
Denmark needs stronger anti-corruption policies for government and the police force
In an evaluation report published today, the Council of Europe’s Group of States against Corruption (GRECO) calls upon Denmark to strengthen its policies to prevent corruption in respect of persons entrusted with top executive functions (members of the government and – in certain cases – special...