Newsroom
Conflict and violence: young people share their stories
This week the European Youth Centre in Strasbourg is hosting two events for young people whose lives have been changed by the conflict and violence. The Youth Peace Camp is bringing together young people from conflict-affected regions: South Caucasus, the Russian Federation, Ukraine (Luhansk,...
To prevent further human suffering in the east of Ukraine, the rule of law has to be re-established
“The conflict in the east of Ukraine remains the cause of enormous human suffering and loss of life. It is high time to put an end to it and ensure the effective prosecution and sanctioning of those responsible for human rights violations” said today Nils Muižnieks, Council of Europe Commissioner...
Statement by Secretary General Jagland on adoption by Sejm of Poland of draft Act on Constitutional Tribunal
“The draft Act on the Constitutional Tribunal was adopted yesterday at its second reading in the lower Chamber of the Polish Parliament (Sejm). I will ask the Venice Commission to rapidly examine whether this Act follows its Opinion provided in March 2016. I would urge the Senate, and the Sejm at...
Greece: progress in combating racism, but concerns remain about the impact of austerity
“I welcome the government’s efforts to combat racism and homophobia in Greece. The 2014 anti-racism law has consolidated the legislative framework and provided useful tools to prosecutors and police officers. However, much more is needed in order to bring this law to life and to further enhance...
Why Europe needs to invest in children
"Doers should start speaking, and speakers should start doing" – this was the key message of the conference organised by Eurochild “Children's Rights Matter: Why Europe needs to invest in children” in Brussels on 5-7 July 2016. Experts, policy makers dealing with social and economic rights, as...
“No means No”: Secretary General welcomes German legislation to end violence against women
"I welcome today’s vote in the German parliament to pass the so-called No means No law, which brings Germany in line with our convention to end violence against women," said Council of Europe Secretary General Thorbjørn Jagland. "Rape cannot be limited to just physical assault," he said of the...
Anti-corruption body GRECO publishes a report on Moldova
Council of Europe calls on the Republic of Moldova to improve anti-corruption measures in respect of MPs, judges and prosecutors
Secretary General Jagland in Berlin for talks with Foreign Minister Steinmeier
Thorbjørn Jagland met with German foreign minister Steinmeier on Tuesday in Berlin. Topics of discussion included human rights in Europe, the role of the European Convention on Human Rights and the situation in Ukraine, Turkey and Azerbaijan. They also discussed the European Roma Institute for...
Security and safety in stadiums: fourteen countries pave the way for implementation of the new Council of Europe Convention
The Council of Europe Convention on an integrated safety, security and service approach at football matches and other sports events was opened for signature today at a ceremony held at the Stade de France, in the presence of several European ministers. The Convention was signed by 14 States:...
Limited progress in the Czech Republic to address segregation of Roma in education
In an Opinion on the Czech Republic published today, the Council of Europe’s Advisory Committee on the Framework Convention for the Protection of National Minorities concludes that, despite the authorities’ efforts, the plans to eradicate the segregation of Roma children in schools have so far...
Council of Europe conference tackles gender-based stereotypes
Estonian Prime Minister Taavi Rõivas opened a Council of Europe conference on gender equality in Tallinn, Estonia today. The two-day conference – which can be followed live on this link – gathers some 150 participants from nearly 40 Council of Europe member states to assess progress of the...
North-South Prize 2015 to Lora Pappa and Joaquim Alberto Chissano
The founder of the Greek non-governmental organisation METAdrasi (Action for Migration & Development), Lora Pappa and former President of Mozambique Joaquim Alberto Chissano are the two laureates of the Council of Europe North-South Prize 2015, a distinction awarded annually to two personalities,...
Stop evictions of Roma and Travellers
International organisations stress human cost of evictions and recall standards in a joint statement
Committee of Ministers statement on terrorist attack at Istanbul international airport
The Committee of Ministers of the Council of Europe firmly condemns the terrorist attack committed yesterday evening at Istanbul international airport. It conveys its sincere condolences to the families of the victims and expresses its solidarity with the Turkish people and authorities in these...
Istanbul: Council of Europe Secretary General Jagland condemns terrorist attacks
On Wednesday Secretary General Thorbjørn Jagland made the following statement: “Our member state Turkey has suffered another horrific terrorist attack. Once again so many innocent people have been killed and hurt on European soil. All Council of Europe member states must stand together in the...
Protection and future of migrant children: a challenge for Europe
One in three of the migrants and asylum seekers crossing between Greece and Turkey is a child. Last year alone, an estimated 300,000 children crossed the Mediterranean fleeing the horror of war and seeking refuge, traumatised by violence and death. Practically all of them have seen their lives...
Security and safety in stadiums: Council of Europe launches a new convention
At the last of the EURO 2016 tournament’s quarter-finals, on Sunday 3 July at the Stade de France (Saint-Denis), the Council of Europe will open for signature a new international convention to promote safety at football matches and other sports events, strengthen international police co-operation...
26 June: International Day in Support of Victims of Torture
European and UN anti-torture bodies: duty to protect dignity of detained persons more relevant than ever in current global context of instability and economic crisis
Statement by Secretary General Jagland on the UK referendum
“The democratic decision in this referendum must be respected. The best way forward now is for the EU, in accordance with its best traditions, to work together with the UK government to obtain the most acceptable outcome for the citizens of the UK and Europe. Everybody should now focus on what...
Towards a global moratorium on capital punishment
Secretary General addresses the World Congress on the Death Penalty
Greek Prime Minister issues strong call for a ‘a better Europe’
Greek Prime Minister Alexis Tsipras issued a strong call for “a better Europe, and a new and inspiring vision for Europe’s citizens” today when addressing parliamentarians from the 47-nation Council of Europe. Europe faced a political and social crisis which was shaking it to its very...
Estonia remains committed to supporting the Council of Europe in protecting human rights, says Prime Minister
“Estonia remains committed to supporting the active role taken by the Council of Europe in developing a useful framework for the protection of human rights, either online or offline, said the Prime Minister of Estonia, Taavi Rõivas, addressing PACE today. He underlined that the international...
Fighting the over-sexualisation of children
PACE today expressed its concern about the over-sexualisation of children, a widespread phenomenon in the media, marketing campaigns, television programmes and everyday products. This phenomenon can have a serious impact on children’s self-esteem, well-being, relationships and equal opportunities...
Marina Kaljurand: “The best results can only be achieved by working hand in hand with the Assembly”
“The best results can only be achieved by working hand in hand with the Assembly”, today said Marina Kaljurand, Minister for Foreign Affairs of Estonia and Chairman of the Committee of Ministers. Presenting Estonia’s priorities for the six-month period of its Chairmanship, Ms Kaljurand referred...
Secretary General’s dialogue with Assembly members
Council of Europe Secretary General Thorbjorn Jagland replied to questions from members of the Assembly in a question and answer session during the Assembly’s summer part-session. During this exchange, PACE members asked Mr Jagland for his reaction to the lifting of immunity from prosecution of...
We must grasp the global nature of the refugee crisis
Statement by Marina Kaljurand, Chair of the Committee of Ministers and Minister for Foreign Affairs of Estonia
PACE must continue to foster pan-European dialogue in response to challenges to face, says the President
"I firmly believe that our common interests in protecting human rights, democracy and the rule of law, both at national and international level, are stronger than the issues that divide us," the PACE President said at the opening of the June session. "We must keep open the communication channels...
Terrorism: #NoHateNoFear, a PACE initiative
The Council of Europe Parliamentary Assembly (PACE) today launched a #NoHateNoFear initative to counter terrorism. At a special ceremony, parliamentarians stood up to say NO to hate and fear. They committed to follow up on this initiative in their national parliaments. "We have to prevent the...
World Refugee Day: “Share our cities – Share the future”
The Intercultural Cities (ICCs) are working hard on ensuring inclusive integration and equal rights and opportunities for the people that chose Europe as host continent, after being uprooted because of conflicts and instability in their own countries. Today, the 99 cities which are member of the...
Say “No” to hate speech against refugees: 20 June is European Action Day
Ahead of the Action Day against Hate Speech Targeting Refugees marked on the 20th of June, the Council of Europe called for a speedy and systematic reaction by public figures to the instances of hate speech against refugees and asylum seekers, and stressed the positive role the youth can play in...
World Refugee Day: Council of Europe head calls for renewed effort to protect migrant children from sexual abuse
Ahead of World Refugee Day, Secretary General called on Europe’s governments to make protection of migrant and asylum-seeking minors against sexual abuse a top priority. “Child protection is a moral duty and legal obligation for all European states. Last year, an estimated 300,000 migrant and...
International data protection conference: Mauritius joins “Convention 108”
The Republic of Mauritius today became the second non-European state – after Uruguay in 2013 – to ratify the Convention for the protection of individuals with regard to Automatic Processing of Personal Data, also known as “Convention 108”, and its Additional Protocol, taking the total number of...
CEB to hold its annual Joint Meeting in Strasbourg
The Council of Europe Development Bank (CEB) is holding its annual Joint Meeting today. The meeting is taking place in Strasbourg, at the invitation of the French government. As in previous years, the event is bringring together the members of the Bank’s Governing Board and Administrative...
European Convention on Human Rights remains crucial: annual legal HELP conference
The European Convention on Human Rights is crucial to maintaining stability and liberty on the continent, and the Council of Europe’s task is to help its States implement it, to “sow the Convention into the national legal fabric”, said Council of Europe’s Secretary General Thorbjørn Jagland...
European states must do more to stop websites advertising child sexual abuse
European governments will spare no effort in assuring that competent Internet authorities and bodies prevent registration of, identify and remove any web addresses which self-evidently, sometimes even in their names, advertise child abuse material. This is a key conclusion of a meeting of the...
Anti-corruption: Germany praised for progress in bribery legislation but more transparency in party financing needed
In a report published today, the Council of Europe’s Group of States against Corruption (GRECO) praises Germany for adopting legislation that should pave the way for its ratification of the Criminal Law Convention on Corruption and its Additional Protocol. According to GRECO, Germany has...
Erosion of rule of law threatens human rights protection in Poland
“Recent far-reaching changes to Poland’s legal and institutional framework threaten human rights and undermine the rule of law, on which the protection of human rights ultimately depends. Lawmakers and the Government should urgently change course”, said today Nils Muižnieks, the Council of Europe...
Conference addresses community involvement in prison and probation work
The 21st Council of Europe Conference of Directors of Prison and Probation Services – which is being held in Zaandam (Netherlands) on 14 and 15 June – is addressing community involvement in prison and probation work, including the role of families of offenders and the need to counter the negative...
Committee of Ministers reviews the implementation of judgments of the European Court of Human Rights
On 7 and 8 June, representatives of the 47 member states of the Council of Europe held their 1259th “Human Rights” meeting at which they examined the implementation of judgments of the European Court of Human Rights in keeping with the supervisory role of the Committee of Ministers, under Article...
Euro 2016 football violence: Council of Europe calls for better police cooperation
The Secretary General of the Council of Europe, Thorbjørn Jagland, has called on European governments to improve police cooperation after the violent clashes between football hooligans in Marseille last Saturday. “What happened in Marseille is absolutely unacceptable. Europe can and must do more...
Attack on the LGBTI community in Orlando
Statement by the Chair of the Committee of Ministers
Parliamentary Assembly Summer Session
Addresses by Greek Prime Minister Alexis Tsipras and Estonian Prime Minister Taavi Rõivas are among the highlights of the session taking place in Strasbourg on 20-24 June
New ECHR/HELP training videos – one on asylum and the second on terrorism
The European Court of Human Rights and the Council of Europe’s HELP programme (Human rights Education for Legal Professionals) have released two new training videos in the pilot series COURTalks-disCOURs. The 25-minute videos, based on educational talks from lawyers at the Court, are geared to...
Iceland: ratify the Disabilities Convention and strengthen the human rights protection system
“Iceland should ratify the UN Convention on the Rights of Persons with Disabilities (CRPD) and align its legislation and practice with international standards and the case law of the European Court of Human Rights. Abolishing full deprivation of legal capacity and plenary guardianship of persons...
Secretary General expresses his condolences to the United States
"Europeans across the Continent are shocked and saddened by the cruel attack in Orlando in which so many innocent people were killed. Our thoughts are with the families and friends of the victims, and with all who are suffering after this horrific homophobic and transphobic hate crime. The...
Police in Poland, foreign NGOs in Russia
Venice Commission adopts new opinions
20 June is the World Refugee Day: we need your words!
On 20 June countries around the world organise events to raise awareness about the millions of refugees and internally displaced persons who have been forced to flee their homes due to war, conflict and persecution. The Intercultural Cities (ICCs) are working hard on ensuring inclusive...
Internet: Web addresses promoting sex crimes against children must be stopped
Governments and internet bodies must prevent web addresses being registered which openly refer to child sexual abuse, according to the Secretary General of the 47-nation Council of Europe, Thorbjørn Jagland. Speaking at the European Dialogue on Internet Governance (EuroDIG 2016) in Brussels,...
Secretary General Jagland at the OSCE: When politics stall, the human rights convention moves us forward
Council of Europe Secretary General Thorbjørn Jagland, in his address to the OSCE Permanent Council in Vienna, highlighted the value of the European Convention on Human Rights and called on the 57 OSCE participating States to “put these shared standards and common laws at the heart of our...
Council of Europe at the European Dialogue on Internet Governance
The European Dialogue on Internet Governance (EuroDIG 2016) is bringing together representatives of national authorities, industry, civil society and academia to discuss Internet policies, including the challenges in upholding human rights online, in Brussels on 9 and 10 June. On 9 June the...
