Newsroom
Secretary General highlights Council of Europe 75th anniversary at Assembly Winter plenary session
“This May we will celebrate the 75th anniversary of the Council of Europe and I think it is important to recognise how far we have come. No other continent has ever put in place a common legal area, protecting, and promoting common standards in human rights, democracy, and the rule of law. Doing...
Situation in Belarus
Statement by the Secretary General
Foreign Minister Hasler: in the spirit of the Reykjavík Summit, the Council of Europe marks its 75th anniversary united around its values
United around our values - “The 75th anniversary of the Council of Europe that we are celebrating this year is taking place under the same motto that brought our leaders together in Reykjavík,” said Dominique Hasler, Minister of Foreign Affairs, Education and Sport of Liechtenstein and President...
Photo exhibition “Beyond borders: Ukraine’s untold stories” opens in Strasbourg
A photographic exhibition depicting the suffering of people displaced from Ukraine by the ongoing full-scale aggression of the Russian Federation, entitled “Beyond borders: Ukraine’s untold stories” opened today in the Council of Europe’s headquarters. In her opening remarks, Secretary General...
Situation of Ukrainian children: PACE calls for urgent measures and international co-operation
Following an urgent debate, PACE unanimously adopted a resolution based on the report by Olena Khomenko (Ukraine, EC/DA) underscoring the urgent need to address the situation and fate of Ukrainian children forcibly transferred and deported to the temporarily occupied territories of Ukraine, the...
Michael O’Flaherty elected Council of Europe Commissioner for Human Rights
Michael O’Flaherty (Ireland) has been elected as the Council of Europe Commissioner for Human Rights by the organisation’s Parliamentary Assembly (PACE) at its plenary session in Strasbourg. He will serve a non-renewable term of six years starting on 1 April 2024. Mr O’Flaherty obtained 104 of...
Educational responses to crises: Lessons learned from Ukraine and other European countries
On the occasion of the 15th anniversary of the European Wergeland Centre (EWC) and the International Day of Education, a seminar on "Education as civic preparedness, bridging policy and practice: Lessons from Ukraine and other European countries" was organised jointly by the Permanent...
Secretary General meets Minister of Foreign Affairs of Liechtenstein
Secretary General Marija Pejčinović Burić has met the Minister of Foreign Affairs of the Principality of Liechtenstein and President of the Committee of Ministers Dominique Hasler. The meeting focused on the current actions of the ongoing Liechtenstein Presidency. The progress registered on the...
PACE resolves not to ratify the credentials of Azerbaijan’s parliamentary delegation, citing a failure to fulfil ‘major commitments’
The Parliamentary Assembly of the Council of Europe has resolved not to ratify the credentials of the Azerbaijani delegation, which were challenged on the opening day of the session, concluding that the country has “not fulfilled major commitments” stemming from its joining the Council of Europe...
Police ill-treatment in Serbia persists, action by the authorities lacking, says anti-torture Committee
The European Committee for the Prevention of Torture and Inhuman or Degrading Treatment or Punishment (CPT) has published the report on its ad hoc visit to Serbia in March 2023, together with the response of the Serbian authorities. The visit focused on the treatment of persons deprived of their...
Brussels conference marks Data Protection Day
To mark the 18th International Data Protection Day, celebrated every year on 28 January, the Council of Europe is co-organising with the European Union Data Protection Supervisor (EDPS) and the Computers, Privacy and Data Protection (CDPD) a one-day conference in Brussels on 25 January to take...
Prime Minister of Liechtenstein: multilateralism benefits us all
Multilateral organisations, such as the Council of Europe, play a critical role in promoting peace and stability,” said Daniel Risch, Prime Minister of Liechtenstein, when addressing the Parliamentary Assembly. “Multilateralism is one of our lifelines,” he said, adding that the multilateral...
Council of Europe joins the International Holocaust Remembrance Alliance campaign #ProtectTheFacts
The Council of Europe has joined the #ProtectTheFacts campaign of the International Holocaust Remembrance Alliance (IHRA), in a signing ceremony at the Palais de l’Europe, in the presence of Secretary General Marija Pejčinović Burić and IHRA Co-Chair Sara Lustig. The partnership between the...
Secretary General meets Prime Minister of Liechtenstein
Secretary General Marija Pejčinović Burić has met the Prime Minister of the Principality of Liechtenstein Daniel Risch. The priorities of the ongoing Liechtenstein Presidency of the Committee of Ministers were at the centre of the meeting. The conversation also focused on the implementation of...
International Day of Commemoration in Memory of the Victims of the Holocaust
“Remembrance is a choice. The Shoah must remain etched on Europe’s collective conscience. Because it is by remembering the darkness that we continue to live in the light”, highlighted Secretary General Marija Pejčinović Burić at the Council of Europe ceremony on Wednesday 24 January, marking the...
President of Cyprus calls for deeper multilateral cooperation to face current challenges
“We are witnessing a growing attempted erosion of rules-based international order, rising nationalism and violations of human rights,” said Nikos Christodoulides, President of Cyprus, in his address to the Parliamentary Assembly. In outlining many of these and other challenges, he stressed that...
Secretary General meets President of Cyprus
Secretary General Marija Pejčinović Burić has met the President of the Republic of Cyprus Nikos Christodoulides. The meeting focused on the follow-up to the Reykjavik Summit, highlighting the need to respond to new challenges such as artificial intelligence and the impact of climate change and...
Secretary General meets President of Montenegro
Secretary General Marija Pejčinović Burić, in her meeting with the President of Montenegro, Jakov Milatović, has welcomed the country’s active stance in the Council of Europe, including the joining of the Register of damage caused by Russia’s aggression against Ukraine, and excellent technical...
Annual Report 2023: Commissioner Mijatović calls for determined and collective efforts to regain lost ground and advance human rights
“The intensification of challenges to the protection of human rights cannot be an excuse for giving up. Rather, the moment calls for a renewed commitment to the principles and standards for which our Organisation stands”, said the Council of Europe Commissioner for Human Rights Dunja Mijatović,...
Theodoros Rousopoulos elected PACE President
Theodoros Rousopoulos (Greece, EPP/DC) has been elected President of the Parliamentary Assembly of the Council of Europe (PACE). Taking over from Tiny Kox (Netherlands, UEL), he is PACE’s 35th President since 1949 and the first Greek national to hold this office. The President serves for a...
Council of Europe and Georgian authorities launch new Action Plan for 2024-2027
Council of Europe Deputy Secretary General Bjørn Berge and the First Deputy Minister of Foreign Affairs of Georgia, Lasha Darsalia, have jointly launched the Council of Europe Action Plan for Georgia 2024-2027 in Tbilisi. Building on the work of previous years, the new Action Plan aims to support...
Support for young people from Ukraine: special call for 2024 youth organisations projects
On 18 January 2024, the youth sector of the Council of Europe organised a civil society event to connect youth organisations from Ukraine and those in other member states, discussing the needs and aspirations of young people in Ukraine, nearly two years after the Russian aggression. The meeting...
Congress celebrating 30 years in 2024: Statement by Congress President
Congress President Marc Cools has made the following statement: “Thirty years ago this week, the Council of Europe’s Committee of Ministers adopted a statutory resolution establishing the Congress of Local and Regional Authorities as a permanent assembly of cities and regions in Europe. From 31...
Croatian pioneer receives Raoul Wallenberg Prize for her work protecting women from domestic violence
Neva Tölle, a Croatian national who has spent almost her entire adult life working to protect women from domestic violence, has been awarded the Council of Europe’s Raoul Wallenberg Prize 2024 in recognition of her pioneering role, courage and determination in providing assistance to victims and...
Winter Session 2024: recent developments in the Middle East, situation of children of Ukraine, allegations of systemic torture in Europe
Debates on recent developments in the Middle East: Hamas’ terrorist attack on Israel and Israel’s response, and on allegations of systemic torture in places of detention in Europe, will be among highlights of the 2024 Winter Session of the Parliamentary Assembly of the Council of Europe (PACE),...
Belarus: parliamentarians and democratic forces hold dialogue in Helsinki on the country’s future
Leading representatives of democratic forces from Belarus as well as members of civil society and journalists joined with parliamentarians from across Europe in Helsinki on 11-12 January 2024 for discussions on building a democratic future for Belarus. The “Helsinki Dialogue” event, jointly...
Council of Europe body regrets Russia’s withdrawal from the national minorities’ convention: millions left without protection
Following the official notification of the denunciation by the Russian Federation of the Framework Convention for the Protection of National Minorities (FCNM), the FCNM Advisory Committee has issued a statement expressing its deep regret about the decision, which “deprives more than 25 million...
Anti-torture Committee publishes report on Albania
The European Committee for the Prevention of Torture and Inhuman or Degrading Treatment or Punishment (CPT) has published its report on the May 2023 visit to Albania. The main objective of the CPT’s 2023 visit to Albania was to review the treatment and conditions of detention of persons held in...
Council of Europe to announce the laureate of the Raoul Wallenberg Prize 2024
On 17 January, the laureate of the Council of Europe Raoul Wallenberg Prize 2024 will be announced. In a ceremony at the Council of Europe, Secretary General Marija Pejčinović Burić will award the winner for extraordinary humanitarian achievements. Speakers include the Secretary General, Roderick...
Portugal must improve effectiveness of system to promote integrity and prevent corruption in government and law enforcement agencies
The Council of Europe’s Group of States against Corruption (GRECO) has called on Portugal to improve the effectiveness of its system to promote integrity and prevent corruption in the top executive functions of the central government and in law enforcement agencies. In a 5th evaluation round...
Belarus democratic forces in Helsinki for parliamentary dialogue on the future for Belarus
Leading representatives of democratic forces from Belarus – including their leader Sviatlana Tsikhanouskaya – as well as members of civil society and journalists are joining parliamentarians from across Europe in Helsinki on 11-12 January to discuss the democratic future of Belarus. The “Helsinki...
A 30-year long relationship with Syracuse University grows even stronger
The Council of Europe and the US-based Syracuse University have announced a new agreement that strengthens and expands an existing relationship by providing internships for students studying abroad in Strasbourg, France, as well as research opportunities for students and faculty. The agreement...
New Year message from Congress President Marc Cools
I would like to convey my best wishes for a prosperous and successful year 2024 – the year of the 75th anniversary of the Council of Europe and of the 30th anniversary of its Congress of Local and Regional Authorities. We are beginning this year with enormous challenges facing our democracies,...
75th anniversary year for the Council of Europe
2024 will mark the 75th anniversary of the Council of Europe - an occasion to raise awareness of the Organisation’s positive impact on people’s daily lives over three-quarters of a century, protecting human rights, democracy and the rule of law. It will also be an opportunity to look forward and...
"With the passing of Dick Marty Europe has lost a great politician and a determined ally"
Statement by PACE President Tiny Kox paying tribute to Dick Marty on his passing
New guidelines on responsible implementation of artificial intelligence in journalism
The Council of Europe’s intergovernmental steering committee on media and the information society (CDMSI) has adopted new Guidelines on the responsible implementation of artificial intelligence (AI) systems in journalism. These guidelines are an important contribution to the promotion of a rule...
Addressing hate speech in sport to build inclusive societies
In 2024 the Council of Europe/European Union project “Combating hate speech in sport” will be launching the #SportISRespect campaign in France, Germany, Greece, Italy, Montenegro and Spain. In the fast-changing world of sport, hate speech has emerged as a troubling symptom of deeper social...
New factsheet on reproductive rights and the ECHR
The Council of Europe’s Department for the Execution of ECHR Judgments has published a new factsheet on cases concerning reproductive rights. The factsheet summarises steps taken by 10 member states in this area in response to 19 different judgments from the European Court of Human Rights. It...
International forum tackles emerging cyber threats targeting youth by drug traffickers
A two-day forum in Mexico City co-organised by the Council of Europe’s drug policy platform the Pompidou Group assembled representatives from all over the world to coordinate policy against drug trafficking threats that target youth online. Mexico, which has been a member of the 41-member state...
Council of Europe Congress concerned about the local elections in Serbia
The Congress spokesperson on observation of local and regional elections, Stewart Dickson, has expressed grave concern about the serious irregularities reported by the Congress’ partners in their joint International Election Observation Mission of the early parliamentary elections which took...
Venice Commission publishes new opinions
At its latest Plenary Session in Venice on 15 and 16 December, the Council of Europe’s body of constitutional legal experts, the Venice Commission, has examined eight draft opinions and amicus curiae briefs concerning Armenia, Georgia, Kosovo, the Republic of Moldova, and Ukraine. Among them are...
Protecting children at Europe’s borders – new guidance for border officials and other authorities
A new joint publication from the Council of Europe and the European Union Agency for Fundamental Rights (FRA) outlines the relevant human rights standards at Europe’s borders that apply to children. The note on ‘Children in migration: Fundamental rights at European borders’ summarises the main...
More and more countries acceding to Budapest Convention
The 14th edition of the Octopus Conference 2023 has concluded in Bucharest (Romania). An increasing number of countries are acceding to the Budapest Convention of the Council of Europe. There are now 69 state parties from around the world, with Brazil, Nigeria and Cameroon the most recent to...
Encounter with Secretary General organised by Maison de l’Europe in Paris
Council of Europe Secretary General Marija Pejčinović Burić appears at special event organised by Maison de l’Europe at Hôtel de Ville in Paris on 15 December “At a time when there are strong risks of democratic backsliding or tendencies to use security as a pretext, we must remain firmly...
Secretary General's Roadmap on Civil Society engagement with the Council of Europe
The Secretary General’s Roadmap on Civil society engagement with the Council of Europe 2024-2027 (SG/Inf(2023)28) has been published on 15 December. The Committee of Ministers welcomed the Roadmap as a significant step in the follow-up of the relevant parts of the Reykjavík Declaration, which...
Member States hold informal exchange of views with representatives of civil society
Delegations from the Council of Europe’s 46 member States have held an informal exchange of views with representatives of civil society on Challenges faced by human rights defenders, particularly those active in the fields of women’s rights, protection of the environment and media freedom. They...
Council of Europe 2022 North South Prize award ceremony takes place in Lisbon
The 2022 North South Prize award ceremony has taken place at the Assembleia da República of Portugal in Lisbon. The Prize was awarded jointly to two distinguished entities, recognising their exceptional contributions to fostering the resilience of local communities during times of war and...
The Board of the Register of Damage for Ukraine holds its inaugural meeting
At its inaugural meeting in the Hague (11-15 December), the Board of the Register of Damage Caused by the Aggression of the Russian Federation against Ukraine (RD4U) elected its Chair and Vice-Chair, adopted its Rules of Procedure and discussed as a matter of urgency the categories of claims that...
What can be done to stop rise of antisemitism, intolerance and hatred based on religion?
Prompted by rising levels of antisemitism, intolerance and hatred based on religion in Europe, the Council of Europe works in all of its relevant fora to draw attention to the issue and to help tackle it. At its plenary session in Strasbourg on 5-8 December the Council of Europe’s independent...
European Court of Human Rights hears “Ukraine v. Russia” case
The European Court of Human Rights is holding a Grand Chamber hearing in the case of Ukraine v. Russia concerning Crimea. The case concerns Ukraine’s allegations of a pattern of violations of the European Convention on Human Rights by the Russian Federation in Crimea, beginning in February 2014....
Anti-torture committee: Portugal should establish an effective system to investigate police ill-treatment
In a new report the Council of Europe's Committee for the Prevention of Torture (CPT) stresses again the need for the Portuguese authorities to establish an effective and dissuasive system to investigate ill-treatment by the police, a recurring problem in the country over the years (see the...
More than 500 global cybercrime experts attend Octopus Conference 2023
The Council of Europe has assembled more than 500 cybercrime experts from all over the world in Bucharest (Romania) to discuss best practices for securing and sharing electronic evidence and strengthen international co-operation. The Octopus conference from 13 to 15 December will also be an...
Secretary General meets EU Commission Vice-President for Values and Transparency
Secretary General Marija Pejčinović Burić has met the European Commission Vice-President for Values and Transparency, Vera Jourova. The state of play of the Register of Damage Caused by the Aggression of the Russian Federation against Ukraine was discussed during the meeting, as an immediate...
USA: anti-corruption body publishes report on corruption prevention and integrity concerning top executive functions and the FBI
In a new report the Council of Europe’s Group of States against Corruption (GRECO) calls on the United States to pursue its efforts to promote the integrity of persons entrusted with top executive functions, and as regards the personnel of the Federal Bureau of Investigation (FBI). GRECO notes...
Secretary General meets UN Special Rapporteur on the situation of Human Rights in Russia
Secretary General Marija Pejčinović Burić has met with United Nations Special Rapporteur on the situation of Human Rights in Russia, Mariana Katzarova. While expressing dismay at unprecedented crackdown on freedoms and repression against civil society, opposition and critics following Russia’s...
Secretary General meets Permanent Observer of the Organisation of Islamic Co-operation to the EU
Secretary General Marija Pejčinović Burić has met with Ambassador Ismat Jahan, Permanent Observer of the Organisation of Islamic Co-operation to the European Union. The meeting focused on the co-operation between the two Organisations. The Secretary General highlighted the Council of Europe’s...
Biodiversity: Bern Convention adopts strategic plan to achieve 2030 targets on nature conservation
As the Bern Convention on the Conservation of European Wildlife and Natural Habitats will celebrate its 45th anniversary in 2024, its Standing Committee has adopted a new strategic plan to guide progress towards the nature conservation goals to be achieved by 2030. The plan is a practical tool...
Secretary General at 75th anniversary of the Universal Declaration of Human Rights in Geneva
Secretary General Marija Pejčinović Burić delivered a pledge at the high-level event “Human Rights 75” to commemorate the 75th anniversary of the Universal Declaration of Human Rights. While on mission to United Nations in Geneva, the Secretary General met with the UN High Commissioner for Human...
Human rights and the rule of law can only prevail if they are guaranteed at grassroots level
On the occasion of Human Rights Day, which this year marks the 75th anniversary of the Universal Declaration of Human Rights, Congress President Marc Cools made the following statement: “Respect for human rights is more necessary than ever to meet the complex challenges facing our societies....
Deputy Secretary General receives Light of Peace of Bethlehem
In a special ceremony at the Council of Europe’s headquarters in Strasbourg, an Austrian delegation has handed the Light of Peace of Bethlehem to the organisation’s Deputy Secretary General. The Bethlehem Light of Peace is an Austrian tradition dating back almost 40 years: every year and shortly...
European flag marks 68th anniversary
The famous blue and yellow star-studded flag was adopted by the Council of Europe’s Committee of Ministers on 9 December 1955. It was launched officially on 13 December of the same year in Paris. In 1983 the European Parliament adopted the flag that was devised by the Council of Europe and...
Secretary General makes official visit to Azerbaijan
Secretary General Marija Pejčinović Burić has met the President of Azerbaijan and other key personalities during an official visit to the country. During her meeting with President Ilham Aliyev, the Secretary General highlighted the relevance of joint co-operation, emphasising the Organisation’s...
Council of Europe joins forces with the UN to urge Russia to implement ECHR judgments
Despite the fact that Russia was excluded from the Council of Europe in March 2022 and has stopped all communication with the organisation on the execution of judgments from the European Court of Human Rights, Russia is still a member of the United Nations and subject to its monitoring...
Implementing ECHR judgments: Latest decisions from the Council of Europe’s 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 5 to 7 December to supervise the implementation of judgments and decisions from the European Court of Human Rights. The Committee of Ministers adopted 41 decisions...
Anti-Corruption Day: Governments must fight environmental corruption
Ahead of the International Anti-Corruption Day, held every year on 9 December, the President of the Group of States against Corruption of the Council of Europe (GRECO), Marin Mrčela, has issued the following statement: “Environmental crimes, driven usually by the enormous illegal financial...
European Heritage Days: conclusion of 2023 season and unveiling of new theme for 2024: "Routes, Networks, and Connections"
The European Heritage Days initiative is celebrating the end of this season’s activities showcasing the rich tapestry of cultural, historical, and artistic treasures that define the heart and soul of Europe and shape its collective identity. From mid-August to early November 2023, tens of...
Money and democracy – An Uneasy Relationship: Venice Commission conference in Cologne
An international conference “Money and Democracy – an Uneasy Relationship” organised by the Council of Europe’s Venice Commission and the Academy for European Human Rights Protection (University of Cologne, Germany) is to explore how the undue influence of “big money” on democratic...
Switzerland: Progress noted but more efforts needed for minority language use in public life
The Council of Europe’s Committee of Experts of the European Charter for Regional or Minority Languages has reported some progress in Switzerland’s implementation of the Charter but has also invited the authorities to take additional measures. In its latest report on Switzerland, the committee...
Annual conference of drug control networks: from drug design and AI to online gaming platforms as new drug marketplaces
The Council of Europe’s drug policy network (the Pompidou Group) is hosting the first Annual Conference of Drug Control Networks. Some 170 experts from 40 countries, five international organisations, academia and the private sector are attending the conference from 6-8 December. It is the first...
Congress President addresses European Mayors Summit against Antisemitism
The Summit brought together mayors and local officials from across Europe on 30 November 2023 in Dortmund (Germany). The local leaders discussed how to build social cohesion, strengthen Jewish life at local level and establish understanding between citizens of different cultural and religious...
ERIAC Board meeting: major new steps taken to further enhance Roma arts and culture in Europe
At the XII Board Meeting of the European Roma Institute for Arts and Culture (ERIAC) on 4 December in Berlin, Germany, Council of Europe Deputy Secretary General Bjørn Berge emphasised that “the work of ERIAC, its results and visibility continue to be essential for promoting Roma inclusion,...
High-Level Dialogue on Democratic Governance Reforms in Ukraine
The High-level Dialogue II “Good Democratic Governance in Ukraine: achievements, challenges and the way forward in post-war period” took place in Kyiv on 4 December 2023. Following discussions moderated by the Council of Europe representatives, key national stakeholders, including representatives...
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 5 to 7 December. Cases proposed for detailed examination concern Albania, Armenia, Azerbaijan, Belgium,...
Violence against women in Liechtenstein: Council of Europe experts call for comprehensive strategy
The Council of Europe’s Group of Experts on Violence against Women (GREVIO) has published its first report evaluating Liechtenstein’s implementation of the Convention on Preventing and Combating Violence against Women and Domestic Violence (known as the “Istanbul Convention”). The report...
Council of Europe celebrates with local authorities and civil society their achievements on participatory democracy and human rights in Georgia
The closing event of the project "Strengthening Participatory Democracy and Human Rights at Local Level in Georgia” took place on 28 November 2023 in Tbilisi City Assembly (Georgia). The closing event “Participatory Democracy and Human Rights in Georgia – From Vision to Action!” provided a...
