Newsroom
Demolition of Roma houses in Sofia: Statement by Council of Europe Congress’ Standing Rapporteur on Human Rights
Gudrun Mosler-Törnström (Austria, SOC/G/PD), Standing Rapporteur on Human Rights of the Congress of Local and Regional Authorities of the Council of Europe, has made the following statement: “I am deeply concerned by recent reports of the demolition of Roma houses in Sofia's Zaharna Fabrika...
Congress and NALAS spark innovative democracy in South-East Europe
The Community of Practice on deliberative democracy in South-East Europe met with Congress support in Skopje, North Macedonia, on 24 April 2025 to share examples of innovative forms of citizen engagement and renew its commitment to organising citizens’ assemblies as part of a deliberative...
Council of Europe Congress assisted with reforms and capacity building in 21 countries in 2024
The Centre of Expertise for Multilevel Governance at the Congress of Local and Regional Authorities of the Council of Europe has released its 2024 annual report presenting its co-operation and assistance activities in countries across Europe. In 2024, the Centre implemented 18 projects in 21...
Ending visit to Armenia, PACE President welcomes continued progress on institutional reforms in the country
PACE President Theodoros Rousopoulos has ended an official visit to Armenia by welcoming continued progress on institutional reforms in the country aimed at strengthening judicial independence, protecting human rights and fighting corruption. During high-level talks with Armenian leaders on 23...
Parliamentary conference on public policy to prevent and address cases of missing migrants opens in Strasbourg
A parliamentary conference on “Envisioning effective public policy to prevent and address cases of missing migrants” opened today at the Council of Europe in Strasbourg. This conference follows up on the adoption by the Parliamentary Assembly of the Council of Europe (PACE) of Resolution 2569 on...
Schutz der Demokratie im Digitalzeitalter
Desinformation ist nicht mehr nur ein politisches Thema, sondern eine digitale Epidemie. Von Falschinformationen bis hin zu Deepfakes drohen Online-Manipulationen das Vertrauen, den Dialog und die demokratischen Institutionen zu untergraben. Der Europarat lädt junge Innovatoren und Innovatorinnen...
Überbelegung von Gefängnissen und informelle Hierarchien unter Häftlingen in Europa: Antifolterkomitee des Europarates schlägt Alarm
Das Komitee zur Verhütung von Folter (CPT) des Europarates hat heute seine ernste Besorgnis über die erhebliche Zunahme der Überbelegung von Gefängnissen im Jahr 2024, insbesondere in einigen westeuropäischen Ländern, zum Ausdruck gebracht und die Regierungen aufgefordert, mit entschlossenen...
Council of Europe supports Bosnia and Herzegovina’s progress towards fairer, more transparent and inclusive elections
The Council of Europe is helping Bosnia and Herzegovina strengthen electoral integrity and build public trust in democratic processes in line with European standards.
Polen: Internationale Konferenz zur Untersuchung der Rolle der Zivilgesellschaft bei der Verteidigung der Rechtsstaatlichkeit
Im Rahmen der polnischen EU-Ratspräsidentschaft haben sich am 22. und 23. April in Warschau rund 200 Vertreterinnen und Vertreter von Institutionen der Europäischen Union, des Europarates, der Zivilgesellschaft, der Justiz, der Wissenschaft und der Medien getroffen, um über die Rolle der...
Electoral education programme for young voters in high schools launched
The Council of Europe, in co-operation with the Central Election Commission (CEC), the National Agency for Pre-University Education, and the Academy of Political Studies, has launched an...
Tod von Papst Franziskus: Friedensstifter und Führer unserer Zeit
Heute, am Ostermontag, einem heiligen Tag der Besinnung in der christlichen Tradition, hat die Welt einen Friedensstifter verloren. Der Europarat trauert um Papst Franziskus, das Oberhaupt der römisch-katholischen Kirche und des Heiligen Stuhls – eines unserer Beobachterstaaten – und einen...
Congress assists Ukraine in updating its long-term vision for multilevel governance system
Congress Secretary General Mathieu Mori outlined the unwavering support the Congress offers to Ukraine and priorities of co-operation for advancing Ukraine’s reform agenda at the International Cohesion Forum “Creating the Future”. One of the main such priorities of co-operation is the revision of...
Post-monitoring visit of Parliamentary assembly rapporteurs to North Macedonia
Sibel Arslan (Switzerland, SOC) and Joseph O’Reilly (Ireland, EPP/CD), co-rapporteurs of the Parliamentary Assembly of the Council of Europe (PACE) for the post-monitoring dialogue with North Macedonia, will make a fact-finding visit to Skopje from 23 to 25 April. Discussions will mainly focus on...
Transparency and time: stability of electoral law necessary to ensure trust in democratic processes
“Frequent or late changes in electoral laws undermine citizens’ trust in electoral processes and can lead voters to believe that the game is “rigged”, which is detrimental to democracy at all levels of government”, stressed Stewart Dickson (United-Kingdom, ILDG)...
Parliamentary assembly delegation calls for stronger co-operation between parliaments and electoral management bodies
At the 20th European Conference of Electoral Management Bodies (EMBs), held in Vilnius, Lithuania, on 15–16 April, a delegation from the Parliamentary Assembly of the Council of Europe (PACE) emphasised the need for closer co-operation between parliaments and electoral management bodies to secure...
Stellvertretender Generalsekretär trifft in Straßburg serbische Studierende
Der Stellvertretende Generalsekretär des Europarates, Bjørn Berge, hat heute eine Gruppe serbischer Studierender getroffen, die mit dem Fahrrad von Novi Sad nach Straßburg gekommen waren. Das Treffen fand im Europäischen Jugendzentrum des Europarates statt. Der Stellvertretende Generalsekretär...
Saving migrants’ lives at sea and protecting their human rights
At its meeting in Strasbourg on 9 April, the Committee on Migration, Refugees and Displaced Persons called on member states to fully comply with the instruments of international humanitarian law, maritime law and those relating to the protection of migrants, refugees, and asylum seekers...
Kongressberichterstatter tief besorgt über Verfassungsänderung in Ungarn
Peter Drenth (Niederlande, EPP/CCE), stellvertretender ständiger Berichterstatter für Menschenrechte des Kongresses der Gemeinden und Regionen des Europarates, hat folgende Erklärung abgegeben: „Ich bedauere zutiefst, dass am 14. April in Ungarn eine Verfassungsänderung verabschiedet wurde, die...
Republic of Moldova: Launch of Regional Academies to increase civil participation in decision making
As part of its project on promoting civil participation in political decision making, the Congress has launched Regional Academies in the Republic of Moldova for local authority leaders and civil society. In the first Regional Academy organised by the Centre of Expertise for Multilevel Governance...
Migration and Citizenship service enhances customer support through its new Call Centre
Individuals with questions or concerns related to Armenian citizenship, documentation procedures, or services provided to foreign nationals now have a reliable and responsive point of contact. The Migration and Citizenship Service of Armenia has officially launched its first-ever public Call...
* Jeglicher Bezug auf das Kosovo, ob im Hinblick auf Hoheitsgebiet, Institutionen oder Bevölkerung, ist gemäß der Resolution 1244 des Sicherheitsrats der Vereinten Nationen und unbeschadet des Status des Kosovos zu verstehen.