Speaking points for the opening of the
Council of Europe Police Network Conference
by Gianluca Esposito,
Director general of Human Rights and Rule of Law
Monday 17 March 2025 at 9:00
Room 7, Palais de l’Europe
Welcome to this 4th meeting of the Network of National Correspondents of Police Authorities (set up following a decision of the Committee of Ministers on 11 May 2022).
The formal goal is to improve understanding and collaboration among Member States' police services. This is achieved by sharing knowledge, experiences, best practices on crime prevention, human rights protection, and the implementation of Council of Europe standards, while addressing emerging crime challenges and contributing to the development of collaborative instruments.
That is quite a task you have been entrusted with!
We want this network to function effectively and fulfil its mission. This means that here in the CoE we should manage the daily operations of the Police Network, maintain communication with Member States, facilitate dialogue within the Council of Europe bodies and international organizations, and, of course, organizing the annual Police Network conference.
To do this properly, we would need a police adviser—a serving police officer seconded from a member state — for a term of two to three years. So, I take this opportunity to encourage you to share this vacancy within your networks!
Since its inception, the Network has addressed some important themes: such as on digital technologies, use of force, role of artificial intelligence.
This year the conference will centre on the critical issue of gender-based violence, with a particular focus on femicide - the killing of women and girls due to their gender, which remains a deeply troubling phenomenon across Europe.
The conference aims to be a first step in discussing the challenges and thereafter to assist police services in strengthening their response to gender-based crimes, ensuring more effective prevention and intervention strategies.
By emphasising the connection between standards and practical action, the conference seeks to advance the implementation of Council of Europe standards, particularly the Istanbul Convention - the most comprehensive international treaty in addressing gender-based violence.
We hope this will provide a platform to disseminate ECtHR caselaw and promote exchange among - police representatives, GREVIO experts, and academics - to identify the challenges, share good practices, and fostering a more coordinated and effective response.
