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Poland: International conference explores civil society’s role in defending the rule of law
Some 200 representatives of European Union institutions, the Council of Europe, civil society, legal practitioners, academics and the media gathered in Warsaw, Poland on 22-23 April to discuss the role of civil society in defending the rule of law in the framework of the Polish Presidency of the...
On the passing of Pope Francis: a peacemaker and a leader of our times
Today, on Easter Monday, a sacred day of reflection in the Christian tradition, the world has lost a peacemaker. The Council of Europe mourns the passing of Pope Francis, head of the Roman Catholic Church and of the Holy See, one of our Observer States, and a fervent defender of European values....
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...
Deputy Secretary General meets Serbian students in Strasbourg
The Deputy Secretary General of the Council of Europe, Bjørn Berge, today met with a group of Serbian students who arrived in Strasbourg on bicycles, having made the journey from Novi Sad. The meeting took place in the European Youth Centre of the Council of Europe. The Deputy Secretary General...
Congress Rapporteur deeply concerned by constitutional amendment in Hungary
Peter Drenth (Netherlands, EPP/CCE), Deputy Standing Rapporteur on Human Rights of the Congress of Local and Regional Authorities of the Council of Europe, has made the following statement: “I deeply regret the adoption of a constitutional amendment on 14 April in Hungary that enshrines the...
GRECO publishes two reports assessing Spain’s progress in implementing its anti-corruption recommendations
The Council of Europe Group of States against Corruption (GRECO) has published two follow-up reports assessing Spain’s compliance with its recommendations to prevent corruption regarding the top executive functions of the central government, law enforcement agencies, parliamentarians, judges and...
Living together in diversity: Ministers’ Deputies seek to promote inclusion of the most vulnerable
On 16 April the Ministers’ Deputies will discuss living together in diversity, at an informal meeting that will seek to give a voice to three groups which are particularly vulnerable to discrimination: older people, people with disabilities and Roma and Travellers*. The aim of the meeting is to...
Conference of International NGOs calls on Council of Europe and member states to act for the protection of civic space
The Conference of International NGOs (CINGO) held its General Assembly on 7-9 April (agenda) and adopted a series of texts. Among these, a Recommendation on the shrinking civic space and actual political developments calls on the Council of Europe and its member states to take determined measures...
Congress : High level of trust in institutions in local elections in Finland
A 19-member Congress election observation delegation, led by Gobnait Ni Mhuimneacain (Ireland, ILDG), concluded yesterday its mission to observe the municipal and county elections which were held in Finland on Sunday 13 April 2025. On election day, nine Congress teams visited some 110 randomly...
Strengthening values-based diplomacy in times of crisis: the voice of the Council of Europe at the Antalya Forum
On the occasion of his first participation in the Antalya Diplomacy Forum (ADF), Council of Europe Secretary General Alain Berset held a wide range of bilateral meetings and diplomatic exchanges focused on the major challenges facing democracy, human rights and the rule of law. During his visit...
Statement by the Secretary General on the situation in Türkiye
Council of Europe Secretary General Alain Berset has made the following statement: "I am closely following the recent events in Türkiye, including the arrest and detention of Istanbul’s Mayor Ekrem İmamoğlu and other elected officials. These developments have triggered nationwide protests, the...
Official visit to Paris by Secretary General: support for Ukraine and New Democratic Pact for Europe
Council of Europe Secretary General Alain Berset has concluded an official visit to Paris during which he discussed support for Ukraine, democratic security and the Council of Europe’s role on the European and international arena. In his meeting with French President Emmanuel Macron, the...
European Youth Education Centre Magdeburg receives Quality Label from the Council of Europe
The European Youth Education Centre (EJBM) in Magdeburg has received today the prestigious Quality Label for Youth Centres awarded by the Council of Europe to youth centres that demonstrate outstanding commitment to democracy education, human rights, and international co-operation. The Magdeburg...
Special Envoy’s first presentation to the Parliamentary Network on the situation of children of Ukraine
On 10 April 2025, on the margins of the Spring Session of the Parliamentary Assembly of the Council of Europe (PACE) in Strasbourg, the Special Envoy of the Secretary General on the Situation of Children of Ukraine, Thordis Kolbrun Reykfjord Gylfadottir, had an exchange of views with the...
Assembly urges stronger synergy between Council of Europe and European Political Community
The Parliamentary Assembly of the Council of Europe (PACE) calls for closer cooperation between the Council of Europe and the European Political Community (EPC), stressing the importance of maintaining the Council of Europe’s role as a cornerstone of pan-European dialogue and multilateralism....
The Council of Europe should develop dialogue and co-operation with Latin America, says Assembly
It is “more important than ever” for Europe to strengthen its ties with regions that share its values and, in that sense, the Latin American region “should be considered as a natural ally”, the Parliamentary Assembly said on 10 April. According to parliamentarians, while the existing partnerships...
As situation in Georgia continues to deteriorate, Assembly sets out additional demands to reverse democratic backsliding
Noting that the situation in Georgia “has continued to deteriorate” since its last assessment in January, with no sign of an inclusive political process or new elections, the Parliamentary Assembly of the Council of Europe (PACE) has warned of a deepening political schism in the country and made...
Congress to observe county and municipal elections in Finland
A 19-member delegation of the Congress of Local and Regional Authorities of the Council of Europe, led by Gobnait Ni Mhuimneacain (Ireland, ILDG), will carry out an election observation mission from 11 to 14 April to observe the county and municipal council elections held throughout Finland on 13...
Slovakia: Anti-torture Committee publishes report on its latest visit to places of detention to assess treatment of persons deprived of their liberty
The European Committee for the Prevention of Torture and Inhuman or Degrading Treatment or Punishment (CPT) has published the report on its periodic visit to the Slovak Republic from 28 November to 8 December 2023, which makes several recommendations to the authorities. During the visit, the CPT...
Assembly calls for ‘immediate release’ of Mayor of Istanbul, whose arrest and detention ‘appear politically-motivated’
Following an urgent procedure debate held in Strasbourg in plenary session on 9 April, the Parliamentary Assembly of the Council of Europe (PACE) called on the Turkish authorities “to release immediately Ekrem İmamoğlu”, the Mayor of Istanbul, who was arrested on 19 March 2025, placed in...
