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Secretary General statement following the 5th Meeting of the Conference of Participants of the Register of Damage for Ukraine
The Register of Damage is central to the Council of Europe’s work to ensure accountability for the crimes committed by the Russian Federation in its war of aggression against Ukraine. It was established quickly and efficiently and has already achieved a great deal in a very short time, with more...
Venice Commission holding plenary session
The Council of Europe's Venice Commission holds its third plenary session of the year in Venice on 11 and 12 October. Agenda highlights include two rule of law opinions on Poland concerning draft amendments to the Law on the Public Prosecutor’s Office and European standards regulating the status...
Strategic priorities, gender equality and youth among highlights of international NGOs General Assembly
The Conference of International Non-Governmental Organisations (CINGO) will hold its autumn General Assembly in hybrid format from 14 to 16 October. Meetings will be held in parallel by some of CINGO’s thematic committees and the newly created task force on civic space watch. The discussion and...
Czechia urged to step up efforts to prevent human trafficking for labour exploitation
The Czech authorities should strengthen their efforts to prevent and combat trafficking in human beings, in particular as regards labour exploitation, improve the identification of victims, and take further action to prevent child trafficking, according to a new report by the Council of Europe’s...
Protection of national minorities in Bulgaria and Montenegro: expert committee publishes new opinions
The Advisory Committee on the Council of Europe Framework Convention for the Protection of National Minorities has published new opinions assessing the developments of the situation with national minorities in Bulgaria and Montenegro and providing recommendations to the authorities of the two...
European and World Day against the Death Penalty, 10 October 2024
Joint statement by the High Representative of the European Union and the Secretary General of the Council of Europe
European and World Day against the Death Penalty, 10 October 2024
Committee of Ministers calls on member states to remain firm in their commitment to oppose the death penalty
AI in prisons and probation: new Council of Europe recommendation aims to ensure respect for human rights and dignity
The Council of Europe has issued recommendations to its 46 member states aimed at ensuring that the use of artificial intelligence (AI) and related digital technologies by prison and probation services respects the human rights and dignity of detainees, probationers, as well as staff. In a new...
Sports Ministers gather in Porto to discuss the role of sport in society
More than 220 participants from over 40 countries gathered in Porto, Portugal from 8-10 October 2024 for the 18th Council of Europe Conference of Ministers Responsible for Sport. The Ministers' focus was on collaborative governing and good governance in sport. Organised by the Enlarged Partial...
High-level officials of North Macedonia discussed necessary interventions following latest report of the Committee against Torture
In a high-level meeting, senior officials working on prison reform discussed the way forward to address the key challenges stemming from the main findings of the European Committee against Torture (CPT) 2023 report on North Macedonia. The event was attended by the State Secretary of the Ministry...
Report highlights inadequate healthcare access for LGBTI people, recommends solutions
A new Council of Europe report “Right to the Highest Attainable Standard of Health and Access to Healthcare for LGBTI People in Europe“ has revealed substantial disparities and systemic challenges. It proposes numerous recommendations to the Council of Europe member states to improve the...
One year after the Hamas attack, Secretary General commemorates victims, reiterates absolute condemnation of terrorism and calls for hostages to be freed immediately
“One year on from the horrific Hamas attack on Israeli civilians and civilians of other nationalities, we reiterate our absolute condemnation of terrorism, commemorate those who lost their lives and solemnly call for the prompt release of the hostages still held in Gaza. The Hamas attack has...
Council of Europe is “first line of defence” for democratic values in Europe
Deputy Secretary General Bjorn Berge has taken part in a lively and informative seminar on “How to ensure democratic resilience in Europe”, organised by the Norwegian Institute of International Affairs in Oslo, Norway. Other speakers included Norwegian Deputy Minister of Foreign Affairs Maria...
Secretary General attends 19th Francophonie Summit
“We are here to celebrate the central role of the French language as a driving force for democracy, human rights and multilateralism,” said Secretary General Alain Berset during his speech at the 19th Francophonie Summit on Creating, innovating and doing business in French, held in...
European Donation Day 2024: a celebration of life and giving
The European Day for Organ, Tissue and Cell Donation is a powerful initiative that has been raising awareness of the life-saving potential of organ, tissue and cell donation for almost 30 years. Driven by the European Directorate for the Quality of Medicines & HealthCare (EDQM) of the Council of...
Foreign Minister Timcho Mucunski reaffirms North Macedonia’s commitment to European values, human rights and rule of law
Addressing the Parliamentary Assembly of the Council of Europe (PACE) today, Timcho Mucunski, North Macedonia’s Minister of Foreign Affairs and Foreign Trade, reaffirmed his country's steadfast dedication to European values, human rights, and the rule of law. Minister Mucunski emphasised that...
Secretary General meets UNESCO Director-General
Secretary General Alain Berset met with UNESCO Director-General Audrey Azoulay at the Palais de l’Europe. The meeting followed up an exchange of views held on the sidelines of the 79th session of the United Nations General Assembly (UNGA 79) in New York and provided an opportunity to highlight...