Newsroom
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...
Parliamentary Assembly pledges full support to Ukrainian prisoners of war and civilians ‘until the last captive is released’
Parliamentary Assembly has demanded that prisoners of war and civilians held in Russian captivity be treated in line with international humanitarian law and human rights standards, pledging to “remain involved until the last captive is released”. A total of 65 956 servicemen and civilians have...
Committee of Ministers' President Landsbergis: collective effort needed to ensure sustainable peace and respect for human rights
“It is time to put even more pressure on Russia and ensure its full accountability for its crimes,” said Gabrielius Landsbergis, President of the Committee of Ministers and Minister of Foreign Affairs of Lithuania, when addressing the Parliamentary Assembly. “Only this way will we lay the path...
Secretary General meets H.S.H. Prince Albert II of Monaco
The Secretary General, Alain Berset, and Prince Albert II of Monaco met during the Sovereign Prince’s visit to mark the 20th anniversary of the Principality of Monaco’s accession to the Council of Europe. They discussed Monaco’s contribution to the Council of Europe’s activities, the importance...
Parliamentary Assembly recognises Julian Assange as a ‘political prisoner’ and warns against the chilling effect of his harsh treatment
The Parliamentary Assembly of the Council of Europe (PACE) has expressed deep concern at “the disproportionately harsh treatment” faced by Julian Assange and said this has had a “dangerous chilling effect” which undermines the protection of journalists and whistleblowers around the world....
Secretary General stresses the Council of Europe’s crucial role during the Assembly’s autumn plenary session
“The combined effects of these wars, together with climate change and the erosion of democracy, constitute an unprecedented challenge for our societies, a challenge I think we could call the perfect storm. In the face of that challenge, the Council of Europe has already shown its solidity, its...
International Day of Non-Violence: Violence against grassroots politicians has a chilling effect on local democracy
On the occasion of International Day of Non-Violence (2 October), Bernd Vöhringer, Congress Rapporteur on combating violence against local and regional elected representatives, has made the following statement: “Over the last ten years, we have witnessed an alarming rise in violent attacks...
Congress observes local elections in Bosnia and Herzegovina
A 20-member delegation from the Congress of Local and Regional Authorities will carry out an election observation mission from 3 to 7 October to observe the local elections throughout the country. Prior to the election day, the delegation, led by Carla Dejonghe, Belgium (R, ILDG), is expected to...
Julian Assange at Parliamentary Assembly hearing, ahead of a plenary debate on his case: 'I pleaded guilty to journalism'
Julian Assange, accompanied by his wife Stella, took part in a parliamentary hearing on his detention and conviction - and their chilling effect on human rights - ahead of a full plenary debate on this topic by the Parliamentary Assembly due on 2 October. The hearing was organised by the...
Vladimir Kara-Murza: ‘The best promise of long-term security and stability on our continent lies with a democratic Russia’
In his statement before the award ceremony for the 2024 Václav Havel Human Rights Prize, Vladimir Kara-Murza – the prize winner in 2022 – conveyed his deep respect to this year’s finalists and paid tribute to the past recipients who were still held in captivity “for the only ‘crime’ of expressing...
Parliamentary Assembly called on the CEB to enhance support for reconstruction in Ukraine and focus on social dimensions of climate change
Parliamentary Assembly, meeting in plenary session in Strasbourg, congratulated the Council of Europe Development Bank (CEB) for “its flexible and tailored support to its member states” in the context of the pandemic and natural disasters, and for the rapid assistance to Ukrainian refugees. The...
Parliamentary Assembly elects two new Vice-Presidents
Parliamentary Assembly elected, at the opening of its Autumn 2023 Session, two news Vice-Presidents: Gerardo Giovagnoli (Saint-Marin,SOC) and Andries Gryffroy (Belgique, NI). Nineteen Vice-Presidents are elected annually at the beginning of an ordinary session and remain in office until the...
Theodoros Rousopoulos: 'We must not rest until all political prisoners in Russia and Belarus are freed'
“Dear Vladimir, let me once again express my utmost relief to see you free, and all the more determined to continue with your fight for the free and democratic Russia which we all long for, and which poses no threat to its neighbours nor to its own citizens”, PACE President said today at the...
2024 Václav Havel Prize awarded to Venezuelan political figure and rights defender María Corina Machado
The twelfth Václav Havel Human Rights Prize – which honours outstanding civil society action in defence of human rights – has been awarded to leading Venezuelan political figure and rights defender María Corina Machado. The 60,000-euro prize was presented at a special ceremony on the opening day...
“Youth, Ukraine, Europe: coming of age during war”
How can European youth policy adapt to the war in Ukraine, and how can we support the well-being of young people coming of age in war conditions, displaced within their own country or to other European states? This is the key question of a five-day seminar in Strasbourg starting on Monday 30...
