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Congress welcomes new law on local democracy in Ukraine
The Congress has welcomed a new law on local democracy in Ukraine (law No. 3703), which came into force on 8 January. The law, which was drafted with support from the Congress, broadens opportunities for citizens’ meaningful and direct engagement in policy and decision-making processes in their...
Parliamentary Assembly January session: humanitarian crisis and hostages in Gaza on the agenda
Debates on the humanitarian crisis concerning women, children and the hostages in Gaza; and on the need for a renewed rules-based international order - including a statement by Marko Bošnjak, President of the European Court of Human Rights - are among the highlights of the winter plenary session...
Malta presents strategic vision and goals for the fight against trafficking in human beings
On 15 January 2025, the Council of Europe, the European Commission (DG REFORM) and the Directorate for Human Rights of the Prime Minister's Office of Malta co-hosted the Final Conference of the Technical Support Instrument (TSI) joint project "Supporting Malta in the design and implementation of...
New GRECO report on Poland’s progress to prevent corruption of MPs, judges and prosecutors
The Group of States against Corruption (GRECO) of the Council of Europe has published a report evaluating Poland’s compliance with its recommendations to prevent corruption in respect of parliamentarians, judges and prosecutors, and with recommendations related to the 2016-2018 judicial reforms....
Parliamentary Assembly delegation makes pre-electoral visit to Kosovo*
A three-member delegation of the Parliamentary Assembly of the Council of Europe (PACE), led by Petra Bayr (Austria, SOC), will make a pre-electoral visit to Kosovo* on 16-17 January to assess the election campaign and political climate prior to the elections to the Assembly of Kosovo on 9...
Money laundering and terrorist financing: MONEYVAL publishes progress reports on Estonia and Slovakia
The Council of Europe Committee of Experts on the Evaluation of Anti-Money Laundering Measures and the Financing of Terrorism (MONEYVAL) has published follow-up reports on Estonia and the Slovak Republic re-assessing their compliance with the Financial Action Task Force (FATF) recommendations. In...
Luxembourg launches publication: “When posters speak out - Illustrating the Council of Europe’s mission”
The Luxembourgish Presidency of the Council of Europe Committee of Ministers has launched the publication “When posters speak out – Illustrating the Council of Europe’s mission”. A launch event at the National and University Library of Strasbourg, showcases a selection of posters aimed at raising...
Anti-torture committee concerned about police practices and prison overcrowding in Switzerland
In a new report (French only) the Council of Europe’s Committee for the Prevention of Torture (CPT) raises a number of concerns about the treatment of persons deprived of their liberty by the police, as well as prison overcrowding. The report follows a visit by the CPT from 19-28 March 2024,...
Member states should enforce standards to combat online disinformation while protecting human rights for all
“The recent measures for adjustments of its fact-checking policy taken by META, which were preceded by similar measures taken by X, may have adverse implications for human rights. Platforms must not retreat from facts. If they do so, they create a vacuum where disinformation thrives unchecked and...
Parliamentary Assembly monitoring co-rapporteurs to visit Georgia
As part of the ongoing monitoring procedure of the Parliamentary Assembly of the Council of Europe (PACE), the co-rapporteurs for Georgia, Claude Kern (France, ALDE) and Edite Estrela (Portugal, SOC), will carry out a fact-finding mission to Tbilisi from 14 to 16 January. The aim is to assess...
53 years of the European Anthem
On 12 January 1972 the Council of Europe’s Committee of Ministers adopted Beethoven’s “Ode to Joy”, the fourth movement of the German composer’s 9th Symphony, as the European Anthem. Fourteen years later, in 1986, the Europe Community (now the European Union) adopted the same music for its own...
Record numbers of young people apply to take part in Congress plenary sessions
The Council of Europe’s Congress of Local and Regional Authorities has enjoyed a huge response to its call for applications from young people across the organisation’s member states, to take part in its 2025 youth delegates programme. 445 applications from 45 member states were received by the 31...
40 years of promoting local self-government in Europe
The European Charter of Local Self-Government (ECLSG) is marking its 40th anniversary in 2025. It was opened for signature in October 1985 and entered into force three years later. It has since been ratified by all 46 Council of Europe member states. The charter lays down standards for protecting...
25 years of protecting Europe’s landscapes: the Florence Convention
The Council of Europe’s Landscape Convention was opened for signature in the Italian city of Florence in October 2000. Ratified to date by 40 member states and also known as the Florence Convention, it aims to promote the protection, management, and planning of landscapes across Europe. It...
Irish law students enhance understanding of the Council of Europe and its core values
The Department of Foreign Affairs of Ireland, in conjunction with the Permanent Representation in Strasbourg, invited 32 law students to participate in a “crash course” to learn how the Council of Europe works and to meet with leading officials. The visit was organised as part of the 75th...
75 years of the European Convention on Human Rights
The European Convention on Human Rights (ECHR) is marking its 75th anniversary this year. The Council of Europe’s first convention is the cornerstone of all its activities. It was adopted in Rome in November 1950 and entered into force in 1953. Its ratification is a prerequisite for joining the...
Unlocking the Democratic Power of Digital Citizenship: The European Year of Digital Citizenship Education 2025
As we move deeper into the digital age, how can we ensure that everyone has the necessary skills to participate responsibly, safely, and effectively in the digital world? The European Year of Digital Citizenship Education 2025 is set to answer this question by promoting digital citizenship...
Secretary General expresses condolences over Azerbaijan Airlines crash
The Secretary General of the Council of Europe, Alain Berset, has expressed his condolences and deep sadness over the tragic Azerbaijan Airlines crash in Kazakhstan with many fatalities. He wishes the survivors a rapid and full recovery.
Congress seeks to rejuvenate politics by encouraging young people to take part in its 2025 plenary sessions
The Congress of Local and Regional Authorities of the Council of Europe is calling for applications from young people from the organisation’s member states, to take part in its 2025 youth delegates programme. One young person, aged between 18 and 30 years old, from each of the 46 member States of...
National mourning in France in tribute to the victims of the cyclone which devastated the department of Mayotte: statement by the Secretary General
On the occasion of the day of national mourning in France, the Secretary General of the Council of Europe, Alain Berset, expressed his deep solidarity with the French people and the inhabitants of Mayotte. “The terrible tragedy that struck Mayotte affected the entire European Family. The Council...
