Newsroom
Encounter with Secretary General organised by Maison de l’Europe in Paris
Council of Europe Secretary General Marija Pejčinović Burić appears at special event organised by Maison de l’Europe at Hôtel de Ville in Paris on 15 December “At a time when there are strong risks of democratic backsliding or tendencies to use security as a pretext, we must remain firmly...
Secretary General's Roadmap on Civil Society engagement with the Council of Europe
The Secretary General’s Roadmap on Civil society engagement with the Council of Europe 2024-2027 (SG/Inf(2023)28) has been published on 15 December. The Committee of Ministers welcomed the Roadmap as a significant step in the follow-up of the relevant parts of the Reykjavík Declaration, which...
Member States hold informal exchange of views with representatives of civil society
Delegations from the Council of Europe’s 46 member States have held an informal exchange of views with representatives of civil society on Challenges faced by human rights defenders, particularly those active in the fields of women’s rights, protection of the environment and media freedom. They...
Council of Europe 2022 North South Prize award ceremony takes place in Lisbon
The 2022 North South Prize award ceremony has taken place at the Assembleia da República of Portugal in Lisbon. The Prize was awarded jointly to two distinguished entities, recognising their exceptional contributions to fostering the resilience of local communities during times of war and...
The Board of the Register of Damage for Ukraine holds its inaugural meeting
At its inaugural meeting in the Hague (11-15 December), the Board of the Register of Damage Caused by the Aggression of the Russian Federation against Ukraine (RD4U) elected its Chair and Vice-Chair, adopted its Rules of Procedure and discussed as a matter of urgency the categories of claims that...
What can be done to stop rise of antisemitism, intolerance and hatred based on religion?
Prompted by rising levels of antisemitism, intolerance and hatred based on religion in Europe, the Council of Europe works in all of its relevant fora to draw attention to the issue and to help tackle it. At its plenary session in Strasbourg on 5-8 December the Council of Europe’s independent...
European Court of Human Rights hears “Ukraine v. Russia” case
The European Court of Human Rights is holding a Grand Chamber hearing in the case of Ukraine v. Russia concerning Crimea. The case concerns Ukraine’s allegations of a pattern of violations of the European Convention on Human Rights by the Russian Federation in Crimea, beginning in February 2014....
Anti-torture committee: Portugal should establish an effective system to investigate police ill-treatment
In a new report the Council of Europe's Committee for the Prevention of Torture (CPT) stresses again the need for the Portuguese authorities to establish an effective and dissuasive system to investigate ill-treatment by the police, a recurring problem in the country over the years (see the...
More than 500 global cybercrime experts attend Octopus Conference 2023
The Council of Europe has assembled more than 500 cybercrime experts from all over the world in Bucharest (Romania) to discuss best practices for securing and sharing electronic evidence and strengthen international co-operation. The Octopus conference from 13 to 15 December will also be an...
Secretary General meets EU Commission Vice-President for Values and Transparency
Secretary General Marija Pejčinović Burić has met the European Commission Vice-President for Values and Transparency, Vera Jourova. The state of play of the Register of Damage Caused by the Aggression of the Russian Federation against Ukraine was discussed during the meeting, as an immediate...
USA: anti-corruption body publishes report on corruption prevention and integrity concerning top executive functions and the FBI
In a new report the Council of Europe’s Group of States against Corruption (GRECO) calls on the United States to pursue its efforts to promote the integrity of persons entrusted with top executive functions, and as regards the personnel of the Federal Bureau of Investigation (FBI). GRECO notes...
Secretary General meets UN Special Rapporteur on the situation of Human Rights in Russia
Secretary General Marija Pejčinović Burić has met with United Nations Special Rapporteur on the situation of Human Rights in Russia, Mariana Katzarova. While expressing dismay at unprecedented crackdown on freedoms and repression against civil society, opposition and critics following Russia’s...
Secretary General meets Permanent Observer of the Organisation of Islamic Co-operation to the EU
Secretary General Marija Pejčinović Burić has met with Ambassador Ismat Jahan, Permanent Observer of the Organisation of Islamic Co-operation to the European Union. The meeting focused on the co-operation between the two Organisations. The Secretary General highlighted the Council of Europe’s...
Biodiversity: Bern Convention adopts strategic plan to achieve 2030 targets on nature conservation
As the Bern Convention on the Conservation of European Wildlife and Natural Habitats will celebrate its 45th anniversary in 2024, its Standing Committee has adopted a new strategic plan to guide progress towards the nature conservation goals to be achieved by 2030. The plan is a practical tool...
Secretary General at 75th anniversary of the Universal Declaration of Human Rights in Geneva
Secretary General Marija Pejčinović Burić delivered a pledge at the high-level event “Human Rights 75” to commemorate the 75th anniversary of the Universal Declaration of Human Rights. While on mission to United Nations in Geneva, the Secretary General met with the UN High Commissioner for Human...
Human rights and the rule of law can only prevail if they are guaranteed at grassroots level
On the occasion of Human Rights Day, which this year marks the 75th anniversary of the Universal Declaration of Human Rights, Congress President Marc Cools made the following statement: “Respect for human rights is more necessary than ever to meet the complex challenges facing our societies....
Deputy Secretary General receives Light of Peace of Bethlehem
In a special ceremony at the Council of Europe’s headquarters in Strasbourg, an Austrian delegation has handed the Light of Peace of Bethlehem to the organisation’s Deputy Secretary General. The Bethlehem Light of Peace is an Austrian tradition dating back almost 40 years: every year and shortly...
European flag marks 68th anniversary
The famous blue and yellow star-studded flag was adopted by the Council of Europe’s Committee of Ministers on 9 December 1955. It was launched officially on 13 December of the same year in Paris. In 1983 the European Parliament adopted the flag that was devised by the Council of Europe and...
Secretary General makes official visit to Azerbaijan
Secretary General Marija Pejčinović Burić has met the President of Azerbaijan and other key personalities during an official visit to the country. During her meeting with President Ilham Aliyev, the Secretary General highlighted the relevance of joint co-operation, emphasising the Organisation’s...
Council of Europe joins forces with the UN to urge Russia to implement ECHR judgments
Despite the fact that Russia was excluded from the Council of Europe in March 2022 and has stopped all communication with the organisation on the execution of judgments from the European Court of Human Rights, Russia is still a member of the United Nations and subject to its monitoring...
Implementing ECHR judgments: Latest decisions from the Council of Europe’s Committee of Ministers
The Council of Europe’s Committee of Ministers has published the case-by-case decisions taken during the Committee’s meeting from 5 to 7 December to supervise the implementation of judgments and decisions from the European Court of Human Rights. The Committee of Ministers adopted 41 decisions...
Anti-Corruption Day: Governments must fight environmental corruption
Ahead of the International Anti-Corruption Day, held every year on 9 December, the President of the Group of States against Corruption of the Council of Europe (GRECO), Marin Mrčela, has issued the following statement: “Environmental crimes, driven usually by the enormous illegal financial...
European Heritage Days: conclusion of 2023 season and unveiling of new theme for 2024: "Routes, Networks, and Connections"
The European Heritage Days initiative is celebrating the end of this season’s activities showcasing the rich tapestry of cultural, historical, and artistic treasures that define the heart and soul of Europe and shape its collective identity. From mid-August to early November 2023, tens of...
Money and democracy – An Uneasy Relationship: Venice Commission conference in Cologne
An international conference “Money and Democracy – an Uneasy Relationship” organised by the Council of Europe’s Venice Commission and the Academy for European Human Rights Protection (University of Cologne, Germany) is to explore how the undue influence of “big money” on democratic...
Switzerland: Progress noted but more efforts needed for minority language use in public life
The Council of Europe’s Committee of Experts of the European Charter for Regional or Minority Languages has reported some progress in Switzerland’s implementation of the Charter but has also invited the authorities to take additional measures. In its latest report on Switzerland, the committee...
Annual conference of drug control networks: from drug design and AI to online gaming platforms as new drug marketplaces
The Council of Europe’s drug policy network (the Pompidou Group) is hosting the first Annual Conference of Drug Control Networks. Some 170 experts from 40 countries, five international organisations, academia and the private sector are attending the conference from 6-8 December. It is the first...
Congress President addresses European Mayors Summit against Antisemitism
The Summit brought together mayors and local officials from across Europe on 30 November 2023 in Dortmund (Germany). The local leaders discussed how to build social cohesion, strengthen Jewish life at local level and establish understanding between citizens of different cultural and religious...
ERIAC Board meeting: major new steps taken to further enhance Roma arts and culture in Europe
At the XII Board Meeting of the European Roma Institute for Arts and Culture (ERIAC) on 4 December in Berlin, Germany, Council of Europe Deputy Secretary General Bjørn Berge emphasised that “the work of ERIAC, its results and visibility continue to be essential for promoting Roma inclusion,...
High-Level Dialogue on Democratic Governance Reforms in Ukraine
The High-level Dialogue II “Good Democratic Governance in Ukraine: achievements, challenges and the way forward in post-war period” took place in Kyiv on 4 December 2023. Following discussions moderated by the Council of Europe representatives, key national stakeholders, including representatives...
Implementing European Court of Human Rights judgments
The Council of Europe’s Committee of Ministers is holding its quarterly meeting to oversee the execution of judgments and decisions from the European Court of Human Rights in Strasbourg from 5 to 7 December. Cases proposed for detailed examination concern Albania, Armenia, Azerbaijan, Belgium,...
Violence against women in Liechtenstein: Council of Europe experts call for comprehensive strategy
The Council of Europe’s Group of Experts on Violence against Women (GREVIO) has published its first report evaluating Liechtenstein’s implementation of the Convention on Preventing and Combating Violence against Women and Domestic Violence (known as the “Istanbul Convention”). The report...
Council of Europe celebrates with local authorities and civil society their achievements on participatory democracy and human rights in Georgia
The closing event of the project "Strengthening Participatory Democracy and Human Rights at Local Level in Georgia” took place on 28 November 2023 in Tbilisi City Assembly (Georgia). The closing event “Participatory Democracy and Human Rights in Georgia – From Vision to Action!” provided a...
Deputy Secretary General at the 30th OSCE Ministerial Council in Skopje to reaffirm Council of Europe’s unwavering support to Ukraine
Representing the Council of Europe at the 30th OSCE Ministerial Council in Skopje, North Macedonia, Deputy Secretary General Bjørn Berge congratulated the Chairpersonship for their leadership through yet another difficult year. The Deputy Secretary General took part, together with several...
Deputy Secretary addresses Roma and Traveller women´s conference in Skopje
At the opening of the 9th International Roma and Traveller Women’s Conference “Building Equality Together”, in Skopje, North Macedonia, Deputy Secretary General Bjorn Berge emphasised that the Roma Women’s conferences have provided the opportunity for Roma and Traveller women to address issues...
Council of Europe Consultation Group on the Children of Ukraine launched
The Council of Europe Consultation Group on the Children of Ukraine (CGU) is holding its first meeting in Strasbourg on 30 November - 1 December 2023, bringing together over 85 participants to discuss ways to effectively protect the rights of millions of Ukrainian children residing in Council of...
Europe 75 years after the Universal Declaration of Human Rights: A journey of progress, setbacks and persistence
Speech by the Council of Europe Commissioner for Human Rights, Dunja Mijatović, at the event organised by the German Institute for Human Rights (Deutsches Institute für Menschenrechte) and Evangelical Academy of Berlin (Evangelische Akademie zu Berlin) to mark the 75th Anniversary of the...
History teaching challenged by limited time, curriculum overload and teaching pressures, new Council of Europe report reveals
The first general report by the Council of Europe Observatory on History Teaching in Europe (OHTE), released in Strasbourg today, highlights teachers' concerns that crowded curriculums and teaching pressures are the greatest obstacles to history teaching in Europe. The report, presented at the...
Anti-torture Committee publishes report on San Marino
The European Committee for the Prevention of Torture and Inhuman or Degrading Treatment or Punishment (CPT) publishes its report today on the September 2022 visit to San Marino, accompanied by the response from the Sanmarinese authorities. The CPT’s 5th periodic visit to the Republic of San...
EPAS Diversity Conference: “inclusion of child migrants and refugees in and through sport is investment with great returns”
For the first time, Liechtenstein hosted the Council of Europe’s Enlarged Partial Agreement on Sport (EPAS) biennial Diversity Conference “Inclusion of Child Migrants and Refugees in and through Sport” under the framework of its Committee of Ministers presidency. One of the presidency priorities...
Secretary General meets Deputy Foreign Minister of Georgia
Secretary General Marija Pejčinović Burić in her meeting with Lasha Darsalia, Deputy Minister for Foreign Affairs of Georgia, stressed the unwavering commitment of the Council of Europe to the sovereignty and territorial integrity of the country, as well as support to Georgia’s European path. The...
Vigdís Prize for Women's Empowerment: call for nominations
The Parliamentary Assembly of the Council of Europe (PACE), in partnership with the Government of Iceland, has issued a call for nominations for the first ever edition of the Vigdís Prize for Women's Empowerment. A joint initiative of the Icelandic Government and PACE, the Prize pays tribute to...
Secretary General at the International Conference on a Global Alliance to counter migrant smuggling in Brussels
“We must unite to close the loopholes in national legislation and international systems and prevent this criminal trade in human lives. The Council of Europe has been working in this direction for several years”, emphasised Secretary General Marija Pejčinović Burić while addressing the...
How the Istanbul Convention is saving lives
As we approach the International Day for the Elimination of Violence against Women, sobering statistics remind us of the urgent need to stop this violence, and a landmark treaty is proving increasingly successful to do just that: the Council of Europe Convention on Preventing and Combating...
Council of Europe Human Rights Commissioner: shortlist announced
The Committee of Ministers has submitted a shortlist of three candidates for the post of Council of Europe Human Rights Commissioner to the organisation’s Parliamentary Assembly. The candidates are, in alphabetical order: - Meglena KUNEVA (Bulgaria) - Manfred NOWAK (Austria) - Michael O’FLAHERTY...
Croatia: “Marked improvement” in treatment of detained criminal suspects, but prison overcrowding a concern
The European Committee for the Prevention of Torture and Inhuman or Degrading Treatment or Punishment (CPT) has published the report of its periodic visit to Croatia in September 2022, together with the response of the Croatian authorities (see executive summary in English – in Croatian) - Read...
European organisations and national authorities to help Belarusian media in exile to continue their work in Europe
The Council of Europe has held the Second Workshop for Belarusian journalists in exile. The issues that were discussed included professional solidarity and cooperation among journalists in exile and national and international associations, support to Belarusian journalists through European...
WADA annual meeting: Reforms and key governance issues discussed to help combat doping in sports world-wide
Council of Europe Deputy Secretary General Bjørn Berge has represented the Council of Europe in the annual meetings of the World Anti-Doping Agency (WADA) on 16 and 17 November in Montréal, Canada. The Deputy Secretary General attended the Executive Committee and participated, as a member...
Council of Europe Development Bank (CEB) approves €100 million loan for restoration of health infrastructure damaged by the war in Ukraine
The CEB’s loan will support the Health Enhancement and Life-Saving (HEAL) project, a $500 million framework operation developed by the World Bank in collaboration with the Ukrainian authorities, which is designed to bring together development partners. The World Bank has already approved a $100...
European day against child sexual abuse: stronger engagement with victims and survivors needed to stop stigmatisation and prevent further crime, says Secretary General
Ahead of the European Day on the Protection of Children against Sexual Exploitation and Sexual Abuse (18 November), Secretary General Marija Pejčinović Burić has called on Council of Europe member states to step up their engagement with victims and survivors of childhood sexual violence to help...
Secretary General meets San Marino Minister for Foreign Affairs
Secretary General Marija Pejčinović Burić has met the Minister for Foreign Affairs of San Marino Luca Beccari. The meeting focused on the follow up to the Reykjavik Summit, highlighting the need to respond to new challenges such as artificial intelligence and the impact of climate change and...
Conference of Participants of the Register of Damage for Ukraine elects its Board
The Conference of Participants of the Register of Damage Caused by the Aggression of the Russian Federation Against Ukraine came together for its 3rd meeting on 16 November and elected the seven members of the Register’s Board. Of the 18 candidates (9 men and 9 women) from four different...
Armenia signs second additional Protocol to Cybercrime Convention
Ambassador Arman Khachatryan, the Permanent Representative of Armenia to the Council of Europe has signed, in the presence of Secretary General Marija Pejčinović Burić, the Second additional Protocol to the Convention on Cybercrime on enhanced co-operation and disclosure of electronic evidence...
Foreign Minister of Liechtenstein: “We have become a community of values”
Liechtenstein is both celebrating its 45th anniversary as a Council of Europe member state and preparing for its Presidency of the Organisation’s Committee of Ministers from November 2023 to May 2024. In the spirit of the Council Of Europe Days Project, Minister of Foreign Affairs, Dominique...
Liechtenstein takes over the Presidency of the Committee of Ministers
Liechtenstein has taken over the rotating Presidency of the Council of Europe’s Committee of Ministers from Latvia at a meeting with representatives of the organisation’s 46 member states. The Parliamentary Secretary of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs of Latvia, Reinis Brusbārdis, gave an...
Rise in hate speech and hate incidents
Statement by Secretary General Marija Pejčinović Burić
Istanbul Convention: Council of Europe expert group on violence against women issues reports on Greece, Ireland and Republic of Moldova
GREVIO’s baseline evaluation report on Greece welcomes positive steps since Greece became a party to the Istanbul Convention in October 2018, but also points out shortcomings. GREVIO praises the establishment of 74 specialised police units to improve law enforcement responses to violence against...
Secretary General on official visit to Türkiye
Secretary General Marija Pejčinović Burić has met the Minister of Foreign Affairs of Türkiye Hakan Fidan during an official visit to the country. Discussions focused on the geopolitical situation in and around Europe, and on the co-operation between Türkiye and the Council of Europe.
Mental well-being of young people affected by war: Seminar at European Youth Centre in Budapest
A seminar on the role of youth work in supporting the mental well-being of young people affected by war is taking place at the European Youth Centre in Budapest from 12-15 November. According to a survey conducted in February 2023 among young Ukrainian respondents forced to flee their homes due...
Secretary General on official visit to Lithuania opens “Future of Democracy” Forum in Vilnius
Secretary General Marija Pejčinović Burić has opened the high-level Forum “Future of Democracy” on Defending Against Authoritarianism in Vilnius while conducting an official visit to Lithuania. “The Council of Europe has been warning about the rise of authoritarianism rooted in the return of...
The Netherlands should do more to combat human trafficking for labour exploitation, say Council of Europe experts
The Council of Europe’s group of experts on human trafficking has called on the Dutch authorities to take a number of further steps to tackle human trafficking and to ensure that trafficking victims have access to justice. In its third report on the Netherlands the Group of Experts on Action...
Azerbaijani students tackled digital media literacy and disinformation
In Azerbaijan, the Council of Europe has organised a three-day training programme to show journalist students how they can use the standards of the Organisation to improve the quality of journalism by analysing the accuracy of what they see and read online on television and in newspapers every...
Hate speech in times of crisis: new study published by the Council of Europe anti-discrimination, diversity and inclusion committee
In order to be prepared to tackle hate speech in times of crisis, legal frameworks should be amended, law enforcement measures reinforced, collaboration between media, national human rights institutions and equality bodies strengthened, and support to those targeted by hate speech prioritised....
The Defensores de la Democracia Living Archive (Mexico) wins Council of Europe’s Democracy Innovation Award
At closing session of the 11th World Forum for Democracy, the Council of Europe announced that the winner of its 2023 Democracy Innovation Award was the Defensores de la Democracia Living Archive, the first online, public, searchable archive that preserves, catalogues and aggregates the work of...
Secretary General at the Closing session of the 11th World Forum for Democracy
“At a time when some opinion polls suggest that younger people are losing faith in democracy, your ideas, enthusiasm, and presence at this World Forum show that the fatalists are wrong. That a democratic future is yours (and ours) and, with it, the promise of peace”, highlighted Secretary...
Local elections in the Republic of Moldova: A well-organised election process, despite challenging circumstances
At the invitation of the authorities of the Republic of Moldova, the Congress of Local and Regional Authorities of the Council of Europe deployed a mission to observe the local elections held on 5 November 2023 throughout the country. The Congress mission was led by Gunn Marit Helgesen (Norway,...
Preserving the integrity of sport by combatting illegal betting
A Council of Europe conference in Rabat (Morocco) aims to raise awareness of illegal betting, one of the biggest challenges to sport integrity and a key target in the fight against the manipulation of sports competitions, as addressed by the Macolin Convention. During the conference speakers are...
World Forum for Democracy 2023 opens in Strasbourg
The 2023 World Forum for Democracy has opened in Strasbourg. Taking place from Monday 6 to Wednesday 8 November the event brings together intellectuals, politicians, activists, experts and young people from all over the world to debate how democracy can give better guarantees of peace. This...
CEB Governor Monticelli joins President von der Leyen for Regional Housing Programme ceremony
Council of Europe Development Bank (CEB) Governor Carlo Monticelli joined European Commission President Ursula von der Leyen and Chairwoman of the Council of Ministers of Bosnia and Herzegovina (BiH) Borjana Krišto, in a ceremony on 1 November in the municipality of Vogošća, near Sarajevo, to...
Youth work in Ukraine: Council of Europe supports exchanges with Finland and Ireland
Representatives from youth centres in Ukraine have taken part in study visits to counterparts in Finland and Ireland that hold the Council of Europe Quality Label for Youth Centres. The exchanges, which took place in October, were an opportunity for Ukrainian youth workers to present their...
2 November: International Day to End Impunity for Crimes against Journalists
Impunity is an increasingly worrying trend that has developed into a real culture of impunity for crimes against journalists, with serious consequences on journalistic work and people's access to information of public interest. Combating impunity and the constantly developing tendancy of allowing...
Secretary General at Artificial Intelligence Safety Summit in Bletchley Park
Secretary General Marija Pejčinović Burić participated in the Artificial Intelligence Safety Summit (AISS) in Bletchley Park. The Secretary General highlighted the relevance of the Council of Europe draft framework convention on Artificial Intelligence (AI), as a potentially global treaty...
Secretary General meets United Kingdom’s Lord Chancellor and Secretary of State for Justice
Secretary General Marija Pejčinović Burić has met the Lord Chancellor and Secretary of State for Justice of the United Kingdom, Alex Chalk. The meeting focused on current political and legal issues of relevance to the United Kingdom and the Council of Europe as a whole. Among the subjects...
Council of Europe to prepare package of measures in response to refugee influx in Armenia following Special Representative on Migration and Refugees’ visit
The Council of Europe is preparing a comprehensive response package to the refugee influx in Armenia following a visit by the Special Representative on Migration and Refugees (SRSG) Leyla Kayacik from 11 to 13 October 2023. This package aims to provide support to Armenia in addressing the issues...
Secretary General meets Chief of State Security Service of Azerbaijan
Secretary General Marija Pejčinović Burić has met the Chief of State Security Service of Azerbaijan Ali Naghi oglu Naghiyev. The meeting focused on the importance of fostering dialogue between Armenia and Azerbaijan, including through confidence-building measures (CBMs). Marija Pejčinović Burić...
Violence against local and regional elected representatives: a threat to our democracies
An extremely unpleasant experience for those on the receiving end, verbal abuse and physical violence against local and regional elected representatives is on the rise throughout Europe. As well as being traumatic and damaging, such violence can also have a “demotivating” effect on elected...
Congress expresses deep concern over humanitarian situation in Karabakh and neighbouring cities and regions
The Congress held a debate on 26 October on the humanitarian situation following the flight of more than 100,000 Karabakh Armenians to neighbouring Armenia. In the adopted Declaration presented by Bernd Vöhringer (Germany, EPP/CCE), the Congress strongly condemned the military operation carried...
Secretary General on official visit to Liechtenstein
Secretary General Marija Pejčinović Burić has met His Serene Highness Alois Hereditary Prince of Liechtenstein, Prime Minister Risch, Foreign Minister Hasler, and other key personalities during an official visit to discuss the priorities of the country’s upcoming Committee of Ministers Presidency...
Local and regional media: Council of Europe Congress calls for more support to prevent local media deserts
Grassroots media play a key role in upholding local democracy, and authorities at all levels can and should take steps to strengthen grassroots media, finds a new report on local and regional media, presented by co-rapporteurs, Cecilia Dalman Eek (Sweden, SOC/G/PD) and Mélanie Lepoultier (France,...
Iceland should improve identification of human trafficking victims and step up investigations and prosecutions
The Council of Europe’s Group of Experts on Action against Trafficking in Human Beings (GRETA) has published its third evaluation report on Iceland, with a thematic focus on human trafficking victims’ access to justice and effective remedies. The report assesses developments since the...
Secretary General meets Latvian Minister for Environmental Protection and Regional Development
Secretary General Marija Pejčinović Burić has met with the Minister for Environmental Protection and Regional Development of Latvia Inga Bērziņa. The meeting highlighted how human rights and the environment is a priority for the Council of Europe, as underlined in the Reykjavik Summit. The...
Congress sets new priorities as a follow-up to the Reykjavik Summit
In the context of Russia’s war of aggression against Ukraine and the refocusing of the Council that followed it, the Congress has adopted a new set of priorities for the period from 2023 until the end of its current mandate in 2026. These priorities are inspired by the Reykjavik Summit of Heads...
Congress elects new President
Members of the Congress of Local and Regional Authorities of Council of Europe have elected Marc Cools (Belgium, GILD) as the new President of the Congress, for a mandate of two-and-a-half years. Marc Cools is Communal Councillor of Uccle and Honorary Vice-President of the Brussels Parliament and...
Secretary General marks European Day of Justice in Brussels
Secretary General Marija Pejčinović Burić has marked in Brussels the European Day of Justice, a joint initiative between the Council of Europe and the European Union, taking the floor at the conference on “The role of the European institutions in upholding the core values of the legal profession...
Deputy Secretary General visits Türkiye
On 22 October, Council of Europe Deputy Secretary General Bjørn Berge paid a working visit to Gaziantep, Türkiye, where he met with the Turkish Deputy Minister for Foreign Affairs, Mehmet Kemal Bozay. They had an important and constructive discussion on issues of common interest to the Council...
Election of new President among highlights of the 45th Congress session
The Congress of Local and Regional Authorities of the Council of Europe is holding its 45th Session from 24 to 26 October 2023. The election of a new President of the Congress, as well as Presidents of Congress’ Chambers and their vice-presidents will take place. The role of local and regional...
New opinions on national minorities protection in Albania, Austria and Moldova
The Advisory Committee on the Framework Convention for the Protection of National Minorities (FCNM) has published new opinions on Albania, Austria and the Republic of Moldova. The Advisory Committee praises the prevailing atmosphere of mutual respect and intercultural dialogue in Albania,...
Armenia becomes 45th member state to abolish the death penalty in all circumstances
The Permanent Representative of Armenia to the Council of Europe, Ambassador Arman Khachatryan, in the presence of Secretary General Marija Pejčinović Burić, has deposited the ratification instrument, thereby completing the process of ratification by Armenia of Protocol No. 13 to the European...
Sweden: more efforts needed to identify victims of trafficking, including amongst children, and to prosecute traffickers
The Council of Europe’s Group of Experts on Action against Trafficking in Human Beings (GRETA) has published its third evaluation report on Sweden, with a thematic focus on human trafficking victims’ access to justice and effective remedies. The report assesses developments since the publication...
European Anti-trafficking Day: Council of Europe expert group calls for preventing human trafficking risks exacerbated in the context of migration
On the eve of the European Anti-Trafficking Day (18 October), the Council of Europe’s Group of Experts on Action against Trafficking in Human Beings (GRETA) has warned of the increased risk of human trafficking created by restrictive immigration policies and failure to address the vulnerabilities...
Secretary General meets Prime Minister of Armenia
Secretary General Marija Pejčinović Burić has met with the Prime Minister of Armenia Nikol Pashinyan. The meeting focused on the developments in the region and the contribution of the Council of Europe, including in light of the recent visit by the Secretary General’s Special Representative on...
Lisbon Forum 2023 : the role of young people in facing environmental and corruption challenges
Building on priorities established at the Council of Europe’s Reykjavik Summit in May 2023, this year’s Lisbon Forum – organised annually since 1994 by the Council of Europe’s North-South Centre – focused on the pivotal role that young people play in catalysing change when facing the intricate...
Situation in Israel: Statement by Secretary General Marija Pejčinović Burić
"The outbreak of terror in Israel, a long-standing partner of our Organisation, is appalling. I condemn in the strongest possible terms the terrorist crimes of Hamas, which have claimed the lives of so many innocent people and caused so many injuries. The Council of Europe stands firmly with the...
Parliamentary Assembly condemns Russian aggression against Ukraine, calls for comprehensive, just and lasting peace
PACE has condemned Russia's ongoing war of aggression against Ukraine, stressing the importance of upholding Council of Europe standards and calling for “a united front to stop the aggression and win a peace which is comprehensive, just and lasting, ensuring that the rule of law prevails over the...
PACE calls on Azerbaijan to ‘prove its goodwill’ towards the Armenian population of Nagorno-Karabakh
PACE has called on Azerbaijan to “create a climate of trust and the material conditions” for Armenians from Nagorno-Karabakh to be able to return to their homeland – including active steps to encourage and reassure them to do so. In a resolution based on a report by Domagoj Hajduković (Croatia,...
PACE calls on Türkiye to ‘immediately release Osman Kavala, who remains unlawfully detained’
During an urgent debate, the Parliamentary Assembly of the Council of Europe (PACE), meeting in Strasbourg in plenary session, called on Türkiye to “comply with binding judgments” of the European Court of Human Rights, and “to immediately release Osman Kavala, who remains unlawfully detained in...
Secretary General meets European Commissioner for Justice
Secretary General Marija Pejčinović Burić has met with the European Commissioner for Justice, Didier Reynders. Their meeting focused on Council of Europe-European Union co-operation and the ongoing preparation of the Convention on Artificial Intelligence. Marija Pejčinović Burić underscored the...
Latvia kicks off European Heritage Days event season
Marking the opening of the European Heritage Days (EHD) events season (from August to November), Latvia kicked off with the Song and Dance Festival in Riga gathering some 45,000 people to enjoy dance, music, singing, theatre, and storytelling, showcasing the rich intangible cultural heritage...
Escalation of violence in the Middle East: PACE holds current affairs debate
“Nothing can justify the atrocities committed by Hamas and there can be no ambiguity on this point,” today said Piero Fassino (Italy, SOC), at the opening of a current affairs debate on “Escalation of violence in the Middle East following the recent Hamas attack on Israel”. He expressed his full...
Congress Secretary General talks decentralization and climate change in Montenegro
Secretary General Mori travelled to Kotor and Podgorica (Montenegro) on Tuesday 10 October to stress the importance of the European Charter of Local Self-Government and the positive impact its implementation has on Council of Europe Member States. He also thanked the national and local public...
Latvian Foreign Minister calls for support to Ukraine, continued dialogue on current issues
“The consequences of Russia’s war of aggression against Ukraine continue to dominate the agenda,” said Krišjānis Kariņš, Minister of Foreign Affairs of Latvia and Chair of the Committee of Ministers, when addressing the Parliamentary Assembly. “Impunity cannot prevail,” he added. The minister...
