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GRETA: Finland should ensure access to compensation for human trafficking victims and effective sanctions for traffickers
In a new report published today, the Council of Europe’s Group of Experts on Action against Trafficking in Human Beings (GRETA) has called on Finland to strengthen the criminal justice response to human trafficking and to provide victims with compensation and specialised assistance. The report...
Secretary General at Privacy Symposium 2024 Conference in Venice
“How do we ensure that legal systems across our Continent and beyond are able to protect the personal data of citizens in the digital age? The Council of Europe has developed specific treaties to help governments achieve this. Convention 108 was opened for signature 43 years ago and it has been...
Today, tomorrow, together for public health – EDQM high-level conference celebrating 60 years of excellence in public health protection
The European Directorate for the Quality of Medicines & HealthCare (EDQM) of the Council of Europe is proudly marking its 60th anniversary this year, celebrating six decades of pioneering work in protecting public health and striving for a world in which everyone can enjoy better health. Marija...
In Luxembourg, parliamentarians seek solutions for Belarusians in exile
Participants at a major conference in Luxembourg have explored ways that national parliaments can help to address the challenges faced by Belarusians in exile – whether practical support on issues such as avoiding reprisals and entry and residence procedures, or by helping to preserve Belarusian...
Acting together, meeting Europe’s challenges – Reykjavik Joint Meeting of the Council of Europe Development Bank
Disaster risk management and climate action are amongst the priorities and new projects under discussion at the 57th joint meeting of the Council of Europe Development Bank (CEB) held in Reykjavik, Iceland today, bringing together the bank’s governing bodies, appointed officials and management....
Warsaw Ukrainian School in Poland wins CEB Social Cohesion Award 2024
Top marks awarded for innovative curriculum designed to help integrate refugee children from Ukraine
GRETA: Germany should ensure effective sanctions for traffickers and access to assistance and compensation for human trafficking victims
The Council of Europe’s Group of Experts on Action against Trafficking in Human Beings (GRETA) has urged the German authorities to take further action against human trafficking, notably by providing specialised assistance and compensation for victims and ensuring effective sanctions for human...
Prison overcrowding remains a problem in Europe: Council of Europe’s annual penal statistics for 2023
Prison overcrowding continues to be an acute and persistent problem in a significant number of European prison administrations, according to the Council of Europe’s Annual Penal Statistics on Prison Populations (SPACE I) for 2023, released today (see also the Key findings). In countries with over...
Combating hate speech in sport : from words to action with a powerful commitment by the sport community
In Madrid, Spain, the Council of Europe/European Union project “Combating hate speech in sport” is presenting effective tools and progress made in the participating countries (Spain, France, Germany, Greece, Italy and Montenegro) to address hate speech in sport. The event is bringing together key...
EDQM celebrates 60 years of advancing public health
In a landmark celebration of six decades of co-operation, excellence and leadership, the European Directorate for the Quality of Medicines & HealthCare (EDQM), part of the Council of Europe, is set to host its 60th anniversary conference on 11 and 12 June 2024, under the theme “Today, tomorrow,...
PACE Summer Session: Russia’s aggression against Ukraine, Vigdís Prize, election of the next Council of Europe Secretary General
A joint debate on the legal and human rights aspects of Russia’s aggression against Ukraine, the role of sanctions and the erasure of cultural identity, with an address by Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky (to be confirmed), are among the highlights of the summer plenary session of the...
Congress President calls for concerted action at all levels of governance to tackle the environmental crisis
To mark World Environment Day on 5 June 2024, the President of the Congress of Local and Regional Authorities of the Council of Europe, Marc Cools, made the following statement: “Not a day goes by without local and regional elected representatives taking a decision relating to the environment....
Expert committee calls on Finland to strengthen education in the different Sami languages and ensure their use in services
The Committee of Experts of the European Charter for Regional or Minority Languages has called on the Finnish authorities to further strengthen education of Inari Sami, North Sami and Skolt Sami and ensure their effective use in social and health care services. The committee also recommends that...
Congress advocates for deliberative processes to restore trust in democratic institutions
On 30 May 2024, Congress Vice-President Gunn Marit Helgesen (Norway, EPP/CCE) held an exchange of views with the Committee on Political Affairs and Democracy of the Council of Europe’s...
Congress Spokesperson warns against risks of AI for human rights
“Artificial intelligence (AI) is now an integral part of our private and professional lives and of governance at every level. However, the unregulated design and use of AI tools present...
"Nothing about us without us" - new guidelines on engaging with victims and survivors of childhood sexual violence
Ahead of the International Children’s Day celebrated on 1 June, the Council of Europe has published Guidelines for policy makers on engaging with victims and survivors of child sexual exploitation and sexual abuse – “Nothing About Us Without Us” . This initiative is in line with the day’s mission...
Advancing the Abolition of the Death Penalty Among Belarusian Society and Diaspora: Workshop in Vilnius
A training workshop on the advancement of the issue of abolition of the death penalty in Belarus among Belarusian society, including diaspora, took place in Vilnius, Lithuania from 30-31 May. The event was opened by the Vice Minister of Foreign Affairs of Lithuania, Jonas Survila on behalf of the...
At the French Senate, Congress calls for a global strategy against hate speech
“In recent years, there has been a deplorable rise in all kinds of violence against local elected representatives in Europe, whether physical, psychological or verbal. A global strategy is urgently needed to protect them against hate speech...
Congress assists Finland in historic local government reform
After 30 years of discussions, Finland embarked in 2023 upon the largest public administrative reform in its history – with the creations of its wellbeing counties. Ensuring access to quality...
Deputy Secretary General and Finnish Sports Minister discuss values-based sport
On the occasion of the Enlarged Partial Agreement on Sport (EPAS) annual plenary meeting in Strasbourg, Deputy Secretary General Bjørn Berge has met with the Minister of youth, sport and physical activity of Finland, Sandra Bergqvist. Their meeting focused on current global challenges for sports...
