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Council of Europe Secretary General rejects so-called ‘referenda’ in occupied Ukrainian territories
The Secretary General of the 46-nation Council of Europe, Marija Pejčinović Burić, has today made the following statement: “The announced so-called ‘referenda’ in Ukrainian territories that are occupied by Russian forces is a further escalation of the conflict and the ongoing violation of...
Lighting the Shade: Effective Application of the ECHR in Areas of Conflict in Europe
Areas of conflict in Europe are territories "where politics - and arms - stand between people and their rights", highlighted the Deputy Secretary General while giving the opening address to the conference "Lighting the shade: Effective Application of the ECHR in Areas of Conflict in Europe", held...
Congress President warns of fictitious Russian "referendums" in Ukrainian territories
Against the background of mounting indications of possible "pseudo-referendums" in Ukrainian territories currently occupied by Russia, the President of the Congress of Local and Regional Authorities of the Council of Europe, Leendert Verbeek, has urged the Russian authorities to refrain from such...
Young people should stand up against populism, nationalism and extremism that risk silencing their voices, says Secretary General
Opening the major event in Strasbourg, Youth Action Week which marks the 50th anniversary of the Council of Europe’s youth sector, Council of Europe Secretary General Marija Pejčinović Burić called on young people to remain engaged in revitalising democracy and in addressing the emerging threats...
Türkiye: Reducing threshold for parliamentary elections is welcome but other amendments could hamper inclusive democracy and impartiality of elections
Despite some positive aspects, a recent law amending parliamentary election procedures in Türkiye (Law No. 7393) could impede the participation of newer (and smaller) parties, according to an opinion by the Council of Europe’s Venice Commission of legal and constitutional experts. Jointly drafted...