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Violence against women: GREVIO publishes annual report
The Council of Europe´s Group of Experts on Action against Violence against Women and Domestic Violence (GREVIO) has published its annual report of activities, highlighting the key milestones and accomplishments of the Group of Experts in 2022. These include: the publication of nine baseline...
Cultural Routes Forum in Łódź honours post-industrial heritage
The 12th Annual Advisory Forum on the Cultural Routes of the Council of Europe (20-22 September) opened today in Łódź, Poland, focusing on “Cultural Routes: the social and creative dimensions of cultural heritage in a post-industrial context”. The 2023 Advisory Forum is organised by the Enlarged...
Military escalation around the Karabakh region
Statement by Secretary General Marija Pejčinović Burić
Military operation in Nagorno-Karabakh: PACE President calls on Azerbaijan to cease fire immediately
The President of the Council of Europe Parliamentary Assembly (PACE), Tiny Kox, today made the following statement: "I am deeply shocked by the decision of the government of Azerbaijan to launch a new and aggressive military operation in Nagorno-Karabakh earlier today. In the space of hours this...
Congress President expresses grave concern over the Nagorno-Karabakh situation
Leendert Verbeek, President of the Congress of Local and Regional Authorities of the Council of Europe, has made the following statement today: “I am deeply concerned by the recent developments over Nagorno-Karabakh which can have serious humanitarian consequences for the region. They could lead,...
Ukraine: first CEB operation to support housing repairs for households affected by war
The Council of Europe Development Bank (CEB) and Catholic Relief Services (CRS) have signed a €2 million grant agreement to finance housing repairs for over 500 vulnerable households in conflict-affected areas of Ukraine. This will be the CEB’s first operation in the country since Ukraine joined...
Strengthening the protection of integrity in sport through judicial action
On 18 and 19 September in Paris, the Network of Magistrates/Prosecutors Responsible for Sports (MARS), set up under the Council of Europe's Enlarged Partial Agreement on Sport (EPAS), is gathering for its second meeting to discuss the latest trends in threats and challenges to sport integrity...
ECRI shines spotlight on four countries to measure progress against racism and intolerance
Poland, Luxembourg, North Macedonia and Iceland are the subject of reports from the European Commission against Racism and Intolerance, to be released this week. The in-depth reports will look at how the countries are measuring up to Council of Europe standards to tackle racism, discrimination,...
Implementing European Court of Human Rights judgments
The Council of Europe’s Committee of Ministers will hold its quarterly meeting to oversee the execution of judgments and decisions from the European Court of Human Rights in Strasbourg from 19 to 21 September. Cases proposed for detailed examination concern Albania, Armenia, Azerbaijan, Belgium,...
Secretary General attends United Nations General Assembly high-level General Debate
Secretary General Marija Pejčinović Burić is attending the high-level General Debate of the General Assembly of the United Nations. High-level meetings are on the agenda. She is also taking part in the Ministerial event on Artificial Intelligence for accelerating progress on the Sustainable...
International Day of Democracy: Secretary General opens the first Exchange of views with Civil Society
“Civil society is a prerequisite for a functioning democracy”, highlighted Secretary General Marija Pejčinović Burić, quoting the Reykjavík Principles of Democracy at the opening of the first regular exchange of views with Civil Society, on the occasion of the International Day of Democracy. “The...
Minority languages in Romania: strong support in education, but population threshold for public administration use too high
A new report by the Committee of Experts which monitors compliance with the Council of Europe’s European Charter for Regional or Minority Languages acknowledges that Romania has a solid legal framework and policies for the protection of minority languages, including in education, but regrets that...
Secretary General meets the EU High Representative for Foreign Affairs and Security Policy Borrell
Secretary General Marija Pejčinović Burić has met with the High Representative of the European Union for Foreign Affairs and Security Policy Josep Borrell Fontelles. Marija Pejčinović Burić reiterated the Organisation’s support to Ukraine highlighting the relevance of the Council of Europe Action...
Secretary General meets Deputy Prime Minister and Minister of Foreign Affairs of Bulgaria
Secretary General Marija Pejčinović Burić has met with Deputy Prime Minister and Minister of Foreign Affairs of Bulgaria Mariya Gabriel. The meeting focused on the follow-up of the Fourth Summit of Heads of State and Government in Reykjavik. The implementation of the Register of Damage Caused by...
Assessing the impact of immersive realities on human rights: Committee of Ministers informal meeting
In the framework of the Latvian Presidency’s priority of supporting the Council of Europe digital agenda, the Committee of Ministers is holding an informal meeting on 14 September to explore the potential impact of immersive realities such as the Metaverse, on human rights, the rule of law and...
Anti-torture committee urges Moldova to address persistence of informal prisoner hierarchies and inter-prisoner violence
In a new report the Council of Europe’s Committee for the Prevention of Torture (CPT) calls upon the Moldovan authorities to take resolute action, without delay, to tackle the phenomenon of informal prisoner hierarchy and inter-prisoner violence and intimidation throughout the prison system,...
The Conference of Participants of the Register of damage for Ukraine holds its second meeting
Representatives from more than 40 countries have taken part in the second meeting of the Conference of Participants of the Register of damage caused by the Russian Federation’s aggression against Ukraine, held in the Latvian capital, Riga. “With this second meeting of the Register of Damage, we...
Congress study visit to Türkiye examines natural disaster responses by local and regional authorities
Following the devastating earthquakes of 6 February 2023, the Congress made a study visit to Türkiye from 6 to 8 September 2023, for a report on “local and regional responses to major crises”, notably aimed at identifying action to be taken before, during and following natural disasters. A...
Council of Europe ministers of Justice met in Riga to support justice for Ukraine
The ministers of Justice of Council of Europe member and observer states have adopted a declaration outlining a series of principles (“Riga principles”) to achieve comprehensive accountability for the Russian Federation’s aggression against Ukraine and provide redress to all victims of the war,...
Secretary General at Justice Conference in Riga: “The Register is the first step towards any future compensation mechanism”
“We all wish for peace in Ukraine. But that peace must be sustainable. To be sustainable it must be just. And, to be just, it must have accountability at its core”, declared Secretary General Marija Pejčinović Burić at the opening of the Justice Ministers’ Informal Conference held under the...
European Committee of Social Rights publishes 2022 Annual Report
The European Committee of Social Rights (ECSR) has unveiled its Annual Activity Report for 2022, highlighting Europe’s most pressing social rights issues. One pivotal development in 2022 was the Russian military aggression against Ukraine, which had far-reaching implications for the ECSR's...
SRSG on Migration and Refugees to visit Bulgaria
The Special Representative of the Secretary General on Migration and Refugees (SRSG), Leyla Kayacik will carry out a fact-finding mission to Bulgaria from 11 to 15 September. The visit will focus on persons in vulnerable situations, in particular unaccompanied and separated children, and is aimed...
Joint statement on illegitimate elections in parts of Ukraine temporarily occupied by Russia
Joint Statement from the Prime Minister of Latvia (acting Minister of Foreign Affairs) and Council of Europe President of the Committee of Ministers, Krišjānis Kariņš, the President of the Parliamentary Assembly of the Council of Europe, Tiny Kox, and the Secretary General of the Council of...
Secretary General on official visit to Switzerland
Secretary General Marija Pejčinović Burić has met the President of Switzerland and other key personalities during an official visit to the country. During her meeting with Swiss Confederation President Alain Berset, the Secretary General underlined the importance of implementing the conclusions...
Secretary General backs new police network on International Day of Police Cooperation
Secretary General Marija Pejčinović Burić has marked the international day of police cooperation on September 7th by giving her backing to the Council of Europe Network of Police Services. “The network is an important step in strengthening cooperation between police forces in member states and...
Romania must improve the effectiveness of its system to promote integrity and prevent corruption in the central government and law enforcement agencies
Romania has developed an institutional and legal integrity framework to promote integrity and prevent corruption in the top executive functions of the central government and in the law enforcement agencies. However, improvement is still needed in several areas, according to a new report from the...
Stop detaining children in Luxembourg Prison, urges anti-torture committee
The Council of Europe’s Committee for the Prevention of Torture (CPT) has urged the authorities in Luxembourg to stop detaining children in Luxembourg Prison (Centre pénitentiaire de Luxembourg). The CPT has also called for stronger action to tackle police ill-treatment and the excessive use of...
Statement by Special Representative of the Secretary General on antisemitic crimes
By Alexandre Guessel, Special Representative of the Secretary General on antisemitic, anti‑Muslim and other forms of religious intolerance and hate crimes. "Yesterday, the President of the Russian Federation made remarks regarding the fight against anti-Semitism. In these remarks, the Jewish...
Good democratic governance and deliberative democracy: Committee of Ministers adopts new standards
The Committee of Ministers has adopted new recommendations to member states on good democratic governance and deliberative democracy. The first sets out the fundamentals of good democratic governance, covering protection and promotion of democracy; respect for human rights and the rule of law;...
New recommendation to strengthen national reporting systems for professionals on violence against children
The Council of Europe Committee of Ministers has adopted a new recommendation to member states on strengthening reporting systems on violence against children. Often underreported and undetected, violence against children remains widespread. Professionals working with children frequently face...
Croatia: New report praises steps to stop domestic violence against women, but more should be done to address other forms of gender-based violence
The Council of Europe Group of Experts on Action against Violence against Women and Domestic Violence (GREVIO) has published its baseline evaluation report evaluating Croatia’s efforts in implementing the Council of Europe Convention on Preventing and Combating Violence against Women and Domestic...
Congress in Türkiye to study local and regional responses to major crisis
Following the devastating earthquakes of February 2023, the Congress undertakes a study visit to Türkiye from 6 to 8 September 2023, to inform a report on local and regional responses to major crises. The visit will involve various meetings with national authorities and international...
Protection of national minorities in Romania: solid legal framework and funding but insecurity about language rights in the future
A solid legal and policy framework protects the rights of national minorities in Romania and the 20 recognised national minorities receive generous financial support for promoting and protecting their cultures and participate in political decision-making bodies. However, a number of issues need...
Ukraine and the Register of Damage Caused by the Russian Aggression on the agenda of the meeting of Ministers of Justice in Riga
The Council of Europe Ministers of Justice will meet in Riga (Latvia) on 11 September at an informal conference entitled “On the Path to Justice for Ukraine: Advancing Accountability, Supporting the Resilience of its Justice System and Reuniting Children with their Families,” which is being held...
Congress condemns local elections in occupied Ukrainian territories
The President of the Congress of Local and Regional Authorities of the Council of Europe, Leendert Verbeek, condemns the decision of the Central Election Commission of the Russian Federation to organise local elections in the illegally annexed Ukrainian territories of Donetsk, Luhansk, Kherson...
European Charter of Local Self-government vital to preserve democracy - Congress President
Leendert Verbeek, President of the Congress of Local and Regional Authorities, today marked the 35th anniversary of the European Charter of Local Self Government with a reminder of its vital importance to democracy. "For the last 35 years, the Congress has protected local and regional democracy...
Secretary General: Human rights convention "never more important"
Council of Europe Secretary General Marija Pejčinović Burić has marked the 70th anniversary of the European Convention on Human Rights with a call to governments to commit to the ECHR system and its values. « The horrendous events of the last 18 months show what can happen when states turn...
European Heritage Days 2023 shine a light on “Living Heritage”: cultural traditions and skills
Living Heritage is the pan-European theme for the 2023 European Heritage Days. Tens of thousands of events taking place in 48 participating countries will showcase the vibrancy, diversity and significance of cultural traditions, knowledge, and skills in Europe. Organised jointly by the Council of...
Poland: More efforts needed for regional or minority language use
Poland needs to take a more “proactive” and “structured” approach to promote regional or minority languages, says a report published today by the Committee of Experts, which monitors adherence to the Council of Europe’s European Charter for Regional or Minority Languages. Although Polish...
Greece: Anti-torture Committee laments "dire" conditions at Korydallos Psychiatric Hospital for prisoners
The Council of Europe’s Committee for the Prevention of Torture and Inhuman or Degrading Treatment or Punishment (CPT) published today a report on its ad hoc visit to Greece, which took place from 8 to 11 November 2022, together with the response of the Greek authorities. The main objective of...
Restore free movement along Lachin Corridor and ensure rapid and unimpeded delivery of humanitarian assistance to Nagorno-Karabakh
“I remain seriously concerned about the humanitarian situation in Nagorno-Karabakh and the human rights of its population following the blocking of the road running through the Lachin Corridor since December 2022. I reiterate the call I made at that time to restore free movement along that road”...
Netherlands: Minority rights generally well respected for Frisian minority but could be extended to other communities
The minority rights of the Frisian minority in the Netherlands are generally well protected, say Council of Europe experts, but they are too often limited to the province of Fryslân (Friesland). The protection granted by the Council of Europe’s national minorities convention should also be...
Council of Europe supports Ukraine’s territorial integrity, including Crimea, says Secretary General
“The Council of Europe maintains its unwavering commitment to Ukraine’s independence, sovereignty, and territorial integrity. Including Crimea”, highlighted Secretary General Marija Pejčinović Burić addressing the Third Summit of the Crimea Platform. While mentioning her second annual report on...
Official award ceremony of the 2023 Europe Prize to the city of Bolesławiec
On 18 August, the city of Bolesławiec (Poland) held a ceremony to celebrate the official award of the Europe Prize 2023, in the presence of a large public and representatives of twinned cities, the business sector, schools, the church and various associations, the President and municipalities of...
Belarus: Statement by PACE rapporteur on the occasion of the 3rd anniversary of the presidential elections
“The 3rd anniversary of the fraudulent presidential elections of 2020 in Belarus is a moment to mark our solidarity with all those Belarusians who have chosen freedom, human rights, democracy, and the rule of law,” said Kimmo Kiljunen (Finland, SOC), rapporteur on “Call for a national political...
PACE’s General Rapporteur for political prisoners strongly condemns Alexei Navalny’s recent sentencing
“I strongly condemn Alexei Navalny’s sentencing on 4 August to further nineteen years in prison under a special regime for ‘extremism’-related charges, during a closed hearing in a penal colony,” today said Sunna Ævarsdóttir (Iceland, SOC), PACE’s General Rapporteur for political prisoners. Mr...
Green skills for Youth: towards a sustainable world
Statement by Council of Europe Secretary General Marija Pejčinović Burić
10 August 1949: first session of PACE forerunner held in Strasbourg
La première session de l’Assemblée consultative, qui devint plus tard l'Assemblée parlementaire du Conseil de l'Europe (APCE), se tint le mercredi 10 août 1949, dans l’aula du Palais universitaire, place Brant, à Strasbourg. Le président provisoire, l’homme d’État français Edouard Herriot,...
Greece marks anniversary of joining the Council of Europe
On 9 August 1949, Greece became the eleventh member of the Council of Europe. The organisation had been founded in London three months earlier on 5 May by the ten original member countries: Belgium, Denmark, France, Ireland, Italy, Luxembourg, the Netherlands, Norway, Sweden and the United...
8 August 1949: first meeting of the Committee of Ministers
Monday 8th August 1949 marked the start of a momentous week for the Council of Europe. It began with a meeting chaired by Belgium’s long-serving Foreign Minister Paul Henri Spaak, which saw the first gathering of the Committee of Ministers. Later in the week there was a similar debut for the...
15th anniversary of armed conflict between Georgia and Russia
Statement by Secretary General Marija Pejčinović Burić
Human Rights situation in Russia
Statement by Council of Europe Secretary General Marija Pejčinović Burić
Environmental sustainability: a priority for social inclusion
The Council of Europe Bank (CEB) works hard to keep the environmental footprint of its social investments as light as possible. Not only is this essential for our planet, but the Bank believes that social inclusion and progress on the environment, particularly climate action, go hand in hand, and...
Environmental sustainability: a priority for social inclusion
The Council of Europe Development Bank (CEB) works hard to keep the environmental footprint of its social investments as light as possible. Not only is this essential for our planet, but the Bank believes that social inclusion and progress on the environment, particularly climate action, go hand...
European Roma Holocaust Memorial Day
Statement by Secretary General Marija Pejčinović Burić
Roma Holocaust Memorial Day: let’s keep Roma history alive to shape an inclusive Europe today and tomorrow
Ahead of European Roma Holocaust Memorial Day on 2 August, the Council of Europe Commissioner for Human Rights, Dunja Mijatović, has called on all states to remember the hundreds of thousands of Roma lives lost during World War II and to ensure that Roma history is kept alive to shape the Europe...
Congress supports Ukraine in strengthening dialogue between national, regional and local authorities
Invited to open a meeting of a new body – the Ukrainian Congress - created by President Zelenskyy to consult with Ukrainian local and regional authorities, the Council of Europe Congress stressed the importance of sustaining local democracy to ensure a full democratic recovery after the war. In...
Humanitarian Situation in Nagorno-Karabakh
Statement by Council of Europe Secretary General Marija Pejčinović Burić
Pylos shipwreck investigation: Human Rights Commissioner addresses letter to Greek Prime Minister
In a letter to the Prime Minister of Greece, Kyriakos Mitsotakis, the Council of Europe Commissioner for Human Rights, Dunja Mijatović, stresses that Greece has a legal obligation to conduct effective investigations into the Pylos shipwreck, which resulted in the death of more than 80 persons...
Against multiple crises backdrop, the fight against human trafficking must remain high on all stakeholders’ agenda, says GRETA
Multiple crises, conflicts and the climate emergency increase vulnerabilities to human trafficking and diversify trafficking risks, which is why governments and other stakeholders must allocate adequate attention and resources to combating it. This is the message from the Inter-Agency...
Poland: Venice Commission recommends repealing “fundamentally flawed” Law on State Commission to Investigate Russian Influence
In an urgent opinion, the Venice Commission recommends that the Polish authorities revoke the “Law on the State Commission to Investigate Russian Influence on Internal Security in the Republic of Poland between 2007 and 2022” at their earliest convenience to prevent it from having a negative...
Fitch Upgrades Council of Europe Development Bank to 'AAA', stable outlook
Fitch Ratings has upgraded the Council of Europe Development Bank (CEB) to its highest rating: AAA stable outlook, up from the previous AA+ rating, which was assigned two years ago together with a positive outlook. With this decision, the CEB now has the highest rating with all the major credit...
Anniversary of the Oslo and Utøya attacks: ‘We must keep on drawing the lessons from this terrorist act’ says PACE President
“12 years ago, 77 innocent people were massacred in Norway by a far-right terrorist in what was the deadliest attack in Norway’s history since the end of World War II. The majority of victims were teenagers, participating in a socialist youth camp at the island of Utøya. I wish the families and...
22 July 1964: Convention on the Elaboration of a European Pharmacopoeia opened for signature
We all expect the medicines we take – from cholesterol-lowering drugs to antibiotics or vaccines – to be safe, effective and of high quality. The European Pharmacopoeia (also referred to as the Ph. Eur.) plays a pivotal role in making sure that is the case. The Ph. Eur. is the legally binding...
Albania and the Republic of Moldova mark 28 years of Council of Europe membership
On the same day in July 1995, Albania and the Republic of Moldova respectively became the 35th and 36th members of the Council of Europe. Representing Albania on July 13 was the country’s Minister of Foreign Affairs, Alfred Serreqi, while the Republic of Moldova was represented by its Minister of...
Human Rights Commissioner: European states’ migration co-operation with Tunisia should be subject to clear human rights safeguards
“Council of Europe member states should insist on clear human rights safeguards in any further migration co-operation with Tunisia”, says Council of Europe Commissioner for Human Rights, Dunja Mijatović, in relation to the conclusion of a Memorandum of Understanding between the European Union and...
Romania should step up efforts to investigate and prosecute money laundering and strengthen supervision
A new report from the Council of Europe’s anti-money laundering body MONEYVAL calls on the Romanian authorities to further strengthen measures to combat money laundering (ML) and the financing of terrorism (TF) (See Executive Summary). The report provides a comprehensive assessment of the...
Council of Europe Week in the Republic of Moldova: art, flash mobs and films raise public awareness of human rights issues
From 10 to 16 July 2023, on the occasion of the 28th anniversary of Republic of Moldova's accession to the Council of Europe, the Office in Chisinau, together with the Ministry of Foreign Affairs and European Integration, organised a “Council of Europe Week 2023”. The programme was put together...
Seat of Register of Damage: Secretary General signs agreement with the Netherlands
Secretary General Marija Pejčinović Burić has signed the host State Agreement with the Kingdom of the Netherlands regarding the Seat of the Register of Damage, caused by the aggression of the Russian Federation against Ukraine. Forty-three members are participating in the Enlarged Partial...
CPT issues reports on Belgium and Cyprus, monitoring a Frontex-supported return operation to the Democratic Republic of Congo
The Council of Europe’s Committee for the Prevention of Torture and Inhuman or Degrading Treatment or Punishment (CPT) has published two reports on its 2022 ad hoc visits to Belgium and Cyprus in the context of a Frontex-supported return operation to the Democratic Republic of Congo, together...
Accountability for crimes during war of aggression against Ukraine: Committee of Ministers exchange of views with civil society
On 10 July, the Committee of Ministers Rapporteur Group on Legal Co-operation held an exchange of views with representatives of civil society on accountability for crimes during the war of aggression against Ukraine. Under the theme “The Accountability for Crimes Under International Law Committed...
Congress addresses UN High-Level Political Forum
The United Nations High-Level Political Forum in New York is taking place against a critical backdrop: most of the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) will not be achieved as planned by 2030. To speed up their implementation, the Congress is calling on states worldwide to empower cities and...
MONEYVAL calls on North Macedonia to improve investigation and prosecution for combating money laundering and financing of terrorism
In a new report the Council of Europe’s anti-money laundering body MONEYVAL calls on North Macedonia’s authorities to further strengthen its measures to combat money laundering (ML), financing of terrorism (FT) and financing of proliferation (FP), in particular in the investigation and...
Liverpool Summer School tackling illiberal democracies, post-summit challenges and opportunities
The Liverpool Summer School on the Law of the Council of Europe (3-14 July) has begun, with 42 young scholars from 15 Council of Europe member states. This is the first such Summer School that Liverpool University has hosted and comes just two months after the Summit of Heads of State and...
Secretary General meets EU Commission Vice-President for Democracy and Demography
Secretary General Marija Pejčinović Burić has met with Dubravka Šuica, the European Union (EU) Commission Vice-President for Democracy and Demography. Highlighting the strategic partnership between the Council of Europe and the European Union, the Secretary General and Vice-President Šuica...
Council of Europe anti-torture Committee publishes report on Latvia
The European Committee for the Prevention of Torture and Inhuman or Degrading Treatment or Punishment (CPT) has published the report on its May 2022 periodic visit to Latvia, together with the response of the Latvian authorities. The main objective of the visit was to review the treatment and...
“Let us remember Srebrenica and learn from it”
Statement by Council of Europe Secretary General Marija Pejčinović Burić
Deputy Secretary General meets the UN High Commissioner for Human Rights in Geneva
Council of Europe Deputy Secretary General Bjørn Berge had a meeting with Volker Türk, United Nations (UN) High Commissioner for Human Rights in Geneva. The meeting focused on strengthening relations between the two organisations and their complementarity, including in the implementation of the...
Luxembourg needs a 24/7 national specialist helpline and gender-sensitive risk assessment to counter violence against women
In its first report on Luxembourg, the Council of Europe’s Group of Experts on Action against Violence against Women and Domestic Violence (GREVIO) welcomes the “resolute measures” taken by the authorities to stop domestic violence over the past two decades, which reflect a positive political...
Secretary General underlines Council of Europe role at Dubrovnik Forum 2023
“To prevent the “next Russia” we need to recognise the damage that is done by the rise of extreme populism, nationalism and “anti-rights” movements”, highlighted Secretary General Marija Pejčinović Burić at the Dubrovnik Forum 2023 "Navigating the Global Reshuffle". While addressing the...
Raoul Wallenberg Prize 2024: call for nominations officially launched
Council of Europe Secretary General Marija Pejčinović Burić has officially launched the call for nominations for the Raoul Wallenberg Prize 2024 on 5 July 2023. The 10,000 euros prize is awarded every two years to an individual, group of individuals or an organisation that has achieved something...
25th Anniversary of European Social Charter Collective Complaints Procedure: in pursuit of human rights and social justice
The 25th anniversary of the entry into force of the Additional Protocol to the European Social Charter (ETS No. 158) has been marked by an event organised by the Council of Europe’s Department of Social Rights, attended by a wide range of leading stakeholders (governments, social partners, civil...
Secretary General meets Bujar Osmani, Minister for Foreign Affairs of North Macedonia and OSCE Chairman-in-Office
Secretary General Marija Pejčinović Burić has met the Chairman-in-Office of the OSCE and Minister for Foreign Affairs of North Macedonia, Bujar Osmani. Underlining the longstanding positive relationship between the Council of Europe and the OSCE, the Secretary General and Chairman in Office...
Significant increase in sanctions and measures without deprivation of liberty in Europe: SPACE II annual statistics for 2022
The number of persons in Europe subject to sanctions and measures which keep offenders in the community grew significantly from January 2021 to January 2022, consolidating the last decade’s general trend, in contrast with the decrease caused by the Covid-19 pandemic in the previous year. These...
Secretary General on official visit to Georgia
Secretary General Marija Pejčinović Burić has met the President and key ministers during an official visit to Georgia. Meeting Georgian President Salomé Zourabichvili, the Secretary General reaffirmed the Council of Europe’s full support to the ongoing reform process, highlighting the strategic...
Secretary General supports the authority of the Constitutional Court of Bosnia and Herzegovina
Council of Europe Secretary General Marija Pejčinović Burić today made the following statement: “I strongly condemn the adoption of the Law on the non-application of decisions of the Constitutional Court of Bosnia and Herzegovina in Republika Srpska by the National Assembly of Republika Srpska....
Migration: Anti-torture committee reports on November 2022 visit to UK
The Council of Europe’s anti-torture committee (CPT) has published the report on its ad hoc visit to the United Kingdom in November 2022, together with the response of the UK authorities. The focus of the visit was to examine the treatment of foreign nationals arriving by small boat in the UK...
The European Union deposited the instrument of approval of the “Istanbul Convention”
The European Union has ratified today the Council of Europe Convention on preventing and combating violence against women and domestic violence (CETS No. 210), known as “Istanbul Convention”. In a ceremony at the Palais de l’Europe, in the presence of Secretary General Marija Pejčinović Burić,...
The Conference of Participants of the Register of damage caused by Russia’s aggression against Ukraine holds its first meeting
The Conference of Participants of the Register of damage caused by the Russian Federation’s aggression against Ukraine held its constitutive meeting, bringing together the representatives of more than 40 countries. The Register will serve as a record of evidence and claims for damage, loss or...
Secretary General meets Minister of Culture of North Macedonia
Secretary General Marija Pejčinović Burić has exchanged views today with Minister of Culture of North Macedonia, Bisera Kostadinovska Stojchevska. The Secretary General highlighted the measures taken to ensure non-discrimination, diversity and inclusion and address the challenges of democratic...
European incarceration rate increased following the end of Covid-19 lockdown measures: Council of Europe’s annual penal statistics released
The end of lockdown measures to tackle the Covid-19 pandemic produced a rebound effect in the incarceration rates in many European countries between January 2021 and January 2022: the median incarceration rate rose by 2.3% in countries exceeding one million inhabitants, according to the Council...
Austria and detention: While vast majority of detainees report no ill-treatment, a new report outlines some poor conditions and a shortage of health-care staff in prisons
For persons held in police custody in Austria, the “vast majority” of detainees interviewed by a delegation of the Council of Europe’s European Committee for the Prevention of Torture and Inhuman or Degrading Treatment or Punishment (CPT) made no allegations of ill-treatment, according to a CPT...
MONEYVAL publishes follow-up reports on Albania and Slovenia
The Council of Europe’s anti-money laundering body MONEYVAL has published new reports on Albania and Slovenia assessing measures to tackle money laundering and terrorist financing. In a follow-up report released on 21 June, MONEYVAL finds that Albania has improved its measures for tackling money...
Secretary General on official visit to the United Kingdom
Secretary General Marija Pejčinović Burić has met key ministers and personalities during an official visit to the United Kingdom. Meeting the Secretary of State for Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Affairs James Cleverly, the Secretary General highlighted the Fourth Summit of the Heads of...
Council of Europe’s commission against racism and intolerance publishes monitoring reports on Armenia, Azerbaijan and Georgia, conclusions on Norway
The European Commission against Racism and Intolerance (ECRI) has published this week new monitoring reports on Armenia, Azerbaijan and Georgia. The Commission outlines areas of progress, outstanding issues and provides recommendations for improving the situation. It has also published...
Anti-torture committee critical of police ill-treatment and poor living conditions for remand prisoners in Montenegro
The Council of Europe’s Committee for the Prevention of Torture and Inhuman or Degrading Treatment or Punishment (CPT) has published today the report on its ad hoc visit to Montenegro, which took place from 7-13 June 2022, together with the response of the Montenegrin Government. To address the...
Slovenian President makes the case for the Council of Europe in tackling regional and global problems, climate crisis, international law violations
Advocating the Council of Europe’s role as the legal bedrock of Europe, promoting the human right to clean and healthy environment, working with the young people, continuing support to Ukraine in fighting against Russia’s aggression and thinking about post-war reconstruction, as well as...
Secretary General highlights Council of Europe role at Ukraine Recovery Conference
“The Council of Europe has stood shoulder-to-shoulder with Ukraine. This includes doing what we can to ensure that when peace comes, it is just and durable. A firm foundation on which the country can rebuild with strong, democratic institutions. A clear European perspective and a positive...
Secretary General meets Slovenian President
Council of Europe Secretary General Marija Pejčinović Burić has met with Nataša Pirc Musar, President of Slovenia. At their meeting, which took place in Strasbourg, the Secretary General commended Slovenia and the President for their support for the promotion of the protection of the right to...
Latvian Foreign Minister: Ukraine must receive all the support it needs
“The Council of Europe Summit in Reykjavik was an important milestone for the organisation at a critical time and resulted in strong European unity in responding to Russia’s aggression against Ukraine,” said Edgars Rinkēvičs, Minister for Foreign Affairs of Latvia and Chair of the Committee of...
