Newsroom
Ukraine: anti-torture committee concerned about police ill-treatment, poor conditions of detention of remand and life-sentenced prisoners
The Council of Europe’s Committee for the prevention of torture (CPT) in its new report on the situation of Ukrainian prisons welcomed law enforcement sector reform and positive developments in the previously visited Colonies, but expressed serious concern about ill-treatment by police officers...
European countries must lift obstacles to reunification of refugee families
“The right to family reunification is a fundamental part of the right to family life, which is protected by international human rights law. This right is particularly important for refugees in Europe. Because of the dangers they face at home, their only option to enjoy their right to family life...
Hungarian law on foreign-funded NGOs - despite amendments - still raises Venice Commission concerns
The European Commission for Democracy through Law (the “Venice Commission”) today adopted an opinion clarifying its preliminary opinion on the previous Draft Law on the Transparency of Organisations Receiving Support from Abroad of Hungary. In the clarification, the Council of Europe expert body...
Conference on reporting about terrorism: challenges and ethical dilemmas
The Council of Europe is organising a conference in Strasbourg on 19 June to discuss the responsibilities and the challenges that journalists face when reporting about terrorist attacks, including the widespread use of social media and the constraints created by anti-terrorist laws. The event...
Moldova: plans to reform electoral system and presidential powers critically assessed by the Venice Commission
During its plenary session today, the Council of Europe’s constitutional law experts – the Venice Commission - adopted opinions that critically assess a draft law for Moldova’s electoral system for the election of Parliament and a proposal to expand presidential powers. Proposed reform to the...
Georgia: constitutional revision on right track, but changes needed to ensure political pluralism, says Venice Commission
Meeting for its June plenary session, the Council of Europe’s constitutional experts, (the Venice Commission), positively assessed the constitutional revision process in Georgia, but urged the authorities to reconsider the rules of Parliament formation, in order to increase pluralism in...
Bosnia and Herzegovina: Greater efforts needed to enhance social cohesion and media freedom
Declaration by Human Rights Commissioner Nils Muižnieks, following a four-day visit to the country
Europe and migration to take centre-stage at the Parliamentary Assembly Summer Session
Europe and migration will be one of the central themes of the Council of Europe Parliamentary Assembly (PACE) Summer plenary session, to be held in Strasbourg from 26 to 30 June 2017. Four reports will be debated on Wednesday 28 June, focusing on the humanitarian and political response to the...
EU signs Council of Europe convention to stop violence against women
Global support for the Council of Europe Convention on preventing and combating violence against women and domestic violence (“Istanbul Convention”) significantly increased today with the official signature by the European Union. Ambassador Joseph Filletti, Permanent Representative of Malta to...
Turkey: compliance with recommendations to fight corruption remains “globally unsatisfactory” GRECO says
The Council of Europe’s anti-corruption group (GRECO) today published an interim compliance report on Turkey. The report examines the compliance of the member state with 17 recommendations adopted in March 2010. These recommendations cover “incrimination” and “transparency of political funding”....
The Committee of Ministers reviews the implementation of the European Court of Human Rights' judgments
On 6-7 June, representatives of the 47 member States of the Council of Europe held their second “Human Rights” meeting of 2017, during which they examined the implementation of judgments of the European Court of Human Rights in keeping with the supervisory role of the Committee of Ministers,...
The European Roma Institute for Arts and Culture Launches in Berlin
A new institute committed to establishing the artistic and cultural presence of Europe’s 12 million Roma people was launched today in Berlin – dedicated to the principle that Roma themselves should present the image of who they are, and who they are not. The new European Roma Institute for Arts...
Special Representative of the Secretary General on migration and refugees visits Serbia and two transit zones in Hungary
The Special Representative of the Secretary General on Migration and Refugees (SRSG), Ambassador Tomáš Boček, is conducting a fact-finding mission to Serbia and two transit zones in Hungary from 12 to 16 June 2017. The Special Representative will visit various reception centres for migrants and...
Council of Europe urges states to step up their action to prevent corruption
The Group of States against Corruption publishes its annual report
London terrorist attack
Statement by Lubomír Zaorálek, Chair of the Committee of Ministers and Minister for Foreign Affairs of the Czech Republic
Statement by the Secretary General on the London attack
Council of Europe Secretary General Thorbjørn Jagland made the following statement today following the attack in London last night that left several people dead and dozens wounded: "This was another cruel attack on our common values and freedoms. We stand united with our member state UK in the...
Venice Commission on Hungarian law on foreign-funded NGOs: legitimate aims, but excessive obligations, disproportionate sanctions
The Venice Commission has published today its preliminary opinion on the Draft Law on the Transparency of Organisations Receiving Support from Abroad of Hungary. The Venice Commission acknowledges that the draft law pursues the legitimate aim of ensuring transparency of civil society...
Launch event for the European Roma Institute for Arts and Culture: 8 June in Berlin
The European Roma Institute for Arts and Culture (ERIAC) will be officially launched in Berlin on Thursday, 8 June. The launch event is organised by the German Federal Foreign Office, the Alliance for the European Roma Institute for Arts and Culture, the Council of Europe and the Open Society...
European Dialogue on Internet Governance
Why have “fake news”, hate speech and propaganda become widespread on the Internet? What can users do to face disinformation? How can freedom of expression and privacy be further protected in the online environment? What should be done to secure criminal evidence online to fight cybercrime more...
Quality youth work key to preventing a “lost generation” in Europe
Young people are a key resource for building a social and just Europe, and providing them with structured support is an important investment Europe has to make for its present and future. This is the underlying idea of the new Recommendation to the Council of Europe member states on youth work,...
