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More and more countries acceding to Budapest Convention
The 14th edition of the Octopus Conference 2023 has concluded in Bucharest (Romania). An increasing number of countries are acceding to the Budapest Convention of the Council of Europe. There are now 69 state parties from around the world, with Brazil, Nigeria and Cameroon the most recent to...
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...
