Newsroom
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...
