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Anti-torture committee highlights continuing overcrowding and staff shortages in Belgium’s prisons
The European Committee for the Prevention of Torture and Inhuman or Degrading Treatment or Punishment (CPT) has highlighted a range of persistent problems, including long-standing overcrowding and staff shortages, in Belgian prisons. Its latest report on Belgium follows an ad-hoc visit to prisons...
InvestEU: Council of Europe Bank and European Commission sign agreement to mobilise €500 million in financing for social investments
The European Commission and the Council of Europe Development Bank (CEB) have signed an InvestEU guarantee agreement worth up to €159 million. This makes the CEB an InvestEU implementing partner and will mobilise around €500 million in additional loans for social projects. It represents an...
Council of Europe at the 2022 Internet Governance Forum in Ethiopia
The Council of Europe is taking part in the 17th United Nations Internet Governance Forum (IGF) hosted by the government of Addis-Ababa (Ethiopia) from 28 November to 2 December. Held in a hybrid format under the theme “Resilient Internet for a Shared Sustainable and Common Future”, the IGF will...
Observatory on History Teaching in Europe: Annual Conference tackles the future of history teaching
The past year has shown how historical arguments can be used to nurture hate, but when taught in all its complexity, history can in fact help appease conflicts - as the 70 years’ experience of the Council of Europe in the field has shown. On December 1-2 the Council of Europe’s Observatory on...
Norway: evaluation report on violence against women
The Council of Europe Expert Group on Action against Violence against Women and Domestic Violence (GREVIO) has published its baseline evaluation report on Norway. It contains a comprehensive analysis of the implementation of the Istanbul Convention in Norway. While acknowledging the steps taken...
“There’s no place for violence against women in democratic cities and regions” says Congress Spokesperson on Gender Equality
On the occasion of the International Day for the Elimination of Violence against Women the Congress spokesperson for Gender Equality, Eirini Dourou (SOC, Greece), made the following statement: “Inclusive societies start with inclusivity at decision-making levels. However, women still remain...
Statement by Committee of Ministers Chair, Þórdís Kolbrún Reykfjörð Gylfadóttir, Icelandic Minister for Foreign Affairs
“On the International Day for the Elimination of Violence against Women, I reaffirm Iceland’s steadfast commitment to gender equality and the protection of the hard-earned progress concerning the human rights of women and girls. Together, we must combat all forms of violence against women and...
Secretary General condemns Russia's attacks on hospitals and infrastructure in Ukraine, with repercussions in Moldova
“I condemn yet again Russia’s brutal attacks against hospitals (including a maternity ward), civilian and energy infrastructures in Ukraine, and their repercussions in the Republic of Moldova. This senseless and inhuman violence must stop.”
Ukraine: We must help victims of sexual violence by Russian soldiers
Statement by Marija Pejčinović Burić, Council of Europe Secretary General
Poland’s implementation of the European Convention on Human Rights: Secretary General’s Report
A report by Secretary General Marija Pejčinović Burić has been published on 23 November on serious issues raised by two judgments of the Polish Constitutional Court of 24 November 2021 and 10 March 2022. In these judgments, the Constitutional Court found that the European Convention on Human...
Violence against women in Cyprus: Despite positive developments, rape victims need more support says new report
The first evaluation of Cyprus by the Council of Europe’s Group of Experts on Action against Violence against Women and Domestic Violence (GREVIO) highlights positive steps by Cypriot authorities taken since ratification in 2017 of the Council of Europe Convention on Preventing and Combating...
First report on Georgia’s implementation of Istanbul Convention welcomes steps on legislation, calls for more services for victims and dissuasive sanctions for perpetrators
In its first report on Georgia the Council of Europe’s monitoring body GREVIO has welcomed the many steps taken by the Georgian authorities to align its laws, policies and institutional framework with the standards of the Istanbul Convention. However, further legal amendments are needed, more...
Vilnius conference discusses Public Service Media’s role in supporting democracy, including in times of crisis
The Council of Europe and the European Broadcasting Union (EBU) are organising a conference in Vilnius (Lithuania) on 22 November to discuss the way to protect the critical role of public service media in upholding democracy at times when their sustainability and independence are being challenged...
Local elections in Slovenia: Congress delegation welcomes an orderly ballot, but calls for more coherent regulations
A delegation from the Congress of Local and Regional Authorities carried out an observation mission of the local elections held on 20 November in Slovenia. The 18 observers were deployed to different regions of the country, in order to follow the electoral procedures in 120 polling stations,...
Downing of flight MH17: 'Finally justice has been done, no room for impunity', says PACE President
PACE President Tiny Kox has made the following statement: "The Hague District Court in the Netherlands has just ruled on the State responsibility of the Russian Federation under the European Convention on Human Rights and other international conventions concerning the downing over eastern...
Estonia needs to better address all forms of violence against women
In its first evaluation report on Estonia, the Group of Experts on Action against Violence against Women and Domestic Violence (GREVIO) recognises a clear commitment to eliminate gender-based violence, but also calls on the authorities to address all forms of violence against women, provide more...
Barnahus model helps children who suffered sexual abuse from feeling like victims for a second time, say Council of Europe leaders
Ahead of the European Day on the Protection of Children against Sexual Exploitation and Sexual Abuse marked on 18 November, Council of Europe Secretary General Marija Pejčinović Burić and Iceland’s Minister for Foreign Affairs and Chair of the Committee of Ministers of the Council of Europe,...
Conflict in Georgia: Secretary General’s Consolidated Report says human rights challenges persist in conflict-affected areas
Concerns persist regarding the human rights situation in the areas affected by the armed conflict between the Russian Federation and Georgia in August 2008, according to a report by Secretary General Marija Pejčinović Burić presented to the Committee of Ministers. The bi-annual report (covering...
Statement by Secretary General Marija Pejčinović Burić
"I condemn in the strongest possible terms the indiscriminate missiles strikes which hit Ukraine and Poland. On behalf of the Council of Europe, I express my condolences and full support to both countries. The bloodshed must immediately end. Europeans need peace and security to return to our...
Secretary General in Berlin for the Opening Ceremony of the 8th World Congress against the Death Penalty
“Death is not justice. Capital punishment replaces justice with revenge. This has to be wrong – and it must be stopped”, said Secretary General Marija Pejčinović Burić in a panel discussion at the opening of the 8th World Congress against the Death Penalty which is held from 15-18 November in...
