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Protecting the rights of sex workers and improving their life conditions
The Committee on Equality and Non-Discrimination, meeting on 12 September in Paris, has expressed its concern that sex workers continue to face stigmatisation, are vulnerable to violence and abuse, and face discrimination in access to education, employment, health, housing, justice and protection...
Türkiye: concerns remain about the independence of the judiciary, prison conditions and the execution of the Court's judgments
In an information note following his visit to Türkiye from 11 to 14 June 2024, Stefan Schennach, one of the co-rapporteurs on the honouring of obligations and commitments by Türkiye, expressed a number of concerns relating to the independence of the judiciary, prison conditions, the execution of...
Monitoring Committee welcomes reforms in Bosnia and Herzegovina, but says there is ‘insufficient progress in some areas’
PACE’s Monitoring Committee has congratulated the authorities of Bosnia and Herzegovina for the pace of reforms since 2022 – but said it remains concerned about “the lack of, or insufficient, progress in some areas crucial for the functioning of democratic institutions”. Approving a draft...
Council of Europe Bank committed to strengthening resilience of local communities
"Strengthening subnational governments’ capacity is a priority for the Council of Europe Bank, to scale up investments and social impact,” stressed the Bank’s Vice-Governor Tomáš Boček during...
PACE delegation makes pre-electoral visit to the Republic of Moldova
A seven-member delegation of the Parliamentary Assembly of the Council of Europe (PACE), led by Thórhildur Sunna Ævarsdóttir (Iceland, SOC), will make a pre-electoral visit to the Republic of Moldova on 17-18 September to assess the election campaign and political climate prior to the...
Congress President meets Mayor of Istanbul
On 12 September 2024, Congress President Marc Cools met Ekrem Imamoglu, President of the Union of Turkish Municipalities and Mayor of Istanbul, on the occasion of the Conference of associations of local and regional authorities
Carabinieri trained on ensuring public order in the electoral process ahead of presidential elections and constitutional referendum in Republic of Moldova - Electoral assistance
(Seulement en anglais) In preparation for the upcoming 2024 Presidential election and constitutional referendum in Moldova, approximately 80 carabinieri representing the General Inspectorate...
Council of Europe contributed to the high-level ‘United for Justice’ Conference in Ukraine: Focus on Accountability for the Attacks against Civilian Objects
On 11 September 2024, the Council of Europe supported the international high-level expert conference ‘United for Justice: Accountability for Attacks Against Civilian Objects’, held in Kyiv,.... Latest news from the Directorate General Human Rights and Rule of Law
Updating the European Youth Foundation’s work after Reykjavik
The European Youth Foundation (EYF) gathered partners, international and independent funders active in the field of youth and member of the Council of Europe Joint Council on Youth in Strasbourg to chart the way to updating the Foundation’s work. The European Youth Foundation is a unique, agile...
Local and regional authorities play a crucial role in building resilient democratic societies: conference hosted by Council of Europe Congress
The role of local and regional authorities in effectively responding to the challenges facing European democracies, in supporting Ukraine, protecting human rights, saving the environment, and enabling young people’s involvement is the focus of a conference of associations of local and regional...
Congress strengthens co-operation with the Ukrainian Association of District and Regional Councils
On 12 September 2024, on the margin of the Conference of National Associations of Local and Regional Authorities, the Congress signed a memorandum of understanding with the Ukrainian Association of District and Regional Councils (UAROR) to increase co-operation and contribute to building...
3rd meeting of the Bureau of the Bern Convention - Convention on the Conservation of European Wildlife and Natural Habitats
The Bureau of the Standing Committee of the Bern Convention on the Conservation of European Wildlife and Natural Habitats held its third ordinary meeting of the year from 10 to 12 September 2024 in Strasbourg.
Secretary General at 4th Summit of International Crimea Platform
“This year, 10 years after the Russian Federation’s illegal annexation of the Autonomous Republic of Crimea and the City of Sevastopol, the European Court of Human Rights delivered a unanimous judgment, affirming that Russia has committed widespread and systemic human rights violations in the...
Committee expresses deep concern at harsh treatment of Julian Assange, warns of its chilling effect for the press
PACE’s Legal Affairs Committee has warmly welcomed the release of Julian Assange but expressed deep concern at “the disproportionately harsh treatment” he faced, and called on the US to investigate the alleged war crimes and human rights violations disclosed by him and Wikileaks. Approving a...
Commissioner O’Flaherty held a consultation meeting on the human rights of Roma and Travellers in the Council of Europe area
On 9 and 10 September in Strasbourg, Commissioner O’Flaherty convened a consultation meeting with experts working on the human rights of Roma and Travellers. The discussions...
Award of the 2024 Václav Havel Prize a highlight of the PACE autumn session
The award ceremony for the 2024 Václav Havel Prize – which honours outstanding human rights defenders worldwide – will be a highlight of the autumn session of the Parliamentary Assembly of the Council of Europe (PACE), to be held in Strasbourg from 30 September to 4 October 2024. An overall...
Committee denounces the human rights situation in Iran and calls for strengthening the protection of Iranians in Europe
The Political Affairs Committee, meeting on 9 September in Paris, expressed its concern about the persecution of human rights defenders in Iran and abroad by the Iranian regime. The report by Max Lucks (Germany, SOC), adopted by the committee, underlines that many Iranians in exile in Europe, and...
Council of Europe calls for strengthening international cooperation against migrant smuggling
The 2nd International Conference on Migrant Smuggling, organised by the Council of Europe in Strasbourg, has called on its 46 member states to explore all pathways to strengthen international cooperation. In her opening speech, Council of Europe Secretary General Marija Pejčinović Burić...
Georgian Parliament should not adopt anti-LGBTI law and should refrain from using stigmatising rhetoric
Council of Europe Commissioner for Human Rights, Michael O’Flaherty has a letter sent to the Chairman of the Parliament of Georgia in which he asks members of the Parliament to refrain from adopting the draft law “On protecting family values and minors” passed in second reading on 4 September...
Austria: despite positive steps, progress still needed in family law cases related to domestic violence
A new theme-based report published by the Group of Experts on Action against Violence against Women and Domestic Violence (GREVIO) commends the Austrian authorities for having taken steps to further align legislation with requirements of the Council of Europe Convention on preventing and...