Newsroom
Slovenia: draft law on Barnahus will better protect children from sexual abuse
The results and key recommendations of the public consultation process of the draft law on Barnahus in Slovenia are being discussed today at an online event. Barnahus (“Children’s House”) is a leading European model for a child-friendly multidisciplinary and interagency response to child sexual...
Role of European Youth Card in promoting young people’s rights post-COVID
A webinar “New challenges and opportunities for innovative youth services. The role of the European Youth Card in promoting the rights of young people in post COVID era” is being held under the Greek Chairmanship of the Committee of Ministers on 5-6 November 2020. The Greek Chairmanship has...
Foreign Affairs Ministers call for unity and more solidarity between nations
As the Council of Europe celebrates the 70th anniversary of the European Convention on Human Rights in the unprecedented context of the current health crisis, the Foreign Affairs Ministers of the Organisation’s 47 member States have reiterated their commitment to unity in Europe and stronger...
Sports Ministers discuss revision of European Sports Charter and Human Rights in Sport
Sport is an important facet of modern life. Sports’ governance is facing many challenges in a world that is rapidly changing and it can also, if unchecked, lead to human rights issues. Practicing sport is a human right and a goal shared by all governments. The 16th Conference of Council of Europe...
Congress delegation concerned for increasing polarisation of Polish society and situation of LGBTI people
The Congress of Local and Regional Authorities of the Council of Europe has completed a two-day fact-finding mission regarding the situation of LGBTI people in Poland. "Sexual orientation has become a polarising issue in Polish society; this is also increasingly reflected in local and regional...
Foreign Ministers discuss Council of Europe's role in the context of COVID-19 pandemic
Ministers for Foreign Affairs of the Council of Europe’s 47 member States will hold an online ministerial session on 4 November. During their annual meeting, the Ministers will be invited to take position on the response to the health crisis in full respect for democracy, rule of law and human...
Secretary General condemns Vienna terrorist attack
Statement by Marija Pejčinović Burić
Internet Governance Forum 2020
The Council of Europe is taking part in the 15th UN Internet Governance Forum (IGF), being held online from 2 to 17 November under the theme “Internet for human resilience and solidarity”. Council of Europe representatives and experts are contributing to debates on the challenges to freedom of...
Anti-money laundering: Georgia should increase the use of financial intelligence
The Council of Europe’s anti-money laundering body MONEYVAL has urged the Georgian authorities to strengthen the practical application of their measures to combat money laundering and financing of terrorism. In a new report it calls for making more efforts to use financial intelligence to detect...
November 2: International Day to end Impunity for Crimes against Journalists
Based on information collected by the Council of Europe Platform for the protection of journalism and safety of journalists, perpetrators of at least 22 murders of journalists in Europe are being shielded from justice. This is another confirmation that the International Day to End Impunity for...
Council of Europe leaders condemn terrorist attack in Nice
We are deeply shocked and saddened by the barbaric and cowardly terrorist act in Nice on Thursday. We condemn in the most vigorous way this heinous attack and we express our deepest condolences and our sympathy to the families of the victims. We also express our full and unconditional support and...
Conference of Ministers of Education: response to pandemic crisis
The Conference of Ministers of Education of the Council of Europe, organised in the framework of the Greek Chairmanship of the Committee of Ministers, has endorsed a Political Declaration on the education response to COVID-19. The Declaration is accompanied by a Roadmap for Action on the Council...
Slovakia should prosecute money laundering with more determination
A new report by the Council of Europe’s anti-money laundering body MONEYVAL urges the authorities of the Slovak Republic to systematically pursue illicit funds generated by crimes, through effective seizure and confiscation, and to systemically tackle money laundering and terrorist financing...
Ukraine: Congress concludes remote observation procedure regarding local elections
Welcoming the fact that, for the first time, Internally Displaced Persons (IDPs) were allowed to vote in local elections in Ukraine, the Congress of Local and Regional Authorities of the Council of Europe concluded its remote election observation procedure which was introduced as a temporary and...
Poland: Poor legal and medical access for people in police custody among concerns raised in Anti-Torture Committee report
In its latest report on police detention facilities, the Council of Europe’s European Committee for the Prevention of Torture and Inhuman or Degrading Treatment or Punishment (CPT) stresses that Poland has failed to implement previous recommendations for proper legal and medical access, and that...
Poland: Congress conducts remote fact-finding mission on situation of LGBTI+
The Congress of Local and Regional Authorities of the Council of Europe will conduct a remote fact-finding mission on 2 and 3 November 2020 on the situation of LGBTI+ people in Poland. This mission follows a request from members of the Polish parliament regarding the increasing attacks and...
Responding to COVID-19 crisis: Ministers of Education conference
The COVID-19 pandemic is challenging our education systems and institutions, which need to innovate the ways in which we learn, teach and assess qualifications. The risk of increased exclusion and inequality in access to education is another effect of the sanitary crisis. In order to respond to...
Bosnia and Herzegovina - Congress conducts remote observation procedure for local elections on 15 November
In response to an invitation from the authorities in Bosnia-Herzegovina the Congress of Local and Regional Authorities will carry out a remote observation procedure on 29 and 30 October, for local elections set for 15 November. This new remote format has been introduced as a temporary procedure...
Efficiency and quality of justice in Europe: 2020 report
A new report has identified a number of broad trends across judicial systems in 45 European countries. Among the findings of the eighth evaluation report drawn up by the Council of Europe’s European Commission for the Efficiency of Justice (CEPEJ): European states spend an average of €72 per...
Polish authorities should ensure continuity, independence and effectiveness of Ombudsman institution
In a letter addressed to the Minister of Foreign Affairs of Poland, made public today, the Council of Europe Commissioner for Human Rights, Dunja Mijatović raises her concerns about risks to the continuity and the effective functioning of the Polish Ombudsman institution. A constitutional...
