Newsroom
Secretary General statement following the 5th Meeting of the Conference of Participants of the Register of Damage for Ukraine
The Register of Damage is central to the Council of Europe’s work to ensure accountability for the crimes committed by the Russian Federation in its war of aggression against Ukraine. It was established quickly and efficiently and has already achieved a great deal in a very short time, with more...
Venice Commission holding plenary session
The Council of Europe's Venice Commission holds its third plenary session of the year in Venice on 11 and 12 October. Agenda highlights include two rule of law opinions on Poland concerning draft amendments to the Law on the Public Prosecutor’s Office and European standards regulating the status...
Strategic priorities, gender equality and youth among highlights of international NGOs General Assembly
The Conference of International Non-Governmental Organisations (CINGO) will hold its autumn General Assembly in hybrid format from 14 to 16 October. Meetings will be held in parallel by some of CINGO’s thematic committees and the newly created task force on civic space watch. The discussion and...
Tune in to EDQM On Air to get your dose of information on European public health
We are excited to announce the launch of EDQM On Air, the first podcast from the European Directorate for the Quality of Medicines & HealthCare (EDQM) of the Council of Europe! Tune in for expert insights, engaging discussions and inspiring stories and discover how the EDQM, together with its...
Congress supports Ukrainian municipalities and regions in using the Register of Damage - Congress of Local and Regional Authorities
“We strongly believe in the role of local and regional authorities in the recovery and reconstruction of Ukraine, and they should also play a key role in making the Register of Damage for...
Czechia urged to step up efforts to prevent human trafficking for labour exploitation
The Czech authorities should strengthen their efforts to prevent and combat trafficking in human beings, in particular as regards labour exploitation, improve the identification of victims, and take further action to prevent child trafficking, according to a new report by the Council of Europe’s...
International Day for Disaster Risk Reduction: Urgent action needed to increase local and regional risk-preparedness
On the occasion of International Day for Disaster Risk Reduction (13 October), the President of the Congress of Local and Regional Authorities, Marc Cools, has made the following statement: “In the current times of climate change, local and regional politicians must look into any disaster risks...
The Artist as Defender of Human Rights
Keynote address The Artist as Defender of Human Rights, by the Commissioner for Human Rights, Michael O’Flaherty, delivered at the Hugh Lane Gallery in Dublin, Ireland, at the Special Evening Lecture organised...
Judges and prosecutors trained on investigating and examining illegal financing of political parties and electoral campaigns - Council of Europe Office in Chisinau
About 25 judges and prosecutors participated in a specialised training workshop on investigating and examining illegal funding of political parties and electoral campaigns. The one-day training session, held at the National Institute of Justice, covered critical topics such as the legal framework...
Protection of national minorities in Bulgaria and Montenegro: expert committee publishes new opinions
The Advisory Committee on the Council of Europe Framework Convention for the Protection of National Minorities has published new opinions assessing the developments of the situation with national minorities in Bulgaria and Montenegro and providing recommendations to the authorities of the two...
Support Ukrainian Municipalities: A Call for Action
Out of Ukraine’s 1 469 communities, 356 have already concluded international partnerships. These partnerships are lifelines, offering access to European programmes, funding mechanisms, youth and cultural exchanges, capacity-building opportunities, and – most importantly – solidarity and trust in...
The CEPEJ Network of national correspondents will meet on the occasion of the publication of the 2024 CEPEJ Evaluation Report
The CEPEJ is organising the 18th meeting of its network of national correspondents on 16 October in Strasbourg. This Network is responsible for collecting the data needed to prepare the...
47th meeting of the CEPEJ Working Group on evaluation of judicial systems
The CEPEJ Working Group on evaluation of judicial systems (CEPEJ-GT-EVAL) will hold its 47th meeting in Strasbourg on 17 and 18 October 2024. During this meeting, the Working Group will review...
European and World Day against the Death Penalty, 10 October 2024
Joint statement by the High Representative of the European Union and the Secretary General of the Council of Europe
European and World Day against the Death Penalty, 10 October 2024
Committee of Ministers calls on member states to remain firm in their commitment to oppose the death penalty
Congress session: Protecting Ukraine’s cultural heritage, ageing communities, common challenges to grassroots democracy in Europe and 10 years of direct youth engagement
The Congress of Local and Regional Authorities will hold its 47th session from 15 to 17 October in Strasbourg, France. On this occasion, the Congress will hold a special debate on Wednesday 16 October to mark the 10th anniversary of its ‘Rejuvenating Politics’ pioneering initiative aimed at...
‘Death penalty does not make societies safer,’ says General Rapporteur
On the eve of the 22nd World Day against the Death Penalty (10 October), PACE General Rapporteur on the abolition of the death penalty, Gala Veldhoen (Netherlands, SOC), made the following statement: “This year’s theme, ‘The death penalty protects no one,’ is a timely reminder of the persistent...
AI in prisons and probation: new Council of Europe recommendation aims to ensure respect for human rights and dignity
The Council of Europe has issued recommendations to its 46 member states aimed at ensuring that the use of artificial intelligence (AI) and related digital technologies by prison and probation services respects the human rights and dignity of detainees, probationers, as well as staff. In a new...
Sports Ministers gather in Porto to discuss the role of sport in society
More than 220 participants from over 40 countries gathered in Porto, Portugal from 8-10 October 2024 for the 18th Council of Europe Conference of Ministers Responsible for Sport. The Ministers' focus was on collaborative governing and good governance in sport. Organised by the Enlarged Partial...
High-level officials of North Macedonia discussed necessary interventions following latest report of the Committee against Torture
In a high-level meeting, senior officials working on prison reform discussed the way forward to address the key challenges stemming from the main findings of the European Committee against Torture (CPT) 2023 report on North Macedonia. The event was attended by the State Secretary of the Ministry...
Data protection and privacy rights: first regional HELP course launched in the Southern Mediterranean region
On 1 October, the Council of Europe launched the first regional course on Data Protection and Privacy Rights of the Human Rights Education for Legal Professionals (HELP) programme in the.... Latest news about Council of Europe work in field of data protection
Local elections in Bosnia and Herzegovina: improved electoral process but lack of genuine public engagement
At the invitation of the Bosnia and Herzegovina authorities, the Congress of Local and Regional Authorities of the Council of Europe deployed a mission to observe the local elections held on 6 October 2024 throughout the country. The Congress mission was led by Carla Dejonghe (Belgium, ILDG) and...
Report highlights inadequate healthcare access for LGBTI people, recommends solutions
A new Council of Europe report “Right to the Highest Attainable Standard of Health and Access to Healthcare for LGBTI People in Europe“ has revealed substantial disparities and systemic challenges. It proposes numerous recommendations to the Council of Europe member states to improve the...
One year after the Hamas attack, Secretary General commemorates victims, reiterates absolute condemnation of terrorism and calls for hostages to be freed immediately
“One year on from the horrific Hamas attack on Israeli civilians and civilians of other nationalities, we reiterate our absolute condemnation of terrorism, commemorate those who lost their lives and solemnly call for the prompt release of the hostages still held in Gaza. The Hamas attack has...
Council of Europe is “first line of defence” for democratic values in Europe
Deputy Secretary General Bjorn Berge has taken part in a lively and informative seminar on “How to ensure democratic resilience in Europe”, organised by the Norwegian Institute of International Affairs in Oslo, Norway. Other speakers included Norwegian Deputy Minister of Foreign Affairs Maria...
Secretary General attends 19th Francophonie Summit
“We are here to celebrate the central role of the French language as a driving force for democracy, human rights and multilateralism,” said Secretary General Alain Berset during his speech at the 19th Francophonie Summit on Creating, innovating and doing business in French, held in...
European Donation Day 2024: a celebration of life and giving
The European Day for Organ, Tissue and Cell Donation is a powerful initiative that has been raising awareness of the life-saving potential of organ, tissue and cell donation for almost 30 years. Driven by the European Directorate for the Quality of Medicines & HealthCare (EDQM) of the Council of...
CEC strengthens crisis communication skills ahead of 2024 elections
Around 15 representatives of the Central Electoral Commission (CEC) enhanced their crisis communication skills in preparation of Presidential Elections and the EU-related Republican Constitutional Referendum (20.10.2024) at the seminar organised by the Council of Europe Office in Chisinau....
Central Electoral Commission staff trained on the use of new Postal voting e-module
The Central Electoral Commission (CEC)’ s electronic system of the postal vote is now fully operational. Newly developed Postal voting module and an upgraded Preliminary Registration module of the of the State Automated Information System Elections have been tested during June-August. Both...
Ukrainian delegation visits Portugal to focus on post-war elections and out-of-country voting
From September 25 to 27, 2024, a Ukrainian delegation, including representatives from the Central Election Commission and the Ministry of Foreign Affairs of Ukraine, took part in a three-days visit to Lisbon, Portugal, organised and conducted with the support of the Council of Europe*. The visit...
Foreign Minister Timcho Mucunski reaffirms North Macedonia’s commitment to European values, human rights and rule of law
Addressing the Parliamentary Assembly of the Council of Europe (PACE) today, Timcho Mucunski, North Macedonia’s Minister of Foreign Affairs and Foreign Trade, reaffirmed his country's steadfast dedication to European values, human rights, and the rule of law. Minister Mucunski emphasised that...
Call for participation: Making justice accessible across Europe and strengthening the trust of citizens in the judicial system
Every year on 25 October, on the European Day of Justice, events for European citizens, students and justice professionals are organised across Europe. The CEPEJ supports the commitment of...
Ninety years on from the Holodomor, Ukraine once again faces the threat of genocide
Ninety years on from the Holodomor, Stalin's genocide by artificial famine which resulted in the deaths of millions of Ukrainians in 1932-33, Ukraine again faces the threat of genocide, Parliamentary Assembly has declared, urging all governments to help the people of Ukraine "fight off the...
Secretary General meets UNESCO Director-General
Secretary General Alain Berset met with UNESCO Director-General Audrey Azoulay at the Palais de l’Europe. The meeting followed up an exchange of views held on the sidelines of the 79th session of the United Nations General Assembly (UNGA 79) in New York and provided an opportunity to highlight...
European Commission for the Efficiency of Justice President visited Kazakhstan
The President of the CEPEJ, Francesco Depasquale (Malta), visited Kazakhstan on 3 and 4 October 2024. On the occasion of the 9th Congress of Judges and a Round Table on the strategy for...
Parliamentary Assembly pledges full support to Ukrainian prisoners of war and civilians ‘until the last captive is released’
Parliamentary Assembly has demanded that prisoners of war and civilians held in Russian captivity be treated in line with international humanitarian law and human rights standards, pledging to “remain involved until the last captive is released”. A total of 65 956 servicemen and civilians have...
Committee of Ministers' President Landsbergis: collective effort needed to ensure sustainable peace and respect for human rights
“It is time to put even more pressure on Russia and ensure its full accountability for its crimes,” said Gabrielius Landsbergis, President of the Committee of Ministers and Minister of Foreign Affairs of Lithuania, when addressing the Parliamentary Assembly. “Only this way will we lay the path...
Secretary General meets H.S.H. Prince Albert II of Monaco
The Secretary General, Alain Berset, and Prince Albert II of Monaco met during the Sovereign Prince’s visit to mark the 20th anniversary of the Principality of Monaco’s accession to the Council of Europe. They discussed Monaco’s contribution to the Council of Europe’s activities, the importance...
Parliamentary Assembly recognises Julian Assange as a ‘political prisoner’ and warns against the chilling effect of his harsh treatment
The Parliamentary Assembly of the Council of Europe (PACE) has expressed deep concern at “the disproportionately harsh treatment” faced by Julian Assange and said this has had a “dangerous chilling effect” which undermines the protection of journalists and whistleblowers around the world....
Combatting ageism: human rights should not be denied or limited with age
“Human rights should not be denied or limited with age”, said Andrea Eder-Gitschthaler, on the occasion of the International Day of Older Persons (1 October). Ms Eder-Gitschthaler, rapporteur on “Overcoming age-based discrimination against older persons”, underlines that access...
Parliamentary Assembly welcomes reforms in Bosnia and Herzegovina, but highlights ‘insufficient progress’ in areas crucial for the functioning of democratic institutions
Parliamentary Assembly congratulated the authorities of Bosnia and Herzegovina for the pace of reforms since 2022, which has allowed the opening of the accession negotiations with the EU in March 2024. However, it remains concerned about “the lack of progress in some areas crucial for the...
Parliamentary Assembly denounces the human rights situation in Iran and calls for strengthening the protection of Iranians in Europe
The Parliamentary Assembly expressed its concern about the persecution of human rights defenders in Iran and abroad, in particular in the Council of Europe member States, by the Iranian regime. The resolution, unanimously adopted by PACE on the basis of the report by Max Lucks (Germany, SOC...
Secretary General stresses the Council of Europe’s crucial role during the Assembly’s autumn plenary session
“The combined effects of these wars, together with climate change and the erosion of democracy, constitute an unprecedented challenge for our societies, a challenge I think we could call the perfect storm. In the face of that challenge, the Council of Europe has already shown its solidity, its...
Neutralising harmful propaganda while preserving the right to freedom of expression
Propaganda can be used to manipulate public opinion and threaten our common values and human dignity, as well as the proper functioning of our democratic systems, impairing the development of free opinions and informed citizen participation in public debate and decision making, the Assembly said...
Parliamentary Assembly elects Anna Adamska-Gallant judge to the European Court of Human Rights in respect of Poland
The Parliamentary Assembly elected Anna Adamska-Gallant as judge to the European Court of Human Rights in respect of Poland. Ms Adamska-Gallant, having obtained an absolute majority of votes cast, is elected judge of the European Court of Human Rights for a term of...
Parliamentary Assembly recommends a set of measures to clarify the fate of missing migrants
Parliamentary Assembly expressed its concern about the phenomenon of migrants, refugees and asylum seekers going missing, “a tragedy largely underestimated as a human rights issue,” believing that policy responses are needed across Europe and the world. It marked its solidarity with the families...
Deteriorating situation of human rights, rule of law and democracy in Azerbaijan
"On 24 January, our Assembly resolved not to ratify the credentials of the Azerbaijani delegation. The Assembly was among other things worried about the lack of cooperation in monitoring procedure and lack of invitation to observe the early presidential election of 7 February. It also cited the...
International Day of Non-Violence: Violence against grassroots politicians has a chilling effect on local democracy
On the occasion of International Day of Non-Violence (2 October), Bernd Vöhringer, Congress Rapporteur on combating violence against local and regional elected representatives, has made the following statement: “Over the last ten years, we have witnessed an alarming rise in violent attacks...
Congress observes local elections in Bosnia and Herzegovina
A 20-member delegation from the Congress of Local and Regional Authorities will carry out an election observation mission from 3 to 7 October to observe the local elections throughout the country. Prior to the election day, the delegation, led by Carla Dejonghe, Belgium (R, ILDG), is expected to...
Julian Assange at Parliamentary Assembly hearing, ahead of a plenary debate on his case: 'I pleaded guilty to journalism'
Julian Assange, accompanied by his wife Stella, took part in a parliamentary hearing on his detention and conviction - and their chilling effect on human rights - ahead of a full plenary debate on this topic by the Parliamentary Assembly due on 2 October. The hearing was organised by the...
