Newsroom
Secretary General opens first Co-ordination Meeting on Combating Anti-Muslim Hatred and Discrimination
“There is no doubt that while many Muslim communities are well-integrated throughout Europe, contributing to civic life and being appreciated for it, there remain many instances of prejudice, discrimination and even violence targeted against Muslim people because of their faith. Following recent...
Human rights of trans people: increased visibility and legal recognition contrast with lived experience of discrimination, violence
“Realising the rights of trans people is a matter of applying human rights equally to everyone, and states have the primary responsibility to lift the barriers trans people are facing in exercising their human rights”, said the Council of Europe Commissioner for Human Rights, Dunja Mijatović,...
Grants to Armenian municipalities hosting refugees: Call for projects
The Congress of Local and Regional Authorities, in line with its commitment to support Karabakh Armenians and its “readiness to assist, using all statutory, cooperation and political tools at its disposal” (Declaration 7 (2023) has launched a grant scheme in support of municipalities hosting...
Child human rights defenders want to be heard by their governments: Council of Europe study
Child human rights defenders want governments to start listening to their opinions, ideas, and proposals in the development of laws and policies. This is one of the main findings of a new report: “Children as defenders of human rights: a study on Council of Europe member states” published today....
Meeting UN Secretary General, PACE President urges more effective co-operation with the world body
PACE President Theodoros Rousopoulos has urged more effective and properly institutionalised co-operation between the United Nations and the Council of Europe during a meeting yesterday in New York with UN Secretary General Antonio Guterres, who is a former member of PACE. Such co-operation would...
Lanzarote Convention: a tool to fight child sexual exploitation and sexual abuse worldwide
The Council of Europe and the Permanent Mission of Iceland to the United Nations in Geneva have hosted an event “Join states in a class of excellence to fight child sexual exploitation and sexual abuse” on the margins of the 55th Session of the UN Human Rights Council. The event aimed at...
Liechtenstein should develop anti-discrimination legislation and better inform and support migrants
In a report published on 12 March, the Council of Europe anti-racism commission (ECRI) calls on the Liechtenstein authorities to develop specific anti-discrimination legislation and establish an information and support centre for migrants (see also the German version of the report). ECRI notes a...
Republic of Moldova: GRECO calls for improvements in preventing corruption in the central government and the police
The Council of Europe’s Group of States against Corruption (GRECO) has acknowledged the progress achieved by the Republic of Moldova in setting up an institutional and legal framework to promote integrity and prevent corruption in the top executive functions of the central government and its law...
Implementing European Court of Human Rights judgments
The Council of Europe’s Committee of Ministers is holding its quarterly meeting to oversee the execution of judgments and decisions from the European Court of Human Rights in Strasbourg from 12 to 14 March. Cases proposed for detailed examination concern Armenia, Azerbaijan, Bulgaria, Croatia,...
The Council of Europe at 75
Ambassador Dr Ion I. Jinga, the Permanent Representative of Romania to the Council of Europe, has written an opinion article on the history and achievements of the Organisation, as it approaches its 75th anniversary on 5 May 2024. The article, aimed at raising the Organisation’s visibility,...
Secretary General speaks at opening of Fundamental Rights Forum 2024 and visits Austria
Secretary General Marija Pejčinović Burić took the floor at the opening of the Fundamental Rights Forum 2024 “Rights in motion – Embracing human rights for Europe’s future” in Vienna. She lauded the excellent co-operation between the European Union Agency for Fundamental Rights (FRA), the...
Promoting greater gender equality in sport: Roundtable on how to combat discrimination against female referees
On the occasion of International Women’s Day on 8 March 2024, the Council of Europe’s Enlarged Partial Agreement on Sport (EPAS) is holding its annual gender equality roundtable with a focus on sport officiating. The roundtable discussion includes personal experiences from female referees from a...
More women in politics, a shared battle
On the occasion of International Women’s Day 2024, 8 March, Congress Thematic Spokesperson on Gender Equality Eirini Dourou (Greece, SOC/G/PD) has made the following statement: “On this year’s International Women’s Day, we echo the words of the Reykjavik Principles for Democracy and call for...
Artificial Intelligence - Bridging the Equality Gap
Statement by Council of Europe Secretary General Marija Pejčinović Burić ahead of International Women’s Day
Council of Europe adopts Gender Equality Strategy for 2024-2029
The Council of Europe’s Committee of Ministers has adopted a new Gender Equality Strategy for 2024-2029. In line with the Reykjavik commitments of the Heads of State and Government, this Strategy will guide the organisation’s work towards gender equality over the next six years. Secretary General...
For Belarus, the path towards Europe runs through Strasbourg
Euronews publishes opinion article jointly written by Secretary General and Sviatlana Tsikhanouskaya
Youth for Democratic Recovery: Council of Europe delegation visits Ukraine
A delegation of the Council of Europe Youth Department has made a visit to Kyiv, Ukraine. The aim was to confirm solidarity with the Ukrainian youth community in the face of Russia’s ongoing aggression against Ukraine, to participate in the Steering Committee meeting of the Council of Europe...
Council of Europe takes stock of work protecting children’s rights since 2022
Freedom from violence for all children, equal opportunities and social inclusion, access to technologies and their safe use, child-friendly justice and child participation – these are key objectives of the Council of Europe Strategy for the Rights of the Child (2022-2027) that was adopted on 23...
Safety of Journalists platform 2024 report: serious concern about the use of spyware against journalists, abusive lawsuits and journalists in exile
The unlawful deployment of spyware against journalists, the use of abusive lawsuits against journalists to hamper their investigative work and the precarious situation of many journalists in exile, notably from Russia and Belarus, are among the main concerns expressed by partner organisations to...
Deputy Secretary General visits Poland: Support for Ukraine and the rule of law high on the agenda
Deputy Secretary General Bjørn Berge paid a working visit to Poland March 4-5. In Warsaw he met the Polish Minister of Foreign Affairs, Mr Radosław Sikorski. Their conversation focused on the need for multilateral support for Ukraine and the Council of Europe’s specific role in addressing the...
Secretary General in Brussels
Secretary General Marija Pejčinović Burić is visiting Brussels today, where she is speaking at the opening plenary session of the Ideas Lab 2024, organised by the Centre for European Policy Studies, alongside European Commission Executive Vice-Presidents Valdis Dombrovskis and Maroš Šefčovič and...
Rule of Law Youth Network launched in Tunis
The North-South Centre of the Council of Europe (NSC) and the joint initiative between the European Union and the Council of Europe ‘South Programme V’ today are launching the Rule of Law Youth Network (RoLYN) in Tunis. Over the next two years (2024-2026), network members will explore...
GRECO: Czechia must improve the effectiveness of its system to promote integrity and prevent corruption in government and the police
The Council of Europe’s Group of States against Corruption (GRECO), calls in a new report for determined measures to prevent corruption in Czechia in respect of persons with top executive functions, including the Prime Minister, ministers, deputy ministers, ministers’ advisers, as well as members...
Antalya Diplomacy Forum: Secretary General highlights Council of Europe’s commitment to fighting racism and discrimination
Secretary General Marija Pejčinović Burić has highlighted the Organisation’s commitment to combating all forms of racism and discrimination, including anti-Muslim racism and hatred, while addressing the 3rd edition of the Antalya Diplomacy Forum in Türkiye. Taking the floor during the Panel on...
Czechia extends protection of German language under the minority languages charter
Czechia has decided to extend its undertakings under the European Charter for Regional or Minority Languages (ECRML) regarding German in the districts of Cheb, Karlovy Vary, Sokolov, Liberec, Ústí nad Labem, Český Krumlov, Opava and Svitavy (see the notification in full here). The authorities...
Lithuania should do more to ensure access to justice for trafficking victims, say Council of Europe experts
The Council of Europe’s Group of Experts on Action against Trafficking in Human Beings (GRETA) has called on Lithuania to take further action against human trafficking, notably by improving the access of victims of trafficking to legal assistance and compensation, and by disassociating the...
Secretary General meets Yulia Navalnaya
Secretary General Marija Pejčinović Burić has met Yulia Navalnaya, the widow of Alexei Navalnyy. While expressing condolences and deep sadness for the loss of the prominent Russian opposition leader, the Secretary General underlined how Mr Navalnyy’s death cannot be separated from the grave human...
Civic Space, Democracy and Artificial Intelligence: how do they intersect?
On the occasion of World NGO Day, the Council of Europe’s Conference of International NGOs, bringing together representatives of civil society organisations enjoying participatory status with the Council of Europe, held a public interactive and hybrid event “Civic Space, Democracy and Artificial...
Congress President condemns plans for Russian presidential elections in occupied Ukrainian regions
The President of the Congress of Local and Regional Authorities of the Council of Europe, Marc Cools, has made the following statement: “I strongly condemn the plans by the Russian Federation to organise presidential elections in the temporarily occupied regions of Ukraine.” “The illegal conduct...
Congress President denounces so-called local elections in Belarus
The President of the Congress of Local and Regional Authorities of the Council of Europe, Marc Cools, has made the following statement: “The so-called local elections organised in Belarus on 25 February 2024 are nothing but a sham. Without freedoms of speech, assembly and association, without...
PACE President: “The ‘elections’ in Belarus are a travesty of democracy”
“There cannot be free and fair elections in a situation where freedoms of speech, assembly and association are curtailed; where opposition political parties are liquidated and their leaders persecuted; where the freedom of the media is not respected; and where there is no redress against these...
Hungary: report calls for improving access to justice and legal remedies for human trafficking victims
In a new report the Council of Europe Group of Experts on Action against Trafficking in Human Beings (GRETA) calls on the Hungarian authorities to take further action against human trafficking, notably by improving the assistance provided to victims of trafficking and their access to legal aid...
Council of Europe marks two years of Russia’s war of aggression against Ukraine
The Council of Europe has marked the second anniversary of Russia’s war of aggression against Ukraine by holding a special ceremony in front of its main headquarters building in Strasbourg, France. Taking part in the ceremony were Secretary General Marija Pejčinović Burić, President of the...
Extraordinary meeting of Ministers’ Deputies (23 February 2024) - Second anniversary of full-scale aggression of Russian Federation against Ukraine
On 23 February, the Ministers' Deputies held an extraordinary meeting on the occasion of the second-year anniversary of the full-scale aggression of the Russian Federation against Ukraine. They recalled the measures already taken by the Council of Europe and adopted a series of decisions,...
GRETA calls on Italy to better prevent human trafficking for labour exploitation and ensure effective sanctions for traffickers
The Council of Europe Group of Experts on Action against Trafficking in Human Beings (GRETA) has urged the Italian authorities to take further action against human trafficking, notably by strengthening measures to combat trafficking for the purpose of labour exploitation, ensuring effective...
Russia’s full-scale aggression against Ukraine: Two years on
Council of Europe leaders reiterate support and solidarity
Two years since Russia’s full-scale invasion of Ukraine: Declaration of the Congress Bureau
The President of the Congress of Local and Regional Authorities, Marc Cools, has made the following statement: “24 February 2024 will mark two years since the Russian Federation’s full-scale invasion of Ukraine. On this occasion, the Congress Bureau adopted a Declaration in which it reiterated...
Experts concerned about reduction of minority languages’ use and learning in Latvia
The Advisory Committee on the Framework Convention for the Protection of National Minorities has expressed concern in an opinion about Latvia’s policy to reduce the use and learning of minority languages and has addressed a number of urgent recommendations to the Latvian authorities. While...
Poland: Small cells and lacking legal access for remand prisoners among concerns raised by anti-torture group
A new report by the Council of Europe’s Committee for the Prevention of Torture and Inhuman or Degrading Treatment or Punishment (CPT) found problems regarding lacking legal assistance and prison cell sizes below the norm, among other issues. The report notes that most detained persons confirmed...
Challenging misunderstandings and myths about languages in Europe
With regard to attitudes towards languages in today’s society, two developments are of special concern for the Council of Europe. The first is a tendency on the part of public authorities and civil society to think that proficiency in one additional language is enough - as long as that language...
Minute of silence for Alexei Navalnyy
At the beginning of their meeting, on 21 February 2024, the Ministers' Deputies held a minute of silence in tribute to Russian opposition leader Alexei Navalnyy, who died on 16 February at the Russian Artic penal colony where he was serving a 19-year sentence. On 16 February, the President of the...
Council of Europe commemorates two years of Russia’s war of aggression against Ukraine
On 23 February, the Council of Europe will hold a ceremony to mark two years of Russia’s war of aggression against Ukraine, followed by an extraordinary meeting of the Committee of Ministers (to be broadcast live). At 9 am, on the Council of Europe forecourt, Secretary General Marija Pejčinović...
Photo exhibition “The DAWN" on Ukrainian children who suffered under Russian bombardment and occupation opens in Strasbourg
A photo exhibition has opened today, 19 February, at the Council of Europe, illustrating what the dawn of a new life would look like for Ukrainian children whose homes, villages and towns have suffered under Russian bombardment and occupation. Featuring pictures by French-Ukrainian photographer...
Sweden should ensure equal access to rights of all minorities through clearer guidance to its municipalities
Sweden continues to apply the Framework Convention for the Protection of National Minorities to the Jewish minority, Roma, Sweden Finns, Tornedalians and the Sámi people. The Advisory Committee’s Opinion on the implementation of the Framework Convention by Sweden concludes that despite some...
Death of Alexei Navalnyy: Statement by Secretary General Marija Pejčinović Burić
"I am profoundly dismayed and outraged by the news of the sudden death of prominent Russian opposition leader Alexei Navalnyy in a Russian prison. The Russian authorities must conduct an immediate and thorough investigation and make the findings available to the public in line with their...
"There is little doubt that the Russian state bears full responsibility for the death of Alexei Navalny", PACE President says
Following the death of jailed Russian opposition leader Alexei Navalny, Council of Europe Parliamentary Assembly (PACE) President Theodoros Rousopoulos made the following statement: "I am deeply shocked by today's terrible news of the death in prison of Russian opposition leader Alexei Navalny....
Death of Alexei Navalnyy: Statement by Committee of Ministers' President
Liechtenstein Minister of Foreign Affairs, Education and Sport and President of the Committee of Ministers, Dominique Hasler made the following statement: "Saddened and deeply disturbed by the reported death of Alexei Navalnyy today, I, in my capacity as President of the Committee of Ministers of...
Congress President dismayed at the death of Alexey Navalny in Russia
Congress President Marc Cools has made the following statement today: “I am shocked and dismayed by the news of the death of Alexey Navalny in a Russian prison. On behalf of the Congress of Local and Regional Authorities of the Council of Europe, I express my deep condolences to his family....
Protecting the human rights of sex workers
“The lived realities of sex workers across Europe raise serious human rights concerns. I call for an approach to sex work that is firmly based on human rights and focuses on the effective protection of sex workers’ rights, prioritising their safety, agency and bodily autonomy over stereotypes and...
Cinema attendance in Europe up by 18% in 2023, but is still below pre-pandemic levels
According to initial findings compiled by the Council of Europe’s European Audiovisual Observatory, cinema attendance in wider Europe rose to approximately 859 million admissions in 2023. This reflects a positive year-on-year rise of 18.1%, signifying an increase of 131.8 million tickets compared...
