Newsroom
Parliamentary Assembly President reacts to recent missile strikes in Ukraine, again urges a tribunal to try aggression by Russian leaders
In a statement, Parliamentary Assembly President Theodoros Rousopoulos has reacted to recent missile strikes in Ukraine, and again urged the speedy creation of a special tribunal to try Russia’s political and military leadership for the crime of aggression. “In recent days and nights,...
Beneficiary Steering Committee Meeting of the EU/CoE Horizontal Facility III programme in Albania
The Second Meeting of the Beneficiary Steering Committee of the joint European Union/Council of Europe programme “Horizontal Facility for the Western Balkans and Türkiye” in Albania, will take place in Tirana - / Hotel Plaza, with the participation of Council of Europe representatives, EU...
Russia’s missile attack on Poltava: Statement by Congress President Marc Cools
The President of the Congress of Local and Regional Authorities of the Council of Europe, Marc Cools, has made the following statement: “I am appalled by what appears to be the deadliest Russian attack on Ukrainian civilians perpetrated today in Poltava. On behalf of the Congress, I condemn in...
Celebrating Routes, Networks, and Connections: European Heritage Days 2024 Opens its Doors
Heritage of Routes, Networks, and Connections: European Heritage Days (EHD) highlight this year the inter-connections shaping Europe’s rich and diverse heritage, from ancient routes and trade networks to modern digital links. By exploring the 2024 theme, "Heritage of Routes, Networks, and...
Congress and associations of local and regional authorities: renewed partnership in strengthening grassroots democracy
On 12 and 13 September 2024, the Congress of Local and Regional Authorities will host a Conference of national associations of local and regional authorities from the 46 member states, at the Palais de l’Europe in Strasbourg. Organised on the occasion of the 75th anniversary of the Council of...
Call for expression of interest to establish a Community of Practice on Deliberative Democracy in South-East Europe
A call for expression of interest is launched to establish a Community of Practice to support 18 local authorities and their associations in Albania, Bosnia and Herzegovina, Kosovo*, Montenegro, North Macedonia and Serbia, in order to build their capacity for developing, implementing, and...
Justice Ministers discuss accountability for crimes committed in Ukraine and open AI Convention for signature at meeting in Vilnius
The Ministers of Justice will meet in Vilnius (Lithuania) on 5 September at a conference entitled “Towards accountability for international crimes committed in Ukraine” and held under the Lithuanian Presidency of the Committee of Ministers. Prior to the meeting, the Council of Europe’s Convention...
Georgian district electoral commissioners explored practical tools how to incorporate international standards on the use of information technology in domestic electoral practices - Electoral assistance
(Seulement en anglais) Council of Europe, in cooperation with the Georgian Central Election Commission and its Training Center, delivered training of trainers on the E-voting standards to the...
Victims of enforced disappearances require urgent responses and concerted action: Forthcoming World Congress offers unique opportunity, experts say
To mark the International Day of the Victims of Enforced Disappearances, the Committee on Enforced Disappearances, the Working Group on Enforced or Involuntary...
Three candidates shortlisted for the 2024 Václav Havel Prize
The selection panel of the Václav Havel Human Rights Prize, which rewards outstanding civil society action in defence of human rights in Europe and beyond, has announced the shortlist for the 2024 Award. Meeting in Prague, the panel – made up of independent figures from the world of human rights...
Italy must improve system for promoting integrity and preventing corruption in government and law enforcement agencies
In a new report, the Council of Europe’s Group of States against Corruption (GRECO), calls for determined measures to prevent corruption in Italy in respect of persons with top executive functions (PTEFs), including the President of the Council of Ministers, ministers, undersecretaries of state,...
The Paralympic Flame stops at the Council of Europe on its way to Paris
Three days before the opening of the Paris 2024 Paralympic Games, the Council of Europe kicked off the start of the Paralympic Torch Relay in Strasbourg, at a ceremony organised under the auspices of the Secretary General of the Organisation, Marija Pejčinović Burić. Carried by Jean-Paul Greth,...
CoEMoN! 2024 - 250 European students get familiar with the Council of Europe’s negotiation model
From 26 to 28 August 2024, the Council of Europe will welcome 250 students from 29 countries for three days of simulation of negotiations in English and French. The simulation will focus on the work of the Parliamentary Assembly (and its committees) and the Committee of Ministers. Organised by...
The Council of Europe to welcome the Paralympic Torch on 25 August
On arrival in France, the Paralympic Flame will be divided into 12 Flames to be welcomed simultaneously in the same number of locations, including Strasbourg. The Council of Europe will welcome the Paris 2024 Paralympic Torch on Sunday 25 August, prior to its journey to Paris for the opening...
Working Conference on Regulating the use of AI systems in education - Education
Conference focus and outputs The conference will focus on the regulatory dimensions of and key legal and pedagogical considerations for Artificial Intelligence and education. It is expected to produce the following outputs, which will be further developed in collaboration with the Steering...
Council of Europe pays respects to the victims of terrorism
Terrorism and violent extremism continue to injure and kill thousands of innocent people each year. Terrorist attacks, and the violent and hateful ideologies that drive them, are contrary to the fundamental values of our societies and an affront to democracy, human rights, and the rule of law. On...
A treaty for the people of Europe: Videos showing the impact of the ECHR
In recent years, the Council of Europe has published a number of videos explaining how the European Convention on Human Rights has improved the lives of people across the continent. These short films tell the stories of ordinary citizens who have won cases at the European Court of Human Rights,...
“I have confidence in tomorrow because I have confidence in youth”
Statement by the Secretary General
Forerunner of Council of Europe Parliamentary Assembly first met 75 years ago
The first session of the Consultative Assembly, which later became the Parliamentary Assembly of the Council of Europe (PACE), was held 75 years ago, on Wednesday, August 10, 1949, in the aula of the University Palace, Place Brant, in Strasbourg. The provisional president, French statesman...
Greece marks 75 years of Council of Europe membership
75 years ago, on 9 August 1949, Greece became the eleventh member of the Council of Europe. The organisation had been founded in London three months earlier on 5 May by the ten original member countries: Belgium, Denmark, France, Ireland, Italy, Luxembourg, the Netherlands, Norway, Sweden, and...
First meeting of Committee of Ministers took place 75 years ago
75 years ago, Monday August 8th, 1949, was the start of a momentous week for the Council of Europe. It began with a meeting chaired by Belgium’s long-serving Foreign Minister Paul Henri Spaak, which saw the first gathering of the Committee of Ministers. Later in the week there was a similar debut...
Congress President welcomes liberation of prisoners of conscience in Russia and in Belarus
The President of the Council of Europe’s Congress of Local and Regional Authorities, Marc Cools, has made the following statement: “On behalf of the Congress, I unreservedly welcome the liberation of municipal councillors from Tomsk Ksenia Fadeeva and from the Moscow Krasnoselsky District Ilya...
Rabbit reprieve: European pharmacopoeia shares positive news for animal welfare
The European Directorate for the Quality of Medicines & HealthCare (EDQM) has announced the suppression of a widely-used test in rabbits from the quality standards of the European Pharmacopoeia. Since 1971, manufacturers of injectable medicines in Europe have used the test on rabbits to check if...
Congress: 7 local authorities of Friuli Venezia Giulia join network of governance excellence
The seven local authorities of Pagnacco, Premariacco, Reana del Rojale, Ruda, Sagrado, San Lorenzo Isontino and Tavagnacco from the Friuli Venezia Giulia region join over 50 peer municipalities in Italy and nearly 300 across more than 20 member states awarded the European Label of Governance...
Freeing of Vladimir Kara-Murza and other political prisoners: 'Our collective resolve can make a difference'
Council of Europe Parliamentary Assembly President Theodoros Rousopoulos today made the following statement: “It is with great joy that I welcome, on behalf of the Assembly, the liberation of our friend Vladimir Kara-Murza as well as the other political prisoners who have reached safety today,...
Remembering the Roma Holocaust is also recognising the increasing levels of antigypsyism today
Ahead of the European Roma Holocaust Memorial Day on 2 August, the Council of Europe Commissioner for Human Rights, Michael O’Flaherty, delivered the following video message at the...
OSCE/ODIHR observation mission will not give interim assessment of Parliamentary elections in Azerbaijan
The OSCE/ODIHR observation mission for the early elections to the Milli Majlis on September 1 announced the start of its activities. As its head, the representative of Albania, Ditmir Bushati, said at a press conference that the mission includes 11 experts in the field of elections, law, media,...
Why teaching Roma history – and the Roma Holocaust – is more important than ever
Ahead of the 80th anniversary of the European Roma Holocaust Memorial Day, 2 August, Secretary General Marija Pejčinović Burić, made the following statement: “On the night of 2–3 August 1944, over 3,000 Roma women, men and children were exterminated in the gas chambers of the ‘Zigeunerlager’ at...
Groundbreaking Council of Europe treaty to protect women and girls entered into force 10 years ago
The Council of Europe Convention on Preventing and Combating Violence against Women and Domestic Violence, also known as the Istanbul Convention after the city in which it opened for signature, marks 10 years since it entered into force on 1 August 2014. It is the most far-reaching international...
Increased risks of human trafficking require concerted action to reduce children’s vulnerability to trafficking
On the occasion of the World Day against Trafficking in Persons, the Council of Europe Group of Experts on Action against Trafficking in Human Beings (GRETA) joins the Inter-Agency Coordination Group against Trafficking in Human Beings (ICAT) in calling for concerted measures to reduce the...
European Committee of Social Rights: Insufficient protection of workers in cases of unfair dismissal in Spain breaches Social Charter
In a new decision on the merits of the collective complaint Unión General de Trabajadores (UGT) v. Spain, Complaint No. 207/2022, the European Committee of Social Rights (ECSR) concludes that Spanish legislation does not afford sufficient protection to workers in cases of termination of...
Poland: all laws and practices related to the situation on the Belarus border should comply with human rights standards
The Council of Europe Commissioner for Human Rights, Michael O’Flaherty has published two letters sent on 17 July to the Prime Minister and the Marshal of the Senate of Poland concerning the human rights situation on the border with Belarus. In his letter to the Prime Minister, the Commissioner...
GRECO calls on Monaco to supplement and extend its mechanism for fighting corruption in the executive and the police
In a new report which evaluates the effectiveness of Monaco’s framework for preventing corruption among persons with top executive functions and members of law enforcement agencies, the Council of Europe’s Group of States against Corruption (GRECO) calls on Monaco to take resolute steps to...
MONEYVAL acknowledges Jersey’s progress in combatting money laundering and financing of terrorism
In a new report the Council of Europe’s anti-money laundering body MONEYVAL commends the UK Crown Dependency of Jersey for taking steps to strengthen its legal and regulatory framework to combat money laundering (ML), financing of terrorism (FT) and financing of proliferation (FP). It also calls...
The European Pharmacopoeia: 60 years of leadership and collaboration for safe medicines
We often assume that the medicines we take are safe. Every year, billions of doses of painkillers, diabetes treatments, antibiotics, vaccines and drugs to reduce blood pressure, cholesterol or stomach acid are prescribed and taken. Yet how many people really know how these drugs are developed and...
Synergy for change: Civil society raising awareness on violence against women in a context of global challenges
On 11 and 12 July 2024, the Gender Equality Division hosted the conference “Synergy for Change” for representatives of civil society organisations active in combating violence against women...
Five Basque municipalities recognised for excellence in local governance
In a ceremony marking the conclusion of the 2024 edition of the European Label of Governance Excellence (ELoGE) in the Autonomous Community of the Basque Country (Spain), the municipalities of...
Secretary General at European Political Community Meeting
“The Reykjavík Declaration reaffirmed member states’ commitment to democratic values and standards and agreed a set of 10 Principles of Democracy by which to measure and address the health of our democracies. These principles cover participatory democracy, the separation of powers and the rule of...
Anti-torture Committee highlights dire situation in Lithuanian prisons
In a report published today, the Council of Europe’s Committee for the Prevention of Torture (CPT) has reiterated concerns over inter-prisoner violence in Lithuania, following an ad hoc visit to the country in February 2024. The objective of the visit was to examine the implementation of the...
On-the-spot appraisal (OSA) in Anamur Mersin, Türkiye - Convention on the Conservation of European Wildlife and Natural Habitats
On 2 – 4 July 2024 an on-the-spot-appraisal (OSA) was convened in Anamur Mersin, Türkiye. Related to the case-file 2019/5: Habitat destruction in Mersin Anamur Beach, the appraisal included...
Council of Europe evaluates access to official documents held by public authorities in 11 states
The Council of Europe’s Access Info Group (AIG), an independent group of experts created to monitor the implementation of the Council of Europe Convention on Access to Official Documents by its parties, published today its first baseline evaluation reports on 11 states: Bosnia and Herzegovina,...
Slovak Republic: urgent need to address human rights of Roma and adopt an intergenerational approach
The Council of Europe Commissioner for Human Rights, Michael O’Flaherty, calls for emergency interventions to address the dreadful housing conditions of thousands of Roma, following his visit to the Slovak Republic from 8 to 12 July. The Commissioner engaged extensively with Roma communities to...
PACE committee, setting out new ways to tackle migrant smuggling, proposes a Council of Europe instrument
In line with the priorities set in the Reykjavík Declaration calling for reinforced action against the smuggling of migrants and as the European Committee on Crime Problems is exploring avenues towards reinforced co-operation between member States, a PACE committee has urged a dual approach to...
Anti-torture Committee again calls on Greece to reform its immigration detention system and stop pushbacks
In a report on its ad hoc visit to Greece, which took place from 21 November to 1 December 2023, published together with the response of the Greek authorities, the Council of Europe's Committee for the Prevention of Torture and Inhuman or Degrading Treatment or Punishment (CPT) once again urges...
Facing challenges to human rights posed by climate change
A panel discussion during the UN 2024 High-Level Political Forum on Sustainable Development has assessed how best to build a resilient, multi-stakeholder coalition to face climate challenges and how they relate to human rights. Organised by the Council of Europe and Lithuania, the event –...
Albania and the Republic of Moldova mark 29 years of Council of Europe membership
On the same day in July 1995, Albania and the Republic of Moldova respectively became the 35th and 36th members of the Council of Europe. Representing Albania on July 13 was the country’s Minister of Foreign Affairs, Alfred Serreqi, while the Republic of Moldova was represented by its Minister of...
11 July: International Day of Reflection and Commemoration of the 1995 Genocide in Srebrenica
Statement by the Secretary General
Srebrenica Genocide: Remember, honour and act - Commissioner for Human Rights
This year is the first time that 11 July is marked as International Day of Reflection and Commemoration of the 1995 Genocide in Srebrenica, following the adoption by the United...
Two more weeks to enter the Council of Europe´s photo and video competition for young Europeans!
The Council of Europe has extended the deadline for the photo and video competition Human Rights, Camera, Action! aimed at young people, inviting them to use their smartphones or digital cameras to convey a creative vision of human rights in Europe through a photograph or short video. Prize...
Commissioner O’Flaherty condemns deadly missile attacks on civilian infrastructure in Ukraine
“Russia's deadly missile attacks on civilian infrastructure in Kyiv and other Ukrainian cities yesterday are yet another glaring example of the brutality of Russian forces and their...