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Secretary General at 75th anniversary of the Universal Declaration of Human Rights in Geneva
Secretary General Marija Pejčinović Burić delivered a pledge at the high-level event “Human Rights 75” to commemorate the 75th anniversary of the Universal Declaration of Human Rights. While on mission to United Nations in Geneva, the Secretary General met with the UN High Commissioner for Human...
Human rights and the rule of law can only prevail if they are guaranteed at grassroots level
On the occasion of Human Rights Day, which this year marks the 75th anniversary of the Universal Declaration of Human Rights, Congress President Marc Cools made the following statement: “Respect for human rights is more necessary than ever to meet the complex challenges facing our societies....
Deputy Secretary General receives Light of Peace of Bethlehem
In a special ceremony at the Council of Europe’s headquarters in Strasbourg, an Austrian delegation has handed the Light of Peace of Bethlehem to the organisation’s Deputy Secretary General. The Bethlehem Light of Peace is an Austrian tradition dating back almost 40 years: every year and shortly...
European flag marks 68th anniversary
The famous blue and yellow star-studded flag was adopted by the Council of Europe’s Committee of Ministers on 9 December 1955. It was launched officially on 13 December of the same year in Paris. In 1983 the European Parliament adopted the flag that was devised by the Council of Europe and...
Secretary General makes official visit to Azerbaijan
Secretary General Marija Pejčinović Burić has met the President of Azerbaijan and other key personalities during an official visit to the country. During her meeting with President Ilham Aliyev, the Secretary General highlighted the relevance of joint co-operation, emphasising the Organisation’s...
Council of Europe joins forces with the UN to urge Russia to implement ECHR judgments
Despite the fact that Russia was excluded from the Council of Europe in March 2022 and has stopped all communication with the organisation on the execution of judgments from the European Court of Human Rights, Russia is still a member of the United Nations and subject to its monitoring...
Implementing ECHR judgments: Latest decisions from the Council of Europe’s Committee of Ministers
The Council of Europe’s Committee of Ministers has published the case-by-case decisions taken during the Committee’s meeting from 5 to 7 December to supervise the implementation of judgments and decisions from the European Court of Human Rights. The Committee of Ministers adopted 41 decisions...
Anti-Corruption Day: Governments must fight environmental corruption
Ahead of the International Anti-Corruption Day, held every year on 9 December, the President of the Group of States against Corruption of the Council of Europe (GRECO), Marin Mrčela, has issued the following statement: “Environmental crimes, driven usually by the enormous illegal financial...
European Heritage Days: conclusion of 2023 season and unveiling of new theme for 2024: "Routes, Networks, and Connections"
The European Heritage Days initiative is celebrating the end of this season’s activities showcasing the rich tapestry of cultural, historical, and artistic treasures that define the heart and soul of Europe and shape its collective identity. From mid-August to early November 2023, tens of...
Money and democracy – An Uneasy Relationship: Venice Commission conference in Cologne
An international conference “Money and Democracy – an Uneasy Relationship” organised by the Council of Europe’s Venice Commission and the Academy for European Human Rights Protection (University of Cologne, Germany) is to explore how the undue influence of “big money” on democratic...
Switzerland: Progress noted but more efforts needed for minority language use in public life
The Council of Europe’s Committee of Experts of the European Charter for Regional or Minority Languages has reported some progress in Switzerland’s implementation of the Charter but has also invited the authorities to take additional measures. In its latest report on Switzerland, the committee...
Annual conference of drug control networks: from drug design and AI to online gaming platforms as new drug marketplaces
The Council of Europe’s drug policy network (the Pompidou Group) is hosting the first Annual Conference of Drug Control Networks. Some 170 experts from 40 countries, five international organisations, academia and the private sector are attending the conference from 6-8 December. It is the first...
Congress President addresses European Mayors Summit against Antisemitism
The Summit brought together mayors and local officials from across Europe on 30 November 2023 in Dortmund (Germany). The local leaders discussed how to build social cohesion, strengthen Jewish life at local level and establish understanding between citizens of different cultural and religious...
ERIAC Board meeting: major new steps taken to further enhance Roma arts and culture in Europe
At the XII Board Meeting of the European Roma Institute for Arts and Culture (ERIAC) on 4 December in Berlin, Germany, Council of Europe Deputy Secretary General Bjørn Berge emphasised that “the work of ERIAC, its results and visibility continue to be essential for promoting Roma inclusion,...
High-Level Dialogue on Democratic Governance Reforms in Ukraine
The High-level Dialogue II “Good Democratic Governance in Ukraine: achievements, challenges and the way forward in post-war period” took place in Kyiv on 4 December 2023. Following discussions moderated by the Council of Europe representatives, key national stakeholders, including representatives...
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 5 to 7 December. Cases proposed for detailed examination concern Albania, Armenia, Azerbaijan, Belgium,...
Violence against women in Liechtenstein: Council of Europe experts call for comprehensive strategy
The Council of Europe’s Group of Experts on Violence against Women (GREVIO) has published its first report evaluating Liechtenstein’s implementation of the Convention on Preventing and Combating Violence against Women and Domestic Violence (known as the “Istanbul Convention”). The report...
Council of Europe celebrates with local authorities and civil society their achievements on participatory democracy and human rights in Georgia
The closing event of the project "Strengthening Participatory Democracy and Human Rights at Local Level in Georgia” took place on 28 November 2023 in Tbilisi City Assembly (Georgia). The closing event “Participatory Democracy and Human Rights in Georgia – From Vision to Action!” provided a...
Deputy Secretary General at the 30th OSCE Ministerial Council in Skopje to reaffirm Council of Europe’s unwavering support to Ukraine
Representing the Council of Europe at the 30th OSCE Ministerial Council in Skopje, North Macedonia, Deputy Secretary General Bjørn Berge congratulated the Chairpersonship for their leadership through yet another difficult year. The Deputy Secretary General took part, together with several...
Deputy Secretary addresses Roma and Traveller women´s conference in Skopje
At the opening of the 9th International Roma and Traveller Women’s Conference “Building Equality Together”, in Skopje, North Macedonia, Deputy Secretary General Bjorn Berge emphasised that the Roma Women’s conferences have provided the opportunity for Roma and Traveller women to address issues...
Council of Europe Consultation Group on the Children of Ukraine launched
The Council of Europe Consultation Group on the Children of Ukraine (CGU) is holding its first meeting in Strasbourg on 30 November - 1 December 2023, bringing together over 85 participants to discuss ways to effectively protect the rights of millions of Ukrainian children residing in Council of...
Europe 75 years after the Universal Declaration of Human Rights: A journey of progress, setbacks and persistence
Speech by the Council of Europe Commissioner for Human Rights, Dunja Mijatović, at the event organised by the German Institute for Human Rights (Deutsches Institute für Menschenrechte) and Evangelical Academy of Berlin (Evangelische Akademie zu Berlin) to mark the 75th Anniversary of the...
History teaching challenged by limited time, curriculum overload and teaching pressures, new Council of Europe report reveals
The first general report by the Council of Europe Observatory on History Teaching in Europe (OHTE), released in Strasbourg today, highlights teachers' concerns that crowded curriculums and teaching pressures are the greatest obstacles to history teaching in Europe. The report, presented at the...
Anti-torture Committee publishes report on San Marino
The European Committee for the Prevention of Torture and Inhuman or Degrading Treatment or Punishment (CPT) publishes its report today on the September 2022 visit to San Marino, accompanied by the response from the Sanmarinese authorities. The CPT’s 5th periodic visit to the Republic of San...
EPAS Diversity Conference: “inclusion of child migrants and refugees in and through sport is investment with great returns”
For the first time, Liechtenstein hosted the Council of Europe’s Enlarged Partial Agreement on Sport (EPAS) biennial Diversity Conference “Inclusion of Child Migrants and Refugees in and through Sport” under the framework of its Committee of Ministers presidency. One of the presidency priorities...
Secretary General meets Deputy Foreign Minister of Georgia
Secretary General Marija Pejčinović Burić in her meeting with Lasha Darsalia, Deputy Minister for Foreign Affairs of Georgia, stressed the unwavering commitment of the Council of Europe to the sovereignty and territorial integrity of the country, as well as support to Georgia’s European path. The...
Vigdís Prize for Women's Empowerment: call for nominations
The Parliamentary Assembly of the Council of Europe (PACE), in partnership with the Government of Iceland, has issued a call for nominations for the first ever edition of the Vigdís Prize for Women's Empowerment. A joint initiative of the Icelandic Government and PACE, the Prize pays tribute to...
Secretary General at the International Conference on a Global Alliance to counter migrant smuggling in Brussels
“We must unite to close the loopholes in national legislation and international systems and prevent this criminal trade in human lives. The Council of Europe has been working in this direction for several years”, emphasised Secretary General Marija Pejčinović Burić while addressing the...
How the Istanbul Convention is saving lives
As we approach the International Day for the Elimination of Violence against Women, sobering statistics remind us of the urgent need to stop this violence, and a landmark treaty is proving increasingly successful to do just that: the Council of Europe Convention on Preventing and Combating...
Council of Europe Human Rights Commissioner: shortlist announced
The Committee of Ministers has submitted a shortlist of three candidates for the post of Council of Europe Human Rights Commissioner to the organisation’s Parliamentary Assembly. The candidates are, in alphabetical order: - Meglena KUNEVA (Bulgaria) - Manfred NOWAK (Austria) - Michael O’FLAHERTY...
Croatia: “Marked improvement” in treatment of detained criminal suspects, but prison overcrowding a concern
The European Committee for the Prevention of Torture and Inhuman or Degrading Treatment or Punishment (CPT) has published the report of its periodic visit to Croatia in September 2022, together with the response of the Croatian authorities (see executive summary in English – in Croatian) - Read...
European organisations and national authorities to help Belarusian media in exile to continue their work in Europe
The Council of Europe has held the Second Workshop for Belarusian journalists in exile. The issues that were discussed included professional solidarity and cooperation among journalists in exile and national and international associations, support to Belarusian journalists through European...
WADA annual meeting: Reforms and key governance issues discussed to help combat doping in sports world-wide
Council of Europe Deputy Secretary General Bjørn Berge has represented the Council of Europe in the annual meetings of the World Anti-Doping Agency (WADA) on 16 and 17 November in Montréal, Canada. The Deputy Secretary General attended the Executive Committee and participated, as a member...
Council of Europe Development Bank (CEB) approves €100 million loan for restoration of health infrastructure damaged by the war in Ukraine
The CEB’s loan will support the Health Enhancement and Life-Saving (HEAL) project, a $500 million framework operation developed by the World Bank in collaboration with the Ukrainian authorities, which is designed to bring together development partners. The World Bank has already approved a $100...
European day against child sexual abuse: stronger engagement with victims and survivors needed to stop stigmatisation and prevent further crime, says Secretary General
Ahead of the European Day on the Protection of Children against Sexual Exploitation and Sexual Abuse (18 November), Secretary General Marija Pejčinović Burić has called on Council of Europe member states to step up their engagement with victims and survivors of childhood sexual violence to help...
Secretary General meets San Marino Minister for Foreign Affairs
Secretary General Marija Pejčinović Burić has met the Minister for Foreign Affairs of San Marino Luca Beccari. The meeting focused on the follow up to the Reykjavik Summit, highlighting the need to respond to new challenges such as artificial intelligence and the impact of climate change and...
Conference of Participants of the Register of Damage for Ukraine elects its Board
The Conference of Participants of the Register of Damage Caused by the Aggression of the Russian Federation Against Ukraine came together for its 3rd meeting on 16 November and elected the seven members of the Register’s Board. Of the 18 candidates (9 men and 9 women) from four different...
Armenia signs second additional Protocol to Cybercrime Convention
Ambassador Arman Khachatryan, the Permanent Representative of Armenia to the Council of Europe has signed, in the presence of Secretary General Marija Pejčinović Burić, the Second additional Protocol to the Convention on Cybercrime on enhanced co-operation and disclosure of electronic evidence...
Foreign Minister of Liechtenstein: “We have become a community of values”
Liechtenstein is both celebrating its 45th anniversary as a Council of Europe member state and preparing for its Presidency of the Organisation’s Committee of Ministers from November 2023 to May 2024. In the spirit of the Council Of Europe Days Project, Minister of Foreign Affairs, Dominique...
Liechtenstein takes over the Presidency of the Committee of Ministers
Liechtenstein has taken over the rotating Presidency of the Council of Europe’s Committee of Ministers from Latvia at a meeting with representatives of the organisation’s 46 member states. The Parliamentary Secretary of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs of Latvia, Reinis Brusbārdis, gave an...
Rise in hate speech and hate incidents
Statement by Secretary General Marija Pejčinović Burić
Istanbul Convention: Council of Europe expert group on violence against women issues reports on Greece, Ireland and Republic of Moldova
GREVIO’s baseline evaluation report on Greece welcomes positive steps since Greece became a party to the Istanbul Convention in October 2018, but also points out shortcomings. GREVIO praises the establishment of 74 specialised police units to improve law enforcement responses to violence against...
Secretary General on official visit to Türkiye
Secretary General Marija Pejčinović Burić has met the Minister of Foreign Affairs of Türkiye Hakan Fidan during an official visit to the country. Discussions focused on the geopolitical situation in and around Europe, and on the co-operation between Türkiye and the Council of Europe.
Mental well-being of young people affected by war: Seminar at European Youth Centre in Budapest
A seminar on the role of youth work in supporting the mental well-being of young people affected by war is taking place at the European Youth Centre in Budapest from 12-15 November. According to a survey conducted in February 2023 among young Ukrainian respondents forced to flee their homes due...
Secretary General on official visit to Lithuania opens “Future of Democracy” Forum in Vilnius
Secretary General Marija Pejčinović Burić has opened the high-level Forum “Future of Democracy” on Defending Against Authoritarianism in Vilnius while conducting an official visit to Lithuania. “The Council of Europe has been warning about the rise of authoritarianism rooted in the return of...
The Netherlands should do more to combat human trafficking for labour exploitation, say Council of Europe experts
The Council of Europe’s group of experts on human trafficking has called on the Dutch authorities to take a number of further steps to tackle human trafficking and to ensure that trafficking victims have access to justice. In its third report on the Netherlands the Group of Experts on Action...
Azerbaijani students tackled digital media literacy and disinformation
In Azerbaijan, the Council of Europe has organised a three-day training programme to show journalist students how they can use the standards of the Organisation to improve the quality of journalism by analysing the accuracy of what they see and read online on television and in newspapers every...
Hate speech in times of crisis: new study published by the Council of Europe anti-discrimination, diversity and inclusion committee
In order to be prepared to tackle hate speech in times of crisis, legal frameworks should be amended, law enforcement measures reinforced, collaboration between media, national human rights institutions and equality bodies strengthened, and support to those targeted by hate speech prioritised....
The Defensores de la Democracia Living Archive (Mexico) wins Council of Europe’s Democracy Innovation Award
At closing session of the 11th World Forum for Democracy, the Council of Europe announced that the winner of its 2023 Democracy Innovation Award was the Defensores de la Democracia Living Archive, the first online, public, searchable archive that preserves, catalogues and aggregates the work of...
Secretary General at the Closing session of the 11th World Forum for Democracy
“At a time when some opinion polls suggest that younger people are losing faith in democracy, your ideas, enthusiasm, and presence at this World Forum show that the fatalists are wrong. That a democratic future is yours (and ours) and, with it, the promise of peace”, highlighted Secretary...
