Newsroom
ECHR launches online knowledge-sharing platform
Senior figures from the Council of Europe and the European Court of Human Rights launched a new knowledge-sharing platform for the Court on Tuesday 18 October. The online tool, known as ECHR-KS, gives legal professionals, academics and the general public easy access to comprehensive and...
Anti-torture Committee on Bulgaria: inter-prisoner violence, health issues, poor material conditions, staff shortages
In its new report on its visit to Bulgaria in October 2021, the Council of Europe’s Committee for the Prevention of Torture (CPT) welcomes rare occurrences of ill-treatment by staff, reduction of prison population and certain improvements in living conditions. However, it regrets the absence of...
European Anti-Trafficking Day: States must urgently tackle human trafficking for labour exploitation
Ahead of the European Anti-Trafficking Day (18 October) the Council of Europe’s Group of Experts on Action against Trafficking in Human Beings (GRETA) has stressed the urgency of tackling the growing menace of trafficking for the purpose of labour exploitation. Helga Gayer, President of GRETA,...
Russia’s so-called referendums in Ukraine ‘null and void’, says PACE
PACE has strongly condemned the attempted annexation of Ukrainian regions by Russia, describing the so-called referendums in these regions as “an affront to international law” and “null and void, with no legal or political effects”. The Assembly was debating a report by Emanuelis Zingeris...
The role of prosecutors in the protection of the environment
On 4 October 2022, the Consultative Council of European Prosecutors (CCPE) adopted its Opinion No. 17 (2022) on the role of prosecutors in environmental protection. The CCPE takes into account that the environmental crimes and related infringements increasingly become a source of global concern,...
Volodymyr Zelenskyy tells PACE: ‘Never yet in history was united Europe as strong as it is today’
Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy has told the Council of Europe’s Parliamentary Assembly (PACE) that dialogue between Europeans has had historically important results. “We see actions that have made Europe unprecedentedly stronger. Never yet in history was united Europe as strong as it is...
Secretary General underlines importance of a 4th Council of Europe Summit
In her dialogue with members of the Parliamentary Assembly, Secretary General Marija Pejčinović Burić underlined the strong support of the High Level Reflection Group for a fourth Summit of Heads of State and Government of the Council of Europe. The Summit would be an occasion for all Member...
Ireland’s Europe minister calls for Council of Europe summit in Reykjavik
Ireland’s Minister of State for European Affairs, Thomas Byrne, has given his backing to a fourth summit of Council of Europe Heads of State and Government to take place in Reykjavik as part of Iceland’s forthcoming presidency of the organisation’s Committee of Ministers. Addressing the...
PACE calls for new impetus in the EU enlargement process for the Western Balkans
The Council of Europe’s Parliamentary Assembly (PACE) has called on the European Union to give new impetus to the enlargement process to the Western Balkans. “It is imperative not to lose focus of the Western Balkans, even if the need to support the European aspirations of other countries, such...
Croatia: Improving data protection and efficiency in justice via digitalisation
A high-level conference in Zagreb, Croatia on the project “Digital by default – optimisation of efficiency and quality of judicial services and transparency of judicial decisions” – is addressing new AI and machine-learning technologies to make the justice system more efficient and to ensure...
Ireland’s President Higgins: We need a longer-term vision of the Council of Europe’s role in a post-conflict Europe
Ireland’s President Michael D. Higgins has called for a longer-term vision of the Council of Europe’s role in a post-conflict Europe, and how that might fit within the wider multilateral architecture, in order to effectively uphold human rights, the rule of law and democracy whilst ensuring there...
President of Swiss Confederation calls for new political momentum for the Council of Europe
“The crises we are going through today – foremost among them Russia’s military aggression against Ukraine - force us to question what we used to take for granted. They remind us of our duty to stand up for the values we hold dear, and that have been cherished by the Council of Europe since its...
2022 Václav Havel Prize awarded to imprisoned Russian opposition leader Vladimir Kara-Murza
The tenth Václav Havel Human Rights Prize – which honours outstanding civil society action in defence of human rights – has been awarded to imprisoned Russian opposition leader Vladimir Kara-Murza. The 60,000-euro prize was presented at a special ceremony on the opening day of the autumn plenary...
Council of Europe leaders condemn Russian air strikes against towns and cities in Ukraine
Ireland’s Minister for Foreign Affairs and Chair of the Council of Europe’s Committee of Ministers, Simon Coveney, the President of the Parliamentary Assembly of the Council of Europe, Tiny Kox, and the Secretary General of the Council of Europe, Marija Pejčinović Burić, have made the following...
Türkiye: Draft criminal provision on “false or misleading information” interferes with freedom of expression says Venice Commission
Following an urgent request from the Monitoring Committee of the Parliamentary Assembly of the Council of Europe (PACE), the Venice Commission has published an urgent opinion on draft amendments to the Penal Code introducing a provision on “false and misleading information”. The provision...
European and World Day against the Death Penalty, 10 October
Joint statement by the High Representative, on behalf of the European Union, and the Secretary General of the Council of Europe
Secretary General statement on awarding of Nobel Peace Prize to human rights activists in Belarus, Russia and Ukraine
"The Nobel Peace Prize was awarded this year to longstanding partners of the Council of Europe - Ales Bialiatski from Belarus, the Russian human rights organisation Memorial and the Ukrainian human rights organization the Center for Civil Liberties. We are delighted by the decision of the Nobel...
Germany: Council of Europe experts find serious gaps in protecting women and girls from gender-based violence
In its first baseline evaluation report on Germany, the Council of Europe Group of Experts on Action against Violence against Women and Domestic Violence (GREVIO) welcomes criminal law measures taken before and after Germany’s ratification of the Istanbul Convention in 2018, but also points out...
“Addressing disinformation and propaganda with a human rights framework”: informal exchange of views with civil society representatives
At an informal meeting on 6 October delegations from the Council of Europe’s 46 member states held an exchange of views with representatives of international civil society organisations active in the media field. They discussed the challenges of disinformation and propaganda which undermine...
Irish Presidency welcomes publication of report on the future of the Council of Europe
Ireland’s Minister for Foreign Affairs, Simon Coveney, and Minister for European Affairs, Thomas Byrne, have joined Council of Europe leaders today in welcoming the publication of a report on the future of the Council of Europe by a High-Level Reflection Group chaired by Ireland’s former...
Efficiency and quality of justice in Europe: Council of Europe publishes its 2022 report
The Council of Europe’s European Commission for the Efficiency of Justice (CEPEJ) has set out the main trends of the judicial systems of 44 European countries and 3 observer States (*) in a report, country profiles and an interactive database (all publicly available). This evaluation report, the...
Angela Merkel to receive UNHCR Nansen Refugee Award for protecting refugees at height of Syria crisis
UNHCR, the UN Refugee Agency, announced today that Dr. Angela Merkel, the former Federal Chancellor of Germany, will receive the 2022 UNHCR Nansen Refugee Award. Each year, the award – named after the Norwegian explorer, scientist, diplomat and humanitarian Fridtjof Nansen – is given to an...
Human trafficking: Council of Europe experts call on Luxembourg to step up efforts to identify and assist victims
The Council of Europe’s expert group on human trafficking (GRETA) has urged Luxembourg to make additional efforts to identify and assist victims of trafficking, and to ensure that human trafficking cases are investigated proactively and results in effective, proportionate, and dissuasive...
Bulgaria: progress on addressing inequalities, but more needed to protect LGBTI and Roma from discrimination and hate speech and help refugees
Bulgaria has achieved tangible progress since 2014 in fighting intolerance, introducing inclusive education, combating antisemitism, promoting integration of Roma and supporting refugees. However, hate and prejudice against LGBTI persons and Roma persist and should be addressed, and integration...
35 years of Cultural Routes: Safeguarding European Values, Heritage, and Dialogue
The Council of Europe Cultural Routes’ programme is celebrating its 35th anniversary at the 11th Advisory Forum which is taking place in Chania, Crete (Greece) from 5-7 October, including a special event to highlight the relevance of Cultural Routes for the promotion of cultural diversity,...
Dublin conference discusses rights and the best interests of the child in parental separation and care proceedings
Considering the voice of children and young people in determining their best interests in family courts during parental separation and care proceedings is the focus of an international conference taking place in Dublin on 3 October under the Irish Presidency of the Council of Europe. The Minister...
European ministers adopt “Dublin Declaration” on preventing violence through equality
Thirty-eight member states have backed a “Dublin Declaration” pledging a series of steps to promote gender equality in order to help prevent domestic, sexual and gender-based violence. The declaration is inspired by the Council of Europe’s Istanbul Convention on violence against women, and...
Council of Europe leaders condemn the illegal annexation of occupied territories of Ukraine
Ireland’s Minister for Foreign Affairs and Chair of the Council of Europe’s Committee of Ministers, Simon Coveney, the President of the Parliamentary Assembly of the Council of Europe, Tiny Kox, and the Secretary General of the Council of Europe, Marija Pejčinović Burić, have made the following...
Minority Languages promotion in Switzerland backed by expert report
French and German should be given more support in Swiss cantons where they are non-official languages, whilst Italian and Romansh need more promotion in economic and social life, the Committee of Experts of the European Charter for Regional or Minority Languages (ECRML) recommends in its latest...
Ireland must step up its fight against human trafficking
The Group of Experts on Action against Trafficking in Human Beings (GRETA) has urged authorities in Ireland to take further action against human trafficking, notably by improving prosecution of human traffickers and providing specialised shelters and compensation for victims. GRETA’s latest...
Migration and Refugees : Poland fact-finding mission
Following her recent visit to Poland, the primary destination for millions of people fleeing Ukraine since the aggression of the Russian Federation against Ukraine, the Special Representative of the Secretary General on Migration and Refugees, Leyla Kayacik presented her report to the Committee...
Migration and Refugees : Republic of Moldova fact-finding mission
In the face of an unprecedented influx of refugees, the Moldovan authorities managed to mobilise resources and join efforts in an outstanding response to provide immediate assistance to those fleeing Ukraine. In her recent report, the Special Representative of the Secretary General on Migration...
Putting children at the centre – Council of Europe and EU synergies in protecting children’s rights
The Council of Europe’s Strategy for the Rights of the Child 2022-2027 (the Rome Strategy) and the EU Strategy for the Rights of the Child share a common vision and objectives, focusing on the participation of children, integrated systems for child protection and child-friendly justice, said the...
War in Ukraine, Covid-19 and climate change key challenges for national minorities
National minorities in Europe faced multiple threats during the past two years, says a new report from the Advisory Committee on the Framework Convention for the Protection of National Minorities. Russia’s aggression against Ukraine caused a humanitarian catastrophe, including for national...
Committee of Ministers calls on member states to recognise the right to a clean, healthy and sustainable environment as a human right
In a Recommendation on human rights and the protection of the environment adopted today, the Council of Europe calls on its 46 member states to actively consider recognising, at national level, the right to a clean, healthy and sustainable environment, as a human right. Considering that measures...
Committee of Ministers calls on member states to better address human trafficking for labour exploitation
As trafficking in human beings for the purpose of labour exploitation has been on the rise across Europe, affecting an increasing number of women, men and children, the Committee of Ministers calls on its 46 member states to adopt national laws, policies and strategies to address the problem and...
Committee of Ministers adopts guidelines on preventing and remedying violations of the European Convention on Human Rights
The Committee of Ministers today adopted a set of guidelines aimed at assisting the 46 Council of Europe member states in their efforts to comply with their obligations to secure to everyone, within their jurisdiction, the rights and freedoms defined in the European Convention on Human Rights....
Unlawful dismissal: France violates European Social Charter
In a decision made public today, the European Committee of Social Rights of the Council of Europe (ECSR) considers that the upper limit on the compensation that can be awarded to workers in France in the event of unlawful dismissal constitutes a “violation” of the European Social Charter (Article...
Implementing ECHR judgments: Latest decisions from the Committee of Ministers
The Committee of Ministers has published the case-by-case decisions taken during the Committee’s meeting from 20 to 22 September to supervise the implementation of judgments and decisions from the European Court of Human Rights. The Committee of Ministers adopted 31 decisions concerning 19 member...
National minorities: new opinions on North Macedonia and Slovenia published
The Advisory Committee on the Framework Convention for the Protection of National Minorities (FCNM) published new opinions on North Macedonia (see summary in Macedonian) and Slovenia (see summary in Slovenian). North Macedonia has made significant progress in the legal protection of national...
Greece: Anti-racism commission praises Greece’s national action plans, but concerns remain
The European Commission against Racism and Intolerance (ECRI) has welcomed Greece’s anti-racism action plan, developments in LGBTI equality, changes to the migration code to help third party nationals and moves by national broadcasters to stop hate speech. But concerns remain, say ECRI in their...
Anti Racism Commission calls for French progress on police identity controls and minority rights
The European Commission against Racism and Intolerance (ECRI) has called for France to improve the recording of police identity controls and to recognise Travellers’ caravans as a type of housing. Its latest report also recommends human rights training for people working in schools; measures to...
Council of Europe Secretary General rejects so-called ‘referenda’ in occupied Ukrainian territories
The Secretary General of the 46-nation Council of Europe, Marija Pejčinović Burić, has today made the following statement: “The announced so-called ‘referenda’ in Ukrainian territories that are occupied by Russian forces is a further escalation of the conflict and the ongoing violation of...
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 20 to 22 September. Cases proposed for detailed examination concern Albania, Armenia, Azerbaijan, Belgium,...
Anti racism commission releases new conclusions on Albania, Austria, Belgium, Germany and Switzerland
The European Commission against Racism and Intolerance (ECRI) today published conclusions on how Albania, Austria, Belgium, Germany and Switzerland implemented priority recommendations addressed to them in 2020. These covered the situation of Roma, social rights of vulnerable groups, support to...
Russia ceases to be party to the European Convention on Human Rights
Six months after its exclusion from the Council of Europe, the Russian Federation ceases to be party to the European Convention on Human Rights on 16 September 2022. The European Court of Human Rights remains competent to deal with applications against Russia concerning actions or omissions...
ECHR judgments: New factsheet on personal data protection
A new thematic factsheet summarising how member states have responded following judgments by the European Court of Human Rights on the protection of personal data has been released. It gives examples of how member states have acted after judgments by the court, covering areas such as collection...
No impunity for Russia’s crimes against Ukraine
The Committee of Ministers of the Council of Europe has adopted a decision today in which it stresses the urgent need to ensure a comprehensive system of accountability for serious violations of international law arising out of the Russian aggression against Ukraine to avoid impunity and to...
Secretary General deplores Russian plans for a referendum to annex Ukrainian territories
Statement by the Secretary General of the Council of Europe, Marija Pejčinović Burić
Secretary General: Millions of Russians no longer protected by the European Convention on Human Rights
Following Russia’s exclusion from the Council of Europe on 16 March 2022, as a result of its aggression against Ukraine, the Russian Federation will cease to be a High Contracting Party to the European Convention on Human Rights on 16 September 2022. “Russia’s aggression against Ukraine continues...
Secretary General meets First Lady of Ukraine
Council of Europe Secretary General Marija Pejčinović Burić met in Strasbourg with the First Lady of Ukraine, Olena Zelenska. They discussed the situation in Ukraine and the support the Council of Europe is providing.
Positive progress for German detainees, but serious concerns remain, says Anti Torture Committee
The European Committee for the Prevention of Torture and Inhuman or Degrading Treatment or Punishment (CPT) has welcomed positive trends in prisoner treatment in Germany, but outlined a number of serious concerns. The delegation - which visited police stations, prisons and psychiatric clinics...
Civil Society in the spotlight at Venice Commission round table
The participation of civil society in public decision-making and the foreign funding of associations were the key themes of the international round table event entitled “Civil Society: Empowerment and Accountability” in Strasbourg, organised by the Venice Commission and OSCE/ODIHR in the...
Hostilities at the border between Armenia and Azerbaijan: Committee of Ministers Chair and PACE President call for de-escalation and respect for a cease-fire
Following last night’s escalation of violence along the Armenian-Azerbaijani border, which has reportedly already caused numerous casualties and significant damage, Ireland’s Minister for Foreign Affairs and the Chair of the Council of Europe’s Committee of Ministers, Simon Coveney, and the...
Hostilities around Armenian-Azerbaijan border: statement by Secretary General Marija Pejčinović Burić
“Reports of escalating armed hostilities around the Armenian-Azerbaijani border are very alarming. Disagreements between Council of Europe member States must be resolved peacefully through negotiations. Recent direct contacts between the highest authorities of both countries were promising and...
Council of Europe statement on the death of Her Majesty Queen Elizabeth II
The Secretary General of the Council of Europe, Marija Pejčinović Burić, has made the following statement: “I am deeply saddened by the death of Europe’s longest reigning monarch, Her Majesty Queen Elizabeth II. On behalf of the Council of Europe, I send my heartfelt condolences to the Royal...
Council of Europe launches regular dialogue with Belarusian democratic forces
The Council of Europe’s Committee of Ministers has agreed to hold regular exchanges with Sviatlana Tsikhanouskaya and other representatives of Belarusian democratic opposition forces, following a fruitful exchange of views with Ms Tsikhanouskaya on 6 July. The Committee has invited the Secretary...
European Heritage Days 2022 shine a spotlight on “Sustainable Heritage”
Sustainable Heritage is the theme for the 2022 European Heritage Days: a focus on the active role of communities building a more sustainable and resilient future for European heritage, in the context of environmental changes and related risks. The European Heritage Days, a joint initiative of the...
Three candidates shortlisted for the 2022 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 2022 Award. Meeting in Prague the panel, made up of independent figures from the world of human rights...
Congress President condemns the continuing abduction of Ukrainian local elected representatives
In light of the continuing abductions of Ukrainian local elected representatives, the President of the Congress of Local and Regional Authorities of the Council of Europe, Leendert Verbeek, endorsing the statement made by Council of Europe Commissioner for Human Rights Dunja Mijatović on the...
Greece: Too many prisoners held in conditions that represent “an affront to their human dignity” according to CPT report
The Council of Europe’s Committee for the Prevention of Torture and Inhuman or Degrading Treatment or Punishment (CPT) has published its report on a visit to Greece (from 22 November to 1 December 2021) to examine prisoner treatment and review progress made by the authorities in implementing...
Lighting the Shade: Effective Application of the ECHR in Areas of Conflict in Europe
Areas of conflict in Europe are territories "where politics - and arms - stand between people and their rights", highlighted the Deputy Secretary General while giving the opening address to the conference "Lighting the shade: Effective Application of the ECHR in Areas of Conflict in Europe", held...
Congress President warns of fictitious Russian "referendums" in Ukrainian territories
Against the background of mounting indications of possible "pseudo-referendums" in Ukrainian territories currently occupied by Russia, the President of the Congress of Local and Regional Authorities of the Council of Europe, Leendert Verbeek, has urged the Russian authorities to refrain from such...
Statement by Simon Coveney, Chair of the Committee of Ministers, on the death of Mikhail Gorbachev
“Through his leadership, Mikhail Gorbachev contributed greatly to ending the Cold War, bringing down the Iron Curtain that had for so long divided our continent. His speech in the Palais de l'Europe in Strasbourg in 1989 was a seminal moment in the history of the Council of Europe. By referring...
Europride in Belgrade: statement by Simon Coveney, Minister for Foreign Affairs and Minister for Defence of Ireland and Chair of the Committee of Ministers
“Freedom of assembly and prohibition of discrimination are fundamental freedoms enshrined in the European Convention on Human Rights. As Council of Europe Presidency, Ireland recognizes LGBTQI rights as human rights and encourages Serbia to support and facilitate a peaceful and secure Europride.”
Council of Europe leaders pay tribute to Mikhail Gorbachev
PACE President Tiny Kox and Council of Europe Secretary General Marija Pejčinović Burić have paid tribute to former Soviet leader Mikhail Gorbachev. In a joint statement, they said: “Europe has lost a great statesman and peacemaker. By bringing the Cold War to a peaceful end, Mikhail Gorbachev...
Georgia: Draft surveillance law adopted hastily, needs further elaboration, finds Venice Commission opinion
The draft law amending Georgia’s procedure for the use of covert investigative measures was adopted in a hasty procedure and requires both impact assessment and more detailed justification, according to an urgent opinion from the Council of Europe’s Venice Commission of legal and constitutional...
PACE President marks Ukraine’s independence day: ‘Ukraine needs Europe, and Europe needs Ukraine’
PACE President Tiny Kox, in a message to mark the 31st anniversary of the independence of Ukraine, has again pledged the Council of Europe’s full support in the coming months and years, adding: “Ukraine needs Europe, and Europe needs Ukraine”. “I want to express my admiration for the courage and...
Council of Europe will continue to support Crimea and all of Ukraine, says Secretary General
The situation in the Autonomous Republic of Crimea and the city of Sevastopol has further deteriorated, but the Council of Europe will continue doing all it can to support the people of Crimea and of Ukraine in general, despite Russia’s brutal, illegal and ongoing aggression against the country,...
Secretary General took part in Second Summit of Crimea Platform
Council of Europe Secretary General Marija Pejčinović Burić participated in the Second Summit of the Crimea Platform on 23 August, hosted by President Volodymyr Zelenskyy. The Secretary General spoke about the support provided by the organisation to Ukraine and specifically addressed human rights...
New initiative to help Roma people in Bulgaria and Romania
A new agreement between the Council of Europe and the European Union will help marginalised Roma communities in Bulgaria and Romania to access education, housing and employment, and promote Roma inclusion. To date, the ROMACT programme has mobilised over €140 million to fund more than 120...
International Youth Day
“Creating stronger links between youth and other generations can help us find solutions to today’s challenges” says Congress Spokesperson
The right to a healthy environment, a universal human right and an emergency for all levels of governance
Following the resolution just adopted by the United Nations General Assembly declaring access to a clean, healthy and sustainable environment as a universal human right, Congress spokesperson on human rights Harald Bergmann (Netherlands, ILDG), welcomed this historic decision. "This recognition...
European Roma Holocaust Memorial Day
Statement by Council of Europe Secretary General Marija Pejčinović Burić
GRETA calls on states, civil society and tech companies to counter the use of technology to recruit and control victims of human trafficking
On the occasion of the World Day against Trafficking in Persons, held every year on 30 July, the Council of Europe Group of Experts on Action against Trafficking in Human Beings (GRETA) joins the Inter-Agency Coordination Group against Trafficking in Persons (ICAT) in calling on State Parties to...
