Newsroom
Council of Europe adopts new recommendation on terrorists acting alone
As Europe is confronted with returning terrorist fighters and lone-wolf terror attacks, the Council of Europe has recommended a set of measures to combat these dangers. In a recommendation adopted today, the Council’s Committee of Ministers reviews measures for preventing radicalisation, better...
21st century slavery: European anti-trafficking experts raise the alarm over labour exploitation
Trafficking for labour exploitation is on the rise across Europe. In several countries, it has overtaken sexual exploitation as the main form of human trafficking. Official figures underestimate the true scale of the problem and there have been few successful prosecutions and convictions. These...
Dunja Mijatović takes up office as Commissioner for Human Rights
Today, Dunja Mijatović takes up the post of Council of Europe Commissioner for Human Rights. National of Bosnia and Herzegovina, she has been elected last January by the Parliamentary Assembly of the Council of Europe. She is the first woman to hold this post, succeeding Nils Muižnieks...
What common challenges do smallest European states face?
Reports on local democracy and draft recommendations for Andorra, Liechtenstein, Monaco and San Marino were adopted by the Congress of Local and Regional Authorities of the Council of Europe on the 28th of March at its 34th Session in Strasbourg. The discussions were followed by the debate on...
Poland: Judicial reforms violate anti-corruption standards, say Council of Europe experts
Amendments passed late last year to Poland’s judiciary, including laws on the National Council of the Judiciary (LNCJ), to the Supreme Court (LSC) and to the Law on Ordinary Courts, do not comply with Council of Europe anti-corruption standards, concludes a report published today by the Council...
Local and regional democracy in Latvia
An overall positive situation of local self-government in Latvia, together with the extensive autonomy of local authorities were welcomed in a report adopted by the Congress of Local and Regional Authorities of the Council of Europe, during its 34th Session, on 27 March 2018 in Strasbourg,...
The Congress adopts a recommendation following the fact-finding mission in the Republic of Moldova
On 27 March 2018, the Congress of Local and Regional Authorities of the Council of Europe, holding its 34th Session in Strasbourg (France), adopted a recommendation on the fact-finding mission on the situation of local elected representatives in the Republic of Moldova that was carried out in...
Michele Nicoletti: “If democracy dies at the local level, it will also die at the national level”
“The success of democracy is not possible without the participation of our citizens in civic life,” stated. Michele Nicoletti, President of the Parliamentary Assembly of the Council of Europe addressing the Congress members at the 34th Session, in Strasbourg, on 27 March 2018. He outlined the...
Gudrun Mosler-Törnström: “Given the current challenges, we must preserve the voice of local and regional authorities”
“Together, we are all entering a serious period in the life of our organisation and of our Congress,” said Congress President Gudrun Mosler-Törnström at the opening of the 34th session of the Congress in Strasbourg, France, on 27 March 2018. In her communication, the President gave an update on...
Finland encouraged to boost anticorruption policy in central governments and law enforcement agencies
In an evaluation report published today, the Council of Europe’s Group of States against Corruption (GRECO) called for Finland to strengthen its systems to prevent and detect corrupt behaviour in central governments (including the top executive functions) and law enforcement agencies. Finland...
Qatar signs co-operation agreement with Council of Europe in view of FIFA World Cup 2022
The State of Qatar signed today a bilateral agreement (2018-2020) of technical co-operation with the Council of Europe, in the framework of the European Convention on Integrated Safety, Security and Service Approach at Football Matches and Other Sports events (CETS No. 218), known as "St Denis...
Terrorist attack in Trèbes (France): The Chairman of the Committee of Ministers expresses his sorrow and solidarity with the French authorities
Following the deadly terrorist attack in Trèbes (France) earlier today, Minister Anders Samuelsen, Minister for Foreign Affairs of Denmark and Chairman of the Committee of Ministers of the Council of Europe, conveys his sincere condolences to the families of the victims and his sympathy for those...
Secretary General condemns attacks on Carcassonne and Trèbes, France
Secretary General Thorbjørn Jagland made the following statement today: "I strongly condemn the attacks on the soil of our host country, France. These cowardly attacks have targeted civilians as well as law enforcement officials. I salute the courageous action of the latter and express the...
Preventing ill-treatment during police custody and pre-trial detention
The Danish Chairmanship of the Council of Europe’s Committee of Ministers is organising a seminar in Copenhagen on 22 and 23 March to discuss ways to strengthen the prevention of torture and ill-treatment during police custody and pre-trial detention, the time when persons are most at risk from...
34th Session of the Congress of Local and Regional Authorities
The members of the Congress of Local and Regional Authorities of the Council of Europe will meet in Strasbourg, France, from 27 to 28 March 2018 for their 34th Session placed under the theme “rights-based governance at local and regional level”. Congress members will discuss in particular the...
Russia : Anti-corruption watchdog calls for more transparency and public accountability amongst parliamentarians, judges and prosecutors
In a new report published today (in English and Russian), the Council of Europe Group of States against Corruption (GRECO) says corruption has long been a serious pervasive problem in Russia. Whilst acknowledging some important legislative and policy steps, GRECO identifies a number of...
Stronger, more independent equality bodies needed to combat intolerance and discrimination in Europe, says anti-racism commission
To better protect and support people exposed to discrimination, states should put in place strong equality bodies established by constitutional or parliamentary legislation, set up as separate legal entities with a wide mandate, enjoying political, financial and operational independence, and...
Intercultural Cities in Action : International Day Against Racial Discrimination
Fighting discrimination and upholding human rights is not only a legal obligation of Council of Europe members states but a moral, social, and economic necessity for inclusive and well-functioning European societies. Cities and local authorities are key in this regard. In a European context more...
European prisons are almost full, according to latest Council of Europe survey
European prisons are on average close to full capacity, with inmates occupying over 9 out of ten available places, according to the Council of Europe Annual Penal Statistics (SPACE) for 2016, published today. The survey shows that the incarceration rate grew from 115.7 to 117.1 inmates per...
Tackling challenges in protecting athletes’ human rights in the fight against doping in sport
“The Council of Europe has pioneered the fight against doping at international level, with a first Resolution adopted already in 1967 by our Committee of Ministers. The Anti-Doping Convention that followed was the first legally-binding text on this subject”, said Deputy Secretary General...
Anti-torture Committee publishes report on Imralı Prison (Turkey)
The Council of Europe's Committee for the Prevention of Torture (CPT) has published a report on its April 2016 visit to the high-security prison on the island of Imralı in Turkey, where Abdullah Öcalan and three other prisoners are being held. The report says that, compared to the CPT’s previous...
Abolishing limits on presidential re-election is a step back in democratic development, says Venice Commission
In its new report on presidential term limits, the Venice Commission says re-election is not a human right as such, but a modality of the right to be elected. The Venice Commission is in favour of presidential term limits in presidential and semi-presidential regimes. They help prevent the abuse...
Implementing ECHR judgments: Latest decisions from the Council of Europe’s Committee of Ministers
The latest case-by-case decisions on the implementation of judgments from the European Court of Human Rights have been published by the Council of Europe’s Committee of Ministers. The committee adopted 24 decisions concerning 15 member states at the end of its regular three-day meeting in...
Ukraine: new financial disclosure requirements for NGOs and activists likely to have chilling effect on civil society, should be fully reconsidered
Stringent financial reporting and disclosure requirements for public activists, coupled with severe sanctions, are likely to have a chilling effect on civil society in Ukraine and should be removed in their entirety or significantly narrowed down, said the Venice Commission and the OSCE/ODIHR in...
Slovak Republic: adopt a bolder approach to ensure inclusive education and strengthen the safety of journalists
Today the Council of Europe Commissioner for Human Rights, Nils Muižnieks, concluded a visit to the Slovak Republic which focused on inclusive education of children with disabilities and Roma children. At the same time, since the visit took place shortly after the murder of investigative...
SRSG on migration and refugees: fact-finding mission to Spain
The Special Representative of the Secretary General on Migration and Refugees (SRSG), Ambassador Tomáš Boček, will be conducting a fact-finding mission to Spain from 18 to 24 March 2018. The Special Representative will visit migrant temporary stay facilities and centres for children in the...
Serbia has not implemented any of the recommendations on preventing corruption among parliamentarians, judges and prosecutors
Serbia has not implemented in a satisfactory manner any of the thirteen recommendations provided by the Council of Europe’s anti-corruption body GRECO (Group of States against Corruption) to the country in July 2015, according to the new compliance report published today. GRECO specifically...
The Group of States against Corruption publishes two reports on Turkey
The Council of Europe’s 49-member Group of States against Corruption (GRECO) has published two reports assessing Turkey’s record on preventing and combatting corruption. With few exceptions, GRECO notes a worrying lack of progress in many areas. In the first report, GRECO expresses concern about...
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 from the European Court of Human Rights in Strasbourg from 13 to 15 March. Information on the cases to be examined at the meeting is available here. Decisions taken by the...
Human Rights Commissioner concerned by certain provisions of draft law on immigration and asylum in France
In a letter to members of the French National Assembly published today, Commissioner for Human Rights Nils Muižnieks expresses concern at the risk of violations of the rights of migrants, including asylum seekers, if the provisions of the draft law for managed immigration and an effective right...
Don't obstruct ratification of Istanbul Convention!
In a video message to mark International Women’s Day 2018, the Commissioner for Human Rights, Nils Muižnieks, underlines that politicians and opinion makers should promote an honest and well-informed public debate about the Council of Europe Convention on preventing and combating violence against...
International Women’s Day (8 March)
Statement by Karen Ellemann, Minister for Equal Opportunities of Denmark, on behalf of the Chairmanship of the Committee of Ministers
Anti-torture Committee publishes a report on Belgium
CPT calls for improved prison conditions, better care for psychiatric internees and stronger action against police brutality
8 March: “I too can make equality happen”
On 8 March 2018, as International Women’s Day is celebrated around the world, the PACE Committee on Equality and Non-Discrimination, which brings together members of parliament from Council of Europe member States, acknowledges the progress that has been achieved towards greater equality between...
The Council of Europe adopts its Gender Equality Strategy 2018-2023
On 7 March 2018, the Council of Europe Committee of Ministers adopted the new Council of Europe Gender Equality Strategy 2018-2023. The Strategy renews the Organisation’s commitment to address current and emerging challenges and remove barriers towards achieving substantive and full gender...
New guidelines on media pluralism and transparency of media ownership
The Council of Europe has issued guidelines to its 47 member states aimed at assisting them in the promotion of media pluralism and transparency of media ownership. In a Recommendation adopted today, the Committee of Ministers underlines that advances in modern technology have a profound impact...
Protecting human rights online: new guidelines on internet intermediaries
The Council of Europe today adopted policy guidelines addressed to its 47 member states on the roles and responsibilities of internet intermediaries such as search engines and social media. The power of such intermediaries as protagonists of online expression is such that their role and impact on...
Istanbul Convention: clearing away the fog of misconceptions
In recent months, several Council of Europe member states have shown “cold feet” in moves to ratify the Council of Europe’s Convention on preventing and combating violence against women and domestic violence (more commonly known as the "Istanbul Convention"). Although almost every single member...
Joint statement - International organisations commit to building broader support for human rights
With the adoption of the Universal Declaration of Human Rights 70 years ago, governments around the globe committed to making peace, democracy and justice a reality for all. We, national, regional and international institutions have worked towards that objective, striving to improve the life of...
Anti-corruption body calls on Portugal to speed up reforms to prevent corruption among MPs, judges and prosecutors
In a report published today, the Council of Europe’s Group of States against Corruption (GRECO), calls on Portugal to step up its efforts to improve its legal framework to prevent corruption in respect of MPs, judges and prosecutors. This report, which assesses Portugal’s compliance with the...
Children in migration need information on reality, not just on rights, says a new report
Children in migration at all the stages of their journey to Europe should receive child-friendly and understandable information, which nevertheless must reflect the realities and difficulties they may face in the new environment, says the Council of Europe in a new report published today. The...
Extending rights, responsibilities and status to same-sex families: trends across Europe
Members of the Parliamentary Assembly of the Council of Europe, Government officials, non-governmental organisations and independent experts are meeting in Copenhagen, Denmark on 2 March 2018 for a conference to discuss equal opportunities and rights in private and family life for lesbian, gay,...
Greece: anti-corruption group offers praise and criticism
In two reports published today, the Council of Europe’s Group of States against Corruption (GRECO) mixed praise with criticism regarding Greek efforts to fight corruption in both the legislative and judicial branches of government. One of the two reports – Corruption prevention in respect of...
Trafficking in human organs: Council of Europe convention enters into force
Secretary General Jagland calls on states to join the treaty
Anti-torture committee publishes a report on Portugal
In a report on Portugal published today, the Council of Europe's anti-torture committee (CPT) urges the Portuguese authorities to take determined action to prevent police ill-treatment and to provide prisoners with safe and decent living conditions. During its 2016 periodic visit to the country,...
San-Marino, Spain, Sweden: new reports by anti-discrimination body
According to the new report by European Commission against Racism and Intolerance (ECRI) published today, San-Marino has made progress on access to naturalisation, criminalising discrimination on the basis of gender identity, and on data collection. However, San Marino still has no criminal...
Anti-corruption group says that Germany still lags in efforts to make party financing more transparent
The Council of Europe’s Group of States against Corruption (GRECO) reiterates previous critiques from earlier reports concerning the transparency of party financing in Germany in a just published “addendum”. Of 20 recommendations, nine have been “implemented satisfactorily or dealt with in a...
Special Representative on Migration and Refugees Tomáš Boček publishes first activity report
Migration in Europe: Call for united political will, commitment to Council of Europe standards and durable solutions
Stressing gender perspective in drug policy at first-ever Mexico meeting
This week, the Council of Europe's drug policy experts The Pompidou Group highlight the importance of “mainstreaming” gender perspective to drug policy. Assessing negative consequences that especially women and girls face – including unequal access to health care and social services, as well as...
Anti-corruption body visits Romania to conduct urgent evaluation of reform of the judiciary
A delegation from the Group of States against Corruption of the Council of Europe (GRECO) visited Romania on 21 and 22 February as part of an ad hoc urgent evaluation concerning the recently proposed or adopted legislation in the area of the judiciary from the perspective of the fight against...
Serbia: Concerted efforts needed to address the legacy of the past, protect media freedoms and ensure inclusive education
Declaration by Human Rights Commissioner Nils Muižnieks, following a four-day follow-up visit to the country
Combatting human trafficking by “the former Yugoslav Republic of Macedonia”
Progress in legislation and practices, more needed to lower risks for children and migrants
National minorities: Romania should step up efforts to combat Roma discrimination
The Advisory Committee on the Framework Convention for the Protection of National Minorities has urged the Romanian authorities to step up their efforts to combat discrimination, against the Roma in particular, and to improve the protection of national minorities in a number of areas. In a new...
Meeting of Secretary General Thorbjørn Jagland with Italian Justice Minister Orlando
Secretary General Thorbjørn Jagland and Minister of Justice of Italy Andrea Orlando had an exchange of views today at the Palais de l’Europe to discuss current developments and issues of common interest. The Secretary General and the Minister underlined the excellent co-operation between Italy...
Sweden should enhance protection of asylum seekers and persons with disabilities
“Sweden’s renewed commitment to participate in the relocation of asylum seekers and to increase resettlement are positive signals, but it’s time to lift the restrictions imposed on asylum seekers at the height of the 2015 migration crisis”, says the Council of Europe Commissioner for Human...
Enforcing Strasbourg Court’s judgments concerning the Transnistrian region of the Republic of Moldova
The execution of judgments of the European Court of Human Rights requires genuine dialogue between all those capable of providing effective redress to victims of violations in the Transnistrian region of the Republic Moldova. "We need to be creative and break the vicious circle of legal...
Slovenia: new report on combatting human trafficking
In its new report published today, the Council of Europe’s anti-trafficking expert group (GRETA) note improvements in legislation and practices to combat human trafficking in Slovenia since the publication of the first report in January 2014, and said that more should be done to help victims. The...
“Free European Media” conference in Gdansk, Poland
Over 150 journalists, representatives of national media regulators and press councils, as well as academics, politicians, and civil society activists are gathering at the Solidarność Centre in Gdansk, Poland for a conference on “Free European Media”. The event, taking place on 15-16 February, has...
Turkey: Secretary General Jagland meets Turkish leadership in Ankara on 15-16 February
Speech to the candidate judges and prosecutors of the Justice Academy
Protection of children against sexual abuse in the circle of trust: workable strategies
In a new report published today, the Council of Europe’s Lanzarote Committee analyses the strategies used by 26 European countries(*) to protect children against sexual abuse in the circle of trust (extended family and persons close to the child who exercise influence over the child). According...
Irish student wins European Eloquence Prize
The 2018 Prix européen de l’Eloquence, an annual contest of public speaking in French, has been won by Irish student John Finn, who spoke on the theme of “To dark thoughts, green answers?”. Council of Europe Deputy Secretary General, Gabriella Battaini-Dragoni chaired the jury, which awarded the...
Training on reception and integration of migrants and refugees for local authority officials in Athens
On 8-9 February 2018 in Athens, the Special Representative of the Secretary General on Migration and Refugees (SRSG), together with the municipality of Athens, is co-organising a training session for local authority officials on their interaction with refugees and migrants in terms of emergency...
Sexual abuse of children: recommendations to Hungary
Today, the Council of Europe Lanzarote Committee published its recommendations to the Hungarian authorities on the protection of children against sexual exploitation and sexual abuse in the transit zones at the Serbian-Hungarian border. According to the legislation adopted in Hungary in March...
Invest in education and language acquisition to build a cohesive society, says Commissioner Muižnieks in Skopje
“The Macedonian authorities should implement policies that encourage interaction and understanding between ethnic communities and promote social cohesion while protecting diversity,” said the Council of Europe Commissioner for Human Rights, Nils Muižnieks, after a five-day follow-up visit to “the...
Training on integration of refugee and migrant children in mainstream education
On 2-3 February 2018, the Special Representative of the Secretary General on Migration and Refugees (SRSG), together with the European Commission against Racism and Intolerance (ECRI) and the municipality of Athens, is organising a training session on one of the most challenging questions in the...
Protection of National Minorities in Slovenia
Slovenia duly protects the Italian and Hungarian national minorities, but more efforts needed to improve situation of Roma, fight increase in hate speech
Ukraine: New report on combatting money laundering and terrorism financing
Tangible progress achieved, changes to legislation and practices required
GRETA’s new report on Serbia
The authorities must do to more to reduce children’s vulnerability to trafficking, improve assistance to victims
Day of Remembrance of the Holocaust and for the Prevention of Crimes against Humanity
On 27 January 1945, the concentration camp of Auschwitz-Birkenau – where more than one million people had been sent to gas chambers to perish during the Holocaust – was liberated. We mark this “Day of Remembrance of the Holocaust and for the Prevention of Crimes against Humanity” to honour the...
Data Protection Day
On 28 January the Council of Europe will celebrate the Data Protection Day, which marks the opening for signature in 1981 of the Council of Europe’s data protection convention, “Convention 108”. More than 50 countries around the world have already signed up to the convention, which sets out key...
Time to renew our commitment and halt the deterioration of human rights
“In 2017 the human rights situation continued to deteriorate in many European countries. Old crises deepened, new crises emerged and commitment to human rights values and standards seemed to weaken”, said today Nils Muižnieks, the Council of Europe Commissioner for Human Rights while presenting...
Austrian President reiterates attachment to the Council of Europe and its values
In his speech, Austrian President Alexander Van der Bellen made a strong commitment to Europe and its values, and reiterated Austria’s attachment to the Council of Europe. “Without the principles this organisation stands for,” he said, “we cannot have the Europe that we all want.” He stressed...
Ceremony to mark International Day of Holocaust Commemoration
Secretary General Thorbjørn Jagland and Austrian President Alexander Van der Bellen led tributes to the memory of Holocaust victims, at a ceremony outside the main Council of Europe building in Strasbourg. Other participants who made addresses and laid wreaths in front of the commemorative stone...
Dunja Mijatović elected Council of Europe Commissioner for Human Rights
Dunja Mijatovic (Bosnia and Herzegovina) was today elected as the Council of Europe Commissioner for Human Rights by the Organisation’s Parliamentary Assembly (PACE) at its plenary session in Strasbourg. Ms Mijatovic was elected for a non-renewable term of six years starting on 1 April 2018. She...
Danish Prime Minister urges further reform of the European Convention
Danish Prime Minister Lars Løkke Rasmussen has called for further reform of the European Convention on Human Rights – and urged member States to apply it more effectively at national level. Addressing PACE at its plenary session in Strasbourg, the Prime Minister said it was necessary to “reform...
