Newsroom
Shock and sorrow: Anne Brasseur reacts to the Paris attacks
"I am deeply shocked and utterly appalled by the barbaric terrorist attacks perpetrated last night in Paris. On behalf of the Parliamentary Assembly of the Council of Europe, I extend my deepest condolences to the families and loved ones of the victims as well as to the people of France," said...
Terrorist attacks in Paris
Statement by Daniel Mitov, Minister for Foreign Affairs of Bulgaria and Chairman of the Committee of Ministers
Attacks in Paris: Statement by Thorbjørn Jagland
"I am shocked by the horrific attacks in Paris last night. Our solidarity and thoughts are with the people of France today and with President Hollande. The terrorists aimed to attack our freedom, democracy and human rights. But Europe will stand strong in defending our common values". Letter to...
Improving protection for victims of forced labour and human trafficking
“Everyone in Europe - children, women and men - should be protected from forced labour and trafficking in human beings, two serious human rights violations. The latest International Labour Organisation (ILO) estimates indicate some 20.9 million people around the world still being subjected to...
Anti-torture Committee publishes report on Bulgaria
The Council of Europe's Committee for the Prevention of Torture and Inhuman or Degrading Treatment or Punishment (CPT) published today the report on its most recent visit to Bulgaria (13 to 20 February 2015), together with the response of the Bulgarian authorities. The visit was an opportunity...
Death of Helmut Schmidt: Statement by the Secretary General
“Helmut Schmidt combined the best qualities of a true patriot and convinced internationalist”
Bosnia and Herzegovina hands over chairmanship to Bulgaria
The Chairmanship of the Committee of Ministers of the Council of Europe today passed from Bosnia and Herzegovina to Bulgaria, at a meeting at the Organisation's Strasbourg headquarters, attended by representatives of its 47 member States. Before handing over the chairmanship to his successor, the...
Ireland signs Istanbul Convention
Today, Ireland is the 39th country to sign the Council of Europe Convention on preventing and combating violence against women and domestic violence, also known as the Istanbul Convention. “I welcome Ireland’s signing today as a step to ratification as soon as possible,” said Council of Europe...
Internet Governance Forum 2015
Mass surveillance, threats to privacy and freedom of expression
Facing mass surveillance and other threats to privacy and freedom of expression
IAP report on Odesa events
Investigation of May 2014 events in Odesa failed to comply with requirements of European Human Right Convention, says International Advisory Panel’s report
65th Anniversary of the Convention
The Convention for the Protection of Human Rights and Fundamental Freedoms, better known as the European Convention on Human Rights, was signed in Rome (Italy) on 4 November 1950 by 12 member states of the Council of Europe and entered into force on 3 September 1953. It was the first instrument...
EU-Council of Europe joint project “Regional Support for Inclusive Education”
The Final Conference of the European Union - Council of Europe joint project “Regional Support for Inclusive Education” will take place in Sarajevo on 5 - 6 November. It is organised in the framework of Bosnia and Herzegovina’s Chairmanship of the Council of Europe’s Committee of Ministers and...
Human Rights report on Ukraine
Eastern Ukraine: urgent need to guarantee freedom of movement and humanitarian access
Parliamentary elections in Turkey
Elections in Turkey offered voters variety of choices, but process was hindered by challenging security environment, incidents of violence and restrictions against media, international election observers say
Secretary General expresses condolences over Russian airliner crash
Council of Europe Secretary General Thorbjørn Jagland has issued this statement: "I was devastated to hear of the fatal crash of a Russian airliner in central Sinai today. This is a terrible loss to our member State the Russian Federation. I extend my sincere condolences to all who have lost...
General elections in Turkey: statement by the Secretary General
"I have written to congratulate Prime Minister Ahmet Davutoğlu after yesterday's election with a strong voter turnout. I trust when the new government is formed it will take the initiative to tackle the many challenges facing Turkey today and to build an inclusive society embracing all those who...
How to promote the Human Rights of Persons with Disabilities?
A Council of Europe conference on Promoting Human Rights of Persons with Disabilities is scheduled to take place in Dublin on 5-6 November 2015, in cooperation with the Department of Justice and Equality of Ireland. The aim of the conference will be to review how member states have implemented...
The role of religions in fighting extremism
Council of Europe Exchange on building inclusive societies in Sarajevo, 2-3 November
Cultural Routes across European borders
Annual Advisory Forum 2015
Ukraine constitutional amendments - judiciary, Donetsk and Luhansk
Venice Commission Opinions
2015 Crystal Scales of Justice Prize
The Judicial Institute for Scotland has just been awarded for an initiative entitled “The Judicial HUB”
Effective implementation of the European Convention of Human Rights
Effective implementation of the European Convention of Human Rights and the execution of the judgments of the European Court of Human Rights is a top political priority for the Council of Europe. It depends both on political will and on the existence of appropriate legal procedures at the...
Congress adopts declaration on reception of refugees in Europe
The States of Europe must assume shared responsibility for accommodating refugees on their territory in line with the applicable right to asylum and human dignity. That was the message from the members of the Congress of Local and Regional Authorities of the Council of Europe in a declaration...
Foreign terrorist fighters
Eighteen signatories open the way by signing new Additional Protocol to Convention on Prevention of Terrorism
Congress adopts Recommendations on the local elections in Albania and Moldova
The Congress of Local and Regional Authorities of the Council of Europe on 21 October considered the reports prepared by its delegations which had observed on the spot the conduct of the local elections in Albania on 21 June 2015 and in the Republic of Moldova on 14 June 2015. Two separate...
Greece: Group of States against Corruption Report
Greece urged to secure integrity in parliament and in the judiciary, a new anti-corruption report says
Monitoring implementation of the Istanbul Convention: new synergies
High-level Conference
National minorities in Estonia
The authorities should continue their efforts to facilitate the access to Estonian citizenship, according to a Council of Europe report
Conference on effective implementation of the European Convention on Human Rights
Effective implementation of the European Convention of Human Rights and the execution of the judgments of the European Court of Human Rights is a top political priority for the Council of Europe. It depends both on political will and on the existence of appropriate legal procedures at the...
Human rights situation in Azerbaijan
PACE President writes to Azerbaijan’s President Aliyev citing "deepest concerns" over human rights situation
Human rights report on San Marino
San Marino: media freedom and gender equality should be improved
International conference calls for equal access to justice for women
The Council of Europe is tackling the theme of access to justice for women, in a conference in Bern, Switzerland. Council of Europe General Director of Democracy Snežana Samardžić-Marković outlined specific examples of a lack of justice for women, from court testimonies given less weight because...
The new development agenda should fulfil human rights
“Most European countries have become accustomed to seeing the United Nations (UN) development agenda as being “for export”, as not directly relevant for Europe itself. However, the economic crisis and austerity have made this universal agenda topical on our continent as well. The 2030 Agenda for...
Partnership to protect journalists
Committee to Protect Journalists and Index on Censorship join online platform
Human Rights report on Slovakia
"Slovakia has to step up its efforts aimed at combating and eradicating discrimination in law and practice, and take effective measures to improve the protection of Roma, persons with disabilities and LGBTI persons," said today Nils Muižnieks, Council of Europe Commissioner for Human Rights,...
Anti-Racism Reports: Estonia, Austria, Czech Republic
The European Commission against Racism and Intolerance (ECRI) today published new reports on Austria, Czech Republic and Estonia, analysing recent developments and outstanding issues, and providing recommendations to the authorities. According to ECRI’s Chair, Christian Ahlund, the authorities of...
Freedom of Expression: still a precondition for democracy?
Judges, government officials, journalists and activists tackle challenges to free expression in Strasbourg conference
Attack in Ankara
Statement by Igor Crnadak, Chairman of the Committee of Ministers of the Council of Europe, Minister for Foreign Affairs of Bosnia and Herzegovina
Nobel Peace Prize
The Chairman of the Committee of Ministers congratulates the Tunisian National Dialogue Quartet
Foreign terrorist fighters
Council of Europe to launch new legal arsenal
Secretary General visits Bulgaria prior to Council of Europe Chairmanship
Secretary General Thorbjørn Jagland is paying an official visit to Bulgaria on 12 October to hold meetings with the President of the Republic, Rosen Plevneliev, the President of the National Assembly Tsetska Tsacheva, the Prime Minister, Boyko Borissov, the Minister of Foreign Affairs Daniel...
Secretary General condemns attack in Ankara
Council of Europe Secretary General condemns attack on demonstration in Ankara
Death Penalty Day
Europe underlines its firm opposition to capital punishment
Council of Europe leaves Azerbaijan human rights working group
The Secretary General of the Council of Europe, Thorbjørn Jagland, today informed the Committee of Ministers of his decision to withdraw the Council’s participation in the joint working group on human rights issues in Azerbaijan. Since October 2014, a Council of Europe representative had been...
European Day for Organ Donation and Transplantation 2015
Council of Europe encourages European citizens to help save lives and become organ donors
Protecting investigative journalism
Council of Europe Secretary General Jagland in Norway for conference on investigative journalism on 8 October
Aleksandar Vučić: ‘Serbia has become one of the pillars of stability in the Balkan’
“Serbia has become one of the pillars of stability in the Balkan. I think we have contributed a lot to what is at least a peaceful environment. That is not to say that we do not still face many difficulties and many challenges in the region, which is still fragile”, today said the Prime Minister...
Human Rights report on Germany
Germany's efforts to protect refugees are remarkable. Now it has to boost integration and improve fight against racism
Anti-immigrant sentiment was rising in Germany before refugee influx
Advisory Committee on the Framework Convention for the Protection of National Minorities (FCNM) publishes new opinion
Council of Europe launches new platform against corruption in education
The Council of Europe has today launched at the Charles University a new “platform” to fight corruption in education: the Pan-European Platform on Ethics, Transparency and Integrity in Education (ETINED). The platform will be made up of a network of specialists from the 50 states, which are...
For Bosnia and Herzegovina "there is no alternative to European integration"
“We have set a number of priorities regarding our continuation on the path towards European integration, economic development and the rule of law. We are well aware of what we have to do, and we think we can achieve that objective. We need your support to help us to make this a European success...
Inclusive growth: less inequality, more social dialogue
The PACE – enlarged to include parliamentary delegations from the non-Council of Europe OECD member states – called on the OECD and its member states to halt rising inequality and promote inclusive growth and a more equal distribution of income, wealth and well-being. On the basis of a report by...
Wojciech Sawicki re-elected PACE Secretary General
The Parliamentary Assembly of the Council of Europe (PACE), meeting in plenary session in Strasbourg, today re-elected Wojciech Sawicki to the post of Secretary General of the Assembly for a five-year term starting on 1 February 2016. Mr Sawicki currently heads the secretariat of the Assembly,...
Migration and refugee crisis in Europe: for a comprehensive humanitarian and political response
The refugee crisis is not merely a European problem and requires urgent and comprehensive solutions. Only concerted comprehensive action with a range of measures geared to the countries of origin, transit and destination will be successful,” said Pedro Agramunt (Spain, EPP/CD), at the opening of...
Refugee and migrant crisis: finding common solutions
His Royal Highness the Grand Duke of Luxembourg has called on governments, given the scale of the refugee and migrant crisis, to “find common solutions and act in the longer term to tackle the root causes of the problems.” “This crisis is a great touchstone of our ability to show solidarity in...
Fair treatment for refugees: a moral and legal obligation
Statement by Igor Crnadak, Foreign Minister of Bosnia and Herzegovina and Chairman of the Committee of Ministers
Secretary General's dialogue with Assembly members
Thorbjørn Jagland replied to the questions put to him by members of the Parliamentary Assembly during a questions and answer session during the Assembly's autumn session. During the exchange, which was dominated by the migration crisis, Mr Jagland underlined the importance of placing all those...
PACE President gives mixed assessment on human rights in Europe
After almost two years at the head of the Parliamentary Assembly of the Council of Europe, the President, Anne Brasseur, has given a mixed assessment of progress in human rights throughout Europe in her opening address at the autumn session in Strasbourg. Among the positive developments, she...
Ludmilla Alexeeva wins Václav Havel Human Rights Prize
The third Václav Havel Human Rights Prize – which honours outstanding civil society action in defence of human rights – has been awarded to veteran Russian human rights defender Ludmilla Alexeeva. The €60 000 prize was presented at a special ceremony today at the Palais de l’Europe in Strasbourg,...
The European Day of Languages 2015
Celebrating the linguistic diversity of Europe
Secretary General Jagland meets Foreign Minister Schetyna of Poland
Secretary General Thorbjørn Jagland today met in Warsaw with and Foreign Minister of Poland Grzegorz Schetyna. Topics of discussion included the human rights of refugees, the situation in Ukraine and Poland’s relations with the Council of Europe.
Counterfeiting of medical products
Entry into force of the Medicrime Convention
Committee of Ministers adopts interim resolution on Azerbaijan
Ilgar Mammadov must be immediately released and his physical integrity guaranteed by the Azerbaijani authorities
Anti-torture committee calls on Romania to combat ill-treatment in prisons
In a report on Romania published today, the Council of Europe anti-torture committee (CPT) expresses its concern about numerous credible allegations of ill-treatment by persons held in prisons, although it also points out significant progress in reducing such practice in police stations. The CPT,...
Massive arrival of refugees in Europe
Following the thematic debate which took place last week, the Ministers' Deputies adopted a series of decisions today concerning the massive arrival of refugees in Europe. In particular, they recalled the obligations which fall upon member States under international law, particularly the...
Chair of the Committee of Ministers on visit to Tunisia
Mr Igor Crnadak, Chair of the Committee of Ministers and Minister for Foreign Affairs of Bosnia and Herzegovina paid a visit to Tunisia on 20-21 September 2015. He was received by the President of the Republic of Tunisia, Mr Béji Caïd Essebsi. He also met his counterpart Mr Taieb Baccouche,...
Jacques Bühler receives the Pro Merito Medal of the Secretary General of the Council of Europe
Mr Jacques Bühler, Deputy Secretary General of the Swiss Federal Court, CEPEJ member and President of the SATURN Centre Steering Committee for judicial time management, has been awarded the Pro Merito Medal of the Secretary General of the Council of Europe, in the framework of the 10th plenary...
Committee of Ministers examines implementation of European Court of Human Rights judgments
The representatives of the 47 member States of the Council of Europe will examine the implementation of the judgments and decisions of the European Court of Human Rights on 22‑24 September 2015. This supervisory role of the Committee of Ministers is provided for under Article 46 of the European...
Remove obstacles to the work of women’s rights defenders
“Human rights defenders and civil society organisations working to protect the human rights of women and gender equality perform an essential role in Europe. They provide much needed assistance to victims of gender-based violence, combat discrimination against women, contribute to peace-building...
Council of Europe monitoring group on violence against women names President and Vice-Presidents
Following its inaugural meeting held in Strasbourg, the Council of Europe’s Group of Experts on Action against Violence against Women and Domestic Violence (GREVIO) today announced the election of its first President and two Vice-Presidents. The President is Professor Feride Acar, faculty member...
First meeting of the Group of Experts on Action against Violence against Women and Domestic Violence
Statement by Igor Crnadak, Minister of Foreign Affairs of Bosnia and Herzegovina and Chairman of the Committee of Ministers, and Semiha Borovac, Minister for Human Rights and Refugees of Bosnia and Herzegovina
"In the face of indifference and rejection, we must move towards a globalisation of solidarity"
Following her audience with His Holiness Pope Francis at the Vatican today, Anne Brasseur, President of the Parliamentary Assembly of the Council of Europe (PACE), made the following statement: “In the course of my discussion with Pope Francis, I expressed my conviction that our absolute priority...
Belgium: accelerate reception of asylum-seekers and improve inclusive education
"The overwhelmingly positive response of Belgian society to the arrivals of refugees and the decision of the authorities to increase the quota of Syrian refugees they accept for resettlement are encouraging signs. They suggest that Belgium is ready to play its part to ensure that Europe meets the...
Freedom of Expression: still a precondition for democracy?
The Council of Europe brings together top judges, government officials and activists to address current challenges to freedom of expression at a conference in Strasbourg
Minority languages in Norway: Council of Europe praises government efforts
Council of Europe experts, in their new report published today evaluated the application by Norway of the European Charter for Regional or Minority Languages. The independent expert committee acknowledged the commitment and the efforts of the authorities to support and protect the languages, but...
