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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,...
