Newsroom
Secretary General on official visit to Liechtenstein
Secretary General Marija Pejčinović Burić has met His Serene Highness Alois Hereditary Prince of Liechtenstein, Prime Minister Risch, Foreign Minister Hasler, and other key personalities during an official visit to discuss the priorities of the country’s upcoming Committee of Ministers Presidency...
Local and regional media: Council of Europe Congress calls for more support to prevent local media deserts
Grassroots media play a key role in upholding local democracy, and authorities at all levels can and should take steps to strengthen grassroots media, finds a new report on local and regional media, presented by co-rapporteurs, Cecilia Dalman Eek (Sweden, SOC/G/PD) and Mélanie Lepoultier (France,...
Iceland should improve identification of human trafficking victims and step up investigations and prosecutions
The Council of Europe’s Group of Experts on Action against Trafficking in Human Beings (GRETA) has published its third evaluation report on Iceland, with a thematic focus on human trafficking victims’ access to justice and effective remedies. The report assesses developments since the...
Secretary General meets Latvian Minister for Environmental Protection and Regional Development
Secretary General Marija Pejčinović Burić has met with the Minister for Environmental Protection and Regional Development of Latvia Inga Bērziņa. The meeting highlighted how human rights and the environment is a priority for the Council of Europe, as underlined in the Reykjavik Summit. The...
Congress sets new priorities as a follow-up to the Reykjavik Summit
In the context of Russia’s war of aggression against Ukraine and the refocusing of the Council that followed it, the Congress has adopted a new set of priorities for the period from 2023 until the end of its current mandate in 2026. These priorities are inspired by the Reykjavik Summit of Heads...
Congress elects new President
Members of the Congress of Local and Regional Authorities of Council of Europe have elected Marc Cools (Belgium, GILD) as the new President of the Congress, for a mandate of two-and-a-half years. Marc Cools is Communal Councillor of Uccle and Honorary Vice-President of the Brussels Parliament and...
Secretary General marks European Day of Justice in Brussels
Secretary General Marija Pejčinović Burić has marked in Brussels the European Day of Justice, a joint initiative between the Council of Europe and the European Union, taking the floor at the conference on “The role of the European institutions in upholding the core values of the legal profession...
Deputy Secretary General visits Türkiye
On 22 October, Council of Europe Deputy Secretary General Bjørn Berge paid a working visit to Gaziantep, Türkiye, where he met with the Turkish Deputy Minister for Foreign Affairs, Mehmet Kemal Bozay. They had an important and constructive discussion on issues of common interest to the Council...
Election of new President among highlights of the 45th Congress session
The Congress of Local and Regional Authorities of the Council of Europe is holding its 45th Session from 24 to 26 October 2023. The election of a new President of the Congress, as well as Presidents of Congress’ Chambers and their vice-presidents will take place. The role of local and regional...
New opinions on national minorities protection in Albania, Austria and Moldova
The Advisory Committee on the Framework Convention for the Protection of National Minorities (FCNM) has published new opinions on Albania, Austria and the Republic of Moldova. The Advisory Committee praises the prevailing atmosphere of mutual respect and intercultural dialogue in Albania,...
Armenia becomes 45th member state to abolish the death penalty in all circumstances
The Permanent Representative of Armenia to the Council of Europe, Ambassador Arman Khachatryan, in the presence of Secretary General Marija Pejčinović Burić, has deposited the ratification instrument, thereby completing the process of ratification by Armenia of Protocol No. 13 to the European...
Sweden: more efforts needed to identify victims of trafficking, including amongst children, and to prosecute traffickers
The Council of Europe’s Group of Experts on Action against Trafficking in Human Beings (GRETA) has published its third evaluation report on Sweden, with a thematic focus on human trafficking victims’ access to justice and effective remedies. The report assesses developments since the publication...
European Anti-trafficking Day: Council of Europe expert group calls for preventing human trafficking risks exacerbated in the context of migration
On the eve 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 warned of the increased risk of human trafficking created by restrictive immigration policies and failure to address the vulnerabilities...
Secretary General meets Prime Minister of Armenia
Secretary General Marija Pejčinović Burić has met with the Prime Minister of Armenia Nikol Pashinyan. The meeting focused on the developments in the region and the contribution of the Council of Europe, including in light of the recent visit by the Secretary General’s Special Representative on...
Lisbon Forum 2023 : the role of young people in facing environmental and corruption challenges
Building on priorities established at the Council of Europe’s Reykjavik Summit in May 2023, this year’s Lisbon Forum – organised annually since 1994 by the Council of Europe’s North-South Centre – focused on the pivotal role that young people play in catalysing change when facing the intricate...
Situation in Israel: Statement by Secretary General Marija Pejčinović Burić
"The outbreak of terror in Israel, a long-standing partner of our Organisation, is appalling. I condemn in the strongest possible terms the terrorist crimes of Hamas, which have claimed the lives of so many innocent people and caused so many injuries. The Council of Europe stands firmly with the...
Parliamentary Assembly condemns Russian aggression against Ukraine, calls for comprehensive, just and lasting peace
PACE has condemned Russia's ongoing war of aggression against Ukraine, stressing the importance of upholding Council of Europe standards and calling for “a united front to stop the aggression and win a peace which is comprehensive, just and lasting, ensuring that the rule of law prevails over the...
PACE calls on Azerbaijan to ‘prove its goodwill’ towards the Armenian population of Nagorno-Karabakh
PACE has called on Azerbaijan to “create a climate of trust and the material conditions” for Armenians from Nagorno-Karabakh to be able to return to their homeland – including active steps to encourage and reassure them to do so. In a resolution based on a report by Domagoj Hajduković (Croatia,...
PACE calls on Türkiye to ‘immediately release Osman Kavala, who remains unlawfully detained’
During an urgent debate, the Parliamentary Assembly of the Council of Europe (PACE), meeting in Strasbourg in plenary session, called on Türkiye to “comply with binding judgments” of the European Court of Human Rights, and “to immediately release Osman Kavala, who remains unlawfully detained in...
Secretary General meets European Commissioner for Justice
Secretary General Marija Pejčinović Burić has met with the European Commissioner for Justice, Didier Reynders. Their meeting focused on Council of Europe-European Union co-operation and the ongoing preparation of the Convention on Artificial Intelligence. Marija Pejčinović Burić underscored the...
Latvia kicks off European Heritage Days event season
Marking the opening of the European Heritage Days (EHD) events season (from August to November), Latvia kicked off with the Song and Dance Festival in Riga gathering some 45,000 people to enjoy dance, music, singing, theatre, and storytelling, showcasing the rich intangible cultural heritage...
Escalation of violence in the Middle East: PACE holds current affairs debate
“Nothing can justify the atrocities committed by Hamas and there can be no ambiguity on this point,” today said Piero Fassino (Italy, SOC), at the opening of a current affairs debate on “Escalation of violence in the Middle East following the recent Hamas attack on Israel”. He expressed his full...
Congress Secretary General talks decentralization and climate change in Montenegro
Secretary General Mori travelled to Kotor and Podgorica (Montenegro) on Tuesday 10 October to stress the importance of the European Charter of Local Self-Government and the positive impact its implementation has on Council of Europe Member States. He also thanked the national and local public...
Latvian Foreign Minister calls for support to Ukraine, continued dialogue on current issues
“The consequences of Russia’s war of aggression against Ukraine continue to dominate the agenda,” said Krišjānis Kariņš, Minister of Foreign Affairs of Latvia and Chair of the Committee of Ministers, when addressing the Parliamentary Assembly. “Impunity cannot prevail,” he added. The minister...
Venice Commission opinions on Armenia, Bulgaria, Chile, Georgia, Kyrgyzstan, the Republic of Moldova, Montenegro, the Netherlands, Poland and Ukraine
The Council of Europe’s body of constitutional law experts, the Venice Commission (European Commission for Democracy through Law) has published several opinions concerning ten states that were adopted and endorsed at its latest plenary session. Armenia: the joint Opinion of the Venice Commission...
Secretary General meets Latvian Minister for Foreign Affairs
Secretary General Marija Pejčinović Burić has met with the President of the Committee of Ministers and Minister for Foreign Affairs of Latvia Krišjānis Kariņš. The exchange of views was an opportunity to take stock of Latvia’s Presidency activities, focusing on the practical implementation of the...
PACE to create a ‘contact platform’ for dialogue with representatives of Russian democratic opposition forces
The Parliamentary Assembly of the Council of Europe (PACE) is to create a “recurring contact platform” for dialogue with representatives of Russian democratic opposition forces who share Council of Europe values, fully respect Ukraine’s territorial integrity and condemn Russia’s war of...
Secretary General’s Question Time at the Parliamentary Assembly
Secretary General Marija Pejčinović Burić has responded to parliamentarians’ questions at the PACE Autumn plenary session. During a lively Q & A session, the Secretary General underlined the follow-up to the Fourth Summit of the Heads of State and Government Reykjavik agenda, focusing on the...
Marija Pejčinović Burić meets Secretary General of the Government of Romania, Minister Abrudean
Secretary General Marija Pejčinović Burić has met with the Secretary General of the Government of Romania, Minister Mircea Abrudean. The meeting focused on the follow-up of the Fourth Summit of Heads of State and Government defining an ambitious path to strengthen democratic security, put an end...
President Leendert Verbeek expresses the solidarity and support of the Congress to authorities and citizens of Israel
In a letter addressed to Haim Bibas, Chairman of the Federation of Local Authorities in Israel, the President of the Congress of Local and Regional Authorities of the Council of Europe, Leendert Verbeek, expresses his solidarity with the national, regional and local authorities in the face of the...
2023 Václav Havel Prize awarded to imprisoned Turkish human rights defender Osman Kavala
The eleventh Václav Havel Human Rights Prize – which honours outstanding civil society action in defence of human rights – has been awarded to imprisoned Turkish human rights defender, philanthropist and civil society activist Osman Kavala. The 60,000-euro prize was presented at a special...
European and World Day against the Death Penalty, 10 October
Joint statement by Council of Europe Secretary General and the High Representative, on behalf of the European Union
Secretary General at inauguration of exhibition "Uprooted Children: Stories of Ukrainian Children Saved from the Deportation of the Russian Federation"
“Tearing Ukrainian children away from the warmth of their homes, their families and their communities and taking them to the temporarily occupied territories of their country, or to Russia, constitutes a flagrant violation of international law. We cannot accept their rights, or their identity...
Deputy Secretary General at IGF: “We must harness the benefits of AI without sacrificing our values”
The Council of Europe is participating in the 18th United Nations’ Internet Governance Forum (IGF) hosted by the government of Japan from 8 to 12 October in Kyoto and organised under the theme “The Internet We Want - Empowering All People”. In his remarks at the opening of the Forum, Deputy...
Protecting journalists and free media is key for addressing democratic backsliding in Europe, says Deputy Secretary General
At the end of a two-day conference on freedom of expression and the safety of journalists, held in Riga under the Latvian Presidency of the Committee of Ministers, the Council of Europe’s Deputy Secretary General, Bjørn Berge, emphasised the importance of protecting journalists and other media...
Parliamentary Assembly holds its autumn session
The award of the 2023 Václav Havel Human Rights Prize, as well as requests for urgent debates on "Humanitarian situation in Nagorno-Karabakh" and on "Call for the immediate release of Osman Kavala" will be some (*) of the highlights of the Autumn plenary session of the Parliamentary Assembly of...
Kyoto: Council of Europe at the Internet Governance Forum
The Council of Europe is participating in the 18th UN Internet Governance Forum (IGF) hosted by the government of Japan from 8 to 12 October in Kyoto, Japan, under the theme “The Internet We Want - Empowering All People”. In addition to engaging in the general discussions, the Council of Europe...
CPT urges Romania to take urgent action to improve living conditions and treatment for patients in psychiatric establishments
In a new report released the Council of Europe's Committee for the Prevention of Torture (CPT) calls on the Romanian authorities to take urgent action to ensure that all persons in psychiatric establishments are offered decent living conditions and appropriate treatment for their mental disorders...
Crystal Scales of Justice Prize awarded to Cypriot children’s initiative
The 2023 “Crystal Scales of Justice” Prize has been awarded to the Judicial Training School and “Hope For Children” - CRC Policy Center (Cyprus), for its “Kids in Court Game” initiative for children. The project “Kids in Court Game (KiCGame)” (Presentation) consists of four different games...
“Journalists matter”: Council of Europe launches campaign for the safety of journalists
The Council of Europe has launched a continent-wide Campaign for the Safety of Journalists to be run under the slogan “Journalists matter”, aimed at improving the safety of journalists and protecting media freedom across the continent, as well as raising awareness about the role journalists play...
Human rights situation in territories of Ukraine occupied by Russia: Committee of Ministers gravely concerned
In a decision adopted in the light of a report by Council of Europe Secretary General Marija Pejčinović Burić, the Committee of Ministers has expressed deep concern over the deterioration of the human rights situation in the territories of Ukraine temporarily controlled or occupied by the Russian...
Member states should facilitate the active political participation of national minority youth, says new Recommendation
European states should take legislative and other measures to enable representatives of national minority youth to meaningfully influence political decision-making at local, regional and national levels, says a new Recommendation to 46 member states of the Council of Europe, adopted by the...
Council of Europe video highlights the need for unity in face of Russian aggression against Ukraine
A new video from the 46 nation Council of Europe draws on speeches made by leaders attending the Reykjavik Summit in May 2023, to underline the importance of European unity in the face of the Russian aggression against Ukraine. The continent’s peace and democratic security is at stake, according...
Secretary General meets the President of the Czech Republic Pavel
Secretary General Marija Pejčinović Burić has met with the President of the Czech Republic Petr Pavel. The exchange of views underlined the impact of the Fourth Summit of Heads of State and Government setting up an ambitious path to strengthen democratic security, put an end to democratic...
Conference in Riga on freedom of expression and safety of journalists: campaign launch
The Latvian Ministry of Foreign Affairs, the Ministry of Culture and the Ombudsman’s Office, together with the Council of Europe, are organising an international conference in Riga on 5 and 6 October on freedom of expression and the safety of journalists. Organised as part of the Latvian...
Secretary General meets Minister of Foreign Affairs of Georgia
Secretary General Marija Pejčinović Burić has met with the Minister for Foreign Affairs of Georgia, Ilia Darchiashvili. The meeting focused on the co-operation between the Organisation and Georgia for the implementation of the legislative and policy agenda, including in respect of the European...
Twelve recommendations to combat hate crimes against LGBTI people in Europe
A new report by the Council of Europe’s Committee on Anti-Discrimination, Diversity, and Inclusion (CDADI) focuses on hate crimes based on sexual orientation, gender identity, gender expression, and sex characteristics (SOGIESC) and presents 12 recommendations to Council of Europe member states...
Fair anti-doping procedures should be a reality for all athletes
More than 80 sport experts are gathering in Riga, Latvia, to define how to make anti-doping procedures fairer for athletes. The Conference, co-organised by the Council of Europe and the Latvian Presidency of the Council of Europe’s Committee of Ministers, aims at analysing national and...
Istanbul Convention enters into force in respect of the European Union
On 1 October the Council of Europe Convention on Preventing and Combating Violence against Women and Domestic Violence (CETS 210), commonly known as the Istanbul Convention, entered into force in respect of the European Union, which became the 38th Party to the Convention. The Council of Europe’s...
CEB approves seven new loans totalling €670 million
The Council of Europe Development Bank (CEB) has approved seven new loans totalling €670 million in support of education and vocational training, environmental protection, health and social care, MSME financing, and the promotion of inclusive and resilient living environments. “We believe that...
“Learners First”: the new Council of Europe Education Strategy launched
Renewing the democratic and civic mission of education; enhancing the social responsibility and responsiveness of education; advancing education through a human rights-based digital transformation – these are three pillars of the new Council of Europe Education Strategy 2024-2030 launched at the...
Transformative power of education: universal values and civic renewal
The renewal of education's civic mission, education in times of emergency and crisis, and harnessing the potential of digital transformation in education are the main themes of the 26th Council of Europe Standing Conference of Ministers of Education held in Strasbourg on September 28-29. The...
Transformative power of education: universal values and civic renewal – Ministerial Conference in Strasbourg
The renewal of education's civic mission, education in times of emergency and crisis, and harnessing the potential of digital transformation in education are the main themes of the 26th Council of Europe Standing Conference of Ministers of Education held in Strasbourg on September 28-29. The...
Secretary General at the opening of the European Conference of Presidents of Parliament in Dublin
“Members of Parliament across Europe are experiencing a cross-current of pressures: unexpected crises, new and evolving challenges, a change in public expectations. Politicians must respond by upholding the space in which representative democracy does its job: our Parliaments”, highlighted...
Stop intolerance and discrimination against LGBTI persons: new recommendation published
As LGBTI people still experience high rates of discrimination and abuse, including violence, due to their actual or perceived sexual orientation, gender identity and sex characteristics, the European Commission against Racism and Intolerance (ECRI) of the Council of Europe today published a...
The Lanzarote Committee urges Russia to co-operate on the protection against sexual exploitation and abuse of unlawfully transferred or deported Ukrainian children
Following urgent questions addressed to the Russian Federation on 2 June 2023 about children who have been unlawfully transferred or deported to the Russian Federation or to the areas temporarily controlled or occupied by it, the Lanzarote Committee, adopted on 26 September a statement deploring...
The Committee of Ministers adopts a declaration on sport integrity
In a declaration adopted on 27 September 2023, the Council of Europe’s Committee of Ministers invites member states and sport organisations to “promote transparency, accountability, democracy and ethical behaviour in sport, including the establishment of robust governance systems,...
Committee of Ministers calls for measures to ensure integrity in sport
In a declaration, the Committee of Ministers has called on member states and sports organisations to respond to evolving threats to integrity in sport with measures to build accountability and ensure fair and clean competitions. Deputy Secretary General Bjørn Berge welcomed the declaration as an...
Secretary General meets the Minister for Foreign Affairs of Liechtenstein Hasler
Secretary General Marija Pejčinović Burić has met with the Minister for Foreign Affairs of Liechtenstein Dominique Hasler. The meeting focused on the priorities of the upcoming Liechtenstein Presidency (15 November 2023 - May 2024). “I look forward to hearing the priorities of your Presidency,...
European Day of Languages 2023: a Day to highlight Europe’s linguistic and cultural diversity
Every year since 2001 the European Day of Languages (EDL) celebrates the wealth of languages coexisting in Europe and beyond. Over 225 languages are native to Europe alone, not including languages that arrived on the continent through migration. “The European Day of Languages reminds us that...
Implementing ECHR judgments: Latest decisions from the 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 19 to 21 September to supervise the implementation of judgments and decisions from the European Court of Human Rights. The Committee of Ministers adopted 45 decisions...
International Day of Peace : Statement by the President of the Congress, Leendert Verbeek
On the occasion of the International Day of Peace, the President of the Congress of Local and Regional Authorities, Leendert Verbeek, issued the following statement: "For more than seventy years, since WWII, our continent has worked to build a democratic Europe, respectful of human rights and...
Bosnia and Herzegovina: Republika Srpska authorities should refrain from further restricting the rights of NGOs
In a letter addressed to the President of the National Assembly of Republika Srpska, Nenad Stevandić, the Council of Europe Commissioner for Human Rights, Dunja Mijatović, raises concerns about the Draft Law on Special Registry and Transparency of the Work of Non-Profit Organisations, which is...
Violence against women: GREVIO publishes annual report
The Council of Europe´s Group of Experts on Action against Violence against Women and Domestic Violence (GREVIO) has published its annual report of activities, highlighting the key milestones and accomplishments of the Group of Experts in 2022. These include: the publication of nine baseline...
Cultural Routes Forum in Łódź honours post-industrial heritage
The 12th Annual Advisory Forum on the Cultural Routes of the Council of Europe (20-22 September) opened today in Łódź, Poland, focusing on “Cultural Routes: the social and creative dimensions of cultural heritage in a post-industrial context”. The 2023 Advisory Forum is organised by the Enlarged...
Military escalation around the Karabakh region
Statement by Secretary General Marija Pejčinović Burić
Military operation in Nagorno-Karabakh: PACE President calls on Azerbaijan to cease fire immediately
The President of the Council of Europe Parliamentary Assembly (PACE), Tiny Kox, today made the following statement: "I am deeply shocked by the decision of the government of Azerbaijan to launch a new and aggressive military operation in Nagorno-Karabakh earlier today. In the space of hours this...
Congress President expresses grave concern over the Nagorno-Karabakh situation
Leendert Verbeek, President of the Congress of Local and Regional Authorities of the Council of Europe, has made the following statement today: “I am deeply concerned by the recent developments over Nagorno-Karabakh which can have serious humanitarian consequences for the region. They could lead,...
Ukraine: first CEB operation to support housing repairs for households affected by war
The Council of Europe Development Bank (CEB) and Catholic Relief Services (CRS) have signed a €2 million grant agreement to finance housing repairs for over 500 vulnerable households in conflict-affected areas of Ukraine. This will be the CEB’s first operation in the country since Ukraine joined...
Strengthening the protection of integrity in sport through judicial action
On 18 and 19 September in Paris, the Network of Magistrates/Prosecutors Responsible for Sports (MARS), set up under the Council of Europe's Enlarged Partial Agreement on Sport (EPAS), is gathering for its second meeting to discuss the latest trends in threats and challenges to sport integrity...
ECRI shines spotlight on four countries to measure progress against racism and intolerance
Poland, Luxembourg, North Macedonia and Iceland are the subject of reports from the European Commission against Racism and Intolerance, to be released this week. The in-depth reports will look at how the countries are measuring up to Council of Europe standards to tackle racism, discrimination,...
Implementing European Court of Human Rights judgments
The Council of Europe’s Committee of Ministers will hold its quarterly meeting to oversee the execution of judgments and decisions from the European Court of Human Rights in Strasbourg from 19 to 21 September. Cases proposed for detailed examination concern Albania, Armenia, Azerbaijan, Belgium,...
Secretary General attends United Nations General Assembly high-level General Debate
Secretary General Marija Pejčinović Burić is attending the high-level General Debate of the General Assembly of the United Nations. High-level meetings are on the agenda. She is also taking part in the Ministerial event on Artificial Intelligence for accelerating progress on the Sustainable...
International Day of Democracy: Secretary General opens the first Exchange of views with Civil Society
“Civil society is a prerequisite for a functioning democracy”, highlighted Secretary General Marija Pejčinović Burić, quoting the Reykjavík Principles of Democracy at the opening of the first regular exchange of views with Civil Society, on the occasion of the International Day of Democracy. “The...
Minority languages in Romania: strong support in education, but population threshold for public administration use too high
A new report by the Committee of Experts which monitors compliance with the Council of Europe’s European Charter for Regional or Minority Languages acknowledges that Romania has a solid legal framework and policies for the protection of minority languages, including in education, but regrets that...
Secretary General meets the EU High Representative for Foreign Affairs and Security Policy Borrell
Secretary General Marija Pejčinović Burić has met with the High Representative of the European Union for Foreign Affairs and Security Policy Josep Borrell Fontelles. Marija Pejčinović Burić reiterated the Organisation’s support to Ukraine highlighting the relevance of the Council of Europe Action...
Secretary General meets Deputy Prime Minister and Minister of Foreign Affairs of Bulgaria
Secretary General Marija Pejčinović Burić has met with Deputy Prime Minister and Minister of Foreign Affairs of Bulgaria Mariya Gabriel. The meeting focused on the follow-up of the Fourth Summit of Heads of State and Government in Reykjavik. The implementation of the Register of Damage Caused by...
Assessing the impact of immersive realities on human rights: Committee of Ministers informal meeting
In the framework of the Latvian Presidency’s priority of supporting the Council of Europe digital agenda, the Committee of Ministers is holding an informal meeting on 14 September to explore the potential impact of immersive realities such as the Metaverse, on human rights, the rule of law and...
Anti-torture committee urges Moldova to address persistence of informal prisoner hierarchies and inter-prisoner violence
In a new report the Council of Europe’s Committee for the Prevention of Torture (CPT) calls upon the Moldovan authorities to take resolute action, without delay, to tackle the phenomenon of informal prisoner hierarchy and inter-prisoner violence and intimidation throughout the prison system,...
The Conference of Participants of the Register of damage for Ukraine holds its second meeting
Representatives from more than 40 countries have taken part in the second meeting of the Conference of Participants of the Register of damage caused by the Russian Federation’s aggression against Ukraine, held in the Latvian capital, Riga. “With this second meeting of the Register of Damage, we...
Congress study visit to Türkiye examines natural disaster responses by local and regional authorities
Following the devastating earthquakes of 6 February 2023, the Congress made a study visit to Türkiye from 6 to 8 September 2023, for a report on “local and regional responses to major crises”, notably aimed at identifying action to be taken before, during and following natural disasters. A...
Council of Europe ministers of Justice met in Riga to support justice for Ukraine
The ministers of Justice of Council of Europe member and observer states have adopted a declaration outlining a series of principles (“Riga principles”) to achieve comprehensive accountability for the Russian Federation’s aggression against Ukraine and provide redress to all victims of the war,...
Secretary General at Justice Conference in Riga: “The Register is the first step towards any future compensation mechanism”
“We all wish for peace in Ukraine. But that peace must be sustainable. To be sustainable it must be just. And, to be just, it must have accountability at its core”, declared Secretary General Marija Pejčinović Burić at the opening of the Justice Ministers’ Informal Conference held under the...
European Committee of Social Rights publishes 2022 Annual Report
The European Committee of Social Rights (ECSR) has unveiled its Annual Activity Report for 2022, highlighting Europe’s most pressing social rights issues. One pivotal development in 2022 was the Russian military aggression against Ukraine, which had far-reaching implications for the ECSR's...
SRSG on Migration and Refugees to visit Bulgaria
The Special Representative of the Secretary General on Migration and Refugees (SRSG), Leyla Kayacik will carry out a fact-finding mission to Bulgaria from 11 to 15 September. The visit will focus on persons in vulnerable situations, in particular unaccompanied and separated children, and is aimed...
Joint statement on illegitimate elections in parts of Ukraine temporarily occupied by Russia
Joint Statement from the Prime Minister of Latvia (acting Minister of Foreign Affairs) and Council of Europe President of the Committee of Ministers, Krišjānis Kariņš, the President of the Parliamentary Assembly of the Council of Europe, Tiny Kox, and the Secretary General of the Council of...
Secretary General on official visit to Switzerland
Secretary General Marija Pejčinović Burić has met the President of Switzerland and other key personalities during an official visit to the country. During her meeting with Swiss Confederation President Alain Berset, the Secretary General underlined the importance of implementing the conclusions...
Secretary General backs new police network on International Day of Police Cooperation
Secretary General Marija Pejčinović Burić has marked the international day of police cooperation on September 7th by giving her backing to the Council of Europe Network of Police Services. “The network is an important step in strengthening cooperation between police forces in member states and...
Romania must improve the effectiveness of its system to promote integrity and prevent corruption in the central government and law enforcement agencies
Romania has developed an institutional and legal integrity framework to promote integrity and prevent corruption in the top executive functions of the central government and in the law enforcement agencies. However, improvement is still needed in several areas, according to a new report from the...
Stop detaining children in Luxembourg Prison, urges anti-torture committee
The Council of Europe’s Committee for the Prevention of Torture (CPT) has urged the authorities in Luxembourg to stop detaining children in Luxembourg Prison (Centre pénitentiaire de Luxembourg). The CPT has also called for stronger action to tackle police ill-treatment and the excessive use of...
Statement by Special Representative of the Secretary General on antisemitic crimes
By Alexandre Guessel, Special Representative of the Secretary General on antisemitic, anti‑Muslim and other forms of religious intolerance and hate crimes. "Yesterday, the President of the Russian Federation made remarks regarding the fight against anti-Semitism. In these remarks, the Jewish...
Good democratic governance and deliberative democracy: Committee of Ministers adopts new standards
The Committee of Ministers has adopted new recommendations to member states on good democratic governance and deliberative democracy. The first sets out the fundamentals of good democratic governance, covering protection and promotion of democracy; respect for human rights and the rule of law;...
New recommendation to strengthen national reporting systems for professionals on violence against children
The Council of Europe Committee of Ministers has adopted a new recommendation to member states on strengthening reporting systems on violence against children. Often underreported and undetected, violence against children remains widespread. Professionals working with children frequently face...
Croatia: New report praises steps to stop domestic violence against women, but more should be done to address other forms of gender-based violence
The Council of Europe Group of Experts on Action against Violence against Women and Domestic Violence (GREVIO) has published its baseline evaluation report evaluating Croatia’s efforts in implementing the Council of Europe Convention on Preventing and Combating Violence against Women and Domestic...
Congress in Türkiye to study local and regional responses to major crisis
Following the devastating earthquakes of February 2023, the Congress undertakes a study visit to Türkiye from 6 to 8 September 2023, to inform a report on local and regional responses to major crises. The visit will involve various meetings with national authorities and international...
Protection of national minorities in Romania: solid legal framework and funding but insecurity about language rights in the future
A solid legal and policy framework protects the rights of national minorities in Romania and the 20 recognised national minorities receive generous financial support for promoting and protecting their cultures and participate in political decision-making bodies. However, a number of issues need...
Ukraine and the Register of Damage Caused by the Russian Aggression on the agenda of the meeting of Ministers of Justice in Riga
The Council of Europe Ministers of Justice will meet in Riga (Latvia) on 11 September at an informal conference entitled “On the Path to Justice for Ukraine: Advancing Accountability, Supporting the Resilience of its Justice System and Reuniting Children with their Families,” which is being held...
Congress condemns local elections in occupied Ukrainian territories
The President of the Congress of Local and Regional Authorities of the Council of Europe, Leendert Verbeek, condemns the decision of the Central Election Commission of the Russian Federation to organise local elections in the illegally annexed Ukrainian territories of Donetsk, Luhansk, Kherson...
European Charter of Local Self-government vital to preserve democracy - Congress President
Leendert Verbeek, President of the Congress of Local and Regional Authorities, today marked the 35th anniversary of the European Charter of Local Self Government with a reminder of its vital importance to democracy. "For the last 35 years, the Congress has protected local and regional democracy...
Secretary General: Human rights convention "never more important"
Council of Europe Secretary General Marija Pejčinović Burić has marked the 70th anniversary of the European Convention on Human Rights with a call to governments to commit to the ECHR system and its values. « The horrendous events of the last 18 months show what can happen when states turn...
