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PACE sets out steps to address humanitarian consequences of conflict between Armenia and Azerbaijan
Following the recent conflict between Armenia and Azerbaijan / Nagorno-Karabakh conflict, PACE has set out a series of recommendations to both countries to address the humanitarian consequences in the short and long term, and move towards a process of peace and reconciliation. Approving a...
Hungarian Foreign Minister presents the work of the Council of Europe’s Committee of Ministers
The situation in Afghanistan, access to Covid vaccines, national minority rights, the persecution of Christian communities worldwide, and promoting family values online were among topics raised by Hungarian Foreign Minister Peter Szijjártó, presenting the Communication from the Committee of...
Secretary General tells PACE: implementing ECtHR’s judgments is a non-negotiable obligation
In her regular dialogue with the PACE, Secretary General Marija Pejčinović Burić underlined the vital importance of Council of Europe member states fully implementing the judgments of the European Court of Human Rights. This is a non-negotiable obligation, essential for upholding the system of...
“Cycling for Democracy” or hitting the road in pursuit of original initiatives that help answer the question “Can democracy save the environment?”
In 13 short films, each roughly 5 minutes long, Nicolas introduces us to the individuals behind environmental and community-based groups around the world, which have been selected for the World Forum for Democracy (8-10 November 2021, Strasbourg). In search of answers to the environmental...
2021 Václav Havel Prize awarded to Belarusian opposition leader Maria Kalesnikava
The ninth Václav Havel Human Rights Prize – which honours outstanding civil society action in defence of human rights – has been awarded to Belarusian opposition leader and activist Maria Kalesnikava. The 60,000-euro prize was presented at a special ceremony on the opening day of the autumn...
Poland: Judicial independence remains at risk according to new report from GRECO
The Council of Europe’s Group of States against Corruption (GRECO) has published a report on the prevention of corruption in respect of members of parliament, judges and prosecutors. This report contains an update of GRECO’s critical assessment of the 2016-2018 reforms concerning the Polish...
Human rights and environment: the impact of the European Convention on Human Rights
Ahead of a series of Parliamentary Assembly debates on the right to a healthy environment, the Council of Europe has published a new “environment” section of its dedicated website highlighting the impact of the European Convention on Human Rights. The new section includes ten case studies showing...
The Council of Europe stands united in the fight against antisemitism
On 23 September the Ministers’ Deputies held an informal meeting under the Hungarian Presidency on “Combating and preventing antisemitism in Europe: challenges and perspectives” with guest speakers: Rabbi Pinchas Goldschmidt, Chief Rabbi of Moscow and President of the Conference of European...
PACE Autumn Session focuses on the right to a healthy environment
A high-level panel and interactive debate on “The environment and human rights: the right to a safe, healthy and sustainable environment”, as well as a full day of debates on this topic, forms the centrepiece of the Autumn Session of the Parliamentary Assembly of the Council of Europe (PACE),...
European Day of Languages 2021: “All voices matter” says Secretary General
26 September 2021 marks the 20th anniversary of the European Day of Languages. Since 2001, the Day has been celebrating the rich tapestry of languages coexisting in Europe and beyond. According to Council of Europe Secretary General Marija Pejčinović Burić “The European Day of Languages reminds...
San Marino: GREVIO reports substantial progress in national policies to stop violence against women
In its first report on San Marino’s implementation of the Council of Europe Convention on Preventing and Combating Violence against Women and Domestic Violence (known as the “Istanbul Convention”), the Group of Experts (GREVIO) highlights several positive developments. These include the enactment...
Statelessness and the right to a nationality in Europe
Strengthening efforts to end statelessness in Europe and guarantee the provision of fundamental rights to everyone was the key theme of the events organised on 23-24 September in Strasbourg by the Council of Europe’s European Committee on Legal Co-operation (CDCJ) and UNHCR, the UN Refugee...
Secretary General attends UN General Assembly in New York
Council of Europe Secretary General Marija Pejčinović Burić is taking part in the high-level General Debate of the 76th United Nations General Assembly in New York. Her participation includes a series of bilateral meetings with foreign ministers from a number of countries. Prior to this the...
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 and decisions from the European Court of Human Rights have been published by the Council of Europe’s Committee of Ministers. The Committee adopted 44 decisions concerning 20 member states during the meeting, including three...
Impact of Covid-19 on mental health in prisons and probation
The impact of Covid-19 on the mental health of offenders and staff and the enhanced use of new technologies lead the agenda of the annual conference of Directors of Prison and Probation Services of Council of Europe member states, taking place in Funchal on the island of Madeira (Portugal) on 20...
Poland: Promising initiatives against domestic violence but urgent steps needed to combat other forms of violence against women
In its first report on Poland, the Council of Europe’s GREVIO – the independent group that monitors implementation of the Convention on Preventing and Combating Violence against Women and Domestic Violence (Istanbul Convention) – praises recently introduced emergency barring orders, allowing...
Congress President: “Cities and regions build a democracy of proximity”
On the International Day of Democracy on 15 September 2021, Congress President Leendert Verbeek desired to draw attention to the situation of local and regional democracy. In his words, this “democracy of proximity” – the first level of democracy – enables citizens to most quickly “witness their...
Artificial intelligence – a new portal to promote global cooperation launched with eight international organisations
On 14 September 2021, eight international organisations joined forces to launch a new portal promoting global cooperation on artificial intelligence (AI). The portal is a one-stop shop for data, research findings and good practices in AI policy. The objective of the portal is to help policymakers...
Bosnia and Herzegovina: Anti-torture committee calls for vigorous action to prevent police ill-treatment
In a report published today, the Council of Europe’s Committee for the Prevention of Torture and Inhuman or Degrading Treatment or Punishment (CPT) calls on the authorities of Bosnia and Herzegovina to take vigorous action to address the problem of police ill treatment (summary of the report)....
Governments must step up the fight against antisemitism in all its forms, says anti-racism commission
The European Commission against Racism and Intolerance (ECRI) issues a new General Policy Recommendation to the 47 Council of Europe member states
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 14 to 16 September.Cases proposed for detailed examination concern Albania, Armenia, Azerbaijan, Belgium,...
Secretary General participates in International Remembrance Ceremony at Natzweiler - Struthof
Secretary General Marija Pejčinović Burić took part on Sunday in the international ceremony of Remembrance in the former concentration camp of Natzweiler – Struthof. The Secretary General lit the commemorative flame after having received the torch from deported victims Pierre Rolinet and Henri...
CPT calls on Sweden to improve conditions for remand prisoners
In a new report the Committee for the Prevention of Torture (CPT) calls on the Swedish authorities to limit restrictions on remand prisoners to only exceptional circumstances and to refrain from detaining foreign nationals in prisons instead of placing them in centres specifically designed for...
Crystal Scales of Justice Prize: shortlisted projects announced
The Council of Europe’s “Crystal Scales of Justice Prize” identifies, publicises and shares innovative practices aimed at improving the efficiency and quality of judicial systems. Of 23 applications received from 15 countries, the jury, composed of justice professionals, selected three projects...
Implementing ECHR judgments: new factsheet on rights of LGBTI people
The Council of Europe’s Department for the Execution of Judgments of the European Court of Human Rights has published a new thematic factsheet on cases related to the rights of LGBTI (lesbian, gay, bisexual, transgender and intersex) people. The factsheet summarises measures reported by 18 member...
National minority rights: conference in Budapest assesses NGO role and presents study on national minority youth
The Hungarian Presidency of the Council of Europe’s Committee of Ministers is hosting a conference in Budapest on “The role of NGOs and research institutes in promoting Council of Europe norms and standards on national minority rights”. Promoting national minority rights is a priority for the...
European Heritage Days 2021 celebrate “Heritage: All Inclusive!”
The 2021 #EuropeanHeritageDays will celebrate Inclusive and Diverse Heritage to encourage broad participation in culture, to foster and celebrate diversity, and to emphasise that interaction with individuals and communities with different cultural backgrounds can enrich our lives. Particular...
Eighth Regional Rule of Law Forum for South East Europe
The President of the European Court of Human Rights, Robert Spano, a number of current and former ECHR judges and Thomas Markert, the former Secretary of the Council of Europe’s Venice Commission of constitutional experts, will take part in the Eighth Regional Rule of Law Forum for South East...
Ukraine joins Council of Europe’s drug policy cooperation platform the Pompidou Group
Ukrainian Foreign Minister Dmytro Kuleba has delivered a letter to Council of Europe Secretary General Marija Pejčinović Burić informing her of his country's decision to join the Pompidou Group as of January 2022. The participation of Ukrainian experts in the work of the Group will help with the...
Council of Europe member states should not undermine human rights protections in response to Afghans seeking safety
“Member states should unequivocally commit to handling the arrival of persons fleeing the horrendous situation in Afghanistan in accordance with their human rights obligations”, said the Council of Europe Commissioner for Human Rights, Dunja Mijatović. “Various governments and local authorities...
Tunisia: statement by Venice Commission President Gianni Buquicchio
“Since the declaration of the state of emergency on 25 July 2021, the President of Tunisia has concentrated in his hands the legislative, executive and, partially, judicial powers. Tunisia does not have a constitutional court. Tunisia is facing a very deep crisis, caused on the one hand by the...
Crimea: Secretary General underlines Council of Europe’s support for Ukraine’s territorial integrity
Secretary General Marija Pejčinović Burić has repeated the organisation’s condemnation of the illegal annexation of Crimea and the city of Sevastopol. Speaking at the Crimea Platform summit in Kiev, she said “We remain steadfast in our support for Ukraine’s independence, sovereignty and...
PACE President: international community should demand respect for human rights and an immediate end to violence in Afghanistan
“The entire world is watching the events unfolding in Afghanistan with grave concern and sadness. The international community should remain united and firm in demanding an immediate end to violence and the respect of human rights for all, both in the current situation and once a system of...
Deputy Secretary General: many LGBTI people in Europe can “state their pride”, but more remains to be done
“Much progress has been achieved in Europe and many LGBTI people can march in many streets throughout our continent, stating their rightful pride in who they are, but much more remains to be done,” said Council of Europe Deputy Secretary General Bjørn Berge in an address to participants of the...
Pride vs. indignity: political manipulation of homophobia and transphobia in Europe
World Pride is being celebrated on our continent this week, but a surge in intolerance towards LGBTI people in Europe is nothing to be proud about. In more and more European countries, politicians and public officials are shamelessly targeting lesbian, gay, bisexual, transgender and intersex...
Young people must have their say in protecting the environment, says Secretary General
On the occasion of International Youth Day, marked on 12 August, the Secretary General of the Council of Europe Marija Pejčinović Burić calls for more meaningful participation of young people in decision-making processes to tackle the climate crisis and to revitalise democracy. “The consequences...
Building bridges between past and present, to enable a better future
In a statement to mark European Roma Holocaust Memorial Day, on 2 August 2021, Council of Europe Secretary General Marija Pejčinović Buric has highlighted the importance of remembering Roma Holocaust victims. She stressed that learning from the past would allow for a better future for Europe’s...
World Day against Trafficking in Persons: joint statement from GRETA and ICAT
On the occasion of the World Day against Trafficking in Persons, 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 stakeholders to include victims’ and...
North Macedonia: Cramped prison conditions, detainee ill treatment and opaque prison management among longstanding concerns for anti-torture committee
Despite minor improvements including the renovation of one wing of the remand section of Skopje Prison and the closure of three problematic wings of Idrizovo Prison, most longstanding concerns with respect to living conditions in prisons persist, concludes the latest report on North Macedonia...
Developments in Varosha district of Famagusta, Cyprus
We are deeply concerned by the announcements of the President of Turkey and the leader of the Turkish Cypriot community on 20 July regarding the further re-opening of the fenced-off area of Varosha. Such unilateral action is regrettable as it would be in contradiction with the relevant United...
Un site web sur l’égalité de genre et la lutte contre les violences à l’égard des femmes lancé en Tunisie
Le site web sur l’égalité de genre et la lutte contre la violence à l’égard des femmes a été lancé aujourd’hui dans le cadre d’un événement en ligne tenu le 16 juillet 2021 en présence de la Ministre de la femme, de la famille et des séniors et de la Cheffe du bureau du Conseil de l’Europe en...
A 10th Palme d’Or for Eurimages
With an exceptional selection of 18 films supported by Eurimages, including 8 in the official competition, the 74th edition of the Cannes Film Festival wrapped up on Saturday evening with Julia Ducournau’s TITANE, a co-production between France and Belgium and supported by the Fund, receiving the...
Launch of the 2nd edition of the "Junior Crystal Scales of Justice" Prize
This Prize, organised jointly by the CEPEJ and the Faculty of Law of Strasbourg, complements the existing Crystal Scales of Justice Prize. It is open to Master's students from law schools in one of the member States of the Council of Europe or an observer country to the CEPEJ and is organised...
Searches and detentions of civil society representatives in Belarus
Statement by Secretary General Marija Pejčinović Burić
Public symposium to assess behavioural addictions linked to technology including smartphone addiction
From internet and smart phone use addiction to artificial intelligence simulating the effects of psychoactive substances, an online international symposium – Addictions of the 21st Century: Challenges and Effective Responses – will evaluate the “crossover” between psychoactive substances and...
Moldova celebrates 26 years of Council of Europe membership
13 July 2021 marks 26 years since the Republic of Moldova became a full-fledged member of the Council of Europe on 13 July 1995. It was the first former CIS state to join the organisation. “During the past 26 years, the Council of Europe and the Republic of Moldova have been working together...
Statement of Council of Europe Secretary General Marija Pejčinović Burić on the commemoration of the Srebrenica genocide
« The genocide of Srebrenica was the most horrible atrocity in Europe since the Second World War, one we all thought impossible. Nationalism, hatred and ethnic cleansing led to death, destruction and human rights violations on a massive scale on our continent. The immeasurable suffering of the...
Effective remedies at European borders for migrants, asylum applicants and refugees: Council of Europe and EU Fundamental Rights Agency publish a new joint note
The Council of Europe and the European Union’s Agency for Fundamental Rights (FRA) have published a joint Note entitled “European standards on legal remedies, complaints mechanisms and effective investigations at borders”. In an effort to join forces in the protection of human rights at European...
Council of Europe Congress to co-organise the First Citizens' Assembly in Mostar to promote deliberative democracy
The Congress of Local and Regional Authorities of the Council of Europe, jointly with the City of Mostar, is organising a Citizens’ Assembly, which will be inaugurated on 10 July 2021, as part of the first deliberative process of this kind in Bosnia and Herzegovina and in the South East of...
Striking the right balance between the public interest and individual rights: role of prosecutors discussed in Saint-Petersburg
Role of prosecutors in the protection of individual rights and public interest in light of requirements of the European Convention on Human Rights has been the topic of the high-level conference that concluded in Saint-Petersburg today. The Conference was co-organised by the General Prosecutor’s...
Minority languages in Slovenia: progress on German and Italian welcomed; renewed recommendation to recognise Croatian, German and Serbian
A new report published by the Committee of Experts of the European Charter for Regional or Minority Languages evaluates the measures taken by Slovenia to implement the recommendations for immediate action given to it in November 2019. The Charter entered into force in Slovenia in 2001; it applies...
Committee of Ministers: Informal exchange of views with civil society representatives on free exercise of lawyer profession
At an informal meeting on 8 July 2021, delegations from the Council of Europe’s 47 member States held an exchange of views with representatives of international civil society organisations active in the area of the protection of the freedom of exercise of the profession of lawyer and the defence...
Netherlands makes voluntary contribution to Council of Europe
The Netherlands has made a voluntary contribution of €301,200 to the Council of Europe. Ambassador Roeland Böcker made the financial commitment in the presence of Deputy Secretary General Bjørn Berge. €100,000 will be spent on the Action Plan for Ukraine and €50,000 on the Action Plan for...
The CEPEJ publishes a Handbook on court dashboards
The European Commission for the Efficiency of Justice (CEPEJ) has produced a handbook to provides practical step-by-step guidelines on how to develop comprehensive court-level and judge-level dashboards. It covers the process of designing the dashboard including content, data visualisation and...
Special Representative of Secretary General on Migration and Refugees reports on his mission to Bosnia and Herzegovina
The Special Representative of the Secretary General on Migration and Refugees, Ambassador Drahoslav Štefánek has published a report on his fact-finding mission to Bosnia and Herzegovina. The aim of the mission was to provide a picture of the current situation of migrants, refugees and asylum...
Secretary General at Ukraine Reform Conference: progress made, but further efforts needed
The Secretary General of the Council of Europe, Marija Pejčinović Burić in the opening speech at the 4th Ukraine Reform Conference “Strong Ukraine in a Stronger European and Euro-Atlantic Family” spoke about the important contribution that Ukraine has made to the work of the Council of Europe,...
Human Rights Trust Fund supports three new projects
The Assembly of Contributors of the Human Rights Trust Fund (HRTF) has decided to allocate funding to three new projects: Strengthening the provision of health care and mental health care in prisons in Romania; Ensuring the effective implementation of the right to a fair trial (Article 6 of the...
Secretary General meets Holy See Secretary of State Cardinal Parolin
Secretary General Marija Pejčinović Burić received a courtesy visit by Holy See Secretary of State Cardinal Pietro Parolin. The exchange of views focused on Council of Europe-Holy See relations and on the importance of the inter-religious dimension of intercultural dialogue. The relevance of the...
Published Venice Commission opinions this week concern Bosnia-Herzegovina, Hungary, Romania, Russia and Turkey
The Venice Commission this week published opinions it had adopted during its summer plenary session (Friday 2 July and Saturday 3 July), which was held in a hybrid format due to ongoing COVID-19 concerns. an opinion on the draft Law on preventing conflict of interests in the institutions of...
Secretary General: Western Balkans countries play “central and valued role” in Council of Europe
Marija Pejčinović Burić, Secretary General of the Council of Europe, addressing today the Prespa Forum Dialogue International Conference “Western Balkans: the Missing Puzzle for Completing Europe” in Ohrid, North Macedonia, explained the role of the Council of Europe in helping the region along...
Drug consumption rooms important part of reducing harm, Strasbourg Symposium hears
Drug consumption rooms - special facilities that provide safe and hygienic environments for supervised drug use, protecting users from risk - are a useful element in increasing public health and safety and promoting safer drug use patterns, an expert symposium heard today. Organised by the...
Human rights training for legal professionals: number of online users doubled since 2020
HELP, Europe’s only peer-to-peer human rights training network for legal professionals, is holding its annual conference in Strasbourg on 1 and 2 July, with take-up of its online courses doubling from March 2020 to June 2021 The conference will hear how the HELP network has responded to global...
Secretary General participates in opening ceremony of Generation Equality Forum in Paris
Secretary General Marija Pejčinović Burić has underlined the relevance of the Convention on preventing and combating violence against women and domestic violence, also known as Istanbul Convention, at the opening ceremony of the Generation Equality Forum in Paris. “Last year, we saw a surge in...
Warsaw Convention report: Burden of proof should be reversed to allow confiscations in serious offences
The Council of Europe’s Warsaw anti-money laundering and counter-terrorism financing convention committee has called on its States Parties to effectively apply the reversal of the burden of proof regarding the lawful origin of alleged proceeds or other property liable to confiscation in serious...
Secretary General at « Les Conversations de l'Odyssée »
Council of Europe Secretary General Marija Pejčinović Burić has taken part in « Les Conversations de l'Odyssée » with Faruk Gunaltay, the director of the Odyssée cinema in Strasbourg. The Secretary General highlighted the relevance of culture in contemporary Europe and the challenges of the...
New partnership agreement between Council of Europe and City of Strasbourg
The Secretary General of the Council of Europe, Marija Pejčinović Burić, and the Mayor of Strasbourg, Jeanne Barseghian have signed a new partnership agreement to reinforce the longstanding co-operation between the two sides, updating the 2010 agreement. “Ever since 1949, the City of Strasbourg...
Challenge of ensuring national minority rights taking new forms, tools to address it adapting
Achievements and future challenges in protecting national minority rights has been the focus of a high-level conference in Strasbourg organised by the Council of Europe under the Hungarian Presidency of the Committee of Ministers. Persons belonging to national minorities face particular...
Automated technology to detect online child sexual abuse must respect human rights
Technology used to detect the online sexual abuse of children must respect human rights and the rule of law, says a new report for the Council of Europe. “There has been a sharp rise in the exchange of online child abuse material during the Covid-19 pandemic,” said Council of Europe Secretary...
Implementing ECHR judgments: New country-by-country data now online
The 47-nation Council of Europe has published a new series of online country factsheets providing information on each member state’s execution of judgments from the European Court of Human Rights (ECHR). “Implementing judgments from the European Court of Human Rights is crucial to the success of...
Finland makes a voluntary contribution of €1 250 000
The government of Finland has made three different voluntary contributions in total of €1 250 000 to the Council of Europe: €500 000 to the European Court of Human Rights backlog of well-founded cases, €500 000 to the implementation of the Council of Europe Action Plan for Ukraine 2018-2022, and...
France: Anti-torture Committee deplores conditions of detention, prison overcrowding and lack of psychiatric beds
The Council of Europe Committee for the Prevention of Torture (CPT), in a new report on its periodic visit to France in December 2019, expresses serious concern about material conditions of detention in police establishments, prison overcrowding, the conditions in which detained persons were...
10th anniversary of the Istanbul Convention: 'Nothing will make us back down'
“I would like to recall to each and everyone of us that during the two hours of this event there will be thousands of women beaten. As we sit here, women will even be beaten to death. And we are not talking just about some cases, but about thousands and thousands of acts of violence. Just think...
Czech Republic: Council of Europe calls for urgent independent investigation into Romani man’s death
Statement by the Spokesperson of the Secretary General
La Secrétaire Générale rencontre la ministre française Elisabeth Moreno
Le 23 juin, la Secrétaire Générale, Marija Pejčinović Burić, a rencontré Elisabeth Moreno, Ministre chargée de l'Égalité entre les femmes et les hommes, de la Diversité et de l'Égalité des chances de la France. Lors cet échange, elles ont souligné le rôle de la Convention sur la prévention et la...
Closer EU-Council of Europe cooperation is more important than ever, Secretary General tells PACE
Responding to questions from members of the Parliamentary Assembly of the Council of Europe (PACE), Secretary General Marija Pejčinović Burić began by emphasising the importance of coordinating work with the European Union in order to avoid duplication. She underlined the shared values of the two...
Secretary General praises EU-Council of Europe cooperation project that helped justice reform in Cyprus
On 18 June the Supreme Court of Cyprus announced the adoption of new Rules of Civil Procedure. The preparation of the new Rules was facilitated through a cooperation project conducted by the Council of Europe in partnership with the European Union. The new Rules are one of the essential...
Implementing ECHR judgments: New factsheet on improving conditions of detention
The Council of Europe’s Department for the Execution of Judgments of the European Court of Human Rights (ECHR) has published a new thematic factsheet on cases related to conditions of detention. The factsheet summarises measures reported by 25 member states to prevent and eradicate ill-treatment...
Council of Europe Secretary General welcomes Hungarian contribution of €450,000
Council of Europe Secretary General Marija Pejčinović Burić, has welcomed an exceptional voluntary contribution of €450,000 towards Council of Europe action plans and projects, which support priorities of the Hungarian Presidency. Hungarian Minister for Foreign Affairs and Trade, Mr Péter...
Péter Szijjártó reviews the priorities of the Hungarian Presidency
“Guarantees should be given to national minorities to enable them to preserve their identity, culture, religion and language in public administration, education and in the media,” said Péter Szijjártó, Hungarian Minister for Foreign Affairs and Trade and Chair of the Committee of Ministers of the...
Local self-government in Armenia: positive developments but still room for progress
Despite positive developments in local self-government in Armenia, the powers of the municipalities have not been extended, their role in delivering public services remains limited, and local authorities are not provided with sufficient funding, says the monitoring report adopted today by the...
Georgia Election Code Reforms: Venice Commission and OSCE/ODIHR call for “more holistic approach”
In a joint urgent opinion the Venice Commission and the OSCE Office for Democratic Institutions and Human Rights (“ODIHR”) acknowledge that revised draft amendments to the Election Code of Georgia have been prepared in close cooperation between the ruling party and several opposition parties....
Local self-government in Azerbaijan: few improvements observed, limited powers and weak financial position of municipalities must be urgently addressed
Despite some improvements in the work of municipalities, major concerns remain about a number of factors impairing the development of self-government in Azerbaijan, such as a lack of real powers of municipalities, of a status of state institutions and of own financial resources, says the...
Memorandum of understanding between the Council of Europe and the Council of Bars and Law Societies of Europe
The Council of Europe and the Council of Bars and Law Societies of Europe (CCBE) have signed a memorandum of understanding in Strasbourg with a view to stepping up cooperation between the two bodies and making the Organisation's activities more visible to Europe's lawyers. Lawyers play a key role...
World Refugee Day: Council of Europe and EU Agency for Fundamental Rights to work closely together on protecting rights at borders
On World Refugee Day on 20 June, the Council of Europe and the EU Agency for Fundamental Rights (FRA) are joining forces to strengthen their cooperation on human rights protection at the European borders. As a follow-up to the previous joint Note ‘Fundamental rights of refugees, asylum applicants...
The Congress calls on Poland to withdraw anti-“LGBT ideology” resolutions and to protect the rights of LGBTI people
At its 40th Session, 16 June 2021, the Congress of Local and Regional Authorities of the Council of Europe examined the situation of LGBTI people in Europe based on a report prepared by Andrew Boff (United Kingdom, ECR) and Yoomi Renström (Sweden, SOC/G/PD). The Congress adopted a resolution and...
CEB appoints Carlo Monticelli as new Governor
At its 229th meeting held today by videoconferencing, the Governing Board of the Council of Europe Development Bank (CEB) appointed Mr Carlo Monticelli to the post of Governor, effective from 18 December 2021 for a five-year mandate. Mr Monticelli, an Italian national, has been serving as CEB...
Pompidou Group 50th Anniversary: Committee of Ministers adopts revised statute
With the adoption of the revised statute by the Committee of Ministers of the Council of Europe, the Council of Europe’s drug policy cooperation platform (the “Pompidou Group”) has a renewed foundation to shape its future as the key international reference point for human rights in drug policies....
Online dispute resolution in civil and administrative court proceedings: new guidelines
The Committee of Ministers of the Council of Europe has adopted guidelines for the 47 member states to help them improve the functioning of their online dispute resolution mechanisms (ODR) in civil and administrative court proceedings (see the explanatory memorandum). In this respect, the...
40th Session of the Congress, 15-17 June 2021
The Congress of Local and Regional Authorities will hold the second part of its 40th Session from 15 to 17 June 2021. The session will be held remotely, due to the current COVID-19 health crisis. The Congress will consider two reports on LGBTI issues, one on the Protection of LGBTI people in the...
European ministers adopt priority actions to enhance journalists’ safety and address AI’s impact on freedom of expression
European Ministers responsible for Media and Information Society have agreed to carry out a number of priority actions to tackle the most pressing challenges to freedom of expression, including the decline in the safety of journalists and the impact of Artificial Intelligence (AI) and of massive...
MONEYVAL acknowledges San Marino’s progress in measures to combat money laundering and terrorism financing
In a new report, MONEYVAL calls on San Marino’s authorities to improve the regulatory framework and to strengthen the practical application of measures to combat money laundering and financing of terrorism. The Council of Europe’s anti-money laundering body draws up a comprehensive assessment of...
Co-operation key to tackling challenges new and old Secretary General tells OSCE Permanent Council
Effective multi-lateral action to solve cross-border problems is the key to tackling both long-standing and new challenges, Secretary General Marija Pejčinović Burić told the Permanent Council of the Organization for Security and Co-operation in Europe (OSCE) in Vienna. The OSCE mandate for...
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 and decisions from the European Court of Human Rights have been published by the Council of Europe’s Committee of Ministers. The Committee adopted 37 decisions concerning 16 member states during the meeting, including four...
Croatia: Despite progress, discrimination persists against national minorities such as Serbs and Roma, says national minorities committee
In its Fifth Opinion on Croatia, the Council of Europe’s Advisory Committee on the Framework Convention for the Protection of National Minorities acknowledges that the country’s legislative framework for national minorities is “overall in conformity with the provisions of the Framework...
MEDICRIME Convention: police services and other law enforcement authorities join forces to fight fake medical products
On 8 and 9 June, high-ranking representatives of national police services and other law enforcement authorities examined the role and added value of the MEDICRIME Convention in the investigation of offences related to counterfeiting of medical products, and how the Convention fills the gaps in...
Recent escalation of antisemitic attacks needs Europe-wide response
The recent escalation of antisemitic attacks requires a Europe-wide response. Governments should join forces to prevent new waves of antisemitism by countering hate speech on the Internet and supporting education about the Holocaust and human rights. Article published in European media English...
Tackling AI’s impact on freedom of expression and new challenges to media freedom: European ministers to discuss priority actions
European ministers responsible for media and information society will meet online on 10 and 11 June to discuss the ways to address the challenges to freedom of expression brought by massive digitalisation in the media and information environment – including the use of artificial intelligence (AI)...
MONEYVAL recognises progress made by the Holy See and encourages it to further strengthen measures to combat money laundering and financing of terrorism
In a new report MONEYVAL encourages the Holy See (including the Vatican City State) to further strengthen measures to combat money laundering and financing of terrorism. The Council of Europe’s anti-money laundering body draws up a comprehensive assessment of the country’s level of compliance...
Third Regional Seminar "Faro Convention for concrete action on cultural heritage"
The Council of Europe, the Ministry of Culture, Sports and Youth of Georgia and the Georgian National Agency for Cultural Heritage Preservation are jointly organising a high-level seminar “Faro Convention for concrete action on cultural heritage”, that will take place from 10 to 11 June 2021 in...
Sanctions and measures without deprivation of liberty grow in Europe: annual statistics for 2020
The number of persons subject to sanctions and measures which keep offenders in the community and do not deprive them of liberty grew by 3% in Europe from 2019 to 2020, according to the 2020 SPACE II annual survey, carried out for the Council of Europe by the University of Lausanne. (Please see...
