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PACE commends CPT on its ‘outstanding work’ and makes proposals for reinforcing its impact
PACE today congratulated the European Committee for the Prevention of Torture (CPT) for its “outstanding work” over the past 25 years, which has led to significant improvements in the States Parties. The parliamentarians also emphasised that notable progress has been made in terms of “improving...
A critical turning point, not business as usual, for human rights in Europe
“2016 will likely be remembered as a critical turning point for human rights in Europe” said the Council of Europe Commissioner for Human Rights, Nils Muižnieks today while presenting his annual activity report for 2016. “We will either see it as a low point from which European countries,...
Parliamentary Assembly creates independent external investigation body to look into allegations of corruption
The Council of Europe Parliamentary Assembly (PACE) today ratified the terms of reference of an independent external investigation body to carry out a detailed independent inquiry into the allegations of “corruption and fostering of interests” made against certain PACE members or former members....
Secretary General Jagland says PACE must be seen to act with “One hundred per cent integrity”
Council of Europe Secretary General Thorbjørn Jagland replied to questions from PACE members in a question and answer session during the Assembly’s Spring part-session. During this exchange, parliamentarians asked Mr Jagland what he could do concerning allegations of corruption inside the PACE....
Parliamentary Assembly reopens monitoring procedure in respect of Turkey
The Parliamentary Assembly of the Council of Europe (PACE) decided today to reopen the monitoring procedure in respect of Turkey until “serious concerns” about respect for human rights, democracy and the rule of law “are addressed in a satisfactory manner”. The resolution adopted calls on the...
Ioannis Kasoulides: the Committee of Ministers and the Assembly must continue to concert their efforts
“It is important that the Committee of Ministers and the Parliamentary Assembly, as well as the Secretary General, continue to concert their efforts to face up to the numerous challenges confronting Europe today,” said Ioannis Kasoulides, Minister for Foreign Affairs of Cyprus and Chair of the...
Secretary General meets Hungarian Justice Minister
Hungarian Minister of Justice László Trócsányi today attended the swearing-in of Péter Paczolay, the new Hungarian judge at the European Court of Human Rights in Strasbourg. After the ceremony, Mr Trócsányi met with Council of Europe Secretary General Thorbjørn Jagland. They discussed current...
Parliamentary Assembly President agrees to take part in a hearing on his recent visit to Syria
PACE President Pedro Agramunt, in view of the request of a significant number of members, agreed to participate in a hearing, open to all Assembly members, on his recent visit to Syria. The hearing is due to be held tomorrow at 1 p.m. in Room 1. Before formally opening the session, the President...
Secretary General Jagland visits the Czech Republic
Meetings with Prime Minister Sobotka and Minister of Foreign Affairs Zaorálek
Populism - How strong are Europe’s checks and balances?
Secretary General 2017 report on democracy, human rights and the rule of law in Europe
Anti-torture committee urges European states to hold persons in remand detention only as a measure of last resort and in adequate conditions
The European Committee for the Prevention of Torture (CPT) urges the 47 Council of Europe member states to use remand detention only as a measure of last resort and to provide remand prisoners with adequate detention conditions. During visits to prisons throughout Europe, the CPT has often found...
Journalists suffer violence, intimidation and self-censorship in Europe, says a Council of Europe study
A survey published today by the Council of Europe, based on a sample of 940 journalists reporting from the 47 Council of Europe member states and Belarus, shows that journalists in Europe are often exposed to serious unwarranted interference in their work, including intimidation and violence. As...
New Human Rights report on Lithuania
Lithuania should strengthen the protection of women and children against violence and build a more inclusive society for persons with disabilities
Anti-torture committee highlights spiralling violence in UK prisons
The European Committee for the Prevention of Torture (CPT) has published its latest report on the United Kingdom, following a visit to several places of detention in the country last spring. The report expresses deep concern about “severe generalised violence” in a number of UK prisons and says...
GRECO expresses concern about the use of emergency procedures to amend legislation in Romania
In a report published today, the Council of Europe anti-corruption body (GRECO) expresses concern about the use of emergency procedures to amend legislation in Romania instead of using proper parliamentary process. GRECO has followed closely recent developments in Romania related to the...
Statement by the Secretary General Thorbjørn Jagland on the outcome of the Turkish constitutional referendum
“The Turkish electorate has voted on the amendments to the Constitution. In view of the close result the Turkish leadership should consider the next steps carefully. It is of utmost importance to secure the independence of the judiciary in line with the principle of rule of law enshrined in the...
New factsheets on the supervision of execution of Strasbourg Court judgments
In order to improve the transparency of the execution process of judgments of the European Court of Human Rights, the Department for the Execution of Judgments of the Council of Europe has published country factsheets. The factsheets present an overview of the main issues revealed by judgments...
Justice, social cohesion and media freedom remain top challenges in Kosovo*
Human Rights Commissioner Nils Muižnieks releases a Memorandum following his mission to Kosovo from 5 to 9 February
Terrorist attack in Stockholm
Statement from Ioannis Kasoulides, Chairman of the Committee of Ministers and Minister for Foreign Affairs of Cyprus
Stockholm attack
In a first reaction to the Stockholm truck attack today Secretary General Jagland said: “I am shocked by the sad news from Stockholm. It looks like another attack on our common values and freedoms, another attack on a vibrant European city. My thoughts go to Sweden and the people of Stockholm.”
