Newsroom
EU and Council of Europe introduce project to promote global development education
From residential and online training courses on human rights to intercultural dialogue, a new three-year project – iLEGEND – will strengthen global development education throughout Europe. iLEGEND, (Intercultural Learning Exchange through Global Education, Networking and Dialogue) will foster...
Turkey: Protecting democracy and human rights
Statement by the Secretary General Thorbjørn Jagland
Secretary General receives notification from Turkey of its intention to temporarily suspend part of the European Convention on Human Rights
The Secretary General of the Council of Europe, Thorbjørn Jagland, has been informed by the Turkish authorities that Turkey will notify its derogation from the European Convention on Human Rights under the Convention’s Article 15. The possibility of a derogation is foreseen by Article 15 of the...
Death of Pavel Sheremet
Statement by Marina Kaljurand, Chair of the Committee of Ministers and Minister for Foreign Affairs of Estonia
Ahead of the fifth anniversary of Utøya tragedy, Secretary General calls for robust response to hate crime
"Five years after the Oslo attacks and the Utøya massacre that claimed 77 lives on 22 July 2011, hate-driven violence remains a challenge for European society and governments today", said Council of Europe Secretary General Thorbjørn Jagland, calling for a determined response to hate crime....
Protect women’s sexual and reproductive health and rights
“In these times of resurgent threats to women’s rights and gender equality, we must redouble our efforts to protect women’s sexual and reproductive health and rights. Among the international and European legal instruments that protect these rights, the Convention on the Elimination of all Forms...
Situation in Turkey
Statement by Marina Kaljurand, Chair of the Committee of Ministers and Minister for Foreign Affairs of Estonia
Anniversary of the downing of Malaysian Airlines flight MH17
Statement by Marina Kaljurand, Chair of the Committee of Ministers of the Council of Europe, Minister for Foreign Affairs of Estonia
Coup attempt in Turkey condemned
Statement by Marina Kaljurand, Chair of the Committee of Ministers of the Council of Europe, Minister for Foreign Affairs of Estonia
Terrorist attack in Nice
Statement by Marina Kaljurand, Chair of the Committee of Ministers
Secretary General Jagland condemns the horrific terrorist attack in Nice
“On 14 July, the day when France and the world celebrate the birth of the French Republic, when the call to ‘liberté, égalité, fraternité’ rings in the hearts of all democrats, the host nation of the Council of Europe has been the scene of another murderous attack. Our Organisation stands...
GRECO calls on San Marino to ratify the Criminal Law Convention on Corruption and to upgrade political financing law
The Council of Europe’s Group of States against Corruption (GRECO) today called for San Marino to ratify the Criminal Law Convention on Corruption, to fully implement it, and to improve legislation on political funding. GRECO underlines the need for San Marino to ratify the Criminal Law...
Conflict and violence: young people share their stories
This week the European Youth Centre in Strasbourg is hosting two events for young people whose lives have been changed by the conflict and violence. The Youth Peace Camp is bringing together young people from conflict-affected regions: South Caucasus, the Russian Federation, Ukraine (Luhansk,...
To prevent further human suffering in the east of Ukraine, the rule of law has to be re-established
“The conflict in the east of Ukraine remains the cause of enormous human suffering and loss of life. It is high time to put an end to it and ensure the effective prosecution and sanctioning of those responsible for human rights violations” said today Nils Muižnieks, Council of Europe Commissioner...
Statement by Secretary General Jagland on adoption by Sejm of Poland of draft Act on Constitutional Tribunal
“The draft Act on the Constitutional Tribunal was adopted yesterday at its second reading in the lower Chamber of the Polish Parliament (Sejm). I will ask the Venice Commission to rapidly examine whether this Act follows its Opinion provided in March 2016. I would urge the Senate, and the Sejm at...
Greece: progress in combating racism, but concerns remain about the impact of austerity
“I welcome the government’s efforts to combat racism and homophobia in Greece. The 2014 anti-racism law has consolidated the legislative framework and provided useful tools to prosecutors and police officers. However, much more is needed in order to bring this law to life and to further enhance...
Why Europe needs to invest in children
"Doers should start speaking, and speakers should start doing" – this was the key message of the conference organised by Eurochild “Children's Rights Matter: Why Europe needs to invest in children” in Brussels on 5-7 July 2016. Experts, policy makers dealing with social and economic rights, as...
“No means No”: Secretary General welcomes German legislation to end violence against women
"I welcome today’s vote in the German parliament to pass the so-called No means No law, which brings Germany in line with our convention to end violence against women," said Council of Europe Secretary General Thorbjørn Jagland. "Rape cannot be limited to just physical assault," he said of the...
Anti-corruption body GRECO publishes a report on Moldova
Council of Europe calls on the Republic of Moldova to improve anti-corruption measures in respect of MPs, judges and prosecutors
Secretary General Jagland in Berlin for talks with Foreign Minister Steinmeier
Thorbjørn Jagland met with German foreign minister Steinmeier on Tuesday in Berlin. Topics of discussion included human rights in Europe, the role of the European Convention on Human Rights and the situation in Ukraine, Turkey and Azerbaijan. They also discussed the European Roma Institute for...
