Newsroom
Lavrov, Jagland on Russia’s membership in Council of Europe
Russian Foreign Minister and Secretary General exchange letters on 20th anniversary
Anticorruption report on Bosnia and Herzegovina
GRECO calls for efficient coordination and firm steps to implement anticorruption reform
European Human Rights Moot Court Competition
Team from University of Cambridge wins 2016 edition of the European Human Rights Moot Court Competition
Terrorist attack in Ankara
Statement by Daniel Mitov, Chairman of the Committee of Ministers of the Council of Europe
Ankara: Secretary General condemns deadly attack
Thorbjørn Jagland, Secretary General of the Council of Europe, last night condemned the car bomb attack which killed at least 28 people and injured more than 60 in the centre of Ankara, close to the Parliament and military headquarters. “I am deeply saddened by the news of yet another deadly...
Sweden: Anti-torture report
Sweden should ease restrictions for remand prisoners says the Committee for Prevention of Torture (CPT) in a new report. Despite 24 years of dialogue with the Swedish authorities, there is little sign of progress concerning restrictions on remand prisoners. The risk of ill-treatment remains...
Belarus death sentence: Secretary General reacts
The Secretary General of the Council of Europe, Thorbjørn Jagland, has condemned the death sentence handed down in Belarus on Tuesday 16 February. “The Council of Europe and all its member states are firmly opposed to capital punishment in all circumstances,” stressed the Secretary General. “As...
European countries must stop forced evictions of Roma
“Many Roma continue to face serious forms of discrimination and human rights violations by authorities at both national and local levels. In particular, forced evictions without due process and provision of adequate alternative housing continue unabated across Europe, in violation of member...
Poland: slow down and consult on legislation to avoid human-rights backsliding
"Human rights compliant legislation requires time and thorough consultation” said the Council of Europe Commissioner for Human Rights, Nils Muižnieks, at the end of a four-day visit to Poland reviewing the effectiveness of the country's framework for the protection of human rights, the...
Assessing the impact of sexist hate speech – and what to do about it
What line can be drawn between sexist hate speech and freedom of expression? To what extent can sexist hate speech harm people? A three day seminar (10-12 February) in Strasbourg brings together youth and human rights activists, researchers and policy makers from around the world to deepen the...
Death penalty in the USA
Declaration adopted by the Committee of Ministers
GRECO publishes a report on Portugal
Portugal should strengthen corruption prevention in respect of parliamentarians, judges and prosecutors, says Council of Europe report
Zero tolerance for female genital mutilation (FGM)
“Female genital mutilation (FGM) is a vile crime and a gross violation of the human rights of women and girls,” said Council of Europe Secretary General Thorbjørn Jagland just ahead of the UN International Day of Zero Tolerance for Female Genital Mutilation (6 February). “According to new figures...
Travellers - Time to counter deep-rooted hostility
In October 2015, 10 persons died in a fire which broke in a Travellers’ site near Dublin. Following this tragic event, neighbours prevented the authorities from providing alternative accommodation to the surviving members of the group on a nearby site by blocking roads leading to the new site....
Identifying human trafficking victims including missing children among challenges for Croatia
In a new report, the Council of Europe’s Group of Experts on Action against Trafficking in Human Beings (GRETA) commends the Croatian authorities for continuing to develop their legal framework for combating human trafficking and protecting victims. The GRETA report – part of the second round of...
Gender Equality Strategy
Despite progress, stronger commitment needed to achieve gender equality in all member States
Secretary General responds to reports that French police have cleared hundreds of Roma in Paris
"It is crucial that the French authorities provide all those who have been forced to leave the ‘Petite ceinture’ camp – including children and elderly people – with adequate, alternative accommodation, particularly as they have decided to take this action during winter", said Council of Europe...
Council of Europe human rights mission returns from Crimea
The Council of Europe’s human rights mission to Crimea, led by Swiss diplomat Ambassador Gérard Stoudmann, has returned to Strasbourg after a 7-day visit to the peninsula. Secretary General Thorbjørn Jagland today informed the Council of Europe’s Committee of Ministers that the delegation met...
Council of Europe and German OSCE Chairmanship in close cooperation for European security
Special Representative for the German Chairmanship of the Organization for Security and Co-operation in Europe (OSCE), Gernot Erler, visited the Council of Europe in Strasbourg today to present the OCSE Chairmanship’s programme for 2016. Mr. Erler was welcomed by the Secretary General of the...
Immigration: 'kneejerk' responses risk departure from European values
Secretary General Thorbjørn Jagland has delivered a keynote speech on the risk of 'kneejerk' responses to immigration at a high-level seminar organised by the Dutch EU chairmanship: “EU fundamental values, immigration and integration: a shared responsibility” in Strasbourg today. "We should be...
