Newsroom
International Conference on the interface between trafficking in human beings and asylum
The Bulgarian National Commission for Combatting Trafficking in Human beings, the Council of Europe and the United Nations High Commissioner for Refugees (UNHCR) in partnership with the Hanns Seidel Foundation is holding an International Conference on “The interface between protection of victims...
Human Rights report on Bulgaria
Progress on human rights protection remains slow in Bulgaria
Migrants can become an asset to our economies, says Maltese President
Addressing PACE today at its June session, on the occasion of the 50th anniversary of Malta’s membership of the Council of Europe, the President of Malta, Marie-Louise Coleiro Preca, called for “an effective, comprehensive and holistic migration policy”, pinned on a human rights-based approach....
Hungary must ensure greater independence of media regulatory authority, say Council of Europe constitutional law experts
An Opinion adopted on 19 June 2015 during the plenary session of the Council of Europe’s constitutional law experts (the Venice Commission) calls on the Hungarian government to create a more independent regulatory framework and more balanced media environment. “Hungary has made significant...
Thorbjørn Jagland: Fight against violent extremism is a battle of ideas
Address to United Nations Security Council Counter-Terrorism Committee
Slovakia should set ambitious targets for the social inclusion of Roma and persons with disabilities
“Although Slovakia has taken important measures to advance its human rights agenda, much more ambitious targets need to be set for eradicating the social exclusion and marginalisation of Roma and persons with disabilities. Also much more should be done to reinforce the effectiveness of the...
GRECO: regulating conflicts of interest must be a priority
The evaluations carried out so far by the Council of Europe Group of States against Corruption (GRECO) show that in many European states there are currently no regulations to deal with the conflicts of interest parliamentarians, judges and prosecutors might face, and that in some countries...
New guidance for states to fight “online grooming” of children
All cases of sexual abuse of children – no matter if they are a result of a physical meeting, or committed purely online – should be criminalized, says a new Council of Europe’s opinion on “online grooming” presented in Strasbourg today. The opinion was adopted by the Lanzarote Committee bringing...
Safety and security at sports events: Adapting to today's challenges
30 years after the Heysel Stadium tragedy, the Council of Europe and the Royal Belgian Football Association are holding an international conference in Brussels to discuss how best to ensure safety, security and a service-oriented approach at football matches and other major sporting events. The...
Secretary General: Cybercrime is reaching epic proportions
Octopus conference 2015
Lowest reported drug seizures at airports since 2012: new statistics from the Council of Europe
Unveiled at a meeting organised by the Council of Europe’s drug policy experts (The Pompidou Group) new statistics indicate the lowest number of drug seizures at airports on passengers and in airfreight since 2012. Statistics indicate seizure data for 40 countries in 2014: 3,657 drug seizures...
Tackling human trafficking: Secretary General urges 5 countries to complete the jigsaw
Strasbourg event marks ten years of Europe’s anti-trafficking convention
Secretary General's message to the people of Georgia
The Secretary General of the Council of Europe Thorbjorn Jagland today expressed his condolences over the loss of life in the devastating flood in Tbilisi during the weekend. At least twelve people died and many others are missing. “On this day of national mourning, I would like to express my...
The Bureau of the Consultative Council of European Judges (CCJE) makes public its position on the suspension and arrest of judges in Turkey
Having received from various sources information concerning the situation of judges in Turkey and the question of the independence of justice in this member state, the Bureau of the Consultative Council of European Judges, advisory body of the Council of Europe on issues related to the...
Committee of Ministers: decisions on the execution of European Court of Human Rights judgments
The Committee of Ministers today published the decisions and resolutions adopted at its 1230th special “human rights” meeting (9-11 June 2015) during which it has examined the state of implementation of judgments of the European Court of Human Rights. The list of the cases which were subjected to...
Babysitting via the Web
New report on protecting minors from harmful online and TV content
San Marino should not jeopardize media freedom
"San Marino should reconsider its current plans to regulate the work of journalists and ensure full respect of the right to report in the public interest” stated Nils Muižnieks, the Council of Europe Commissioner for Human Rights, after his visit to the country on 9-10 June. The Commissioner was...
Ukraine derogation from European Convention on Human Rights
Secretary General Jagland: Council of Europe standards still apply in Ukraine
Council of Europe Chair Bosnia and Herzegovina to intensify co-operation with OSCE, says Foreign Minister Crnadak
Bosnia and Herzegovina, which took up the Chairmanship of the Council of Europe Committee of Ministers, will work to intensify co-operation between the Council of Europe and the OSCE, said the country’s foreign minister Igor Crnadak as he addressed the OSCE Permanent Council in Vienna today....
Secretary General’s statement on Travellers' rights in France
The Secretary General of the Council of Europe, Thorbjørn Jagland, welcomed yesterday’s vote in the French National Assembly to abolish the travel document imposed on Travellers and to improve the arrangements for their reception. "These measures represent a significant advance in the recognition...
