Newsroom
Sweden: move beyond emergency mode in migration-related areas to strengthen human rights
Declaration by Human Rights Commissioner Nils Muižnieks at the end of a five-day visit to the country
Autumn session: Czech and Ukrainian Presidents to address PACE, Václav Havel Prize awarded
Addresses by the President of the Czech Republic Miloš Zeman and the President of Ukraine Petro Poroshenko and a debate on two reports calling for a Council of Europe Summit are among the highlights of the autumn session of the Council of Europe Parliamentary Assembly (PACE), which takes place in...
Conference on harmonisation of case law and judicial practice
A high-level conference on the harmonisation of case law and judicial practice tackles inconsistent interpretations of legal instruments that adversely affect their implementation – and result in numerous complaints brought before the European Court of Human Rights (ECHR). Most such cases do not...
The law on freedom of assembly in the Russian Federation needs thorough revision
Human rights Commissioner Nils Muižnieks publishes memorandum
Award of "Meritorious for Justice " medal to President of Consultative Council of European Judges Nils Engstad
Nils Engstad, President of the Consultative Council of European Judges (CCJE), was awarded the medal of the National Council of the Judicial of Poland “ Meritorious for Justice – Bene Merentibus Iustitiae” for his work on behalf of the CCJE in defending the independence of judges and courts in...
Lutte contre la corruption en France : quels progrès ?
Dans un rapport publié aujourd’hui, le groupe anti-corruption du Conseil de l’Europe (GRECO) dresse le bilan de certaines mesures prises par la France depuis 2009. S’il salue la mise en œuvre des recommandations en matière d’incriminations, notamment la prolongation du délai de prescription, le...
Council of Europe publishes its first monitoring reports on violence against women: Austria and Monaco
The Council of Europe’s Group of Experts on Action against Violence against Women and Domestic Violence (GREVIO) have published their first two evaluation reports: on Austria and Monaco. In Austria, among other findings, GREVIO notes a “stark contrast” in the number, scale and regional spread of...
Civil participation in decision-making in the spotlight
The Committee of Ministers today adopted guidelines aimed at promoting civil participation in political decision-making in the Council of Europe 47 member states. At a time when democracy is challenged by diminishing trust of people towards politicians and elites in general, one of the...
Prague international conference to end the immigration detention of children
”The cost of alternatives is much lower than that of migration detention. In addition, alternatives are less dangerous than detention; for the children themselves, in terms of the harm that deprivation of liberty inevitably causes. They are also less dangerous for our societies; the message...
Arbitrary Internet blocking jeopardises freedom of expression
“Internet blocking is a widespread phenomenon in Council of Europe member states”, says Nils Muižnieks, Council of Europe Commissioner for Human Rights, in his latest Human Rights Comment published today. “Its impact on freedom of expression was highlighted already in 2011, when the former UN...
Greece: Anti-torture committee criticises treatment of irregular migrants – and continued detention of migrant children
In a report on its April and July 2016 visits to Greece, published today, the Council of Europe's Committee for the Prevention of Torture and Inhuman or Degrading Treatment or Punishment (CPT) raises concerns over the situation in the “hotspots” on the Aegean islands. It is highly critical of the...
European Day of Languages 2017: statement from Council of Europe Secretary General, Thorbjørn Jagland
"This year's European Day of Languages celebrates innovation in language learning and teaching. This provides us with the perfect opportunity to highlight the huge value of Europe's cultural diversity. Europe's nations are always at their strongest and most prosperous when we are open and...
2017 Crystal Scales of Justice Prize - Publication of the final selection
The European “Crystal Scales of Justice Prize”, awarded by the Council of Europe, allows discovering, highlighting and sharing innovative practices aimed at improving the efficiency and quality of judicial systems. Out of 37 applications from 18 countries and also from two international...
26 September: European Day of Languages
The European Day of Languages (EDL) is an annual celebration day to encourage language learning across Europe. At the initiative of the Council of Europe, EDL has been celebrated every year, on 26 September, since the European Year of Languages in 2001. The specific aims of the EDL are to: raise...
30 years of Cultural Routes: Building dialogue and sustainable development through European values and heritage
A Europe rich in history, heritage and values: the Council of Europe Cultural Routes’ programme celebrates its 30th anniversary, on the occasion of the 7th Advisory Forum in Palazzo Ducale and Real Collegio in Lucca (Italy) on 27-29 September, with a special ceremony to highlight the relevance of...
Implementing ECHR judgments: Latest decisions now online
The latest case-by-case decisions on the implementation of judgments from the European Court of Human Rights have been published by the Council of Europe’s Committee of Ministers. The committee adopted 39 decisions concerning 21 member states at the end of its regular three-day meeting in...
Venice Commission on Georgian draft Constitution
Postponement of proportional election system regrettable, bonus system of unallocated votes distribution should be abandoned
Luxembourg: Authorities encouraged to continue efforts to integrate asylum-seekers and migrants
“Luxembourg has made considerable efforts to respond to Europe’s refugee and migrant crisis by receiving asylum-seekers and relocating and resettling refugees from other parts of Europe and beyond. It has largely avoided the trap of political instrumentalisation of the issue of migration, and...
International conference on links between organised crime and terrorism
The Council of Europe, with the support of the City and the University of Málaga, is organising an international conference in Málaga (Spain) on 21 and 22 of September aimed at improving international co-operation to better address the interaction between transnational organised crime and...
Age assessment of young migrants: child’s best interests must be safeguarded, invasive methods avoided
A new report “Age assessment: Council of Europe member states’ policies, procedures and practices respectful of children’s rights in the context of migration” has been issued today. This report, prepared by an independent expert, is based on a survey conducted in 37 Council of Europe member...
