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Deputy Secretary General opens European Conference on Democracy and Human Rights in Kristiansand
The 2nd European Conference on Democracy and Human Rights in Kristiansand has marked Europe Day 2021 in Norway, despite the ongoing Covid pandemic. The international event, with a focus on freedom of expression, was jointly organised by the Council of Europe, the University of Agder, Kilden...
10 years of the Istanbul Convention: Bringing hope, promoting respect and inspiring change to end violence against women
The Committee of the Parties of the Council of Europe Convention on Preventing and Combating Violence against Women and Domestic Violence, also known as the Istanbul Convention, have issued a declaration to mark 10 years since it was opened for signature on 11 May 2011, in Istanbul. The Committee...
Anti-torture committee warns against impact of austerity measures on prison conditions
The Council of Europe’s Committee for the Prevention of Torture (CPT) has issued a set of minimum requirements for conditions of detention in European prisons, concerned by the negative effects of pre-existing austerity measures in certain states, which could be exacerbated by possible deeper...
Protecting vulnerable groups in crisis situations: more effective structures and procedures needed
The Committee of Ministers has adopted Guidelines for the 47 member states to help them in upholding equality and protecting against discrimination and hate during the Covid-19 pandemic and similar crises in the future. The Committee stresses the importance of establishing effective structures...
Europe Day 5 May 2021: 72nd Anniversary of Council of Europe
Joint statement by Secretary General Marija Pejčinović Burić and Committee of Ministers Chair Heiko Maas
Migration and asylum: Council of Europe to increase protection of vulnerable persons
The Committee of Ministers have adopted an Action Plan on Protecting Vulnerable Persons in the Context of Migration and Asylum in Europe (2021-2025). “Migrants and asylum seekers face particular challenges, in the Covid-19 pandemic, notably access to healthcare and vaccinations. We are increasing...
Council of Europe anti-torture committee publishes report on Finland
The Council of Europe Committee for the Prevention of Torture and Inhuman or Degrading Treatment (CPT) has commended Finland of the tangible progress achieved in several areas, but regretted that a number of its long-standing recommendations remain unaddressed. In its report the CPT welcomed the...
Vaccine passes: protecting human rights and personal data
Statements by the Bioethics Committee and the Data Protection Convention Committee
Georgia: Venice Commission opinions on Election Code and election of Supreme Court judges
Proposed amendments to the Election Code of Georgia include some positive changes but raise some new concerns which add to long-standing fundamental issues that remain unaddressed, said the Venice Commission and the OSCE/ODIHR in their joint urgent opinion on draft amendments to the Election Code...
Journalism and Covid-19: Press freedom is essential in times of crisis
Joint statement by Council of Europe Secretary General and German Federal Justice Minister
The Secretary General presents her vision for improving the implementation of social rights in Europe
The Secretary General of the Council of Europe, Marija Pejčinović Burić, made public today her proposals (SG/Inf(2021)13) for improving the implementation of social rights in Europe by reinforcing the European Social Charter system. Improving the implementation of social rights in Europe and...
Human rights and the environment: New online course for legal professionals
The Council of Europe’s HELP programme (Human rights Education for Legal Professionals) has launched a new online course on the environment and human rights. The six-hour course, which is available free of charge via the HELP online platform, has been developed by experts on the European...
Bulgaria should improve access to justice and compensation for victims of trafficking
In a new report on Bulgaria published today, the Council of Europe’s anti-trafficking group GRETA calls on the authorities to improve trafficking victims’ access to justice and compensation, and to ensure the sustainability of anti-trafficking measures through the allocation of appropriate...
Committee of Ministers: European states must step up efforts to protect children’s privacy in digital environment
In the context of the Covid-19 pandemic, European states should enhance safeguarding measures in processing personal data of children, notably health-related data and data collected in education settings, to minimise potential adverse effects, including the public identification of a child as a...
OSCE Chairperson-in-Office visits Council of Europe
Ann Linde, the OSCE Chairperson-in-Office and Minister of Foreign Affairs of Sweden, visited the Council of Europe on 28 April 2021. She met with Council of Europe Secretary General Marija Pejčinović Burić, to discuss co-operation between the two organisations. During the meeting, she deposited...
Secretary General: European governments should show stronger political will to protect press freedom
In a statement issued ahead of World Press Freedom Day on 3 May, Council of Europe Secretary General Marija Pejčinović Burić urged European governments to show stronger political will to protect journalists and independent journalism in order to put a stop to the deterioration of media freedom in...
Covid-19: what measures to combat fake vaccines?
Amid the rise in counterfeiting and other illegal activities related to the Covid-19 pandemic, the Council of Europe is issuing new recommendations to governments based on its Convention on the counterfeiting of medical products and similar crimes involving threats to public health (MEDICRIME...
A 10th Academy Award for Eurimages!
During the 93rd Academy Awards Ceremony which took place last night, the Academy Award for International Feature Film went to ANOTHER ROUND by Thomas Vinterberg, a co-production between Denmark, Sweden and the Netherlands supported by Eurimages, the Fund's 10th Academy Award in this category. Two...
La Secrétaire Générale rencontre Éric Dupond-Moretti, ministre français de la Justice
Le 23 avril, la Secrétaire Générale Marija Pejčinović Burić a rencontré Éric Dupond-Moretti, Garde des Sceaux, ministre de la Justice de la République Française, au siège du Conseil de l’Europe à Strasbourg. La Secrétaire Générale et le ministre ont eu un échange sur la coopération entre le...
High-level webinar: impact of Covid-19 policies on human rights in Europe
Council of Europe Secretary General Marija Pejčinović Burić has delivered a keynote speech on Covid-19 policies and their impact on human rights at a webinar organised on 27 April 2021 by the Centre for European Policy Studies (CEPS). Other speakers at the online event included: Salla...
PACE calls on Turkish authorities ‘to put an end to laws and practices that contravene democratic standards’
The Assembly today strongly reiterated its call on the Turkish authorities “to put an end to laws and practices that contravene democratic standards, to revise its legislation and constitutional framework in order to ensure the separation of powers, to restore freedom of speech and media freedom,...
PACE invites Committee of Ministers to use all tools at its disposal to free Alexei Navalny
PACE has invited the Council of Europe Committee of Ministers to “use all the tools at its disposal”, including under Article 46 of the European Convention on Human Rights, to ensure full and prompt execution of the Strasbourg Court’s ruling in the case of Navalnyye v. Russia, and in particular...
Armenia: electoral legislation amendments welcomed but further improvements needed
The Council of Europe’s body of constitutional legal experts, the Venice Commission, and the OSCE/ODIHR have published an urgent joint opinion on amendments to the Electoral Code and related legislation of Armenia. Having examined the conformity of the procedure of their development, as well as...
Secretary General reiterates deep regret over Navalny’s imprisonment
Letter to the High Commissioner for Human Rights in the Russian Federation
Covid-19 and social rights: statement by European Committee of Social Rights
The European Committee of Social Rights statement is aimed at highlighting those rights of the European Social Charter that are particularly affected by the Covid-19 crisis, such as employment and labour rights, the right to social security, social and medical assistance, the right to be...
Belarus is urged to carry out comprehensive reform of its electoral system
PACE has urged Belarus to comprehensively reform its electoral system to bring it into line with international standards for democratic elections. Approving a resolution and recommendation based on a report by Lord Blencathra (United Kingdom, EC), the Assembly said that the current failed...
Implementing ECHR judgments: New factsheet on freedom of expression cases
The Council of Europe’s Department for the Execution of Judgments of the European Court of Human Rights (ECHR) has published a new thematic factsheet focusing on cases related to freedom of expression. The factsheet summarises measures reported by 27 member states to safeguard and protect free...
David Sassoli: 'The EU must be more efficient, more flexible, more resilient and more democratic'
"We need a more efficient, more flexible, more resilient and more democratic European Union," European Parliament President David Sassoli told PACE today. Referring to the global health crisis, Mr Sassoli stressed that the only way to overcome it was "through solidarity, within Europe and with...
Secretary General: "Council of Europe fully supports the sovereignty and territorial integrity of Ukraine"
Addressing parliamentarians at the Spring session of the Parliamentary Assembly (PACE) Secretary General Marija Pejčinović Burić was asked about the danger of imminent armed conflict between Russia and Ukraine, in the context of the build-up of Russian troops near the Ukrainian border. She...
‘A rules-based and reliable international order is the basis for peaceful relations between states’ says German Chancellor Angela Merkel
“Europe is the continent with the highest human rights standards. However, a look at Europe’s external borders and in the East of Europe shows us that, even today, peace and security, stability and welfare cannot be taken for granted,” said Angela Merkel, Federal Chancellor of Germany, in a...
Saudi women’s rights activist Loujain Alhathloul awarded 8th Václav Havel Human Rights Prize
The eighth Václav Havel Human Rights Prize – which honours outstanding civil society action in defence of human rights – has been awarded to Saudi women’s rights activist Loujain Alhathloul. The 60,000-euro prize was presented at a special ceremony on the opening day of the spring plenary session...
Maia Sandu: ‘Where there is political will, there is genuine reform’
“Where there is popular will, there is change. Where there is political will, there is genuine reform,” today said Maia Sandu, President of the Republic of Moldova, addressing the Parliamentary Assembly in Strasbourg. Referring to the recent Presidential election, she said that “people voted for...
New Council of Europe Action Plan for the Republic of Moldova launched in Strasbourg
The Council of Europe Action Plan for the Republic of Moldova 2021-2024 has been officially launched in Strasbourg in presence of Maia Sandu, President of the Republic of Moldova and Marija Pejčinović Burić, Council of Europe Secretary General. The Action Plan aims to improve national...
GRECO urges states to prevent corruption risks when tackling the COVID-19 pandemic’s economic impact
Governments should rigorously manage the corruption risks that have emerged due to the need to take extraordinary measures to combat the COVID-19 pandemic, including the infusion of large amounts of money into the economy to alleviate its economic and social impact, said the Council of Europe’s...
Informal exchange of views with representatives of civil society organisations on their role in electoral processes during the Covid 19 crisis
At an informal meeting on 13 April 2021, delegations from the Council of Europe’s 47 member States held an informal exchange of views with civil society representatives operating in the area of electoral assistance. The aim was to find out more about civil society’s work on the ground during the...
Vaccine passports: Council of Europe issues guidance to governments to safeguard human rights
In a document aimed at governments across Europe, Secretary General Marija Pejčinović Burić highlights the relevant human rights standards for addressing the issue of “vaccine passports”. The Information Document was sent to all 47 Council of Europe member on 31 March. The document underlines the...
Angela Merkel to address PACE spring session
On the occasion of the German Chairmanship of the Committee of Ministers, German Chancellor Angela Merkel and Minister of State for Europe Michael Roth will participate in the spring session of PACE (19-22 April 2021) which will take place in a hybrid format. The President of the European...
GREVIO report reveals trends in stopping violence against women
Trends and best practices in efforts to stop violence against women are outlined in a new report based on 17 countries in Europe, covering its work from June 2019 to December 2020. It has been published by GREVIO, the Council of Europe’s independent expert group responsible for monitoring...
Combatting racism and hate speech at sports events
Sports events are too often marred by incidents of racism, homophobia, sexism and other manifestations of hate speech. On some occasions the incidents also degenerate into physical violence, involving many supporters and occasionally result in the interruption of the event. The risk of such...
Covid-19 is worsening human trafficking – states should take action, warn Council of Europe experts
The Covid-19 pandemic is having a worrying impact on human trafficking across Europe and states should do more to prevent it, according to the latest annual report from the Council of Europe’s Group of Experts on Action against Trafficking in Human Beings (GRETA). “The effects of the pandemic...
Europe’s imprisonment rate continues to fall: Council of Europe’s annual penal statistics
The overall European imprisonment rate - the number of persons in prison per 100,000 inhabitants - fell again slightly in 2020, consolidating a trend that started in 2013, according to the Council of Europe’s Annual Penal Statistics on Prison Populations for 2020 (see also the Key findings). On...
Reform of mental health services: an urgent need and a human rights imperative
“Already in the early stages of the COVID-19 pandemic, the World Health Organisation (WHO) was warning that substantial investment in mental health services was necessary to avert a mental health crisis. The evidence for the devastating impact of the pandemic on mental health is now...
International Roma Day: Remembering history to ensure a brighter future
Statement by Council of Europe Secretary General
Links between terrorism and transnational organised crime: Committee of Ministers adopts guidelines
The Committee of Ministers has adopted guidelines which provide member States with practical advice to help relevant national authorities to better prevent and fight terrorism, and to enhance their understanding of the links between organised crime groups and terrorist organisations who are...
Legal aid in civil and administrative law: new guidelines
The Committee of Ministers of the Council of Europe has adopted a set of guidelines for the 47 member States to help them improve the functioning of national systems of legal aid in the fields of civil and administrative law. The Committee of Ministers stresses the importance of establishing an...
Committee of Ministers adopts Recommendation to strengthen national human rights institutions
The Committee of Ministers has adopted a Recommendation to its member States on the development and strengthening of effective, pluralist and independent national human rights institutions (NHRIs). Such institutions are among the pillars of respect for human rights, the rule of law and democracy....
Implementing ECHR judgments: Progress in 2020 despite COVID, but further efforts needed
States across Europe are continuing to make progress on implementing judgments from the European Court of Human Rights (ECHR), despite the Covid-19 pandemic, according to the latest annual report from the Council of Europe’s Committee of Ministers. However, further efforts are needed to tackle...
What measures should be taken against the trade in goods used for torture or execution?
The Council of Europe Committee of Ministers has adopted a Recommendation inviting member States to take measures against the trade in goods used for the death penalty, torture and other cruel, inhuman or degrading treatment or punishment. The Committee is deeply concerned by the fact that...
Commissioner: High time for Hungary to restore journalistic and media freedoms
“The combined effects of a politically controlled media regulatory authority and distortionary state intervention in the media market have eroded media pluralism and freedom of expression in Hungary”, said the Council of Europe Commissioner for Human Rights, Dunja Mijatović, in a new Memorandum....
Human Rights Commissioner: Portugal should act more resolutely to tackle racism
The Council of Europe Commissioner for Human Rights, Dunja Mijatović, has called on the Portuguese authorities to address more resolutely the increasing level of racism in the country, as well as to take additional steps to prevent and combat violence against women and domestic violence. The...
European Committee of Social Rights: 2020 Conclusions on employment, training and equal opportunities
The European Committee of Social Rights (ECSR) has published its Conclusions 2020 on the provisions of the European Social Charter relating to employment, training and equal opportunities: the right to work (Article 1); the right to vocational guidance (Article 9); the right to vocational...
Venice Commission publishes opinions on 10 countries
The Council of Europe’s Venice Commission is publishing 13 opinions this week, which were adopted during its plenary session this past Friday and Saturday, on Belarus, Bosnia-Herzegovina, Georgia, Moldova, Montenegro, Spain, Russia, Ukraine. Kazakhstan and Kyrgyzstan were also on the agenda. Held...
Leendert Verbeek elected as the President of the Congress
The Congress of Local and Regional Authorities of Council of Europe has elected, during its 40th Session, Leendert Verbeek (Netherlands, SOC/G/PD) as its new President, for a mandate of 2 years and a half. He is the King’s Commissioner for the Province of Flevoland and he was previously the Chair...
Spanish authorities should amend the Criminal Code to strengthen existing safeguards of the right to freedom of expression
In a letter addressed to the Minister of Justice of Spain, made public today, the Council of Europe Commissioner for Human Rights, Dunja Mijatović invites the Spanish authorities to amend in a comprehensive manner the Criminal Code to strengthen existing safeguards of the right to freedom of...
Council of Europe leaders react to Turkey’s announced withdrawal from the Istanbul Convention
The German Federal Minister for Foreign Affairs Heiko Maas, Chair of the Council of Europe's Committee of Ministers, and the President of the Council of Europe’s Parliamentary Assembly, Rik Daems, joined their voices to the Secretary General of the 47-nation Council of Europe, Marija Pejčinović...
Secretary General responds to Turkey‘s announced withdrawal from the Istanbul Convention
Statement by Council of Europe Secretary General Marija Pejčinović Burić
Secretary General tells PACE, “During Covid we have been present where people need us.”
Speaking to members of the Council of Europe’s Parliamentary Assembly (PACE) Secretary General Marija Pejčinović Burić emphasised that since the start of the health crisis in Europe, the Council of Europe has not only advised but also provided material support to its member States. “We have...
GRECO urges Turkey to ensure full judicial independence, integrity standards for MPs and transparency of party funding
The Council of Europe’s Group of States against Corruption (GRECO) has published two reports on Turkey’s implementation of its recommendations on preventing corruption in respect of MPs, judges and prosecutors (GRECO’s 4th Evaluation Round) and on incriminations and the transparency of party...
Cypriot authorities should investigate allegations of pushbacks and ill-treatment of migrants
In a letter addressed to the Minister of Interior of Cyprus the Council of Europe Commissioner for Human Rights, Dunja Mijatović urges the Cypriot authorities to ensure that independent and effective investigations are carried out into allegations of pushbacks and of ill-treatment of arriving...
ECRI annual report: Covid-19 deepened inequalities, LGBTI backlash, growing religious intolerance and BLM
The Council of Europe’s anti-racism commission (ECRI) in its 2020 annual report published ahead of the International Day against Racial Discrimination on 21 March, identified four key challenges Europe was facing last year. These are: mitigating the disproportional impact of the Covid-19 pandemic...
Committee of Ministers: computer-assisted or AI-enabled social services decision making by public authorities must respect human rights
The importance of protecting human rights, including social rights, remains all the more relevant at present, when they are put at risk from the use of computer-assisted or Artificial Intelligence-enabled decision making by public authorities in the area of social services. In a declaration...
Committee of Ministers : declaration on equal pay and opportunities for women and men
Equality between women and men is among the fundamental human rights which all Council of Europe member States have undertaken to respect. It is inscribed into the most fundamental legal instruments adopted by the Organisation, including the European Social Charter. In a declaration, adopted on...
Human trafficking: despite progress, Denmark still fails to sufficiently protect victims
A new report from the Council of Europe’s Group of Experts on Action against Trafficking in Human Beings (GRETA) urges Denmark to improve the identification and protection of victims of trafficking, and to ensure that human trafficking offences are investigated, prosecuted and lead to effective,...
Poland: draft media laws should respect European human rights standards
In a letter to the Prime Minister of Poland, made public today, the Council of Europe Commissioner for Human Rights, Dunja Mijatović urges the government to ensure that two draft laws concerning an ‘advertising revenue tax on media outlets’ and ‘protection of freedom of speech of social media...
Georgia: progress in fighting human trafficking, but improvements required
In its third report on Georgia’s implementation of the Convention on Action against Trafficking in Human Beings, the Council of Europe’s anti-human trafficking monitoring body, GRETA, focuses on trafficking victims’ access to justice and effective remedies. The report acknowledges progress in...
40th Session of the Congress: first part-session
The Congress will hold the first part of its 40th Session, 23-24 March 2021. The session will be held remotely, given the current COVID-19 health crisis. The Congress will elect its President, and the Presidents and Vice-Presidents of its chambers of local and regional authorities. It will decide...
Azerbaijan: Committee of Ministers deplores absence of progress in execution of European Court’s judgments
The Committee of Ministers of the 47-nation Council of Europe exhorts the Azerbaijani authorities to immediately restore the rights of human rights activists and government critics, as required by the judgments of the European Court of Human Rights (ECHR) in the Mammadli group of cases against...
Poland must adopt clear and effective procedures for women to access lawful abortion
The Committee of Ministers of the 47-nation Council of Europe has adopted an Interim Resolution (*) calling on Poland to adopt clear and effective procedures on steps women need to take to access lawful abortion. These procedures should ensure that no unnecessary requirements are imposed on...
Implementing ECHR judgments: Latest decisions from the Council of Europe’s Committee of Ministers
The latest case-by-case decisions on the implementation of judgments and decisions from the European Court of Human Rights have been published by the Council of Europe’s Committee of Ministers. The Committee adopted 40 decisions concerning 21 member states during the meeting, including 2 Interim...
Special Representative on Migration and Refugees to visit Turkey
The Special Representative of the Secretary General on Migration and Refugees (SRSG), Ambassador Drahoslav Štefánek, will visit Turkey from 15 to 26 March 2021. He will assess the current situation and developments since the last visit carried out by the former SRSG in 2016 concerning respect for...
Torture prevention committee calls on Malta to improve treatment of detained migrants
The European Committee for the Prevention of Torture and Inhuman or Degrading Treatment or Punishment, known as CPT, has published today a report on a rapid reaction ad hoc visit carried out in Malta, focussing on immigration detention, and the response of the Maltese government. The Committee...
Implementing European Court of Human Rights judgments
The Council of Europe’s Committee of Ministers is holding its quarterly meeting to oversee the execution of judgments and decisions from the European Court of Human Rights in Strasbourg from 9 to 11 March. Information on the cases to be examined in detail this week is available here(*) Decisions...
European countries must urgently change migration policies which are endangering refugees and migrants crossing the Mediterranean
"European countries are failing to protect refugees and migrants trying to reach Europe via the Mediterranean. Backsliding in the protection of the lives and rights of refugees and migrants is worsening and causing thousands of avoidable deaths each year”, says Dunja Mijatović, the Council of...
Toolkit to combat violence against women in Tunisia
Practical toolkit to combat all forms of violence against women in Tunisia was developed by Tunisian Ministry of Women, Family, Children and Seniors with the support of the Council of Europe. This toolkit aims to ensure access of women to the rights guaranteed to them by Organic Law No. 2017-58...
Istanbul Convention at 10 years: leading the way to a life free from violence
In a joint statement to mark UN International Women’s Day, German Federal Minister for Family Affairs, Senior Citizens, Women and Youth Franziska Giffey and Council of Europe Secretary General Marija Pejčinović Burić highlight the 10th anniversary of the Council of Europe’s Convention on...
