News - Presidency of Lithuania
'Human Rights: Camera Action!' competition: winners announced
The Council of Europe has announced the winners of the 'Human Rights: Camera Action!' competition, which celebrates the creativity and commitment of young photo and video creators dedicated to human rights. The competition, which attracted a large number of entries from across the organisation’s...
“Vilnius Dialogue” launches public debate on freedom of expression in Europe
An international conference held on 24 October in Vilnius, under the Lithuanian Presidency of the Committee of Ministers of the Council of Europe, discussed ways of strengthening judicial capacity to implement Council of Europe standards and instruments protecting freedom of expression, in...
Committee of Ministers' President Landsbergis: collective effort needed to ensure sustainable peace and respect for human rights
“It is time to put even more pressure on Russia and ensure its full accountability for its crimes,” said Gabrielius Landsbergis, President of the Committee of Ministers and Minister of Foreign Affairs of Lithuania, when addressing the Parliamentary Assembly. “Only this way will we lay the path...
European Day of Languages: Greetings from Gitanas Nausėda, President of Lithuania
On the European Day of Languages, we can all better appreciate what it means to be European and celebrate our unity in diversity. It is no coincidence that as early as 1599, Mikalojus Daukša, the publisher of the first books in Lithuanian, wrote in his "Postilė" chapter The Preface Unto...
Languages for Peace: European Day of Languages 2024 highlights Europe’s linguistic and cultural diversity
Every year since 2001 the European Day of Languages marked on 26 September celebrates the wealth of languages coexisting in Europe and beyond. Over 225 languages are native to Europe alone, not including languages that arrived on the continent through migration. The motto of this year’s day is...
Local and regional authorities play a crucial role in building resilient democratic societies: conference hosted by Council of Europe Congress
The role of local and regional authorities in effectively responding to the challenges facing European democracies, in supporting Ukraine, protecting human rights, saving the environment, and enabling young people’s involvement is the focus of a conference of associations of local and regional...
Justice for crimes committed in Ukraine: Ministers of Justice discuss legal cooperation and a special tribunal for the crime of aggression
Meeting under the Lithuanian Presidency of the Committee of Ministers, the Ministers of Justice of Council of Europe member and observer states have adopted a declaration outlining a series of principles to address critical justice and accountability issues related to Russia’s aggression against...
Justice Ministers discuss accountability for crimes committed in Ukraine and open AI Convention for signature at meeting in Vilnius
The Ministers of Justice will meet in Vilnius (Lithuania) on 5 September at a conference entitled “Towards accountability for international crimes committed in Ukraine” and held under the Lithuanian Presidency of the Committee of Ministers. Prior to the meeting, the Council of Europe’s Convention...
High-level dialogue on good democratic governance in Ukraine and way forward in post-war period
On 2-3 July 2024, Council of Europe and key national stakeholders from Ukraine gather in Strasbourg to discuss perspectives for good democratic governance reforms in Ukraine and further actions to improve the legal framework on multilevel governance and post-war elections in line with European...
CM President Landsbergis: Council of Europe must remain the driver of real action against Russia’s aggression
“Your strong and timely political recommendation to the Committee of Ministers to expel Russia was groundbreaking and – for many of us – brought back faith in our common institutions,” said Gabrielius Landsbergis, President of the Committee of Ministers and Minister of Foreign Affairs of...
Secretary General meets UN High Commissioner for Human Rights
Secretary General Marija Pejčinović Burić has met the United Nations (UN) High Commissioner for Human Rights Volker Türk. The excellent institutional co-operation between the Council of Europe and United Nations has been underlined during the exchange of views. Marija Pejčinović Burić...
Secretary General meets Minister of Foreign Affairs of Lithuania
Secretary General Marija Pejčinović Burić has met the Minister of Foreign Affairs and President of the Committee of Ministers Gabrielius Landsbergis. The meeting focused on the Priorities of the Lithuanian Presidency. The opening for signature of the Framework Convention on Artificial...
Secretary General marks 75th anniversary in Vilnius and opens EuroDig conference
“Lithuania has embarked on a positive and ambitious agenda for its Presidency of the Committee of Ministers. One that respects the legacy and ongoing aims of our Organisation. But also addresses some of the more recent and defining challenges of our times. This really is the story of the Council...
“Death is not justice”: Strasbourg workshop on the abolition of the death penalty
In collaboration with civil society partners Ensemble contre la peine de mort (ECPM) and the German Coalition to Abolish the Death Penalty (GCADP), the Council of Europe is holding the second edition of a workshop, “Death is not justice – advocacy for the abolition of the death penalty”, in...
Advancing the Abolition of the Death Penalty Among Belarusian Society and Diaspora: Workshop in Vilnius
A training workshop on the advancement of the issue of abolition of the death penalty in Belarus among Belarusian society, including diaspora, took place in Vilnius, Lithuania from 30-31 May. The event was opened by the Vice Minister of Foreign Affairs of Lithuania, Jonas Survila on behalf of the...