News 2015
Counterfeiting of medical products: entry into force of the Medicrime Convention
The Council of Europe’s Medicrime Convention, which aims to combat the counterfeiting of medical products and protect public health, will enter into force on 1st January 2016. This Convention is the first legally binding international instrument making criminal offences of the counterfeiting,...
Helping refugees in the Mediterranean
Greek association “Agkalia” awarded Raul Wallenberg Prize on 13 January at Council of Europe Headquarters
Elections at the Venice Commission
During its December plenary session (18-19 December 2015), the Venice Commission held biennial elections of its governing structures: Presidency, Bureau and Chairs of Sub-Commissions and Councils. The incumbent President of the Commission Mr Gianni Buquicchio of Italy was re-elected to lead the...
Council of Europe and UNHCR urge Hungary to change tone over refugees
UNHCR - the UN Refugee Agency, the Council of Europe and ODHIR (Office for Democratic Institutions and Human Rights) have urged Hungary to refrain from policies and practices that promote intolerance, fear and fuel xenophobia against refugees and migrants.
Communist and Nazi propaganda in Ukraine
Ukraine law banning Communist and Nazi propaganda has a legitimate aim, but does not comply with European standards
Turkey: Freedom of expression working group agrees 2016 actions
Jagland looking forward to “real change”
Azerbaijan human rights inquiry
The Secretary General of the 47-nation Council of Europe, Thorbjørn Jagland, has launched an official inquiry into Azerbaijan's implementation of the European Convention on Human Rights. "Judgments from the European Court of Human Rights have highlighted an arbitrary application of the law in...
Migration and Refugees: Secretary General appoints Special Representative
Council of Europe to examine reported human rights violations against migrants and refugees
Russia’s new law on the Constitutional Court. Jagland: “a solution should be possible.”
Constitutional Court will need to ensure respect for European Convention.
Holy See should step up money laundering prosecutions
The Council of Europe’s anti-money laundering and counter terrorist financing body MONEYVAL today published the second progress report of the Holy See/Vatican City State. The report evaluates its compliance with the recommendations made by MONEYVAL in its Mutual Evaluation Report in July 2012 and...
LGBT sports coaches still taboo
“Sports teams should make all kinds of minorities visible, including LGBT people,” asserts former Finnish president Tarja Halonen. “I have been working for LGBT people in sports. It is still very much a taboo whether there can be gay or lesbian coaches, when we, the heterosexuals are expected to...
Cyprus: More efforts needed to protect migrants and victims of economic crisis
Declaration by Commissioner for Human Rights Nils Muižnieks, at the end of his five-day visit to Cyprus
Decisions on the execution of European Court of Human Rights judgments
The Committee of Ministers today published the decisions and resolutions adopted at its 1243rd special “human rights” meeting
European Social Charter: launching of the new website
10 December, International Human Rights Day
“Islamic State” are not a state, nor are they Islamic - Terror has no religion
Secretary General warns against maligning or marginalising any religious group
Leyla Yunus release overdue
"I am relieved about Leyla Yunus’ long overdue release. I hope she can now begin a full recovery and put this ordeal behind her. Today our thoughts are also with the other human rights defenders currently deprived of their liberty in Azerbaijan", said Secretary General Thorbjørn Jagland. Read...
Protect refugees and migrants, respect their human rights
Refugees and migrants in Europe need protection and respect for their human rights. Joint UNHCR/Council of Europe statement to mark Human Rights Day on 10 December
Child sexual abuse in the circle of trust
New report recommends covering all perpetrators by law, improving data collection, reducing child’s trauma
Poland Constitutional Tribunal decision "welcome": Secretary General
Further to the decision of the Constitutional Tribunal of Poland regarding appointment of constitutional judges, Secretary General Thorbjørn Jagland issued the following statement: "There has been a controversy about the appointment of constitutional judges in Poland recently. I welcome...
Fighting radicalisation and promoting dialogue at Lisbon Forum
In the wake of recent terror attacks that struck Paris, Bamako and Tunis, this year’s Lisbon Forum – How to combat radicalisation and terrorism – is of greater relevance than ever. From 3-4 December at Lisbon’s Ismaili Centre, some 300 government and NGO representatives, educators and legal...