News 2015
Executions in Japan
The Secretary General of the Council of Europe condemns the two executions carried out in Japan today and urges the observer state to move towards abolishing the death penalty. See also: Japan and the Council of Europe
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.
Corruption in Ukraine: new GRECO report published
The Council of Europe’s anti-corruption body Group of States Against Corruption (GRECO) on Monday published a new compliance report looking at how Ukraine has been implementing its previous recommendations on fighting corruption. The report focuses on criminalizing all corruption offences...
Statement by Secretary Jagland on the situation in Republika Srpska
“I am very concerned by the recent developments in Republika Srpska, in particular the decision of the RS government to stop cooperation with certain state level law enforcement and judicial authorities and the announced referendum on the State judiciary. These actions undermine the Dayton...
“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...
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...
Disability: Human rights should come first
International Day of Persons with Disabilities
Council of Europe welcomes further signatures of anti-trafficking convention
Secretary General Thorbjørn Jagland has welcomed Liechtenstein and Monaco signing up to the Council of Europe convention against human trafficking today. “People trafficking is a hideous abuse of human rights which has no place in 21st century Europe,” he said. “Our legally-binding treaty helps...
Council of Europe turns “orange” to end violence against women
Secretary General Thorbjørn Jagland and Strasbourg Deputy Mayor, Nawel Rafik-Elmrini, hosted a ceremony today to illuminate the Council of Europe’s Palais de l’Europe building in orange, in support of efforts to stop violence against women. As a bright and optimistic colour, orange was selected...
France informs Secretary General of Article 15 Derogation of the European Convention on Human Rights
The French authorities have informed the Secretary General of the Council of Europe about a number of state of emergency measures taken following the large scale terrorist attacks in Paris and which may involve a derogation from certain rights guaranteed by the European Convention on Human...
Secretary General meets European Commission First Vice-President
Secretary General Thorbjørn Jagland met today with Frans Timmermans, First Vice-President of the European Commission and Commissioner for Better Regulation, Inter-institutional Relations, the Rule of Law and the Charter of Fundamental Rights. Topics of discussion were the refugee and migration...
Human rights of migrants and refugees: Council of Europe to intensify monitoring
Increasing reports of ill-treatment of migrants and refugees in Europe, for example attacks on homes for asylum seekers or the excessive use of force by police at borders, are a cause for concern according to Secretary General Thorbjørn Jagland. He is also concerned about problematic conditions...
Violence against women: Europe must become a zone of zero tolerance
On the International Day for the Elimination of Violence against Women, 25 November 2015, Thorbjørn Jagland, Secretary General of the Council of Europe issued the following statement: “Violence against women and girls remains one of the most serious – and sadly most tolerated – human-rights...
Statement on the situation in Belarus
Call for moratorium on the death penalty in Belarus
Council of Europe Head calls on Europe’s governments to “shatter the taboos exploited by paedophiles”
Marking the first ever Europe-wide action day to end child sex abuse, the Secretary General of the Council of Europe Thorbjørn Jagland called on member states to raise awareness of child sex abuse and exploitation. One in five children under the age of 18 in Europe is a victim of sexual violence....
Attacks in Paris: Statement by Thorbjørn Jagland
"I am shocked by the horrific attacks in Paris last night. Our solidarity and thoughts are with the people of France today and with President Hollande. The terrorists aimed to attack our freedom, democracy and human rights. But Europe will stand strong in defending our common values". Letter to...
Spokesperson of the Secretary General
Statement on the situation of Arif Yunus