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Synergy for change: Civil society raising awareness on violence against women in a context of global challenges - Gender Equality
On 11 and 12 July 2024, the Gender Equality Division hosted the conference “Synergy for Change” for representatives of civil society organisations active in combating violence against women...
Five Basque municipalities recognised for excellence in local governance
In a ceremony marking the conclusion of the 2024 edition of the European Label of Governance Excellence (ELoGE) in the Autonomous Community of the Basque Country (Spain), the municipalities of...
Secretary General at European Political Community Meeting
“The Reykjavík Declaration reaffirmed member states’ commitment to democratic values and standards and agreed a set of 10 Principles of Democracy by which to measure and address the health of our democracies. These principles cover participatory democracy, the separation of powers and the rule of...
Anti-torture Committee highlights dire situation in Lithuanian prisons
Dans un rapport publié aujourd’hui, le Comité pour la prévention de la torture (CPT) s’est à nouveau dit préoccupé par la violence entre détenus en Lituanie, suite à sa visite ad hoc dans le pays en février 2024. L’objectif de la visite était d’examiner la mise en œuvre des recommandations du...
On-the-spot appraisal (OSA) in Anamur Mersin, Türkiye - Convention on the Conservation of European Wildlife and Natural Habitats
On 2 – 4 July 2024 an on-the-spot-appraisal (OSA) was convened in Anamur Mersin, Türkiye. Related to the case-file 2019/5: Habitat destruction in Mersin Anamur Beach, the appraisal included...
Council of Europe evaluates access to official documents held by public authorities in 11 states
The Council of Europe’s Access Info Group (AIG), an independent group of experts created to monitor the implementation of the Council of Europe Convention on Access to Official Documents by its parties, published today its first baseline evaluation reports on 11 states: Bosnia and Herzegovina,...
Slovak Republic: urgent need to address human rights of Roma and adopt an intergenerational approach
The Council of Europe Commissioner for Human Rights, Michael O’Flaherty, calls for emergency interventions to address the dreadful housing conditions of thousands of Roma, following his visit to the Slovak Republic from 8 to 12 July. The Commissioner engaged extensively with Roma communities to...
Anti-torture Committee again calls on Greece to reform its immigration detention system and stop pushbacks
In a report on its ad hoc visit to Greece, which took place from 21 November to 1 December 2023, published together with the response of the Greek authorities, the Council of Europe's Committee for the Prevention of Torture and Inhuman or Degrading Treatment or Punishment (CPT) once again urges...
Facing challenges to human rights posed by climate change
A panel discussion during the UN 2024 High-Level Political Forum on Sustainable Development has assessed how best to build a resilient, multi-stakeholder coalition to face climate challenges and how they relate to human rights. Organised by the Council of Europe and Lithuania, the event –...
Albania and the Republic of Moldova mark 29 years of Council of Europe membership
On the same day in July 1995, Albania and the Republic of Moldova respectively became the 35th and 36th members of the Council of Europe. Representing Albania on July 13 was the country’s Minister of Foreign Affairs, Alfred Serreqi, while the Republic of Moldova was represented by its Minister of...
11 July: International Day of Reflection and Commemoration of the 1995 Genocide in Srebrenica
Statement by the Secretary General
Two more weeks to enter the Council of Europe´s photo and video competition for young Europeans!
The Council of Europe has extended the deadline for the photo and video competition Human Rights, Camera, Action! aimed at young people, inviting them to use their smartphones or digital cameras to convey a creative vision of human rights in Europe through a photograph or short video. Prize...
Summer school in Liverpool examines Council of Europe law
The second Liverpool Summer School is underway at the University of Liverpool. The twelve day event, titled “Council of Europe at 75: Protecting Human Rights, Democracy, and the Rule of Law in a Rapidly Changing World” has been organised by the university’s School of Law and Social Justice in...
Georgia: anti-corruption body calls for stronger oversight and accountability in top executive functions and the police
In a new report the Council of Europe’s Group of States against Corruption (GRECO) has called for determined measures to prevent corruption in Georgia in respect of persons with top executive functions and law enforcement officials. (see French and Georgian version of the report). GRECO...
Hungary highlights Council of Europe's role in national minority youths’ political participation
On 17-18 June 2024, in Budapest, Hungary, the 2024 edition of Council of Europe Days event brought together young people belonging to national minorities from several Council of Europe member states to highlight the Council of Europe’s crucial role in setting standards for their political rights....
Secretary General on official visit to Mexico
Secretary General Marija Pejčinović Burić has met with Foreign Affairs Minister Alicia Bárcena, Senate President Ana Lilia Rivera and other key personalities during an official visit to Mexico, on the occasion of the 25th anniversary of the country’s observer status with the Council of Europe. ...
Landmark political declaration reaffirms importance of European Social Charter
The high-level conference on the European Social Charter in Vilnius, Lithuania, has adopted a landmark political declaration, reinforcing the commitment of Council of Europe member states to social justice and the protection of social rights. The event, held under the auspices of the Presidency...
Andorra: GRECO report on preventing corruption in top executive functions and the police
In a new report, the Council of Europe’s Group of States against Corruption (GRECO) has called on Andorra to pursue its efforts to prevent corruption in respect of persons with top executive functions, such as members of the government, high-level officials, special relationship personnel and...
Council of Europe and Ukraine sign joint declaration on the way forward in post-war period
After the two-day session of the High Level Dialogue on good democratic governance in Ukraine and the way forward in the post-war period, Council of Europe Deputy Secretary General Bjørn Berge and First Deputy Chairperson of the Parliament of Ukraine Oleksandr Korniyenko signed the following...