The News (Site updated Friday, July 3, 2009 | 18:00)
Summer University for Democracy
[03/07/2009 15:00:00] The topic of the 4th Summer University for Democracy in 2009 is ''Global challenges to democracy''. Over 600 political leaders, civil society activists, journalists and business leaders from 16 European countries will meet from 6 to 10 July in Strasbourg to discuss the impact of contemporary challenges to democratic values, human rights and the rule of law. The Summer University is the annual highlight of the Council of Europe’s 16 schools of political studies which aim to train the next generation of political, economic, social and cultural leaders in transition countries.
(more ...) File: The schools of political studies
Secretary General
Terry Davis welcomes decision by President of Lithuania
[02/07/2009 14:30:00] ''I am delighted by the news that the President of Lithuania has refused to sign a new law which would have discriminated against the gays and lesbians in Lithuania. His decision should be welcomed by everyone who believes in a modern, open and tolerant Lithuania which is determined to defend and extend the values of democracy, human rights and the rule of law,'' stated the Secretary General on 2 July.
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Thomas Hammarberg concludes his visit to Turkey
[03/07/2009 16:30:00] On 3 July, the Human Rights Commissioner concluded a six-day visit to Turkey with a focus on the human rights of minorities, asylum seekers and refugees. He encouraged the authorities to take further action to fully protect minority members’ freedom of expression and expressed appreciation for their willingness to enhance the effective respect of freedom of religion for minorities.
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Thomas Hammarberg presents its report on Kosovo
[02/07/2009 10:00:00] Presenting his special mission report on Kosovo on 2 July, the Commissioner for Human Rights stressed that all people living in Kosovo, regardless of their ethnicity, must benefit from European standards of human rights protection. They should not be held hostage to any lack of international consensus on the status of Kosovo.
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Maud de Boer-Buquicchio: ''New means of abuse need new responses''
[30/06/2009 12:00:00] ''Freedom of expression is not a licence to hurt or destroy the integrity of children. Sexual violence against girls and boys is not a new phenomenon. It does not originate with new media or with the Internet. However, new means of abuse, or new means instrumental to perpetrating abuse, need new responses,'' said the Deputy Secretary General at the International Conference on combating sexual exploitation of children in the Internet in Berlin on 30 June.
Speech Programme File: Protecting children
First European Conference of Judges and Prosecutors
[25/06/2009 12:00:00] Judges and prosecutors from the 47 member states met in Bordeaux (France) from 30 June to 1 July to discuss their respective roles and the way they complement one another. Their discussions contributed to the preparation of an opinion on this topic, which is to be adopted by the end of 2009.
(more ...) File: Efficiency of justice
''Building a Europe for and with Children'' Website News
Youth peace camp at Europa Park
[02/07/2009 09:30:00] Forty-two young people from conflict and post-conflict regions, including Israel and the territories under Palestinian Authority, Georgia and the Kosovo Serb and Albanian communities, will attend a one-week training course at the 'Europa Park' in Rust, Germany on 5-12 July.
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Parliamentary Assembly
Belarus: urgent need for moratorium on executions
[02/07/2009 15:30:00] Assembly’s President Lluís Maria de Puig has expressed deep concern about the death sentence passed on a young man in Belarus on 29 June. ''The death penalty is a flagrant violation of human rights. It does not serve, but denies justice. No crime could justify it,'' he said.
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Assembly to observe the parliamentary elections in Bulgaria
[30/06/2009 11:30:00] A delegation of the Assembly led by Tadeusz Iwínski (Poland) will be visiting Bulgaria from 3 to 6 July to observe the parliamentary elections. Talks are scheduled with the Speaker of the Parliament, the President of the Central Electoral Commission and with representatives of the political parties standing in the election.
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Committee of Ministers
Ministers' Deputies meeting
[02/07/2009 15:00:00] At their meeting on 1 July the Ministers’ Deputies considered the activities for the development and consolidation of democratic stability in Azerbaijan, Bosnia and Herzegovina, and Belarus. They also adopted a Declaration on human rights in culturally diverse societies and Guidelines on human rights protection in the context of accelerated asylum procedures.
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Congress of Local and Regional Authorities
Belarus: Congress President supports the call for a moratorium on death penalty
[03/07/2009 16:30:00] On 3 July Congress President a.i. Ian Micallef declared his support for the initiative of Assembly President Lluís Maria de Puig, calling for a moratorium on the death penalty in Belarus, following the death sentence passed on a young man on 29 June.
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Practical approach to transfrontier co-operation: conference in Maastricht
[01/07/2009 15:30:00] The Conference ''Practical Approaches Towards Effective European Transfrontier Co-operation'' will take place in Maastricht (The Netherlands) on 6 and 7 July. This conference aims to ascertain the factors that enhance or hinder transfrontier co-operation throughout Europe. Its results will provide elements for the discussion on transfrontier co-operation at the next Conference of Ministers responsible for Local and Regional Government in Utrecht, which will be held in November.
Programme
SEE ALSO
Thomas Hammarberg: ''The right to housing is essential in a democratic society''(more ...)
Intercultural dialogue: exchange on the religious dimension(more ...) File
Economic migration, social cohesion and development: towards an integrated approach (2009) 
Search the news 
Terry Davis welcomes decision by President of Lithuania
Thomas Hammarberg concludes his visit to Turkey
Thomas Hammarberg presents its report on Kosovo
Maud de Boer-Buquicchio: ''New means of abuse need new responses''
First European Conference of Judges and Prosecutors
''Speak-out against discrimination''
''Stop domestic violence against women''
Dosta! ''Fight prejudices towards Roma''
''All Different, All Equal''
''Building a Europe for and with Children''
Youth peace camp at Europa Park
Belarus: urgent need for moratorium on executions
Assembly to observe the parliamentary elections in Bulgaria
Ministers' Deputies meeting
Belarus: Congress President supports the call for a moratorium on death penalty
