The News (Site updated Monday, December 7, 2009 | 18:00)
Commissioner Hammarberg achieves positive result - two teenagers freed
[02/12/2009 18:00:00] In their joint statement on 3 December, Secretary General Thorbjørn Jagland and Chairperson of the Committee of Ministers Micheline Calmy-Rey welcome the release of two of the four Georgian teenagers held in Tskhinvali by the de facto authorities of South Ossetia, Georgia. They highlight the crucial role of Human Rights Commissioner Thomas Hammerberg in achieving this first positive outcome. The Commissioner in his first comment calls for further releases and investigation of cases of missing persons.
Joint Statement Commissioner's Website
Assembly rapporteur welcomes teenagers in Tskhinvali heading for home
[03/12/2009 10:00:00] ''The developments over the last 24 hours in solving the plight of the four teenagers detained in Tskhinvali, and the five ethnic Ossetians held by the Georgian authorities, are to be welcomed,'' said Corien Jonker, rapporteur of the Parliamentary Assembly on the humanitarian consequences of the war between Georgia and Russia.
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Lluís Maria de Puig to invite Dmitri Medvedev to address Assembly
[04/12/2009 12:00:00] During his meeting with Sergei Mironov, Chairman of the Federation Council of the Russian Federation, held on 3 December 2009 in Saint Petersburg, Assembly President announced his intention to invite the President of the Russian Federation, Dmitri Medvedev, to present before the parliamentarians of the 47 member states his recent initiatives concerning the new European Security Architecture as well as the creation of an international tribunal on the acts of piracy.
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Switzerland makes voluntary contribution for local governance project in Albania
[04/12/2009 17:30:00] The Federal Department of Foreign Affairs of Switzerland has made a voluntary contribution of € 300 000 to the Council of Europe for the implementation of a project on reinforcing local and regional government structures in Albania. The agreement was signed on 4 December, by Ambassador Paul Widmer, Permanent Representative of Switzerland to the Council of Europe, and Andreas Siegel, Director of Strategic Planning of the Council of Europe, in the presence of Margarita Gega, Permanent Representative of Albania to the Council of Europe.
Minarets in Switzerland
Secretary General concerned about referendum on minarets
[30/11/2009 17:30:00] ''Bearing in mind that it is a fundamental right of democratic States to debate and vote on issues of importance to their societies, the referendum held yesterday on the construction of new minarets in Switzerland raises concerns as to whether fundamental rights of individuals, protected by international treaties, should be subject to popular votes'', Thorbjørn Jagland said in his statement on 30 November.
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Statement by the European Commission against Racism and Intolerance(more ...)
IN DEPTH
European prison reform
[01/12/2009 17:30:00] A driving force for prison reform since the 1960s, the Council of Europe is working to improve the treatment of those imprisoned or deprived of their liberty. Its committees develop standards on the basis of relevant judgments of the European Court of Human Rights, criteria determined by the European Committee for the prevention of torture (CPT), and recommendations made by the Commissioner for Human Rights.
Photo: Gamma(more ...)
Thorbjørn Jagland sends condolences after fire in Russian city of Perm
[07/12/2009 10:30:00] Secretary General Thorbjørn Jagland has expressed his sadness at the loss of life following a fire in a nightclub in the Russian city of Perm, where 112 people were killed on 4 December. Mr Jagland conveyed his condolences to the Russian Minister of Foreign Affairs Sergey Lavrov.
OSCE and Council of Europe - pillars of most inspiring peace process in history
[02/12/2009 10:30:00] Speaking at the annual ministerial conference of the Organisation for Security and Cooperation in Europe (OSCE) in Athens on 2 December, Secretary General Thorbjørn Jagland stressed that lasting and sustainable security in Europe can only result from a constant effort to consolidate and expand democracy, human rights and the rule of law on the continent.
(more ...) Speech
Thorbjørn Jagland at Austrian Parliament commemorating 60th anniversary of Council of Europe
[02/12/2009 15:00:00] In his keynote speech at the Austrian Parliament, Secretary General Thorbjørn Jagland stressed that the Council of Europe must continue to adapt to the political realities of Europe and the changes European societies are undergoing. He stressed the importance of retainning ability to ensure that democracy, human rights, justice and solidarity are respected – everywhere and every time.
(more ...) Speech
Congress delegation makes pre-electoral visit to Azerbaijan
[30/11/2009 15:30:00] On 7 and 8 December, a Congress delegation will carry out a pre-electoral mission to Azerbaijan, in view of the municipal elections scheduled for 23 December.
Photo: Gamma(more ...)
Forum of the Intercultural Cities
[05/12/2009 10:00:00] In co-operation with and thanks to the contribution from the region of Apulia and the personal commitment of its President, Mr Vendola, the conference ''Local communities and the policies of hospitality and integration in Europe and in the Mediterranean – Forum of the Intercultural Cities'' will be held in Bari, Italy on 11 December.
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Launch of 2010 European Drug Prevention Prize
[04/12/2009 10:30:00] The Pompidou Group has launched on 2 December a call for projects from 47 member states to apply for its European Drug Prevention Prize. Three innovative youth projects will be awarded at the Ministerial Conference taking place on 3-4 November 2010 in Strasbourg.
(more ...) Rules of procedure Application form
''International Heritage Photographic Experience - Heritage and Landscape'' Exhibition
[04/12/2009 14:30:00] The prizewinning pictures from the ''International Heritage Photographic Experience - Heritage and Landscape'' (IHPE) competition will be on display in the Committee of Ministers Foyer from 4 of December 2009 until the end of January 2010. A prize-winning ceremony involving about a hundred young people from various countries will be held on 7 December in the Palais de l'Europe.
(more ...) Programme
SEE ALSO
Kosovo: ''Time is not right for returns''(more ...)
Manual on the wearing of religious symbols in public areas (2009)
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Assembly rapporteur welcomes teenagers in Tskhinvali heading for home
Adapting social services to demands of pluralist society
Lluís Maria de Puig to invite Dmitri Medvedev to address Assembly
European prison reform
2009 Internet Governance Forum
Thorbjørn Jagland sends condolences after fire in Russian city of Perm
OSCE and Council of Europe - pillars of most inspiring peace process in history
Congress delegation makes pre-electoral visit to Azerbaijan
Forum of the Intercultural Cities
Launch of 2010 European Drug Prevention Prize
''International Heritage Photographic Experience - Heritage and Landscape'' Exhibition
