The News (Site updated Friday, July 30, 2010 | 16:00)
Cyprus: ''Eradicating trafficking in human beings is a pressing need''
[26/07/2010 09:30:00] ''Progressive measures have been taken to fight trafficking in human beings. It is now crucial for Cyprus to step up efforts to eradicate this scourge totally'' said Commissioner for Human Rights Thomas Hammarberg, publishing on 26 July a letter sent to the Minister of the Interior of Cyprus. The letter followed the Commissioner’s visit to Cyprus on 10 June and also focuses on the human rights of asylum seekers and refugees. ''The authorities should remain vigilant against organised crime and ensure that no type of visa or working permit can be abused for such unlawful purposes as trafficking in human beings'' he added.
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Secretary General
Thorbjørn Jagland in Srebrenica - ''never again'' is not enough!
[12/07/2010 15:30:00] The Secretary General together with Mevlüt Çavusoglu, President of the Parliamentary Assembly, attended on 11 July the commemoration of the 1995 Srebrenica genocide. In his speech to those gathered for the ceremony, Thorbjørn Jagland said: ''It is not enough simply to say - Never again. This has often been said, but it has not prevented an act of genocide in Europe, committed barely 50 years after the end of World War II''.
(more ...) Speech
Secretary General in Moscow for talks
[07/07/2010 17:30:00] Thorbjørn Jagland attended the Council of Europe Conference of Ministers responsible for spatial/regional planning, held at Moscow’s World Trade Center on 8-9 July. During his visit, he also met with senior Russian officials, including the Minister for Foreign Affairs Sergey Lavrov.
(more ...) Speech by Thorbjørn Jagland
Anti-torture Committee interrupts visit to Transnistrian region of Moldova
[30/07/2010 11:00:00] The delegation of the Committee for the Prevention of Torture and Inhuman or Degrading Treatment or Punishment (CPT), whose aim was to review the situation of persons deprived of their liberty in police and prison establishments in the Transnistrian region of Moldova, has decided to interrupt their visit after not being allowed to interview remand prisoners in private.
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Fight against corruption: report on Hungary
[29/07/2010 11:30:00] The Group of States against Corruption (GRECO) published on 29 July its Third Round Evaluation Report on Hungary. It focuses on two distinct themes: criminalisation of corruption and transparency of party funding.
(more ...) Report (Theme I) Report (Theme II)
Committee of Ministers Chairman meets European Commission Vice-President
[19/07/2010 17:30:00] On 19 July, in Brussels, Antonio Miloshoski, Chairman of the Council of Europe Committee of Ministers, and Viviane Reding, Vice-President of the European Commission and EU Commissioner for Justice, Fundamental Rights and Citizenship, discussed co-operation between the Council of Europe and the European Union and the areas where it can be further improved, based on the 2007 Memorandum of Understanding. They agreed that the accession of the EU to the European Convention on Human Rights will play a significant role in further strengthening the system of human rights protection to the benefit of all European citizens.
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Joint talks on EU's accession to Convention on Human Rights begin(more ...)
Sarajevo Film Festival: Council of Europe promotes freedom of expression
[13/07/2010 15:30:00] Nine film-makers compete for the main ''Heart of Sarajevo'' award, sponsored by the Council of Europe, whilst the side events during the festival’s run (23 - 31 July), highlighted the central theme of the right to free expression. Representing the Council of Europe, Caroline Ravaud took part in a panel discussion. A mock trial and a human rights school for children joined the best film award as key events in this year’s festival. Launched at the festival, the Council of Europe’s new film on freedom of expression ''Free to be you'' was being shown at the start of all screenings.
(more ...) File Watch the film
Human Rights Commissioner
Thomas Hammarberg: Time for an absolute ban on landmines
[27/07/2010 08:30:00] There have been more than 3,000 casualties caused by landmines in Europe in the last ten years. Anti-personnel landmines continue to kill or maim indiscriminately long after wars have finished. ''It is regrettable that such inhumane weapons are still used. It is high time that all European states ratify the Mine Ban Treaty and respect its provisions. The same goes for a prompt ratification of the new treaty banning cluster munitions,'' said the Commissioner for Human Rights on 27 July in his latest human rights comment.
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Commissioner Hammarberg on murder of Natalia Estemirova: time to do justice(more ...)
Congress of Local and Regional Authorities
Andreas Kiefer: ''Election observation allows for the reinforcement of territorial self-government''
[29/07/2010 16:00:00] According to the Congress Secretary General, regular follow-up of local and regional elections allows for truly democratic elections and reinforces territorial self-government across Europe. In an interview, he presents the main aspects of the Congress reform relative to its observation of local and regional elections.
(more ...) Interview
Congress reform on the 19th Session agenda
[27/07/2010 10:00:00] The draft reform of the Congress will be debated at the 19th Session, in Strasbourg from 26 to 28 October. The proposals involve changes to the structures and working methods of the Congress, as well as the priorities for 2011 and 2012.
(more ...) Draft agenda of the 19th Session File ''Congress' reform''
Aline Royer: The Council of Europe (2010) 
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Thorbjørn Jagland in Srebrenica - ''never again'' is not enough!
Anti-torture Committee interrupts visit to Transnistrian region of Moldova
Fight against corruption: report on Hungary
Sarajevo Film Festival: Council of Europe promotes freedom of expression
Andreas Kiefer: ''Election observation allows for the reinforcement of territorial self-government''
Congress reform on the 19th Session agenda
