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Georgia: elections marred by uneven playing field, pressure and tension, but voters offered a wide choice, say international observers
While voters were offered a choice between 18 candidate lists and candidates could generally campaign freely, Georgia’s parliamentary elections were marred by entrenched polarization and concerns over recently adopted legislation and its impact on fundamental freedoms and civil society, as well...
Protecting child victims of sexual violence: taking stock of the Barnahus project in Spain
A conference held in Madrid on 25 October took stock of the achievements of a Council of Europe/European Union DG REFORM joint project to promote the Barnahus model in Spain. The Barnahus (‘Children´s House’ in Icelandic) is a leading European response model to child sexual abuse, aimed at...
Council of Europe experts call for measures to support LGBTI people and refugees in the UK
Authorities in the United Kingdom should adopt an LGBTI action plan for England and make sure there is no gap in provision for refugees transferring from the asylum support system to mainstream systems of support, according to Council of Europe experts. These are the two priority recommendations...
Intercultural Conference in Montenegro on youth strategies against racism and xenophobia online
At opening of the North-South Intercultural Conference on Digital resilience: Youth strategies against acts of a racist and xenophobic nature committed through computer systems, Deputy Secretary General Bjørn Berge said: “Together, we must build digital resilience to combat cyber hate and foster...
“Vilnius Dialogue” launches public debate on freedom of expression in Europe
An international conference held on 24 October in Vilnius, under the Lithuanian Presidency of the Committee of Ministers of the Council of Europe, discussed ways of strengthening judicial capacity to implement Council of Europe standards and instruments protecting freedom of expression, in...
Secretary General condemns fatal attack in Türkiye
Secretary General Alain Berset has issued the following statement on the deadly attack near Ankara on Wednesday 23 October: “I am deeply shocked about yesterday’s fatal attack and shooting near Ankara, which has killed several people and left many injured. “The Council of Europe strongly condemns...
Council of Europe urges measures for young people and climate change
Climate action is a top priority for most young people in Europe. The Council of Europe has therefore proposed a set of measures on climate action dedicated to young people. In a new Recommendation, the first international text on this topic, the organisation’s Committee of Ministers underlines...
Lithuania should better promote LGBTI equality, Roma inclusion
In a new report the Council of Europe Anti-racism Commission (ECRI) calls on the Lithuanian authorities to consider adopting an LGBTI equality strategy and ensure that Roma have better access to education (see also the translation of the report in Lithuanian). ECRI notes a number of positive...
Council of Europe experts urge Türkiye to step up the fight against human trafficking
Experts from the Council of Europe have urged the Turkish authorities to take a number of important steps to better combat trafficking in human beings. The Group of Experts on Action against Trafficking in Human Beings (GRETA) has published its latest report evaluating Türkiye’s implementation of...
Italy should set up an independent and effective equality body and do more to counter hate speech
In a new report the European Commission against Racism and Intolerance (ECRI) calls on Italy to set up a fully independent and effective equality body and reinforce the National Office Against Racial Discrimination as a fully-fledged official co-ordinating body. Italy should in particular adopt a...
The rollout of artificial intelligence in Europe’s audiovisual industries is causing concern in the sector
European Audiovisual Observatory publishes report on development and dangers of AI in the European cinema, TV and Streaming industries. The use of artificial intelligence models such as Claude, Midjourney and DALLE within the audiovisual industries, whether for the creation or consumption of...
Andorra Should Combat Racism, LGBTI-Phobia, and Expand Voting Rights
A new report from the European Commission against Racism and Intolerance (ECRI) calls on Andorra to adopt a national programme to combat racism and LGBTI-phobia. As a matter of priority, Andorra should also grant the right to vote and to stand for local elections to non-nationals residing in the...
Spain ratifies the Macolin Convention
Juan Ignacio MORRO, Ambassador and Permanent Representative of Spain to the Council of Europe, has deposited, this 17 October 2024, before the Deputy Secretary General of the Council of Europe, Bjørn BERGE, the instrument of ratification of the Council of Europe Convention on the Manipulation of...
New guide published to enhance minority rights via inclusive education
Inclusive educational environment recognising diversity, promoting a spirit of tolerance and mutual respect, addressing discrimination and segregation is crucial for enhancing the rights of persons belonging to national minorities. What should be done in practice by European states, civil society...
Statement from the Secretary General on European Anti-Trafficking Day, 18 October
In 2024, armed conflict and humanitarian crises are intensifying, with ongoing violence in Ukraine and the Middle East. Migrants and asylum seekers, especially those traveling under unsafe conditions, always increase in number during such conflicts. They are particularly exposed to trafficking...
Congress urges Georgia to recommit to democracy
The Congress of Local and Regional Authorities of the Council of Europe has reiterated its call on the Georgian authorities to reverse the recently adopted anti-human rights legislation and to refrain from taking any action that would further threaten political pluralism, infringe on human rights...
Local self-government in Iceland, Latvia and Malta: Congress adopts new recommendations
The Congress of Local and Regional Authorities of the Council of Europe at its 47th session has adopted recommendations on the application of the European Charter of Local Self-Government by Iceland, Latvia and Malta. The Congress has called on Iceland to incorporate local self-government into...
Congress calls for investing in more age-friendly communities
2024 will be the year when Europe will count more people aged over 65 years than those younger than 15 years, and most Council of Europe member states are affected by this trend. These demographic changes are not without consequences, in particular for local and regional authorities, who face a...
Lithuanian Vice-Minister of the Interior: Congress plays an important role in protecting Council of Europe values
Addressing the 47th session, Vice-Minister of the Interior of Lithuania Arnoldas Abramavičius, speaking on behalf of the Presidency of the Committee of Ministers, underlined the paramount role of the Congress in protecting the values of the Council of Europe. He acknowledged the Congress's...
Efficiency and quality of justice in Europe: the Council of Europe publishes its 2024 report
Through a report, country profiles and an interactive database, the Council of Europe's European Commission for the Efficiency of Justice (CEPEJ) identifies the main trends in the judicial systems of 44 European countries and two observer States (*). This tenth evaluation report since CEPEJ was...
