Discover the latest news from the Council of Europe on human rights, democracy and the rule of law. Browse news and updates by country, theme and institution.
“Law is Europe’s form of power”: Alain Berset brings democratic security message to Washington
“In a fragmenting world, law remains the last common language capable of restraining power.” That was the message that Secretary General Alain Berset of the 46-member Council of Europe brought to Washington this week, as he discussed Ukraine, democratic security and the future of international...
Slovak Republic: the functioning of democratic institutions would benefit from closer co-operation with PACE
Ending a three-day visit to Bratislava, the co-rapporteurs of the Parliamentary Assembly of the Council of Europe (PACE) for the monitoring of the Slovak Republic, Deborah Bergamini (Italy, EPP/CD) and Claude Kern (France, ALDE), have expressed their concern at signs of democratic regression, and...
Ukraine: The rapidly deteriorating humanitarian crisis in Oleshky demands attention and action
The following statement is attributable to the Council of Europe Commissioner for Human Rights, Michael O’Flaherty: “I am alarmed by the rapidly...
PACE President’s message for the 2026 European Day of Languages: ‘Languages unite!’
Petra Bayr, the President of the Parliamentary Assembly of the Council of Europe (PACE), made the following statement on the eve of the European Day of Languages (26 September 2026), during a visit to the 2026 Graz Language Festival and the European Centre for Modern Languages: ‘“Languages unite...
Sport at school: a right, an opportunity and a responsibility
Agnes Prammer (Austria, SOC), Chairperson of the Parliamentary Alliance on Good Governance and Integrity in Sport, made today the following statement on European School Sport Day: “On European School Sport Day, we are reminded that access to sport is an essential part of a child’s development and...
Group of Independent Experts Looks to Reinforce Local and Regional Democracy
The Congress of Local and Regional Authorities’ Group of Independent Experts (GIE) has concluded its annual meeting in Bucharest, Romania (24-25 September 2026) where it discussed a range of...
“Languages unite!” – European Day of Languages 2026
New educational resources, events and fairs celebrate the power of languages to build bridges
PACE to observe the general elections in Bosnia and Herzegovina
A 20-member delegation of the Parliamentary Assembly of the Council of Europe (PACE), led by Jone Blikra (Norway, SOC), will travel to Bosnia and Herzegovina from 2 to 5 October to observe the conduct of the general elections, alongside observers from the OSCE Parliamentary Assembly, European...
Elections in Morocco: orderly voting but serious challenges remain for representative democracy, say PACE observers
Morocco’s parliamentary elections offered voters a broad political choice and voting was efficiently administered, a PACE observer delegation said today. Yet turnout was only 38.02% of registered voters – equivalent to fewer than one in four Moroccans of voting age. Together with the significant...
Prince Albert of Monaco and President Martins Seguro of Portugal to address Parliamentary Assembly
Václav Havel prize to be awarded; Secretary General Berset to hold Q&A.
Council of Europe calls for more alternatives to short prison stays for women in the UK
New report highlights severe staff shortages and need for specialised training in women’s prisons
Progress in Romania in implementing the Istanbul Convention, but further action is needed to combat violence against women
Council of Europe recommends improving funding and the collection of data on violence against women
From New York, a call for the rule of law and democratic security
Secretary General Alain Berset takes his message to the UN, calling for stronger international cooperation in an increasingly divided world
Delivering Social Rights, Renewing Democracy: From Doha and Chișinău to living reality
The Council of Europe, Greece and Portugal are organising a high-level side event at the 81st session of the United Nations General Assembly on 22 September 2026, at UN Headquarters in New...
Worrying trends in treatment of national minorities highlighted in new Council of Europe report
Increasing challenges – including hostility and unequal treatment – to minority rights in Europe in 2024-26
European Court rejects complaint against the Netherlands concerning Supreme Court deliberations
Dutch woman claimed the potential involvement of “reservisten” in her case violated her right to a fair trial
Citizen participation requires honesty, transparency and feedback
“Meaningful citizen participation requires honesty about the limits, transparency about the process, and feedback about the outcome,” stated Marcin Golaszewski (Poland, EPP/CCE), Congress...
Council of Europe opens first permanent UN Observer Office in New York during General Assembly
Council of Europe Secretary General Alain Berset has inaugurated the 46-member organisation’s first permanent Observer Office to the United Nations in New York, marking a significant step in cooperation between the Council of Europe and the UN at a time of growing geopolitical fragmentation and...
President of the Committee of Ministers visits Ukraine
In Kyiv, Isabelle Berro-Amadeï reaffirms the Council of Europe’s commitment to a just and lasting peace
*All references to Kosovo, whether the territory, institutions or population, in this text shall be understood in full compliance with United Nation's Security Council Resolution 1244 and without prejudice to the status of Kosovo.