Council of Europe

February

Council of Europe anti-torture Committee publishes report on Germany
[23/02/2012] The Council of Europe's Committee for the Prevention of Torture and Inhuman or Degrading Treatment or Punishment (CPT) published today the report on its most recent visit to Germany, in November/December 2010, together with the response of the German authorities. The CPT heard no allegations of recent ill-treatment during custody in police establishments. However, a few allegations were received from detained persons (including juveniles) that they had been subjected to excessive use of force by police officers at the time of apprehension (in particular, punches and kicks). (More)

Council of Europe anti-torture Committee visits Portugal
[23/02/2012] A delegation of the Council of Europe's Committee for the Prevention of Torture and Inhuman or Degrading Treatment or Punishment (CPT) recently carried out a ten day visit to Portugal. The visit, which began on 7 February 2012, was the CPT’s sixth periodic visit to that country. During the visit, the CPT’s delegation reviewed the treatment of persons detained by various police services (Judicial Police, Public Security Police and Republican National Guard). Particular attention was given to the application in practice of safeguards against ill-treatment. (More)

The Group of Experts on Action against Trafficking in Human Beings (GRETA) publishes report on the Republic of Moldova
[22/02/2012] The Council of Europe’s Group of Experts on Action against Trafficking in Human Beings (GRETA) has published today its first evaluation report on the Republic of Moldova. In the report, GRETA notes the steps taken by the Moldovan authorities to combat trafficking in human beings, through the adoption of specific anti-trafficking legislation and putting into place a National Referral System for Assistance and Protection of Victims and Potential Victims of Trafficking. (More)

1st Evaluation Round: Council of Europe's Group of Experts on Action against Trafficking in Human Beings (GRETA) visits Latvia
[21/02/2012] A delegation of the GRETA carried out a country visit to Latvia from 14 to 17 February 2012. The visit was carried out in the context of the first round of evaluation of the implementation of the Council of Europe Convention on Action against Trafficking in Human Beings (2010-2013). (More)

1st Evaluation Round: Council of Europe's Group of Experts on Action against Trafficking in Human Beings (GRETA) visits Portugal
[20/02/2012] A delegation of the GRETA carried out a country visit to Portugal from 13 to 17 February 2012. The visit was carried out in the context of the first round of evaluation of the implementation of the Council of Europe Convention on Action against Trafficking in Human Beings (2010-2013). (More)

Council of Europe proposes four-year plan for children’s rights
[15/02/2012]The Council of Europe adopted a new strategy to implement fundamental standards to protect and promote children’s rights. The strategy will provide guidance and support to the 47 member states on how best to bridge gaps between standards and practice, with special attention focused on promoting child-friendly services and systems, eliminating all forms of violence against children, guaranteeing the rights of children in vulnerable situations, and promoting child participation.
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Call for applications for the European Crystal Scales of Justice Prize for innovative practices contributing to the efficiency and quality of civil justice
[14/02/2012] In 2012, the Council of Europe together with the European Commission is organising the 6th edition of the "Crystal Scales of Justice" Prize. The aim of the prize is to identify and promote innovative practices in civil justice, aimed to improve the efficiency and quality of the functioning of the justice system, procedures, and court organisation. (More)

Call for events - European Day of civil Justice – 2012
[14/02/2012] On the initiative of the Council of Europe and the European Commission, the European Day of civil Justice is celebrated every year on 25 October. Judicial institutions of the Council of Europe's members States are invited to actively participate in the celebration of this day, by organising events for a wide public (in particular youth) and judicial professionals. The programmes of the various events are published as soon as they are transmitted to the CEPEJ Secretariat. Judicial institutions of the member States are requested to inform Annette.Sattel@coe.int about their programme.
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Council of Europe anti-torture Committee visits Slovenia
[09/02/2012] A delegation of the Council of Europe's Committee for the Prevention of Torture and Inhuman or Degrading Treatment or Punishment (CPT) carried out a periodic visit to Slovenia from 31 January to 6 February 2012. This was the CPT’s fourth visit to that country. During the visit, the CPT’s delegation assessed progress made since previous visits and in particular the extent to which the Committee’s recommendations have been implemented in the areas of police custody, imprisonment and involuntary placement in psychiatric establishments. (more)

Study on Council of Europe Member States on Appeal and Supreme Courts' Lengths of Proceedings
[09/02/2012] Optimisation and foreseeability of lengths of judicial proceedings in Europe is one of the CEPEJ and Council of Europe's priorities, as it is reminded in the report drawn up by Marco Velicogna (Research Institute on Judicial Systems, Bologna, Italy). On the basis of the information collected by the CEPEJ during the 2008-2010 evaluation cycle of European judicial systems, this study analyses in depth lengths of proceedings in second instance (appeal) and at Supreme Court's level and completes, by the way, the 2010 Edition of the report on European Judicial systems.
Study on Council of Europe Member States on Appeal and Supreme Courts' Lengths of Proceedings

Restrictions imposed on the activity of strike pickets constitute a violation of the Charter in Belgium
[08/02/2012] In its decision on the merits with regard to the case European Trade Union Confederation (ETUC), Centrale Générale des Syndicats Libéraux de Belgique (CGSLB), Confédération des Syndicats chrétiens de Belgique (CSC) and Fédération Générale du Travail de Belgique (FGTB) v. Belgium, No. 59/2009, which became public today, the European Committee  rules that Belgium is not in conformity with Article 6§4 (right to strike) of the Revised Charter (more information)
Summary of Complaint No. 59/2009

Council of Europe’s Group of Experts on Action against Trafficking in Human Beings (GRETA) publishes report on Georgia
[07/02/2012] GRETA has published today its first evaluation report on Georgia. In the report, GRETA notes the progress made by the Georgian authorities in combating trafficking in human beings, including through the adoption of a specific anti-trafficking law, the setting up of the Interagency Co-ordination Council against trafficking in human beings and a State Fund for the protection and assistance of victims of trafficking, as well as increasing the budgetary allocation for victim support. (more)