Strasbourg, 29 May 2012 - Secretary General Thorbjørn Jagland visited Amman, Ramallah and Jerusalem on 27-29 May. In Amman, on 27 May, Mr Jagland met with King Abdullah II, Foreign Minister Nasser Judeh, the Speaker of the Senate Taher Al Masri and the Speaker of the House of Representatives Abed Kareem Doghmei.

On 28 May the Secretary General met in Ramallah with Palestinian National Authority President Mahmoud Abbas and Prime Minister Fayyad. (more...)

Strasbourg, 24 May 2012 - “Council of Europe plays a vital role for the democratic changes in Albania”, underlined the Foreign Minister. “We will do our utmost to further strengthen the role of the Council of Europe in Europe”, Haxhinasto said.

“I very much welcome a well-prepared Albanian Chairmanship of the Committee of Ministers, and our joint priorities”, emphasised Jagland. “I appreciate the Albanian Government’s support for the reforms of the Council of Europe, so that the Council of Europe can be stronger in assisting member states in fulfilling their human rights’ commitments”, stated Jagland. (more...)

Strasbourg, 16.05.2012 - The Hungarian Media Acts raised significant concerns internationally. In March 2012, I paid a visit to Budapest to meet Prime Minister Orbán, Deputy Prime Minister and Minister of Public Administration and Justice Navracsics, and Foreign Minister Martonyi. Since then, a constructive dialogue has been established with the authorities on changes to the laws, which are essential in the light of European standards.

I very much welcome this constructive dialogue.

Yesterday, I forwarded to the Hungarian authorities a detailed expert analysis on two key Media Acts - Act CIV of 9 November 2010 on the freedom of the press and the fundamental rules on media content and Act CLXXXV of 30 December 2010 on media services and on the mass media. The analysis also examines proposed amendments to the two laws submitted to Parliament in May 2012, which seek to address the findings of the Hungarian Constitutional Court of 19 December 2011. I can say that the amendments go in the right direction, even if there is still some work to be done. The aim of the analysis is to assist the Hungarian authorities in complying with the European Convention on Human Rights and other Council of Europe standard-setting texts in the field of media and freedom of expression.
- Expertise by the Council of Europe Experts on Hungarian Media Legislation

Strasbourg, 15.05.2012 - Thorbjørn Jagland has warned that discrimination and prejudice against lesbian, gay, bisexual and transgender people continues to blight the lives of millions of Europeans and cannot be left unanswered. In a statement issued today he said:
 “LGBT people still face intolerant attitudes and social barriers across most, if not all, Council of Europe member states. Recent judgments of the European Court of Human Rights point at unjustified bans or administrative obstacles imposed on gay pride parades. They underline problems related to discrimination in granting social rights such as the right to employment. A number of applications pending before the Court concern the incrimination of “propaganda of homosexuality” and could lead to violations of freedom of expression. The introduction of such legislation has often started at the local or regional level but in recent months is finding an echo at national level in some countries ". (more…)

Strasbourg, 10.05.2012 - Secretary General Thorbjørn Jagland met today with Tawakkul Karman, 33 year-old Yemeni journalist, politician and human rights activist. Ms Karman is one of three joint recipients of the 2011 Nobel Peace Prize for their non-violent struggle for the safety of women and for women’s rights to full participation in peace-building work. (more…)

Strasbourg, 04.05.2012 - In his letter to the Russian Minister of Foreign Affairs, Sergey Lavrov, Secretary General Thorbjørn Jagland strongly condemned the attacks in Makhachkala, Dagestan, and expressed his heartfelt condolences and sympathy to the families of victims. (more…)

Strasbourg, 26.04.2012 – Secretary General Thorbjørn Jagland today issued the following statement : "I am extremely concerned about the reports that Yulia Tymoshenko was beaten up in prison. It is in the interest of the Ukrainian Government to make sure these claims are investigated in a credible and transparent manner and, if necessary, prosecuted. In addition, I would like to recall that there is a case by Ms Tymoshenko pending before the European Court of Human Rights. She filed it last August" (more...).
Rules of the Court
Press release

Strasbourg, 24.04.2012 – Secretary General Thorbjørn Jagland and Moroccan Foreign Minister Saad Dine El Otmani have today signed an action plan of neighbourhood cooperation priorities with Morocco to take forward democracy, human rights and the rule of law in the country. Endorsed following a visit by the Secretary General to Rabat earlier in the month, a number of projects have been identified where the Council of Europe and the Moroccan authorities can work together, in areas such as electoral assistance, reform of justice, combating corruption, protection of the rights of women, children and the disabled, and promoting social rights and justice. The cooperation priorities will be partially implemented as part of the joint European Union / Council of Europe programme "Strengthening democratic reform in the southern Neighbourhood”. The Secretary General announced that discussions were underway to open a Council of Europe office in Rabat to oversee projects. He added that the Council of Europe was also working with other countries in the region. Neighbourhood Co-operation Priorities for Morocco 2012-2014
Photo gallery of the Moroccan Foreign Minister

Strasbourg, 18.04.2012 – Today the Secretary General met with HM King Abdullah of Jordan and discussed a number of issues in international relations in the Organisation's southern neigbourhood, and the potential for the Council of Europe to use its instruments to build confidence there. The Council of Europe is ready to assist Jordan in the reform process put in place by His Majesty and implemented by the Jordanian Government for an inclusive and democratic society. Such assistance would be instrumental for the important political and economic transformations to take shape in 2012. Priority sectors and actions for 2012-2014 are soon to be discussed, based on the Jordanian authorities' own priorities. (more...)
Photo gallery

Strasbourg, 13.04.2012 – The Secretary General of the Council of Europe today issued the following statement: "The hunger strikes in Turkey and Strasbourg have been going on for several weeks and I am deeply concerned about the women and men who are putting their health and lives at risk. Their action also creates obstacles to the work of the relevant Council of Europe bodies, in particular the Committee for the Prevention of Torture, which can only be effective if they are able to carry out their mandate without any undue influence or pressure. This is why I would like to appeal to all who have approached me over the last few weeks, to use any influence they may have with the hunger strikers to bring their action to an end. Because it is putting their lives in danger and because it is counterproductive in terms of what the Council of Europe can do.”

Strasbourg, 9 April 2012 - Secretary General Thorbjørn Jagland today issued the following statement: "The attack by Syrian forces on a refugee camp inside the Turkish border is a blatant violation of international law. It is deeply worrying that the Syrian regime is escalating the conflict at a time when the international community is intensifying efforts to broker a peaceful, political solution. President al-Assad must work with UN Secretary General's Special Envoy Kofi Annan on immediate, full and unconditional compliance with the peace plan.

Strasbourg, 3 April 2012 - "We need the full support of the Council of Europe and the European Union to set up independent democratic institutions, a vibrant civil society and a free media”, underlined the Tunisian Foreign Minister. The President of Tunisia, Mr Moncef Marzouki emphasised, “we are extremely interested in improving relations. We want to strengthen ties at all levels.” The government of Morocco indicated their readiness to finalise negotiations on similar co-operation programmes with the Council of Europe. “It is fundamental that we share a common space of values”, Moroccan Foreign Minister, Dr Saad Dine El Otmani, underlined in his meeting with SG Thorbjørn Jagland in Rabat on 3 April. (more...)

Strasbourg, April 1 2012 - "What is needed was a real reform of the Council of Europe, and this is what you are doing", emphasised Ms Antonella Mularoni, Foreign Minister of San Marino, during the official visit of SG Thorbjørn Jagland, 1-2 April. The Foreign Minister also informed the SG that San Marino has already launched some initiatives in the framework of the "One in Five" Council of Europe campaign to stop sexual exploitation against children. (more...)
- Speech by Thorbjørn Jagland

In Vienna today to address the OSCE Permanent Council, Secretary General Thorbjørn Jagland outlined his proposals to expand and enhance co-operation between the OSCE and the Council of Europe. Mr Jagland believes that “ the OSCE, the European Union and the Council of Europe are the three pillars of the most successful and inspiring peace process in history”.(more...)
- Audio recording of the speech by Thorbjørn Jagland

In a meeting with President D. Medvedev and Foreign Minister Lavrov in Moscow today, Secretary General Jagland underlined the readiness of the Council of Europe to further provide expert advice and assistance in support of political reforms in Russia. “We need to further develop political institutions, and reforms are targeted to that end”, emphasised President Medvedev. (more...)

Secretary General Thorbjørn Jagland will be in Budapest tomorrow for talks with the Prime Minister, Viktor Orbán. The Secretary General will also be meeting Tibor Navracsics, Deputy Prime Minister and Minister of Public Administration and Justice, and János Martonyi, Minister of Foreign Affairs. The talks will focus primarily on the Venice Commission reports on the independence of the judiciary and religious freedom, and the Council of Europe assessment of media freedom in Hungary. (more...)

Responding to the news of the execution of Dmitry Konovalov and Vladislav Kovalyov, Council of Europe Secretary General Thorbjørn Jagland said today he was deeply saddened by yet another execution in Belarus. On Thursday Mr Jagland condemned President Lukashenko’s decision not to pardon Konovalov and Kovalyov, who were sentenced to death in November 2011 in the Minsk subway bombing case. "Belarus is the only country in Europe which still executes people. With its disrespect of basic human rights and democratic standards, the government of Belarus is increasingly isolating its country and its people from the rest of the world,” said Mr Jagland.

Council of Europe Secretary General Thorbjørn Jagland today welcomed the election of Nicolae Timofti as new Moldovan President. “Today marks an important milestone in the history of the Republic of Moldova. I congratulate the political leaders for having found a compromise to elect the President, thus putting an end to the political crisis which has lasted for too long. I very much welcome Nicolae Timofti's aspiration to be a President for all Moldovans, irrespective of their political opinions”, said Mr Jagland. (more...)

Council of Europe Secretary General Thorbjørn Jagland today condemned President Lukashenko’s decision not to pardon Dmitry Konovalov and Vladislav Kovalyov who were sentenced to death in the Minsk subway bombing case in November 2011. "Belarus is the only country in Europe which still executes people. With its disrespect of basic human rights and democratic standards, the government of Belarus is increasingly isolating its country and its people from the rest of the world,” said Mr Jagland. (more...)

Council of Europe Secretary General Thorbjørn Jagland  launched on 12 March the Serbian version of the “Living Together” report in Belgrade during an official visit. Secretary General met Serbian President Boris Tadic and Foreign Minister Vuk Jeremic, along with Justice Minister Snežana Malović, National Assembly President Slavica Đukić Dejanović and members of the Serbian delegation to the Parliamentary Assembly. (more...)
- " Living Together" report
- Serbia and the Council of Europe

“Promoting equality between women and men must be at the heart of everything we do,” asserted Council of Europe Secretary General Thorbjørn Jagland. "We cannot achieve democracy and lasting peace unless women acquire the same opportunities as men to influence developments at all levels of society," he said. (more...)

Liechtenstein's Foreign Minister Aurelia Frick has emphasised Liechtenstein’s support for Secretary General Thorbjørn Jagland’s reform initiatives. The Secretary General expressed his appreciation for the important role of Liechtenstein in the Council of Europe and his gratitude for the country’s generous financial contributions to the Organisation’s work, including two projects for confidence-building measures in Moldova, and local democracy projects in the Western Balkans. (more...)

In a letter to Foreign Minister Uri Rosenthal Secretary General Thorbjørn Jagland has requested the Dutch government to clarify its position regarding a website sponsored by Geert Wilders, leader of the Dutch political party PVV. (more...)

Invited by President Halonen of Finland, Secretary General Jagland took part in a meeting with the presidents of Italy, Germany, Latvia, Portugal, Hungary, Slovenia and Finland. Secretary General presented a strategy for the democratic management of diversity in Europe. (see the report ''Living Together'' by the Group of Eminent Persons). (more...)
Speech

Strasbourg, 23 January 2012 - In his State of the Council of Europe speech to the Parliamentary Assembly today, Secretary General pointed to key achievements in 2011 and challenges facing the Organisation in 2012 and beyond. He said that reforms have made the Council of Europe flexible and reactive, able to offer assistance where and when it is needed, and that its convention based and non-politicised approach is the only way to help member states move forward. (more...)
Speech
More information on voluntary contributions

Secretary General Thorbjørn Jagland and European Commissioner for Enlargement and European Neighbourhood Policy Štefan Füle today signed a € 4.8 million joint programme to strengthen democratic reform in the Southern Mediterranean countries. The joint programme will support democratic reforms and, the independence and efficiency of the judiciary, whilst promoting good governance. It will also target corruption and human trafficking and aim to promote human rights and democratic values, working through government officials, future leaders, youth and civil society. It will be rolled out initially in Morocco and Tunisia, and some initiatives will be implemented over three years throughout the region. “The partnership with the European Union, enables us to combine our strengths in this important mission, and will benefit the neighbourhood countries with the expertise of the Council of Europe in supporting political and democratic transformation,” said Secretary General Jagland. (more...)

The Secretary General of the Council of Europe, Thorbjørn Jagland, welcomes the democratic reforms announced by President Medvedev and offers assistance with their implementation. "The measures announced by President Medvedev are important steps towards strengthening Russian democracy. The proposals to simplify rules to register political parties and reintroduce direct elections of regional leaders correspond to the commitments Russia made when joining the Council of Europe," he said. (more...)
Russia and Council of Europe

"Without people like Vaclav Havel, Europe today would be a very different place. As an author, dissident and statesman he always remained faithful to the values of a free and tolerant society. He did not only believe in these principles, he fought for them and made them happen. On this very sad day I should like to express my deepest respect for his artistic and political legacy. My thoughts are with his wife and family, and I should like to express my deepest condolence to the people of the Czech Republic. Today Europe mourns one of its giants."

Ahead of International Human Rights Day, Thorbjørn Jagland warned that lesbian, gay, bisexual and transgender (LGBT) Europeans continue to face discrimination in many parts of the continent.

“Homosexuality has been decriminalised all over Europe, but prejudice and hypocrisy still exist towards LGBT persons in Europe. Recently, discriminatory laws have been proposed or even adopted, in member states such as in Lithuania, Ukraine and in some regions of the Russian Federation. This is a violation of basic human rights and a set back to the progress we have achieved in promoting and protecting human dignity,” he said.

“European governments as well as political and moral leaders know that the European Convention on Human Rights does not allow for persecution on the grounds of sexual identity. My message on this year’s International Human Rights Day is to always remember this, and to bear in mind that human rights are for all or they are for none.”
Press release

Secretary General of the Council of Europe Thorbjørn Jagland today made the following statement: “I urge the Belarus authorities not to carry out the death sentences pronounced today against Dzmitry Kanavalau and Uladzislau Kavalyou. The crime they were found guilty of was barbaric, but their punishment should not be the same. Belarus is the only country in Europe which still executes people and I would urge the authorities to introduce an immediate moratorium with a view to its ultimate abolition. The victims of the 11 April attack and their families deserve justive, not revenge".
Press release

“Religion can be a powerful and positive force for social cohesion, allowing communities of different origins to work for the common good, in line with their belief”, said Secretary General Thorbjørn Jagland, during his opening speech at the Abbaye de Neumunster in Luxembourg. The event, organised by the Committee of Ministers, at the invitation of the Luxembourg government, gathers representatives of religious communities, together with media professionals as well as experts, academics, NGOs operators, and representatives of international organisations.. (more...)

Secretary General Thorbjørn Jagland met French Foreign Minister Alain Juppé for bilateral consultations on Wednesday in Paris. Topics of discussion included the reform of the European Court of Human Rights, the developments to southern Mediterranean countries and the accession of the European Union to the European Convention on Human Rights. 
French Ministry of Foreign Affairs
France and the Council of Europe
European Court of Human Rights
EU accession to European Convention on Human Rights
Council of Europe and Arab Spring

By invitation of the Turkish Ministry of Justice the Secretary General participated in a conference entitled "Case Law of the European Court of Human Rights concerning Turkey: Difficulties and Suggestions for Solutions". The conference addressed a range of issues including the high number of cases pending against Turkey at the European Court of Human Rights concerning freedom of expression. Jagland told journalists: “Media freedom is evidently a problem. The situation gives rise to concern. But I have witnessed today the strong political will in Turkey to address the issue by changing legislation and practice. I welcome the government's constructive approach". The Secretary General met Prime Minister Erdogan for bilateral consultations after the conference.
Speech

Secretary General Thorbjorn Jagland welcomed the participation of non governmental organisations (NGO) from some 40 countries – including North African nations in the midst of the Arab Spring – on how to make the Council of Europe’s Living Together report reality. Over the two day gathering, participants compared efforts to promote diversity and freedom in different countries, although they lamented budget cuts induced by the worsening Euro-crisis and noted examples of increasing discrimination and the rise of the right wing. Mr. Jagland said "civil society groups are among the key players in turning the debate into concrete action."
Speech
More information on the event

UK Foreign Secretary William Hague today stressed the determination and political commitment of his government to drive forward essential reforms of the Court of Human Rights during the British chairmanship of the Council of Europe Committee of Ministers.

Speaking shortly before the official handover from present chair Ukraine, Mr Hague said that human rights were central to UK foreign policy and an overarching theme for the chairmanship. The UK – a founding party to the European Convention on Human Rights - would broker a wide consensus on reform of the Court of Human Rights. (more...)

Priorities of the UK Chairmanship
Committee of Ministers website
Photo Gallery
Press stand-up - video recording

"Europe is a place where nations, cultures and people meet and mix and this constitutes our true identity", has said today Thorbjørn Jagland in a key-note speech at the prestigious Leiden University, during his first official visit to the Netherlands. The Secretary General met with the Prime Minister Mark Rutte, with the Minister of Foreign Affairs, Uri Rosenthal, with the Minister of Security and Justice, Ivo Willem Opstelten, and with the Minister of Education, Culture & Science, Marja van Bijsterveldt-Vliegenthart. Meetings at the Parliament with the PACE delegation, and at the Senate were also part of the programme.


Talks focused on Human Rights policies, on the reform of the Court, and on the European Union accession to the European Convention of Human Rights. The role of the Council of Europe in the Neighbourhood Policy has also been highlighted.

Speech by Thorbjørn Jagland
The Netherlands and the Council of Europe

In London today for talks with the UK government ahead of its chairmanship of the Council of Europe, the Secretary General met with Deputy Prime Minister Nick Clegg. He also met the Secretary of State for Justice, Kenneth Clarke, Foreign Office Minister for Europe, David Lidington and members of the UK delegation to the Parliamentary Assembly.


Discussions concentrated on reform of the European Court of Human Rights which is one of the UK's priorities. The UK takes over the chairmanship for six months on 7 November; the government is due to publish its chairmanship programme tomorrow.

Thorbjørn Jagland welcomed participants in the Lipetsk-Strasbourg international cycle race this afternoon at the finish line in Strasbourg, as they arrived from their 3500 km race from Russia, across Belarus, Poland and Germany. The Secretary General described the event, labelled "Europe without barriers and borders!” as “a test of outstanding determination and enormous courage”. (more...)

“Countries are running a high risk of seriously undermining the European model of social cohesion”, Secretary General Thorbjørn Jagland warned when talking about the present financial crisis in his address to the Forum for the Future of Democracy on 13 October . He also stressed that the Council of Europe can make an important contribution to issues of social cohesion in a social rights and human rights perspective, in particular relating to youth, ageing, inter-generational solidarity, migration, education and the fight against extremism and hate speech.

The Forum for the Future of Democracy, which took place on 13 and 14 October in Limassol, focused on the close connection between democracy and social cohesion, with involment of countries from the Southern and Eastern Mediterranean region.
Speech
Forum for the Future of Democracy 2011

Secretary General Thorbjørn Jagland is making his first official visit to Astana for meetings with the President of Kazakhstan, the Speaker of the Majilis (Lower House) of the Parliament, Secretary of State, Chairman of the Constitutional Council, Prosecutor General, Foreign Minister as well as other Ministers. The visit provided a good opportunity to give a new impetus to the relations between the Republic of Kazakhstan and the Council of Europe, intensifying the mutual relationship beyond the already fruitful cooperation and institutional relations with the PACE and the Venice Commission towards a more advanced cooperation in a number of areas mutually agreed by the two sides. (more...)

Speech by Secretary General at the Nazarbayev University, Astana, 11 October 2011

Reacting to the verdict in the trial against the former Ukrainian prime minister Yulia Tymoshenko, the Secretary General of the Council of Europe, Thorbjørn Jagland said:

“In a democracy, judgment about political decisions should be left to the parliament and to voters, not to courts. I hope that the recently proposed changes to the criminal code in Ukraine will make such trials impossible in the future."
 Press release
Ukraine and the Council of Europe
Read also: Assembly co-rapporteurs express concern at Tymoshenko sentence

In a letter to the Serbian President Boris Tadic, Secretary General of the Council of Europe, Thorbjørn Jagland, requests clarification on what measures the Serbian authorities are planning to undertake to guarantee the freedom of assembly and association for all groups of society.

- Letter to the Serbian President Boris Tadic

In New York this week to attend the UN General Assembly, Council of Europe Secretary General Thorbjorn Jagland discussed the Palestinian membership bid with Mahmoud Abbas, President of the Palestinian National Authority, who will address the Parliamentary Assembly in Strasbourg in two weeks. (more...)
Speech - Ministerial Meeting of the "Group of Friends" - Alliance of Civilizations

"As Secretary General of the Council of Europe I appeal to the competent US authorities to find a way to spare the life of Troy Davis, scheduled to be executed tomorrow. The reason is not only our disagreement over capital punishment, but first and foremost the serious doubts which persist about the integrity of the conviction. I hope this appeal will not be perceived as outside interference. Europe is a close ally and a friend of the United States of America, and at moments like this true friends are the ones who speak out, with the respect and honesty that our relationship deserves, " said Jagland.

“I strongly condemn the terrorist attacks in Ankara and Siirt yesterday. Terrorism is a crime. It's an attack on our common values of democracy, human rights and the rule of law. We must combine our efforts to bring an end to these acts of violence",  declared Thorbjørn Jagland.
Press release

Secretary General, Thorbjørn Jagland, is today making his first official visit to Warsaw for meetings with the Minister of Foreign Affairs, Radoslaw Sikorski, the Minister of Justice, Krzysztof Kwiatkowski, and the Speaker of the Sejm, Grzegorz Schetyna.

Mr Jagland will also attend the conference on the role of the Council of Europe and the European Union with regard to the current global challenges. The conference is organised jointly by the Ministry of Foreign Affairs of Poland and the Council of Europe Office in Warsaw to celebrate the 20th anniversary of Poland's membership in the Council of Europe.

See also:
Speech
Council of Europe - European Union facing the challenges of the contemporary world
Website of the Permanent Representation of the Republic of Poland to the Council of Europe
Poland and the Council of Europe

''The use of death penalty bears the risk of making an irrepairable mistake'', Thorbjørn Jagland expressed his concern about the pending execution of Troy Davis in Georgia, USA. In his letter to the Chairman of the State of Georgia Board of Pardons and Paroles, he asks to stop the execution of Mr Troy and grant him clemency. Secretary General stresses the Council of Europe’s unequivocal opposition to death penalty. (more…)
See also:
Letter by Bianca Jagger to Georgia Board of Pardons and Paroles
Council of Europe is death penalty free area

Yesterday the Secretary General received the French Minister responsible for European Affairs, Jean Leonetti. On that occasion the Minister confirmed France’s undertaking to support the organisation in Strasbourg of an International Forum for Democracy to be held in October 2012. France will contribute to the event at the rate of 50 000 euros. (more...)
See Secretary General's photo gallery

Further to his letter addressed to Prime Minister Berisha on 10 June, Thorbjørn Jagland has now written to the President of the Venice Commission requesting an opinion on possible improvements to be made to the Albanian electoral legislation. This would involve a visit to Albania during the autumn, in view of the adoption of the opinion in December.
Letter to the President of the Venice Commission
Letter to Prime Minister Berisha
Albania and the Council of Europe