On 28 January 2025 Secretary General Alain Berset addressed the Parliamentary Assembly of the Council of Europe. The key points of his speech are outlined below. You can read the full speech here.
80 Years After Auschwitz: A Call for Democracy and Collective Vigilance
This week marks the 80th anniversary of the liberation of the Auschwitz-Birkenau concentration camp—a solemn reminder of one of the darkest chapters in our shared history. But in 2024, we also celebrate the 75th anniversary of the European Convention on Human Rights, one of Europe’s greatest achievements. These milestones urge us to reflect: Where have we been? And where do we want to go?
Modern Challenges: War, Democracy, and Disinformation
Ukraine: A Tragedy Echoing History
Sometimes, one must leave Strasbourg to grasp reality. In Yahidne, a village near Chernihiv, Russian forces imprisoned 300 civilians—including children, pregnant women, and the elderly—in a school basement for 27 days in March 2022. No electricity, no heating, no air. Some suffocated to death, their names now etched on the walls. This horror reminds us of past atrocities—Oradour-sur-Glane, Srebrenica, and now Yahidne. It reinforces our unwavering commitment to Ukraine. In 2025, Europe must establish a compensation mechanism for victims and ensure justice for war crimes. Impunity cannot prevail.
Democracy in Decline: A Disillusioned Generation
At the 2023 Reykjavík Summit, European leaders reaffirmed that democracy is the only path to a peaceful and free society. Yet, across the continent, democracy is retreating: civil society is under threat, independent media and courts face pressure, and populist rhetoric is gaining ground. Most alarming, a study reveals that one-fifth of Britons under 45 believe the best way to govern is through "a strong leader who does not have to worry about elections." A warning sign for Europe's democratic future. Younger generations, shaped by the 2008 financial crisis, the Covid-19 pandemic, and the war in Ukraine, never experienced the optimism of the 1990s and early 2000s. Restoring their faith in democracy is urgent.
Disinformation and AI: A Threat to Truth
The digital age accelerates misinformation. At Davos, United Nations Secretary-General António Guterres called artificial intelligence "uncontrollable." Deepfakes, cyberattacks, historical revisionism—manipulating information endangers democracy and collective memory.
In this climate, defending truth is paramount. As we commemorate the 80th anniversary of Auschwitz’s liberation, combating revisionism and disinformation remains a vital fight.
A Europe Looking Forward: Action and Dialogue
European Values as a Guiding Light
The Council of Europe was founded to protect democracy and human rights. In times of crisis, these values must remain our guiding light.
Georgia: Dialogue as a Solution
Dialogue is key. A December 2023 visit to Georgia led to concrete progress: the release of imprisoned protesters, commitments to curb excessive force, and a review of the "foreign influence" law with Council of Europe experts. When tensions rise, talking—not withdrawing—is essential. Every war begins with a failure to communicate.
A Democracy Action Plan
Free elections, judicial independence, freedom of expression—these are the pillars of the newly launched Democracy Action Plan. The Parliamentary Assembly of the Council of Europe will play a central role.
A Call to Action: Building Europe’s Future
Albert Camus warned in The Plague that danger never truly disappears, and vigilance is always necessary. Today, democracy is retreating, tensions are rising, and geopolitical balances are shifting. We must act. Collective amnesia must give way to a strong European conscience. This is our role. This is our duty.
