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.
The Conference of INGOs publishes country reports following visits to Denmark and Montenegro
The Conference of INGOs has just published the two country visit reports that summarise findings from the fact-finding visits to Denmark (11-13 May 2026) and Montenegro (22-25 June 2026). The...
CINGO’s Expert Council on NGO Law releases study on the execution of judgements involving freedom of association and the impact on associations and defenders
This study updates a thematic study originally published in March 2022, which considered the challenges associated with the execution of judgments of the European Court of Human Rights...
Congress 51st session: Resilience of Kherson, women’s political participation in Ukraine, safety of journalists and youth participation among side events
The 51st Congress session (Strasbourg, 27-29 October 2026) features a number of side events, including a presentation of the book “Unbreakable Kherson” on wartime resilience developed from the region’s experience of occupation, liberation and ongoing attacks, to take place on Wednesday 28 October...
PACE to discuss rebuilding trust in democracy with young people in Budapest
How to rebuild the trust of young people in democracy will be the focus of a major parliamentary conference taking place in Budapest on 27 October. Organised by the Parliamentary Assembly of the Council of Europe (PACE) together with the Hungarian National Assembly, the conference – with the...
Council of Europe’s anti-racism commission welcomes progress but calls on Denmark to step up action against racism
Commission highlights rise of hate speech in Danish political and online spheres
Early warning against democratic backsliding, rights of LGBTI people, coastal erosion and school absenteeism on Congress agenda
Council of Europe’s Congress of Local and Regional Authorities’ session will also feature discussion on financing Ukraine’s recovery
Bulgaria: Commissioner O'Flaherty recommends stronger protection for older persons in care homes and Roma
Following his visit to Bulgaria, Commissioner O’Flaherty, sent two letters to the Minister of Labour and Social Policy, Nataliya Efremova. The letters, published today, address...
Taming the technology: AI, human rights, and the future of justice
The following closing remarks were delivered by Michael O’Flaherty, Council of Europe Commissioner for Human Rights, at the 17th Warsaw Human Rights Seminar on “Justice in the digital...
Council of Europe anti-racism body welcomes commitment to advance equality in Ukraine, but calls for further action
Report highlights need to protectfor more protections for Roma and LGBTI people
Georgia: Secretary General Alain Berset calls for safeguarding democracy and political pluralism ahead of opposition ban hearings
Council of Europe to closely follow developments and continue dialogue with Georgia
PACE to observe the early parliamentary elections in Serbia
20-member delegation of the Parliamentary Assembly of the Council of Europe (PACE), led by Piero Fassino (Italy, SOC), will travel to Serbia from 23 to 26 October to observe the conduct of the early parliamentary elections, alongside observers from the OSCE Parliamentary Assembly, European...
On a ‘digital wall’, women parliamentary leaders in Rome make pledges to advance equality
Women Speakers of Parliament attending a parliamentary summit in Rome have set out their ideas and pledges for advancing equality and creating a fairer society on a “digital wall” shared today on the Assembly’s website. Thirteen women parliamentary leaders from across Europe – either leading...
Racism and intolerance in Belgium: experts recommend police training on hate speech and hate crime
Council of Europe body also calls for new legislation to protect intersex people
Laurent Ledoux appointed new Council of Europe Director General of Administration
Mr Ledoux brings extensive experience of both the public and private sectors to the new role
Strengthening electoral justice in the Republic of Moldova: lessons from previous elections
Around 30 Moldovan judges, prosecutors and specialised electoral officials from the Central Electoral Commission strengthened their capacity to resolve electoral disputes, fairly, consistently...
European Court of Human Rights wins international prize for independence
Judicial independence is a cornerstone of the Council of Europe’s work on the rule of law
World Forum for Democracy 2026: imagining possible futures to strengthen democratic security in Europe
From consultation to action, the New Democratic Pact for Europe enters a new phase
Ending Rome summit, Speakers of Parliament pledge to ‘stand resolute as guardians of shared values’
Parliaments must “stand resolute as the guardians of shared values” against a backdrop of war and profound and rapid transformation on the international scene, Speakers of Parliament from across Europe have pledged, adding: “And in so doing, we continue to stand with Ukraine.” A set of...
‘Our duty is to turn rules into guarantees, dialogue into solutions, and the hope of peace into a concrete commitment’
“We must never forget that behind every political decision there are millions of people who trust in our ability to protect them and to build a horizon of peace,” Lorenzo Fontana, President of the Italian Chamber of Deputies, said, opening a session on renewing the rules-based international order...
*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.