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.
Democracy in Greece ‘firmly rooted and resilient’ but sustained efforts are needed to protect it, says PACE
While democracy in Greece remains firmly rooted and resilient, “sustained efforts and constructive political dialogue must converge to protect it and further entrench the rule of law”, the Parliamentary Assembly of the Council of Europe has concluded following a “periodic review” of the country...
Register of Damage for Ukraine now fully open for compensation claims
Claims can now be registered for people’s loss of access to healthcare and education, and damage to the country’s environment and natural resources
Cities and regions are crucial in the quest to stop human trafficking, says Congress Vice-President
“Municipalities and regions are indispensable in the fight against trafficking in human beings,” said Cecilia Dalman Eek (Sweden, SOC/G/PD), Congress Vice-President and...
PACE calls for systemic support for Ukrainian soldiers with disabilities and coherent veteran policies across Europe
“Support for veterans constitutes one of the greatest social challenges facing Ukraine,” PACE has said, calling for systemic, long-term support for Ukrainian soldiers who became disabled as a result of hostilities, alongside coherent and comprehensive policies to protect the rights and dignity of...
German Foreign Minister reaffirms Germany’s commitment to Council of Europe
Johann Wadephul wants strengthened Council of Europe as a pan-European voice for democracy, human rights and the rule of law
“The Council of Europe is building a common legal space for an order now in rupture” – Alain Berset
Secretary General addresses Parliamentary Assembly and takes questions from members
PACE elects Svjetlana Milišić-Veličkovski judge to the European Court of Human Rights in respect of Bosnia and Herzegovina
The Parliamentary Assembly of the Council of Europe (PACE) today elected Svjetlana Milišić-Veličkovski as judge to the European Court of Human Rights in respect of Bosnia and Herzegovina. Ms Milišić-Veličkovski, having obtained a majority of votes cast, is elected judge of the European Court of...
Election simulations give citizens across Bosnia and Herzegovina first-hand experience of new voting procedures
Thousands of citizens across Bosnia and Herzegovina had the opportunity to experience the new voting procedures ahead of the 2026 General Elections through a nationwide series of practical...
Taking child-friendly justice forward in Europe
Launch of Phase II of the Joint European Union -Council of Europe Project on Child-friendly Justice On 29 September 2026, the Children’s Rights Division of the Council of Europe and the European Commission’s Directorate-General for Justice and Consumers (DG JUST) launched Phase II of the joint...
Council of Europe to develop guidance on preventing sexual violence and harmful sexual behaviour by children
On 23 September 2026, the Committee of Experts on the prevention of violence (ENF-VAE) held a special hearing on preventing sexual violence and harmful sexual behaviour by children. Harmful...
New ECRI Factsheet on preventing and combating racism and intolerance in and through sports
The Secretariat of the European Commission against Racism and Intolerance (ECRI) published today a factsheet bringing together ECRI’s key recommendations on preventing and combating racism and...
“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...
Systemic support for Ukrainian veterans across Europe discussed at Parliamentary Assembly
Social inclusion an important aspect of the Council of Europe’s new Action Plan for Ukraine presented today
Kosovo* elections were calm and orderly but revealed persistent structural challenges, says PACE delegation
“The early parliamentary elections of 7 June 2026 were conducted in a calm, orderly and professional manner, without major incidents,” says a PACE election observation report presented by rapporteur Iulian Bulai (Romania, ALDE). The report notes that “the Central Election Commission administered...
Mattias Guyomar: Strasbourg Court judges derive ‘strong democratic legitimacy’ from their election by PACE
In an address to PACE, the President of the European Court of Human Rights Mattias Guyomar has highlighted that the judges elected in respect of each of the 46 member States of the Council of Europe are “an essential link in the DNA chain of the Convention system”, adding that their strong...
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
Prevention remains weak link in tackling violence against women, says new Council of Europe report
Annual GREVIO report finds legislation being brought up to standard, but prevalence of technology-facilitated violence among younger people rising
Anti-corruption body GRECO publishes summaries of reports on Denmark, Hungary, Türkiye and Ukraine evaluating compliance with its recommendations
New GRECO publication policy aims at increasing transparency
Russia’s “fake” Duma elections on menu for roundtable discussion in Strasbourg
Participants, including leading opposition figures, exchanged on post-Putin era and a future democratic Russia
Elections in Armenia: society has demonstrated its democratic resilience despite the shortcomings observed and unprecedented external pressures
According to the election observation report presented today in plenary session by Damien Cottier (Switzerland, ALDE), the 7 June 2026 parliamentary elections in Armenia offered voters “a genuine choice among political alternatives in a well-run process”. The Armenian people have chosen the pro...
*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.