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Human rights and the rule of law can only prevail if they are guaranteed at grassroots level
On the occasion of Human Rights Day, which this year marks the 75th anniversary of the Universal Declaration of Human Rights, Congress President Marc Cools made the following statement: “Respect for human rights is more necessary than ever to meet the complex challenges facing our societies....
Deputy Secretary General receives Light of Peace of Bethlehem
In a special ceremony at the Council of Europe’s headquarters in Strasbourg, an Austrian delegation has handed the Light of Peace of Bethlehem to the organisation’s Deputy Secretary General. The Bethlehem Light of Peace is an Austrian tradition dating back almost 40 years: every year and shortly...
European flag marks 68th anniversary
The famous blue and yellow star-studded flag was adopted by the Council of Europe’s Committee of Ministers on 9 December 1955. It was launched officially on 13 December of the same year in Paris. In 1983 the European Parliament adopted the flag that was devised by the Council of Europe and...
Secretary General makes official visit to Azerbaijan
Secretary General Marija Pejčinović Burić has met the President of Azerbaijan and other key personalities during an official visit to the country. During her meeting with President Ilham Aliyev, the Secretary General highlighted the relevance of joint co-operation, emphasising the Organisation’s...
Council of Europe joins forces with the UN to urge Russia to implement ECHR judgments
Despite the fact that Russia was excluded from the Council of Europe in March 2022 and has stopped all communication with the organisation on the execution of judgments from the European Court of Human Rights, Russia is still a member of the United Nations and subject to its monitoring...
Implementing ECHR judgments: Latest decisions from the Council of Europe’s Committee of Ministers
The Council of Europe’s Committee of Ministers has published the case-by-case decisions taken during the Committee’s meeting from 5 to 7 December to supervise the implementation of judgments and decisions from the European Court of Human Rights. The Committee of Ministers adopted 41 decisions...
Anti-Corruption Day: Governments must fight environmental corruption
Ahead of the International Anti-Corruption Day, held every year on 9 December, the President of the Group of States against Corruption of the Council of Europe (GRECO), Marin Mrčela, has issued the following statement: “Environmental crimes, driven usually by the enormous illegal financial...
European Heritage Days: conclusion of 2023 season and unveiling of new theme for 2024: "Routes, Networks, and Connections"
The European Heritage Days initiative is celebrating the end of this season’s activities showcasing the rich tapestry of cultural, historical, and artistic treasures that define the heart and soul of Europe and shape its collective identity. From mid-August to early November 2023, tens of...
Money and democracy – An Uneasy Relationship: Venice Commission conference in Cologne
An international conference “Money and Democracy – an Uneasy Relationship” organised by the Council of Europe’s Venice Commission and the Academy for European Human Rights Protection (University of Cologne, Germany) is to explore how the undue influence of “big money” on democratic...
Switzerland: Progress noted but more efforts needed for minority language use in public life
The Council of Europe’s Committee of Experts of the European Charter for Regional or Minority Languages has reported some progress in Switzerland’s implementation of the Charter but has also invited the authorities to take additional measures. In its latest report on Switzerland, the committee...
Annual conference of drug control networks: from drug design and AI to online gaming platforms as new drug marketplaces
The Council of Europe’s drug policy network (the Pompidou Group) is hosting the first Annual Conference of Drug Control Networks. Some 170 experts from 40 countries, five international organisations, academia and the private sector are attending the conference from 6-8 December. It is the first...
Congress President addresses European Mayors Summit against Antisemitism
The Summit brought together mayors and local officials from across Europe on 30 November 2023 in Dortmund (Germany). The local leaders discussed how to build social cohesion, strengthen Jewish life at local level and establish understanding between citizens of different cultural and religious...
ERIAC Board meeting: major new steps taken to further enhance Roma arts and culture in Europe
At the XII Board Meeting of the European Roma Institute for Arts and Culture (ERIAC) on 4 December in Berlin, Germany, Council of Europe Deputy Secretary General Bjørn Berge emphasised that “the work of ERIAC, its results and visibility continue to be essential for promoting Roma inclusion,...
High-Level Dialogue on Democratic Governance Reforms in Ukraine
The High-level Dialogue II “Good Democratic Governance in Ukraine: achievements, challenges and the way forward in post-war period” took place in Kyiv on 4 December 2023. Following discussions moderated by the Council of Europe representatives, key national stakeholders, including representatives...
Implementing European Court of Human Rights judgments
The Council of Europe’s Committee of Ministers is holding its quarterly meeting to oversee the execution of judgments and decisions from the European Court of Human Rights in Strasbourg from 5 to 7 December. Cases proposed for detailed examination concern Albania, Armenia, Azerbaijan, Belgium,...
Violence against women in Liechtenstein: Council of Europe experts call for comprehensive strategy
The Council of Europe’s Group of Experts on Violence against Women (GREVIO) has published its first report evaluating Liechtenstein’s implementation of the Convention on Preventing and Combating Violence against Women and Domestic Violence (known as the “Istanbul Convention”). The report...
Council of Europe celebrates with local authorities and civil society their achievements on participatory democracy and human rights in Georgia
The closing event of the project "Strengthening Participatory Democracy and Human Rights at Local Level in Georgia” took place on 28 November 2023 in Tbilisi City Assembly (Georgia). The closing event “Participatory Democracy and Human Rights in Georgia – From Vision to Action!” provided a...
Deputy Secretary General at the 30th OSCE Ministerial Council in Skopje to reaffirm Council of Europe’s unwavering support to Ukraine
Representing the Council of Europe at the 30th OSCE Ministerial Council in Skopje, North Macedonia, Deputy Secretary General Bjørn Berge congratulated the Chairpersonship for their leadership through yet another difficult year. The Deputy Secretary General took part, together with several...
Deputy Secretary addresses Roma and Traveller women´s conference in Skopje
At the opening of the 9th International Roma and Traveller Women’s Conference “Building Equality Together”, in Skopje, North Macedonia, Deputy Secretary General Bjorn Berge emphasised that the Roma Women’s conferences have provided the opportunity for Roma and Traveller women to address issues...
Council of Europe Consultation Group on the Children of Ukraine launched
The Council of Europe Consultation Group on the Children of Ukraine (CGU) is holding its first meeting in Strasbourg on 30 November - 1 December 2023, bringing together over 85 participants to discuss ways to effectively protect the rights of millions of Ukrainian children residing in Council of...
More than 500 global experts to attend cybercrime conference 2023
