Secretary General 09/04/2012 Council of Europe Secretary General calls on Syria to comply with peace plan Thorbjørn Jagland Strasbourg, 09/04/2012 - 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. ...

Committee of Ministers 05/04/2012 Council of Europe adopts recommendations to protect human rights with regard to search engines and social networking services Strasbourg, 05.04.2012 – The Council of Europe has adopted two Recommendations in which it calls on its members states to safeguard human rights, notably freedom of expression, access to information, freedom of association and the right to private life, with regard to search engines and social networking services.   In the Recommendation on search engines , the Committee of Ministers invites states to engage with search engine providers to increase transparency in the way access to information is provided, in...

Committee of Ministers 04/04/2012 Committee of Ministers deplores the recent executions in Japan Committee of Ministers Strasbourg, 4 April 2012 - In a statement adopted today, the Committee of Ministers of the Council of Europe deplored the three executions which took place on 29 March in Japan, and called on the Japanese authorities to abolish this practice. The Committee of Ministers stressed its opposition to the death penalty in all circumstances and its determination to continue its efforts to abolish it globally. Japan is an observer state of the Council of Europe.     Link to the declaration   Read also: Japan and the Council of Europe ...

Secretary General 03/04/2012 Secretary General Jagland visits Morocco and Tunisia Hamadi Jebali (left) and Thorbjørn Jagland Strasbourg, 5 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...

Parliamentary Assembly 03/04/2012 PACE President welcomes end of institutional deadlock in the Republic of Moldova PACE President Jean-Claude Mignon Strasbourg, 03.04.2012 – In his meetings today in Chisinau with senior Moldovan officials, Jean-Claude Mignon, President of the Parliamentary Assembly of the Council of Europe (PACE), welcomed the end of the political deadlock in which the country has been immersed for three years and called on all those involved in Moldovan politics to look to the future constructively.   “I have conveyed to the President of the Republic, Mr Timofti, my wishes for his success. His election marks a new start in Moldovan political life....

Commissioner for Human Rights 02/04/2012 Nils Muižnieks takes up office as Commissioner for Human Rights Nils Muižnieks Nils Muižnieks takes up today the post of Council of Europe Commissioner for Human Rights. Elected in January 2012 by the Parliamentary Assembly, Muižnieks is the third Commissioner, succeeding Thomas Hammarberg (2006-2012) and Alvaro Gil-Robles (1999-2006). “I intend to build on the work done so far in order to develop the contribution of the Commissioner’s Office to the effective observance and full enjoyment of human rights in member states” said Muižnieks. “One essential element in this endeavour is maintaining the independence and...

Secretary General 02/04/2012 Secretary General Jagland visits San Marino 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.   In the meeting the two leaders also discussed court reform, COE neighbourhood strategy, EU accession to the European Convention...

Parliamentary Assembly 29/03/2012 Several failures led to deaths of 63 people fleeing Libyan conflict by sea Photo Gama Strasbourg, 29.03.2012 – A failure to react to distress calls and a “vacuum of responsibility” for search and rescue are among a “catalogue of failures” which led to the deaths of 63 people fleeing the conflict in Libya by sea during a tragic 15-day voyage in March 2011, according to a committee of the Parliamentary Assembly of the Council of Europe (PACE).     A report by Tineke Strik (Netherlands, SOC), adopted this morning in Brussels by PACE’s Committee on Migration, Refugees and Displaced Persons, says Italian...

Council of Europe 29/03/2012 Council of Europe regrets Japan executions Jean-Claude Mignon and Thorbjørn Jagland   Strasbourg, 29/03/12 – “Sadly, just when our hope was that Japan – an Observer country to the Council of Europe, was moving toward a moratorium and perhaps even abolition of the death penalty, three death row inmates have been hanged. I deeply regret this sudden, brutal act. Death is not justice,” said Thorbjørn Jagland, Secretary General of the Council of Europe.   Parliamentary Assembly President Jean-Claude Mignon also strongly condemned the executions. "We expect Japan, as a country enjoying observer status with the...

Secretary General 29/03/2012 Secretary General values co-operation with OSCE OSCE/Jonathan Perfect Strasbourg, 29/03/12 – 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”. During his visit, Mr Jagland discussed recent advances and opportunities to strengthen the relationship between the two organisations and with common partners in...

Commissioner for Human Rights 28/03/2012 Switzerland still weak in fight against discrimination Thomas Hammarberg Strasbourg, 28/03/2012 – “Manifestations of racism and xenophobia appear to be on the rise in Switzerland. Disturbing political campaigns with aggressive, insulting slogans against foreigners are tendencies of great concern,” stated Thomas Hammarberg, Council of Europe Commissioner for Human Rights, releasing a letter addressed to Federal Councillor Didier Burkhalter, Head of the Swiss Federal Department of Foreign Affairs. “While recognising the value and importance of an open political debate, it has to be made clear that freedom of expression...

Parliamentary Assembly 28/03/2012 "Lives lost in the Mediterranean Sea: who is responsible?" Photo Gama Strasbourg, 26.03.2012 – Tineke Strik (Netherlands, SOC), rapporteur for the Parliamentary Assembly of the Council of Europe (PACE) on “Lives lost in the Mediterranean Sea: who is responsible?” will present her draft report at a press conference in Brussels on Thursday 29th March 2012.   The report is the result of a nine-month inquiry, launched at the request of 34 Assembly members, following a March 2011 incident in which it is alleged that 63 people attempting to flee the conflict in Libya died at sea after their appeals for rescue were ignored,...

Conference on LGBT rights 27/03/2012 Moving forward on Gay rights Sir Nicolas Bratza, President of the European Court of Human Rights Strasbourg, 27 March 2012 - UK Equalities Minister Lynn Featherstone joins Council of Europe Secretary General Thorbjørn Jagland, Human Rights Commissioner Thomas Hammarberg and Sir Nicolas Bratza, President of the European Court of Human Rights, to launch a landmark conference on LGBT rights at the Palais de l’Europe on Tuesday 27 March 2012. The conference, “Combating discrimination on the grounds of sexual   orientation or gender identity across Europe:  sharing knowledge and moving forward” brings...

North-South Prize 2011 26/03/2012 North-South Prize 2011 to Boris Tadić and Souhayr Belhassen Souhayr Belhassen and Boris Tadić Strasbourg, 26.03.2012 – Boris Tadić (President of the Republic of Serbia) and Souhayr Belhassen (President of the International Federation of Human Rights), are the two North-South Prize 2011 laureates. The Prize will be awarded in Lisbon by the President of the Republic, Aníbal Cavaco Silva, during an official ceremony at the Senate Room of the National Portuguese Assembly, on 27 March (11h00). Council of Europe Deputy Secretary General Maud De Boer-Buquicchio will also participate in the event, together with Parliamentary Assembly...

Secretary General 23/03/2012 Council of Europe ready to assist Russia on political reform 23 March 2012 - 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. Foreign Minister Lavrov expressed the Russian Federation’s firm support to Secretary General Jagland’s reform of the Council of Europe. President Medvedev and SG Jagland...

Committee of Ministers 22/03/2012 The 47 Council of Europe member states deplore Belarus executions Committee of Ministers The Committee of Ministers, which had firmly condemned the terrorist attack in the Minsk Metro on 11 April 2011, deplores that the Belarusian authorities despite the numerous calls for clemency from the international community, including the Committee of Ministers’ own statement of 7 December 2011, executed Dimitry Konovalov and Vladislav Kovalev, following their sentencing to death.   The Committee of Ministers reiterates its position that justice cannot be achieved through the death of further human beings. In proceeding with these executions...

Secretary General 22/03/2012 Jagland to meet Medvedev and Lavrov in Moscow Thorbjørn Jagland Strasbourg, 23.03.2012 – Council of Europe Secretary General Thorbjørn Jagland will meet with President Dmitry Medvedev and Foreign Affairs Minister Sergey Lavrov on 23 March in Moscow. Discussions will focus on the political reforms proposed by President Medvedev. They will also concern recent Venice Commission opinions on the election of Duma deputies, the registration and control of political parties and freedom of assembly in Russia.   Mr Jagland will also address the “Euro-Atlantic Community of Security – Myth or Reality?” conference.   ...

Secretary General   Jagland to meet Medvedev and Lavrov in Moscow Thorbjørn Jagland Strasbourg, 23.03.2012 – Council of Europe Secretary General Thorbjørn Jagland will meet with President Dmitry Medvedev and Foreign Affairs Minister Sergey Lavrov on 23 March in Moscow. Discussions will focus on the political reforms proposed by President Medvedev. They will also concern recent Venice Commission opinions on the election of Duma deputies, the registration and control of political parties and freedom of assembly in Russia.   Mr Jagland will also address the “Euro-Atlantic Community of Security – Myth or Reality?” conference.   Venice...

Chair of the Committee of Ministers 21/03/2012 “We must challenge all acts of intolerance and discrimination”, says William Hague Strasbourg, 21 March 2012 - “As Member States of the Council of Europe we must challenge all acts of intolerance and discrimination, which run counter to our shared values of human rights, democracy and the rule of law,” declared William Hague, Chair of the Committee of Ministers of the Council of Europe, on the occasion of the International Day for the Elimination of Racial Discrimination.   “We must challenge those who threaten these values and ensure that everyone can go about their lives free from discrimination, hostility and...

Commissioner for Human Rights 20/03/2012 Independence of the judiciary must be protected, says Commissioner Hammarberg Commissioner for Human Rights Thomas Hammarberg Strasbourg, 20 March 2012 - Outgoing President Dmitry Medvedev has ordered Russia’s Prosecutor General to verify the legality of the conviction of Mikhail Khodorkovsky, the former head of the oil company Yukos. Cases relating to co-accused Platon Lebedev and 30 others would also be assessed. Though the deadline set for the review is strikingly short, the initiative may create an opening for a long-awaited discussion about politicised trials, says Thomas Hammarberg, Council of Europe Commissioner for Human Rights, in...