At their 1546th meeting, on 10 December, the Ministers’ Deputies examined the follow-up to be given to the Informal Ministerial Conference held in Strasbourg the same morning, focusing on contemporary migration challenges and the protection of human rights across member states.
Concerning the aggression of the Russian Federation against Ukraine, the Deputies took note of the denunciation by the Russian Federation of the European Convention for the Prevention of Torture and Inhuman or Degrading Treatment or Punishment. Despite this denunciation, the Russian Federation is still obligated to follow the Convention’s requirements until 1 November 2026. The Deputies also reiterated that, under international law, the Russian Federation must continue to take effective measures to prevent acts of torture in any area under its jurisdiction, in accordance with the corresponding United Nations treaty of 1984.
The Deputies adopted two sets of guidelines prepared by the Council of Europe Committee on Counter-Terrorism (CDCT) on disengagement and reintegration programmes for women with links to terrorism and on (re)integration programmes for children affected by terrorism. They also decided to open the Protocol amending the Council of Europe Convention on the Prevention of Terrorism for signature on 26 May 2026, in Strasbourg [more information …].
In addition, the Deputies adopted a Recommendation on the promotion of education and training on the Council of Europe social rights framework; and opened the procedure within the Committee of Ministers for the election of the Deputy Secretary General, with a call for candidatures until 12 March 2026.
The other items examined by the Deputies appear in the Agenda and the decisions adopted are available in the meeting file.