Human Rights News
International Day against Homophobia, Biphobia and Transphobia
Ahead of International Day against Homophobia, Biphobia and Transphobia (17 May), held this year under the theme “At the heart of democracy”, Gudrun Mosler-Törnström (Austria, SOC/G/PD) and Helen Belcher (United Kingdom, ILDG), rapporteurs of the Congress of Local and Regional Authorities of the...
Congress Secretary General in the European Capital of Democracy: “Local democracy protects democratic culture in Europe”
“Democratic security is never defended only through constitutions, courts, or national institutions. It is defended where citizens encounter democracy in practice, when democracy is not distant, but lived: in our towns and villages,” underlined Congress Secretary General Mathieu Mori at the...
Peace through historical memories: Congress supports the European cities’ pledge
“The Brussels Pledge to foster peace by preserving historical memories reinforces co-operation among European cities in mobilising local leaders around shared commitments to defend European values, strengthen unity and engage citizens, particularly younger generations,” underlined Congress Deputy...
Rapporteurs of European institutions address an open letter on the situation of local democracy in Türkiye
“Dear Minister, “We, the Rapporteurs on Türkiye of the Parliamentary Assembly of the Council of Europe, of the Congress of Local and Regional Authorities of the Council of Europe, of the European Parliament and the President of the Working Group on Türkiye of the European Committee of the Regions...
Council of Europe Congress Rapporteur: “Discrimination against Roma and Travellers is an affront to our democratic values”
On this year’s International Roma Day (8 April), Peter Drenth (Netherlands, EPP/CCE), Standing Rapporteur on Human Rights of the Congress of Local and Regional Authorities of the Council of Europe, has made the following statement: “Local and regional authorities remain at the forefront of...
Artificial intelligence: innovations come with privacy and human-rights risks
The increasing use of artificial intelligence (AI) is profoundly changing the way in which cities and regions deliver services, engage with citizens and manage infrastructure. Innovations often improve efficiency, responsiveness, and transparency of public governance but also come with complex...
Building back better in Ukraine: a human rights-centred path to reconstruction and recovery
Speech by Michael O'Flaherty, delivered at the 50th Session of the Congress of Local and Regional Authorities: "Russian Federation’s war of aggression against Ukraine: A Strategic Approach to Supporting the Recovery and Reconstruction of Ukraine at Local and Regional Levels" President Members of...
Congress Highlights – New edition published
The Congress of Local and Regional Authorities has issued its latest biannual publication Congress Highlights covering key activities from May to December 2025. The publication presents the Congress’s contribution to the New Democratic Pact for Europe – the Council of Europe’s initiative aimed at...
Congress Highlights – New edition published
The Congress of Local and Regional Authorities has issued its latest biannual publication Congress Highlights covering key activities from May to December 2025. The publication presents the Congress’s contribution to the New Democratic Pact for Europe – the Council of Europe’s initiative aimed at...
One year since the arrest of Ekrem İmamoğlu: Statement by Council of Europe Congress President
Marc Cools, President of the Congress of Local and Regional Authorities of the Council of Europe, made today the following statement: “Today marks one year since the arrest of Ekrem İmamoğlu; I recall with deep concern the circumstances that led to the dismissal of the democratically elected...
Local authorities at the heart of ensuring access to social rights
“Social rights only become truly effective when they are implemented at the grassroots level. It is at that level that they cease to be merely formal commitments and become tangible guarantees. Subsidiarity is not just an institutional principle – it is a driver of both effectiveness and...
Council of Europe Congress delegation on high-level visit to Türkiye
A delegation of the Congress of Local and Regional Authorities of the Council of Europe, led by Congress President Marc Cools, will conduct a high-level visit to Türkiye (Istanbul, Izmir and Ankara) from 9 to 11 February 2026. This visit is a follow-up to the Declaration on dismissals of mayors...
Congress Director: Protecting human rights requires political courage
“Local budgets should be regarded not as mere technical instruments but as key vehicles for implementing human rights,” underlined Congress Director Claudia Luciani addressing the High-level Conference on “Local Governments and Human Rights-Based Budgeting: Pathways to Accountability”, held...
Congress Rapporteur: No human rights strategy can succeed without the involvement of local and regional authorities
“Democracy and good governance cannot be guaranteed without the effective protection and implementation of human rights, and the actions of local and regional politicians often determine the extent to which citizens in Europe enjoy their human rights,” stated Congress Deputy Standing Rapporteur...
Council of Europe Congress condemns charges against the Budapest Mayor, urges authorities to drop them
“I strongly condemn the charges brought against Mayor of Budapest Gergely Karácsony for organising Budapest Pride in June last year despite the national ban on Pride events in Hungary. I urge the Hungarian authorities to drop these charges,” said Marc Cools, President of the Congress of Local and...
International Migrants Day 2025
“Against the background of rising rhetoric of intolerance towards migrants, we call on local and regional authorities, jointly with their national governments, to recognise the contributions and opportunities of migration,” stated Heather Brannan-McVey (United Kingdom, L, SOC/G/PD) and Kristoffer...
Eight Moldovan municipalities establish partnerships with the Congress to strengthen civil participation
Eight local authorities in the Republic of Moldova formalised their commitment to strengthening inclusive and participatory local governance, by signing Memoranda of Understanding (MoUs) with the Congress of Local and Regional Authorities of the Council of Europe. The ceremony to mark the signing...
New Congress report on human rights at local level in the Republic of Moldova presented at Human Rights Forum
On 10 December, International Human Rights Day, Congress Standing Rapporteur on Human Rights Gudrun Mosler-Törnström (Austria, SOC/G/PD) took part in the Human Rights and Equality Forum in Bălți, Republic of Moldova, organised by the People’s Advocate (Ombudsperson), the Council for Preventing...
Congress Secretary General in Ukraine: Implementation of human rights is a local task
“European integration is about ensuring that the rights enshrined in the European Convention on Human Rights and the European Charter of Local Self-Government are realised in the daily lives of citizens. When we talk about the right to housing, health, education, or water and sanitation, we are...
Human Rights Day 2025: Our Everyday Essentials
“Today, the Congress of Local and Regional Authorities of the Council of Europe reaffirms its determination to confront any attempt to erode the essential rights on which Europe is built. Protecting human rights is our shared duty, to every citizen, in every municipality and region, every day”,...