COVID-19 related news
Equitable access to medicinal products and medical equipment in a situation of shortage: new Recommendation
The Committee of Ministers today adopted a Recommendation to promote, in the 46 Council of Europe member states, equitable access to medicinal products and medical equipment in a situation of shortage and to safeguard the fundamental rights of individuals who need them for serious or...
Vaccine pass and human rights challenges
At a time where vaccination campaigns are accompanied by a willingness to relax restrictions taken to protect public health against the threat of the COVID-19 pandemic, the issue of a “vaccine pass” is being raised in Europe as well as in other parts of the world. In a statement on human rights...
COVID-19 vaccination, attestations and data protection
While it acknowledges the usefulness of means such as “vaccination passes” that are considered or already developed by some States, as well as the legitimacy of people’s wish to gain back some of the freedoms that were restricted due to the COVID-19 pandemic and the needs for the economy, the...
Covid-19: what measures to fight against fake vaccines?
Amid the rise in counterfeiting and other illegal activities related to the Covid-19 pandemic, the Council of Europe is issuing new recommendations to governments based on its Convention on the counterfeiting of medical products and similar crimes involving threats to public health (MEDICRIME...
COVID-19 and Social Rights: Statement by the European Committee of Social Rights
In a statement issued today on COVID-19 and social rights, the European Committee of Social Rights aims to highlight those rights of the European Social Charter that are particularly affected by the COVID-19 crisis such as employment and labour rights, the right to social security, social and...
Vaccine passports: Council of Europe issues guidance to governments to safeguard human rights
In a document published today for governments across Europe, Secretary General Marija Pejčinović Burić highlights the relevant human rights standards for addressing the issue of “vaccine passports”. The Information Document was sent to all 47 Council of Europe member on 31 March. The document...
COVID-19 and vaccines: Equitable access to vaccination must be ensured
How to ensure equitable access to vaccination during the current and future pandemics? The Council of Europe Committee on Bioethics has made today a number of recommendations. First, strategies should be put in place to avoid generating discrimination due to material aspects, such as logistical...
Protecting human rights in pandemics and other emergencies: challenges faced by prosecutors
In a new Opinion, the Council of Europe’s Consultative Council of European Prosecutors (CCPE) addresses the implementation of the usual functions of prosecution services in emergency situations, their new or extended functions in response to such situations, how to overcome the challenges faced...
A study on the impact of COVID-19 and ensuing measures on freedom of expression in Council of Europe member states
The coronavirus pandemic constitutes an unprecedented and global crisis, which has forced Council of Europe member states to take extraordinary measures on the basis of constantly evolving and sometimes conflicting insights and information. The news media have played an important role in...
Council of Europe donated modern medical equipment and devices to the penitentiary system of the Republic of Moldova
On 29 October, William Massolin, Head of the Council of Europe Office in Chisinau, Fadei Nagacevschii, Minister of Justice of the Republic of Moldova and Vladimir Cojocaru, Director ad interim of the National Administration of Penitentiaries of the Republic of Moldova attended a ceremony to...
A Council of Europe contribution to support member states in addressing healthcare issues in the context of the present public health crisis and beyond
Version française Council of Europe Secretary General Marija Pejčinović Burić has called for increased multilateral cooperation among the organisation’s member states to draw lessons from the pandemic crisis and enhance preparedness for addressing health concerns on the basis of common...
COVID-19: Money laundering and terrorism financing trends
Criminals have been exploiting the upheaval generated by the COVID-19 pandemic by adapting their modus operandi to gain additional profits from various kinds of crimes such as fraud through electronic means, the sale of counterfeit medicines and cybercrime. In response to these threats, the...
The impact of the health crisis on freedom of expression and media freedom
Over a year ago, the declaration adopted by the Committee of Ministers in Helsinki on the occasion of the 70th anniversary of the Council of Europe stressed that "free and pluralist public debate is an essential condition for democracy and we must take firm action to reverse the recent...
COVID-19: CPT issues follow-up statement
Further to its Statement of principles made on 20 March 2020 in the context of the coronavirus disease (COVID-19) pandemic and in the light of responses received from member States concerning measures taken with regard to persons deprived of their liberty, the CPT issues the following statement:...
Bioethics webinar: COVID-19 testing - key human rights and ethical concerns
On 26 June 2020, in the framework of the launching of the Strategic Action Plan on Human Rights and Technologies in Biomedicine (2020-2025) organised under the auspices of the Greek chairmanship of the Committee of Ministers, the Council of Europe Committee on Bioethics (DH-BIO) held a webinar on...
International Day against Drug Abuse and Illicit Trafficking: Facing COVID-19 challenges
“Drug policies must save lives and protect people, not stigmatise”, says João Castel-Branco Goulão on behalf of the Pompidou Group’s Portuguese Presidency, to mark the International Day against Drug Abuse and Illicit Trafficking. “As new infections with COVID-19 are massively increasing worldwide...
OSCE Human Dimension Meeting on Freedom of Expression, Media and Information
On June 23, 2020, P. Penninckx, Head of the Information Society Department, participated in the OSCE Supplementary Human Dimension Meeting on Freedom of Expression, Media and Information. In the area of freedom of expression, the OSCE and the Council of Europe pursue, within their distinct...
Statement by the President of the CCJE on the role of judges during and in the aftermath of the COVID-19 pandemic: lessons and challenges
Judge Nina Betetto, President of the CCJE, has issued a Statement on the role of judges during and in the aftermath of the COVID-19 pandemic: lessons and challenges. The Statement points to the unprecedented challenges which judges face as a result of the COVID-19 pandemic and highlights judges’...
Human rights in biomedicine in the post-COVID-19 period: action plan 2020-2025
The Bioethics Committee launches today its new action plan on human rights and biomedical technologies. Governance of technologies, equity in health care and physical and mental integrity are at the heart of this five-year strategy. “While the impact of the COVID-19 pandemic has been devastating,...
Regional online round table on “Videoconference in court proceedings: human rights standards”
National judiciaries faced extraordinary challenges created by the COVID-19 pandemic. The courts are required to comply with restriction measures while ensuring the right to a fair trial. As a result, many of them resorted to the increased use of online tools to conduct hearings. Are such...
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