News from HQ
Council of Europe Commissioner calls for continued solidarity and human rights protection for displaced Ukrainians in Europe
Today, the Council of Europe Commissioner for Human Rights, Michael O'Flaherty, released Observations warning against the premature winding down of protection and assistance for the millions of Ukrainians displaced across Europe by Russia’s ongoing war of aggression. The Observations build on the...
Committee condemns Russia’s attack on Saint Sophia Cathedral and the monastic buildings of Kyiv Pechersk Lavra
In a statement adopted unanimously today, the Committee on Culture, Science, Education and Media of the Parliamentary Assembly of the Council of Europe (PACE) strongly condemned the drone strikes that hit the Kyiv Pechersk Lavra monastery on 15 June 2026. Saint Sophia Cathedral and the monastic...
Lithuania funds Council of Europe action plans and projects
The Government of Lithuania has made a voluntary contribution of €80 000 to support the Council of Europe Action Plan for Ukraine “Resilience, Recovery and Reconstruction” 2023-2026 and its successor Action Plan, the Council of Europe Action Plan for Armenia 2023-2026 and its successor Action...
Combating anti-LGBTI discrimination and hate across Europe
Ahead of the International Day Against Homophobia, Lesbophobia, Biphobia, Transphobia and Intersexphobia (IDAHOT+) marked on 17 May, the Council of Europe Secretary General, Alain Berset, has made the following statement: Across Europe, LGBTI people face violence, discrimination and hate....
Europe’s security starts with democracy: Council of Europe Secretary General’s 2026 annual report
Europe does not have to choose between security and democracy. It never did and cannot afford to start now. In his 2026 annual report, entitled “The New Democratic Pact for Europe in times of rupture”, Council of Europe Secretary General Alain Berset calls for a legal and democratic framework...
Commissioner's Shout Out
Safeguarding Ukrainians displaced across Europe
Over four years ago, at the start of Russia’s full-scale aggression, while leading an EU agency, I deployed a team to Ukraine’s borders. The extraordinary solidarity shown by the people of Europe’s villages and towns was striking. Host countries provided Ukrainians with the right to stay and...
Republic of Moldova funds Action Plan for Ukraine and efforts to end violence against women
The Government of the Republic of Moldova has made a voluntary contribution of €6,401.94 to support the Council of Europe Action Plan for Ukraine “Resilience, Recovery and Reconstruction” 2023-2026 as well as the prevention of violence against women. The agreement was signed on 21 April 2026 by...
New report on psychiatric hospitals and social-care homes in Ukraine
The European Committee for the prevention of torture and inhuman or degrading treatment or punishment (CPT) has published today the report on its visit to Ukraine, carried out from 26 May to 6 June 2025, together with the response of the Ukrainian authorities. The report examines the treatment...
Luxembourg funds Council of Europe action plans and projects
The Grand Duchy of Luxembourg has made a voluntary contribution of €100,000 to support the Council of Europe Action Plan for Ukraine “Resilience, Recovery and Reconstruction” 2023-2026 and its successor Action Plan, the Council of Europe Action Plan for the Republic of Moldova 2025-2028, the...
Statement
The suffering of people in Ukraine’s temporarily occupied territories should not be ignored in peace talks
As the United Nations publishes today a report documenting Russia’s violations of human rights and humanitarian law and discriminatory policies that force Ukrainians to leave the temporarily occupied territories of Ukraine, I reiterate my position that peace negotiations, notably when addressing...
The New Democratic Pact for Europe – What is it?
The New Democratic Pact – A Commitment for 21st-Century Democratic Security in Europe The New Democratic Pact is about redefining democracy – making it stronger, more adaptable to old and new challenges, and more inclusive. By leveraging innovation, technology, and collective action, we empower...
Portugal funds Action Plan for Ukraine and Council of Europe projects
The Government of Portugal has made a voluntary contribution of €190,000 to support the Council of Europe Action Plan for Ukraine “Resilience, Recovery and Reconstruction” 2023-2026 and its successor Action Plan, the projects “Human Rights Education for Youth” and “United for Values” implemented...
International Claims Commission for Ukraine: Council of Europe launches preparatory committee
The Council of Europe’s Committee of Ministers has decided to create a preparatory committee to lay the groundwork for the operation of the International Claims Commission for Ukraine. How the International Claims Commission will work The International Claims Commission will be the second part of...
Council of Europe pledges continued support for accountability, recovery, and democratic security in Ukraine
Supporting Ukraine in the peace process, advancing the Council of Europe’s accountability and compensation mechanisms, as well as the democratic and rule of law reforms, which are also necessary for Ukraine’s EU integration, as an investment in Ukraine’s democratic security, are the key vectors...
Statement
Peace talks should bring immediate relief for Ukrainian civilians
Ahead of the announced peace talks to be held in coming days between Ukraine, Russia and the United States, I issue an urgent appeal: bring tangible and immediate relief to Ukrainian civilians who are enduring appalling suffering before our very eyes. A relentless campaign of attacks In recent...
Special Tribunal for the Crime of Aggression against Ukraine: Council of Europe, European Union agree to set up advance team
The Council of Europe and the European Union have signed an agreement on the financing of an advance team to establish the Special Tribunal for the Crime of Aggression against Ukraine, within the framework of the Council of Europe. The aim of the joint project is to create a team to prepare the...
Register of Damage receives 100,000 claims submitted by individuals affected by Russia’s aggression against Ukraine
The Register of Damage for Ukraine has received 100,000 claims submitted by individuals for compensation of damage, loss, or injury caused by the aggression of the Russian Federation against Ukraine. Each claim received by the Register represents a formally submitted account of harm suffered by...
Bulgaria funds Council of Europe Action Plan for Ukraine
The Government of Bulgaria has made a voluntary contribution of €16 304.40 to support the Council of Europe Action Plan for Ukraine “Resilience, Recovery and Reconstruction” 2023-2026. The agreement was signed on 16 January 2026 by Ambassador Genka Georgieva, Permanent Representative of Bulgaria...
Statement
The Commissioner condemns the attacks on Ukrainian energy infrastructure and appeals for urgent humanitarian support
The following statement was issued by Commissioner O'Flaherty: "In recent weeks and days, the Russian Federation has intensified its attacks on civilian infrastructure in Ukraine, particularly energy infrastructure. Following large-scale strikes in Dnipro, Zaporizhzhia, Kyiv and Lviv last week,...
Massive Oreshnik missile and drone attack against Ukraine: Statement by the President of the Committee of Ministers
Mr Mihai Popșoi, Minister of Foreign Affairs of the Republic of Moldova and President of the Committee of Ministers, made the following statement: “We strongly condemn Russia’s use of the Oreshnik ballistic missile in its brutal overnight attacks on Ukraine’s energy infrastructure, leaving the...
Офіс Ради Європи в Україні
вул. Іллінська, 8, під'їзд 7, поверх 6
Київ, 04070 Україна
Council of Europe Office in Ukraine
8, Illinska str., 7 entrance, 6 floor
Kyiv 04070, Ukraine
Голова Офісу Ради Європи в Україні
пан Мачей Янчак
Head of the Council of Europe Office in Ukraine
Mr Maciej Janczak
Tel.+38 044 425 60 01
+38 044 425 02 62
kyiv
coe.int
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