Discover the latest news from the Council of Europe on human rights, democracy and the rule of law. Browse news and updates by country, theme and institution.
PACE Network examines how Europe can protect Ukrainian children as displacement continues
How can a young person who fled Ukraine stay in school, continue medical treatment and know where they can live when they turn 18? These questions were at the heart of today’s meeting of the Assembly’s Parliamentary Network on the Situation of the Children of Ukraine in Vienna. Held at the...
Sexuality education about consent and boundaries in relationships helps protect children from violence from early age
The Council of Europe recommends providing comprehensive sexuality education while recognising parents’ responsibility for child’s upbringing
Building Europe–Africa co-operation to protect children from sexual violence
On 13 October 2026, Maria José Castello-Branco, Chairperson of the Committee of the Parties to the Council of Europe Convention on the Protection of Children against Sexual Exploitation and...
Return, reintegration and rehabilitation of Ukrainian children in focus during Special Envoy’s visit to Kyiv
Programme included ministerial meetings and visit to Kyiv City Rehabilitation Centre for children with disabilities
‘Please, we need peace’ – Ukrainian children bring their voices to Parliamentary Assembly
A heartfelt appeal for peace and a wish to connect with the world marked the participation of children from Ukraine’s Kharkiv region at a meeting of the PACE Parliamentary Network on the Situation of the Children of Ukraine this week, on the margins of the Assembly’s autumn plenary session. Asked...
Taking child-friendly justice forward in Europe
Launch of Phase II of the Joint European Union -Council of Europe Project on Child-friendly Justice On 29 September 2026, the Children’s Rights Division of the Council of Europe and the European Commission’s Directorate-General for Justice and Consumers (DG JUST) launched Phase II of the joint...
Council of Europe to develop guidance on preventing sexual violence and harmful sexual behaviour by children
On 23 September 2026, the Committee of Experts on the prevention of violence held a special hearing on preventing sexual violence and harmful sexual behaviour by children. Harmful...
‘Children and hospitals are still seen by Russia as war targets’
Olena Khomenko (Ukraine, ECPA), Chairperson of the Parliamentary Network on the situation of the children of Ukraine, made the following statement : “Russian forces have once again targeted civilian infrastructure, this time striking a maternity hospital in Kyiv. During the overnight attack on 23...
PACE Network calls for action to return abducted Ukrainian children and hold perpetrators accountable
Parliamentarians and international officials gathered in Paris on Wednesday 16 September to highlight the need to step up actions to secure the safe return of forcibly transferred and deported Ukrainian children and ensure accountability for the perpetrators of the crimes committed against them...
Fostering demographic renewal through family-friendly measures
The demographic change in Europe, marked by low birth rates, population ageing, shrinking cohorts of working-age people and depopulation of rural areas, requires adaptation and mitigation measures “that focus on people’s rights, choices and empowerment”, the Committee on Social Affairs said...
Parliamentary Assembly Network study visit to Romania: putting Ukrainian children’s voices at the centre of parliamentary action
A delegation of the PACE Parliamentary Network on the situation of the children of Ukraine, comprising Olena Khomenko (Ukraine, ECPA), Chairperson of the Network, Samuel Rushworth (United Kingdom, SOC) and Cristian-Augustin Niculescu-Ţâgârlas (Romania, EPP/CD), concluded a study visit to...
Parliamentary Assembly Parliamentary Network to conduct study visit to Romania in support of Ukrainian children
A delegation of the PACE Parliamentary Network on the situation of the children of Ukraine will carry out a study visit to Maramureș County, Romania, from 12 to 14 August 2026. The central programme will take place on 13 August in Moisei, alongside the concluding evaluation of the international...
Council of Europe marks World Day against trafficking in persons with renewed commitment to protecting children of Ukraine
Rights of children must remain central to response to Russia’s war
Italy needs to sustain its efforts to end child poverty – Council of Europe Commissioner
Council of Europe Commissioner for Human Rights, Michael O’Flaherty, published today a memorandum on child poverty in Italy. The Commissioner appreciates that child poverty is...
Cyberviolence Resource tool on domestic legislation on cyberviolence worldwide was launched
Under the Cyberviolence Resource a new web page on domestic legislation on cyberviolence was launched. This webpage gathers over 1600 entries reflecting responses to a questionnaire adopted by...
Justice and protection for children of Ukraine at the core of meetings at the Council of Europe
Key international actors discuss in Strasbourg the challenges the ongoing war poses to Ukraine’s children, including conflict-related sexual violence
Technology-facilitated child sexual abuse: progress in investigations and training
New Council of Europe report says children remain at risk of excessive criminalisation
Congress Vice-President: Local authorities are crucial to Ukraine’s EU accession
Konstantinos Koukas made remarks before the Ukraine Recovery Conference in Gdańsk
Council of Europe highlights children’s rights at Ukraine Recovery Conference 2026 side event
The Council of Europe reaffirmed its commitment to ensuring that children’s rights remain at the heart of Ukraine’s recovery and reconstruction efforts during a high-level side at the Ukraine Recovery Conference 2026 (URC 2026). The event “Protecting Children, Securing the Future: Children’s...
International Day against Drug Abuse and Illicit Trafficking 2026: Statement by the Council of Europe International Co-operation Group on Drugs and Addictions (Pompidou Group)
On the occasion of the International Day against Drug Abuse and Illicit Trafficking, the Council of Europe International Co-operation Group on Drugs and Addictions (Pompidou Group) reaffirms its commitment to addressing drug-related challenges and addictions through balanced, evidence-based and...
*All references to Kosovo, whether the territory, institutions or population, in this text shall be understood in full compliance with United Nation's Security Council Resolution 1244 and without prejudice to the status of Kosovo.