
“The virus is destroying many lives and much else of what is very dear to us. We should not let it destroy our core values and free societies,”
Council of Europe Secretary General Marija Pejčinović Burić
At the end of March Secretary General Marija Pejčinović Burić warned that Covid-19 restrictions had to be balanced with human rights. We’ve put together a coronavirus toolkit to guide governments as they make difficult decisions, and opened up our human rights training programme for free with the launch of a five hour course.
As governments scramble to protect their populations many of the rights we take for granted are being taken away. In many countries, we’re not allowed to meet - even to visit relatives - our children are not allowed in school and our privacy is open to challenge by authorities trying to control the virus. Yet throughout Europe communities gain strength by coming together.


Learn more on how we protect democracy

Learn more on how we protect people

Managing Covid-19 - what role does democratic governance play?
Measures taken by Council of Europe member States in response to the situation in the Spring and Summer of 2020 are the subject of a special report of the European Committee on Democracy and Governance. Democratic governance is the participation in decision-making of those who are affected by a...
“Covid-19: Local and regional authorities on the frontline”
Local and regional authorities are on the front line in containing the spread of Covid-19 and mitigating the impact of the epidemic. In order to hear the stories of those who have been organising, coordinating and delivering responses to the crisis in towns and cities, provinces and Départements,...
Online Venice Commission plenary marks 30 years of newsworthy legal advice
Because of continued concerns over Covid-19, an “on location” celebration that was scheduled to mark 30 years of the Council of Europe’s Venice Commission had to be postponed. Instead a virtual plenary session was held late last week. It resulted in the adoption of many newsworthy opinions and...

More inter-governmental cooperation is needed using Artificial Intelligence to fight Covid-19 Coronavirus
Migrants, refugees and asylum seekers should not be held in detention centres. Alternatives to detention are needed.
One in five children suffers one or another form of sexual abuse or victimisation during their childhood
The Istanbul Convention on preventing and combating violence against women and domestic violence applies in “sickness and in health” - like in a marriage.
Youth organisations are crucial for society at this time : Grants available now!

- Anti-discrimination, diversity and inclusion
- Artificial Intelligence
- Bioethics
- Children
- Cities & Regions
- Civil participation
- Contact tracing apps
- Culture, heritage & art
- Cybercrime
- Data protection
- Democracy
- Democratic governance
- Drugs
- Education
- Elections
- Human rights and the rule of law
- Human trafficking
- Intercultural Cities
- Judiciary
- LGBTI Refugees
- Major hazards & disasters
- Media
- Money laundering and terrorism financing
- National Minorities
- Precautionary measures for visitors to the Council of Europe
- Roma and Travellers
- Regional and Minority Languages
- Sexual Orientation and Gender Identity
- Social rights
- Support to the Audiovisual Sector
- Terrorism
- Women’s rights
- Youth
