Combatting Crime in Europe and Beyond – the Council of Europe Mission
Crime in all its forms is an attack on human dignity and the rule of law, posing significant challenges to individuals, communities and societies.
The Council of Europe plays a pivotal role in countering different kinds of criminal behaviour, not only on the continent of Europe, but worldwide, setting high standards and allowing law enforcement and policymakers to act together to stop crimes such as corruption, money laundering, trafficking in human beings and cybercrime.
Cybercrime: Council of Europe efforts to tackle cybercrime worldwide continue to expand as technology develops and brings potential new threats to human rights, democracy and the rule of law.
Corruption: Council of Europe bodies work closely with public institutions to prevent corruption and promote good governance.
Terrorism: the Council of Europe has developed legal texts to prevent and combat terrorism and prevent the laundering of proceeds from crime and the financing of terrorism, while safeguarding human rights.
Trafficking in human beings for different forms of exploitation: the Council of Europe has developed legal texts and recommendations related to prevention, protection of the rights of victims, prosecution of offenders and international cooperation.
Policymakers, researchers and practitioners from the Pompidou Group member States and internationally gathered in Vienna and online on 2–3 June 2026 for a thematic seminar dedicated to the topic of online and digital addictions....
The Group of States against Corruption (GRECO) was established in 1999 to monitor member states’ compliance with the Council of Europe’s anti-corruption standards. It reviews what countries are doing to put those standards into practice, identifies gaps in national anti-corruption policies and helps countries bring in the necessary legislative, institutional and practical reforms. GRECO also acts as a platform for countries to share the best ways to prevent and detect corruption.
MONEYVAL ensures that its member states have in place effective systems to counter money laundering and terrorist financing and comply with relevant international standards. It carries out assessments, recommends ways to improve domestic processes, raises awareness of global initiatives to counter money laundering and the financing of terrorism and works closely with other international bodies.
As regards the 2005 Warsaw Convention, which is the first comprehensive international treaty covering both the prevention and the control of money laundering and the financing of terrorism, another body – the Conference of the Parties – monitors how states comply with its provisions.
The Cybercrime Convention Committee (T-CY) represents the State Parties to the Convention on Cybercrime (Budapest Convention).
Based on article 46 of the Convention, the consultation of the Committee aims at facilitating the effective use and implementation of the Convention, the exchange of information and consideration of any future amendments.
The Council of Europe’s Cybercrime Programme Office (C-PROC), in Bucharest, Romania, assists countries worldwide to strengthen their legal systems to respond to challenges posed by cybercrime and the collection of evidence through electronic means, based on the convention standards.
Highlights of the Council of Europe’s Work to Combat Crime
Tackling international crime
A widening Europe meant new horizons for many…and that included criminals. Borders that were once solid were now easily crossed, and international crime such as illegal trading in drugs and arms, terrorist offences and trafficking in children, women and labourers could only be stopped with international co-operation. In 1990, the Council of Europe adopted the Convention on Laundering, Search, Seizure and Confiscation of the Proceeds from Crime, updated in 2005 by the Warsaw Convention, creating new ways for law enforcement and judicial authorities to investigate crime and to track down, seize and confiscate the proceeds of crime. Its international scope was a forerunner of the later Cybercrime Convention.
Human trafficking
The Council of Europe’s Convention on Action against Trafficking in Human Beings of 2005 is the first international legal instrument to take a human rights-based approach to the fight against human trafficking. The Convention applies to all forms of trafficking, whether national or transnational, whether linked or not to organised crime. It contains provisions in the areas of prevention, protection of the rights of victims, prosecution, international cooperation, coordination of relevant stakeholders, and the role of civil society in anti-trafficking action.
Cybercrime
The Convention on Cybercrime, also known as the Budapest Convention, opened for signature in November 2021, is regarded as the most comprehensive international agreement on cybercrime and electronic evidence to date. It serves as a guideline for any country developing domestic legislation on cybercrime and as a framework for co-operation. It criminalises all kinds of conduct carried out over the Internet – ranging from illegal access, data and systems interference to computer-related fraud and child pornography – and sets out procedural powers to investigate cybercrime and secure electronic evidence in relation to any crime.
It is supplemented by two Protocols – one covering xenophobia and racism, and another one that provides a legal basis for enhanced co-operation and disclosure of electronic evidence.
Trafficking of human organs
The Santiago de Compostela Convention (Convention against Trafficking in Human Organs), opened for signatures on 25 March 2015 in Santiago de Compostela (Spain) and entered into force on 3 March 2018, is the first and the only international criminal law instrument in the field. The Convention criminalises the trafficking of human organs, while also protecting the rights of the victims and promoting cooperation at both the national and international levels.
