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Congress: Good level of local democracy in Finland but the new tier of self-government needs strengthening
The Congress of Local and Regional Authorities has noted the overall positive application of the European Charter of Local Self-Government principles in Finland, but expressed concern about the weak constitutional foundation for the new tier of local self-government at regional level and its...
South-East Europe: 20 years of local authorities’ co-operation paves the way for the region’s future
During its 47th session, the Congress held a debate on 15 October 2024 on local democracy as a pillar of stability in South-East Europe. Dušan Raičević, Mayor of Bar (Montenegro) and President of the Network of Associations of Local Authorities of South-East Europe (NALAS), recalled that the...
Parliamentary Assembly President: ‘Our weapons to fight battles are not bullets, but the words that combine to create arguments‘
Addressing the Congress of Local and Regional Authorities at its 47th plenary Session, Parliamentary Assembly President Theodoros Rousopoulos highlighted the most pressing challenges the Assembly and the Congress both needed to face, including democratic backsliding, Russia’s aggression against...
Congress calls for partnerships to protect Ukraine’s cultural heritage
The Congress of Local and Regional Authorities adopted on 15 October 2024 a Declaration on the destruction of cultural heritage in Ukraine, presented by Martine Dieschburg-Nickels (Luxembourg, L, ILDG) and Gunn-Marit Helgesen (Norway, R, EPP/CCE). The Congress reiterated its condemnation of the...
Council of Europe's anti-racism commission assessed the implementation of its priority recommendations by Cyprus, Denmark, Estonia, Monaco and Hungary
The European Commission against Racism and Intolerance (ECRI) has published today its conclusions on implementing the interim follow-up recommendations to Cyprus, Denmark, Estonia, Monaco, and Hungary. The recommendations concerned the human rights of LGBTI persons, migrants and asylum seekers,...
Stopping violence against women: New report stresses need for risk assessment to keep women safe from violence
The Group of Experts on combating violence against women and domestic violence (GREVIO) has published its 5th general report on activities for 2023, which presents the major achievements of its work and includes a thematic section on “the role and importance of risk assessment and risk management...
Congress session: European towns and regions standing firm for democratic values
“At a time of the continued war of aggression by the Russian Federation against Ukraine, at a time of growing concerns over democratic backsliding in some member states, we must stand firm in defence of democratic values in our towns, cities and regions,” stressed Congress President Marc Cools at...
Venice Commission publishes opinions from October plenary session
The Venice Commission has published a number of opinions this week that had been adopted at its third plenary session of the year in Venice on 11 and 12 October. Highlights include two rule of law opinions on Poland: Opinion on draft amendments to the Law on the Public Prosecutor’s Office in...
Congress committees approve reports on water resources and fight against human trafficking
The three statutory committees of the Congress met in Strasbourg on 15 October 2024, on the first day of the 47th session and all held exchanges on Congress action on human rights at local and regional levels. The Monitoring Committee was updated about post-monitoring in Türkiye and Ireland, and...
European Year of Digital Citizenship Education 2025: Launching Conference
The launching conference on 23-24 January 2025 is organised within the framework of the European Year of Digital Citizenship Education 2025 to give a new impetus to the dedicated activities across the Council of Europe region. The objective of the launching conference is to reaffirm the added...
Congress to hold an urgent debate on the situation in Georgia during its October session
Meeting on 14 October 2024 in Strasbourg, the Congress Bureau decided to hold an urgent debate on the situation in Georgia during the 47th session (15-17 October). Prompted by the deep concern over clear signs of democratic backsliding and the weakening of human rights in Georgia, the debate will...
In European Youth Capitals, young activists discuss new initiatives in times of war
How to best support young people in Ukraine facing the challenge of the ongoing war of aggression by the Russian Federation was the key theme of a visit by a group of some 30 young activists from all over Europe to Lviv, Ukraine and Lublin, Poland on 10-15 October. The visit was organised by the...
A historic milestone for deliberative democracy: Ukraine's first-ever Citizens' Assembly successfully launched
The first weekend of Ukraine’s inaugural Citizens' Assembly, supported by the Council of Europe, successfully concluded on 6 October in Zvyahel. This historic event, the first-ever Citizens' Assembly held under wartime conditions, marks a significant step in advancing deliberative democracy in...
Congress session: Protecting Ukraine’s cultural heritage, ageing communities, common challenges to grassroots democracy in Europe and 10 years of direct youth engagement
The Congress of Local and Regional Authorities will hold its 47th session from 15 to 17 October in Strasbourg, France. On this occasion, the Congress will hold a special debate on Wednesday 16 October to mark the 10th anniversary of its ‘Rejuvenating Politics’ pioneering initiative aimed at...
Secretary General statement following the 5th Meeting of the Conference of Participants of the Register of Damage for Ukraine
The Register of Damage is central to the Council of Europe’s work to ensure accountability for the crimes committed by the Russian Federation in its war of aggression against Ukraine. It was established quickly and efficiently and has already achieved a great deal in a very short time, with more...
Venice Commission holding plenary session
The Council of Europe's Venice Commission holds its third plenary session of the year in Venice on 11 and 12 October. Agenda highlights include two rule of law opinions on Poland concerning draft amendments to the Law on the Public Prosecutor’s Office and European standards regulating the status...
Strategic priorities, gender equality and youth among highlights of international NGOs General Assembly
The Conference of International Non-Governmental Organisations (CINGO) will hold its autumn General Assembly in hybrid format from 14 to 16 October. Meetings will be held in parallel by some of CINGO’s thematic committees and the newly created task force on civic space watch. The discussion and...
Czechia urged to step up efforts to prevent human trafficking for labour exploitation
The Czech authorities should strengthen their efforts to prevent and combat trafficking in human beings, in particular as regards labour exploitation, improve the identification of victims, and take further action to prevent child trafficking, according to a new report by the Council of Europe’s...
International Day for Disaster Risk Reduction: Urgent action needed to increase local and regional risk-preparedness
On the occasion of International Day for Disaster Risk Reduction (13 October), the President of the Congress of Local and Regional Authorities, Marc Cools, has made the following statement: “In the current times of climate change, local and regional politicians must look into any disaster risks...
Protection of national minorities in Bulgaria and Montenegro: expert committee publishes new opinions
The Advisory Committee on the Council of Europe Framework Convention for the Protection of National Minorities has published new opinions assessing the developments of the situation with national minorities in Bulgaria and Montenegro and providing recommendations to the authorities of the two...
