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2021 Václav Havel Prize awarded to Belarusian opposition leader Maria Kalesnikava
The ninth Václav Havel Human Rights Prize – which honours outstanding civil society action in defence of human rights – has been awarded to Belarusian opposition leader and activist Maria Kalesnikava. The 60,000-euro prize was presented at a special ceremony on the opening day of the autumn...
Poland: Judicial independence remains at risk according to new report from GRECO
The Council of Europe’s Group of States against Corruption (GRECO) has published a report on the prevention of corruption in respect of members of parliament, judges and prosecutors. This report contains an update of GRECO’s critical assessment of the 2016-2018 reforms concerning the Polish...
Human rights and environment: the impact of the European Convention on Human Rights
Ahead of a series of Parliamentary Assembly debates on the right to a healthy environment, the Council of Europe has published a new “environment” section of its dedicated website highlighting the impact of the European Convention on Human Rights. The new section includes ten case studies showing...
The Council of Europe stands united in the fight against antisemitism
On 23 September the Ministers’ Deputies held an informal meeting under the Hungarian Presidency on “Combating and preventing antisemitism in Europe: challenges and perspectives” with guest speakers: Rabbi Pinchas Goldschmidt, Chief Rabbi of Moscow and President of the Conference of European...
PACE Autumn Session focuses on the right to a healthy environment
A high-level panel and interactive debate on “The environment and human rights: the right to a safe, healthy and sustainable environment”, as well as a full day of debates on this topic, forms the centrepiece of the Autumn Session of the Parliamentary Assembly of the Council of Europe (PACE),...
European Day of Languages 2021: “All voices matter” says Secretary General
26 September 2021 marks the 20th anniversary of the European Day of Languages. Since 2001, the Day has been celebrating the rich tapestry of languages coexisting in Europe and beyond. According to Council of Europe Secretary General Marija Pejčinović Burić “The European Day of Languages reminds...
San Marino: GREVIO reports substantial progress in national policies to stop violence against women
In its first report on San Marino’s implementation of the Council of Europe Convention on Preventing and Combating Violence against Women and Domestic Violence (known as the “Istanbul Convention”), the Group of Experts (GREVIO) highlights several positive developments. These include the enactment...
Statelessness and the right to a nationality in Europe
Strengthening efforts to end statelessness in Europe and guarantee the provision of fundamental rights to everyone was the key theme of the events organised on 23-24 September in Strasbourg by the Council of Europe’s European Committee on Legal Co-operation (CDCJ) and UNHCR, the UN Refugee...
Secretary General attends UN General Assembly in New York
Council of Europe Secretary General Marija Pejčinović Burić is taking part in the high-level General Debate of the 76th United Nations General Assembly in New York. Her participation includes a series of bilateral meetings with foreign ministers from a number of countries. Prior to this the...
Implementing ECHR judgments: Latest decisions from the Council of Europe’s Committee of Ministers
The latest case-by-case decisions on the implementation of judgments and decisions from the European Court of Human Rights have been published by the Council of Europe’s Committee of Ministers. The Committee adopted 44 decisions concerning 20 member states during the meeting, including three...
Impact of Covid-19 on mental health in prisons and probation
The impact of Covid-19 on the mental health of offenders and staff and the enhanced use of new technologies lead the agenda of the annual conference of Directors of Prison and Probation Services of Council of Europe member states, taking place in Funchal on the island of Madeira (Portugal) on 20...
Poland: Promising initiatives against domestic violence but urgent steps needed to combat other forms of violence against women
In its first report on Poland, the Council of Europe’s GREVIO – the independent group that monitors implementation of the Convention on Preventing and Combating Violence against Women and Domestic Violence (Istanbul Convention) – praises recently introduced emergency barring orders, allowing...
Congress President: “Cities and regions build a democracy of proximity”
On the International Day of Democracy on 15 September 2021, Congress President Leendert Verbeek desired to draw attention to the situation of local and regional democracy. In his words, this “democracy of proximity” – the first level of democracy – enables citizens to most quickly “witness their...
Artificial intelligence – a new portal to promote global cooperation launched with eight international organisations
On 14 September 2021, eight international organisations joined forces to launch a new portal promoting global cooperation on artificial intelligence (AI). The portal is a one-stop shop for data, research findings and good practices in AI policy. The objective of the portal is to help policymakers...
Bosnia and Herzegovina: Anti-torture committee calls for vigorous action to prevent police ill-treatment
In a report published today, the Council of Europe’s Committee for the Prevention of Torture and Inhuman or Degrading Treatment or Punishment (CPT) calls on the authorities of Bosnia and Herzegovina to take vigorous action to address the problem of police ill treatment (summary of the report)....
Governments must step up the fight against antisemitism in all its forms, says anti-racism commission
The European Commission against Racism and Intolerance (ECRI) issues a new General Policy Recommendation to the 47 Council of Europe member states
Implementing European Court of Human Rights judgments
The Council of Europe’s Committee of Ministers is holding its quarterly meeting to oversee the execution of judgments and decisions from the European Court of Human Rights in Strasbourg from 14 to 16 September.Cases proposed for detailed examination concern Albania, Armenia, Azerbaijan, Belgium,...
Secretary General participates in International Remembrance Ceremony at Natzweiler - Struthof
Secretary General Marija Pejčinović Burić took part on Sunday in the international ceremony of Remembrance in the former concentration camp of Natzweiler – Struthof. The Secretary General lit the commemorative flame after having received the torch from deported victims Pierre Rolinet and Henri...
CPT calls on Sweden to improve conditions for remand prisoners
In a new report the Committee for the Prevention of Torture (CPT) calls on the Swedish authorities to limit restrictions on remand prisoners to only exceptional circumstances and to refrain from detaining foreign nationals in prisons instead of placing them in centres specifically designed for...
Crystal Scales of Justice Prize: shortlisted projects announced
The Council of Europe’s “Crystal Scales of Justice Prize” identifies, publicises and shares innovative practices aimed at improving the efficiency and quality of judicial systems. Of 23 applications received from 15 countries, the jury, composed of justice professionals, selected three projects...
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