News 2015
Anti-torture committee calls on Romania to combat ill-treatment in prisons
In a report on Romania published today, the Council of Europe anti-torture committee (CPT) expresses its concern about numerous credible allegations of ill-treatment by persons held in prisons, although it also points out significant progress in reducing such practice in police stations. The CPT,...
Massive arrival of refugees in Europe
Following the thematic debate which took place last week, the Ministers' Deputies adopted a series of decisions today concerning the massive arrival of refugees in Europe. In particular, they recalled the obligations which fall upon member States under international law, particularly the...
Jacques Bühler receives the Pro Merito Medal of the Secretary General of the Council of Europe
Mr Jacques Bühler, Deputy Secretary General of the Swiss Federal Court, CEPEJ member and President of the SATURN Centre Steering Committee for judicial time management, has been awarded the Pro Merito Medal of the Secretary General of the Council of Europe, in the framework of the 10th plenary...
Committee of Ministers examines implementation of European Court of Human Rights judgments
The representatives of the 47 member States of the Council of Europe will examine the implementation of the judgments and decisions of the European Court of Human Rights on 22‑24 September 2015. This supervisory role of the Committee of Ministers is provided for under Article 46 of the European...
Remove obstacles to the work of women’s rights defenders
“Human rights defenders and civil society organisations working to protect the human rights of women and gender equality perform an essential role in Europe. They provide much needed assistance to victims of gender-based violence, combat discrimination against women, contribute to peace-building...
Council of Europe monitoring group on violence against women names President and Vice-Presidents
Following its inaugural meeting held in Strasbourg, the Council of Europe’s Group of Experts on Action against Violence against Women and Domestic Violence (GREVIO) today announced the election of its first President and two Vice-Presidents. The President is Professor Feride Acar, faculty member...
"In the face of indifference and rejection, we must move towards a globalisation of solidarity"
Following her audience with His Holiness Pope Francis at the Vatican today, Anne Brasseur, President of the Parliamentary Assembly of the Council of Europe (PACE), made the following statement: “In the course of my discussion with Pope Francis, I expressed my conviction that our absolute priority...
Belgium: accelerate reception of asylum-seekers and improve inclusive education
"The overwhelmingly positive response of Belgian society to the arrivals of refugees and the decision of the authorities to increase the quota of Syrian refugees they accept for resettlement are encouraging signs. They suggest that Belgium is ready to play its part to ensure that Europe meets the...
Freedom of Expression: still a precondition for democracy?
The Council of Europe brings together top judges, government officials and activists to address current challenges to freedom of expression at a conference in Strasbourg
Minority languages in Norway: Council of Europe praises government efforts
Council of Europe experts, in their new report published today evaluated the application by Norway of the European Charter for Regional or Minority Languages. The independent expert committee acknowledged the commitment and the efforts of the authorities to support and protect the languages, but...
Secretary General on official visit to Finland
Meetings with the Foreign Minister Timo Soini and President Sauli Niinistö
European Roma Institute will spread understanding of Roma culture and challenge stereotypes
Council of Europe member States have approved a proposal for the creation of a new European Roma Institute for Arts and Culture. Council of Europe Secretary General Jagland issued the following statement: “The Council of Europe wants to help celebrate the contribution of Roma art, history, and...
Secretary General questions Hungary over human rights
Secretary General Thorbjørn Jagland will write to Hungarian Prime Minister Viktor Orbán about new legislation adopted in the context of the migration crisis. “I am concerned about a series of recent amendments to legislation in Hungary which will, among other things, allow the Government to...
Council of Europe Bank proposes new "Migrant and Refugee Fund"
In response to the unprecedented influx of refugees in Europe the Council of Europe Development Bank (CEB) has launched a new grant facility named "Migrant and Refugee Fund" (MRF) to finance transit and reception centres in affected countries. The CEB will, pending approval from its governing...
Youth can lead the way to help migrants and refugees, say participants of Council of Europe’s youth event in Budapest
Young people can play a major role in fostering citizen solidarity and social integration in the current refugee crisis in Europe, including through digital means. This is a key topic of the Symposium on Youth Participation in the Digitalised World, organised by the Youth Partnership between the...
Refugee crisis: Council of Europe reminds states of respect for human rights of all
Secretary General Thorbjørn Jagland has issued guidance to the Council of Europe’s 47 member States on the treatment of migrants and asylum seekers, including with regard to their reception and temporary living conditions, to ensure respect for their human rights. “The ongoing migrant crisis is...
Statement by Council of Europe Secretary General Jagland on recent events in Turkey
“Recent events in Turkey are very worrying. I strongly condemn the deadly attacks on Turkish security forces. And I express my sincere condolences to all victims of violence over the past days. I am also alarmed by the attacks on political parties and media outlets which risk destabilising...
UNHCR and Council of Europe leaders stress need to protect human rights of refugees
Council of Europe Secretary General Thorbjorn Jagland and the UN High Commissioner for Refugees António Guterres met today in Geneva to discuss the current human rights situation of refugees in Europe and strengthen co-operation between the two organisations. "Governments should draw inspiration...
Europe can do more to protect refugees
For many years European countries have been warned about the inadequacy of their immigration and asylum systems. Now, with increased refugee arrivals and more frequent tragedies, this system is showing all its weaknesses. But refugee arrivals are not the real cause of this collapse. The real...
