News 2016
Congress rapporteurs complete fact-finding mission to Turkey
From 18 to 20 December 2016, the rapporteurs on Turkey of the Congress of Local and Regional Authorities of the Council of Europe Anders KNAPE (Sweden, EPP/CCE) and Leen VERBEEK (Netherlands, SOC) carried out the second part of their fact-finding mission to Turkey, to investigate the recent...
Recent terrorist attacks in Europe
Statement by the Chair of the Committee of Ministers of the Council of Europe, Ioannis Kasoulides, Minister for Foreign Affairs of Cyprus
Suspected terrorist attack in Berlin: Secretary General statement
'The Council of Europe mourns with Germany today for the victims of the suspected terror attack on a Christmas market in Berlin which killed and injured so many innocent people. The responsible way in which the German authorities are handling and communicating this crisis is exemplary. I express...
Statement by Secretary General Jagland on murder of Russian Ambassador to Turkey, Andrei Karlov
"I am shocked and deeply saddened by the assassination of the Russian Federation's Ambassador to Turkey in Ankara today. I present my sincere condolences to the Russian authorities and to the family and colleagues of Ambassador Karlov. All of us at the Council of Europe express our solidarity...
Secretary General Thorbjørn Jagland condemns terrorist attack in Turkey
Statement on bomb attack in Turkish city of Kayseri
North-South Prize 2016 recognises efforts towards migrants, refugees and democracy
The North-South Center of the Council of Europe is pleased to announce that Ms Guisepina Nicolini, Mayor of the City of Lampedusa, and Ms Mbarka Brahmi, member of the Tunisian parliament have accepted the nomination of the jury of the North South Prize to be the recipients of the 2016 North South...
Anti-torture committee criticises inadequate safeguards for foreign nationals returned by air from Italy and Spain
In two reports published today on Italy and Spain, the Council of Europe’s anti-torture committee (CPT) criticises the lack of adequate safeguards for foreign national returned by air from these countries, in particular concerning the way the individuals concerned are informed of their imminent...
Cooperation with national human rights bodies to protect freedom of expression and journalists
The Council of Europe and the European Network of National Human Rights Institutions (ENNHRI) are jointly organising on 15 December in Strasbourg a high level seminar to discuss the potential for co-operation to promote and protect freedom of expression and the safety of journalists in member...
Key to Europe becoming a death penalty free area lies in Belarus, say participants at Minsk conference
A conference on the abolition of the death penalty and public opinion, organised by the Council of Europe in co-operation with the Ministry of Foreign Affairs of Belarus was held in Minsk today. Deputy Foreign Minister of Belarus Yevgeny Shestakov and the UK Ambassador to Belarus Fionna Gibb...
Latvia urged to ensure gender equality and foster an inclusive society
Human Rights Commissioner Nils Muižnieks releases report on his visit to the country in September
GRECO report: Greece should step up its fight against corruption in politics
A new report by the Council of Europe’s Group of States against Corruption (GRECO) on Greece finds that transparency in party financing and the incriminations of bribery and trading in influence have not improved further since it last issued a report in June 2015. Despite recommendations by GRECO...
Committee of Ministers reviews the implementation of judgments of the European Court of Human Rights
On 7-9 December, representatives of the 47 member states of the Council of Europe held their fourth “Human Rights” meeting of 2016, during which they examined the implementation of judgments of the European Court of Human Rights in keeping with the supervisory role of the Committee of Ministers,...
Secretary General condemns terrorist attacks in Turkey, conveys condolences
Statement on the Istanbul bomb attacks
Turkey : state of emergency justified but measures taken excessive - Venice Commission
An opinion adopted today by the Council of Europe’s constitutional law experts – the Venice Commission – concludes that Turkish authorities had been confronted “with a dangerous armed conspiracy” and had “good reasons” to declare the state of emergency, but that measures taken by the Government...
Lithuania: ensure better protection for persons with disabilities, children and victims of domestic violence
“I welcome the commitment expressed by the authorities to move away from the practice of placing children without parental care and people with disabilities in institutions. However, many persons continue to live in an institutional environment. The authorities should intensify their efforts to...
International Anti-Corruption Day, 9 December
To mark the International Anti-Corruption Day, the president of the Group of States against Corruption of the Council of Europe (GRECO), Marin Mrčela, today made the following statement: “Combating corruption is not only a matter of new laws, but also a matter of ethics and individual behaviour,...
Hate speech is not free speech, says Secretary General ahead of Human Rights Day
Speaking ahead of Human Rights Day on 10 December, the Secretary General of the Council of Europe, Thorbjørn Jagland, has warned that hate speech and free speech should not be confused. “We look back at what has been achieved and we think of the many people who have endured hardship and given...
Abolition of death penalty and public opinion
The death penalty is a violation of fundamental human rights: the right to life and the right not to be subjected to cruel, inhuman or degrading treatment. It does not deter crime more effectively that other punishments, and it is impossible to ensure that innocent people are not executed. The...
National human rights structures: protecting human rights while countering terrorism
Human Rights Commissioner Nils Muižnieks publishes his latest Human Rights Comment
Secretary General Jagland on official visit to Moscow for talks with President Putin, Foreign Minister Lavrov
Council of Europe Secretary General Thorbjørn Jagland is visiting Moscow on 6-7 December 2016 with an official visit to meet with the President Vladimir Putin, Foreign Minister Sergey Lavrov, Speaker of the Duma Vyacheslav Volodin, Speaker of the Federation Council of the Russian Federation...
Counter-terrorism operations in the South East of Turkey caused widespread human rights violations
“Numerous human rights of a very large civilian population in South-Eastern Turkey have been violated as a result of curfews imposed and anti-terrorism operations conducted there since August 2015. I call on Turkey to stop using curfews in such a manner, investigate all allegations of human...
Under-representation of women in political life undermines democratic processes in the Eastern Partnership countries: new study
Democracy should apply to all women and men equally, concluded participants at an international conference that took place in Kyiv on 1 December, where a new regional study on the situation in Eastern Partnership countries was presented. The event focused on women’s political representation in...
International Day of Persons with Disabilities
In the run-up to the International Day of Persons with Disabilities (3 December), the head of the 47-nation Council of Europe has called on European governments to draw on the newly-adopted Disability Strategy (2017-2023) to make human rights a reality for all. Secretary General Jagland said:...
Mexico to join the Council of Europe’s drug policy platform The Pompidou Group
Mexico will become the 39th member of the Council of Europe’s drug policy cooperation platform The Pompidou Group, it was announced today by the Council of Europe’s Committee of Ministers. Earlier this month in Venice, Ambassador Santiago Oñate Laborde of Mexico presented Mexico’s drug policies...
Council of Europe at the 2016 Internet Governance Forum
The protection of privacy and personal data continue to face unprecedented threats – linked to mass surveillance and other risks. Cybercrime is increasing as the internet and communication technology develop across borders. International co-operation and the effective implementation of legally...
Hungary should make money-laundering fight a greater priority
The Council of Europe’s anti-money laundering and counter-terrorist financing body (MONEYVAL) in its report published today, welcomes that the number of investigations and prosecutions for money laundering in Hungary are on the rise. However, it considers that the fight against money laundering...
Budapest ministerial sports conference
Council of Europe and WADA sign partnership agreement
Ministerial sports conference in Budapest: a unified approach to integrity in sport
Speaking at the opening of the conference, the Deputy Secretary General of the Council of Europe, Gabriella Battaini-Dragoni, stressed the need for a unified approach to integrity in sport to address challenges: “there will be no progress on match-fixing unless governments agree to, and...
Ireland: advance equality of Travellers and women
“I am deeply concerned at the persisting social exclusion and discrimination Travellers are confronted with in Ireland”, said the Council of Europe’s Commissioner for Human Rights, Nils Muižnieks today, concluding a three-day visit to the country. With Travellers having been affected in a gravely...
End violence against women: 25 November
25 November : International campaign for the elimination of violence against women. The Human Rights Channel website includes an “Actions” page which asks you to share this message on the web and on social media. >Help us to help them!
New opinion on the role of court presidents
The Council of Europe’s Consultative Council of European Judges (CCJE) adopted an opinion on the role of court presidents. In this Opinion, the CCJE clarifies the role of court presidents concerning the representation of the court, relations within the court with other judges, and presidents’...
Refugees speak out at Lisbon Forum, amid calls to improve coordination of humanitarian aid
Refugees from Iraq, Afghanistan and Syria explained their experiences at this year’s Lisbon Forum, as calls were made to improve coordination to assist them as humanitarian crises continue. Adam, a 26-year-old Syrian student in Portugal, explained how programmes like the Global Platform for...
Celebrating 10 years of stronger Council of Europe/EU relations
Secretary General Jagland and the EU’s High Representative for Foreign Affairs and Security Policy, Federica Mogherini, are launching a series of initiatives to mark the 10th anniversary of the 2007 Memorandum of Understanding between the Council of Europe and the European Union. In the presence...
Committee of Ministers: Estonia hands over chairmanship to Cyprus
The Chairmanship of the Committee of Ministers of the Council of Europe today passed from Estonia to Cyprus, at a meeting at the Organisation's Strasbourg headquarters, attended by representatives of its 47 member States. Before handing over the chairmanship to his successor, the outgoing Chair,...
Doping, match-fixing and good governance on the agenda of Sport Ministers conference in Hungary
European Sport Ministers will meet on Tuesday 29 November in Budapest (Hungary) at a conference organised by the Council of Europe under its Enlarged Partial Agreement on Sport (EPAS), aimed at more effectively combating doping, promoting implementation of the Convention on match-fixing and...
Armenia: positive developments for life prisoners, problems with prison conditions
In its new report on Armenia published today, the Council of Europe’s Committee for the Prevention of Torture (CPT) noted positive developments in the treatment of life-sentenced prisoners, but pointed out remaining problems with ill-treatment in the police custody, understaffing and lack of...
Russian Federation: The Group of States against Corruption publishes its Second Compliance Report
The Council of Europe’s anti-corruption group (GRECO) today made public its Second Compliance Report on the Russian Federation concerning incriminations (criminalisation of corruption) and transparency of party funding. GRECO concludes that the Russian Federation has now implemented...
Deputy Secretary General at WADA meeting in Glasgow
Council of Europe Deputy Secretary General Gabriella Battaini-Dragoni participated today, as one of the European representatives, to the Foundation Board of the World Anti-Doping Agency (WADA). Prior to this meeting, public authorities' officials met in London, at the invitation of the Council of...
Azerbaijan: Statement by Secretary General Jagland on the decision of the Supreme Court today rejecting the appeal by Ilgar Mammadov
“Today, Azerbaijan’s highest court has failed to uphold the country’s legal obligation to execute the judgment of the European Court of Human Rights. The severity of this development for Azerbaijan as a member of the Council of Europe cannot be underestimated. Azerbaijan’s flagrant disrespect of...
Intolerable detention conditions during Belgian prison strike says Council of Europe’s anti-torture committee
In its report published today, the Council of Europe's Committee for the Prevention of Torture and Inhuman or Degrading Treatment or Punishment (CPT) has described the disturbing situation it found during its visit in May 2016 to Huy, Ittre and Jamioulx prisons, as well as in the social defence...
End Child Sex Abuse Day
European Day on the Protection of Children against Sexual Exploitation and Sexual Abuse
Treaties of Nijmegen Medal for the European Court of Human Rights
President Guido Raimondi has received the prestigious Treaties of Nijmegen Medal on behalf of the European Court of Human Rights at a ceremony in the Netherlands on Friday 18 November. The prize is awarded every two years to a key international figure or institution in recognition of their...
Official visit of the President of Poland Andrzej Duda
Polish President Andrzej Duda today paid an official visit to the Council of Europe. Following a meeting with Secretary General Thorbjørn Jagland, President Duda had an exchange of views with the Ministers’ Deputies. He also met with Guido Raimondi, President of the European Court of Human...
Cybercrime: towards a new legal tool on electronic evidence
“The 15th anniversary of the Budapest Convention on Cybercrime is a turning point, in that the Convention is now reaching out into the ‘clouds’,” said the Secretary General of the Council of Europe, Thorbjørn Jagland, at the opening of the 2016 Octopus conference. Data, and therefore electronic...
Migrants in limbo in Europe have the right to live in dignity
“In some countries, they call them “invisible persons”, in others – “ghosts”. Throughout Europe there are many migrants, primarily rejected asylum seekers, who live in a state of protracted legal and social limbo without any long-term prospects.”, says Nils Muižnieks, Council of Europe...
European Day on the Protection of Children against Sexual Exploitation and Sexual Abuse
Statement by Jürgen Ligi, Chair of the Committee of Ministers and Minister for Foreign Affairs of Estonia
Protecting you and your rights: the Budapest Convention on Cybercrime fifteen years on
Fifteen years after its adoption, the Budapest Convention remains the most effective international treaty on cybercrime and the rule of law in cyberspace. Achievements and challenges, such as access to electronic evidence and the use of information technology for terrorist purposes, will be...
Internment of Gypsies by France between 1940 and 1946
Special Representative for Roma Issues welcomes President Francois Hollande’s historic acknowledgement
"Public Service Media and Democracy" conference in Prague 10-11 November 2016
On 10 November 2016 in Prague, the President of the European Parliament, Martin Schultz and the Secretary General of the Council of Europe, Thorbjørn Jagland, will open a conference on ‘Public Service Media and Democracy’. The conference is jointly organised by the Council of Europe and its...
Democracy Innovation Award
The Council of Europe’s Democracy Innovation Award goes to German initiative in favour of higher education for refugees
2016 Exchange on the religious dimension of intercultural dialogue
The role of education in the prevention of radicalisation
World Forum for Democracy (7-9 November 2016, Strasbourg)
“Democracy and equality: does education matter?”
Statement by Jürgen Ligi, Chair of the Committee of Ministers, Minister of Foreign Affairs of Estonia
Situation in Turkey
Conference in Tallinn on children’s rights in migration crisis and digital environment
An international conference on Children’s rights in the migration crisis and the digital environment is taking place in Tallinn, Estonia from 3 to 4 November 2016. It is held under the current Estonian Chairmanship of the Committee of Ministers of the Council of Europe. In his opening speech,...
Secretary General Jagland concerned about the situation of Ildar Dadin
Thorbjørn Jagland yesterday expressed his concern about allegations of ill-treatment of human rights activist Ildar Dadin in a telephone call to Alexander Konovalov, Minister of Justice of the Russian Federation. The Secretary General underlined the importance of the joint work carried out by the...
Nominations for UNHCR Nansen Refugee Award 2017
The United Nations High Commissioner for Refugees (UNHCR) has announced the opening of nominations for the 2017 Nansen Refugee Award. The award is bestowed on a person or group for outstanding work on behalf of the forcibly displaced, and aims to showcase the values of perseverance and conviction...
Rotterdam: Summit of Mayors for the “Alliance of European cities against violent extremism”
The Congress of Local and Regional Authorities of the Council of Europe, the City of Rotterdam and the European Forum for Urban Security (Efus) are organising a Summit of Mayors for the “Alliance of European cities against violent extremism” on Wednesday 9 November 2016 in Rotterdam, the...
Anti-torture committee critical of treatment and conditions of migrants and refugees in Hungary
In a report published today, the Council of Europe’s Committee for the Prevention of Torture and Inhuman or Degrading Treatment or Punishment (CPT) welcomes cooperation of Hungarian authorities during its visit last year to detention centres and police detention facilities for foreigners, but...
The Czech Republic should improve measures to prevent corruption among MPs, judges and prosecutors
In a report published today, the Council of Europe’s Group of States against Corruption (GRECO) calls on the Czech authorities to make substantial reforms to strengthen the prevention of corruption among parliamentarians, judges and prosecutors (see also the Czech version of the report) GRECO...
Turkey: Secretary General Jagland concerned about state of emergency measures and freedom of expression
Council of Europe of Secretary General Jagland has commented on recent developments in Turkey in a statement released on Monday: "It is highly questionable if the raid against Cumhuriyet can be justified as a proportionate measure, even under the state of emergency. I am also concerned about the...
Secretary General on official visit to Monaco
The Secretary General of the Council of Europe, Thorbjørn Jagland will have an Audience with Prince Albert II of Monaco and meet the followings officials: - Mr Philippe Narmino, Director of Judicial Services - Mr Serge Telle, Minister of State - Mr Christophe Steiner, Chairman of the National...
Statement by the Spokesperson of the Secretary General on the arrest of co-mayors of Diyarbakır
It is a matter of particular concern to the Council of Europe when democratically-elected representatives are deprived of their liberty. We will ask the authorities in our member state Turkey to provide us with the necessary explanations.
Council of Europe calls on member states to ban genetic tests for insurance purposes
The Council of Europe calls upon the Governments of its Member States to ensure non-discrimination, including on grounds of genetic characteristics, and the protection of private life in the framework of insurance contracts covering risks related to health, age or death. “People’s health and...
Secretary General meets Hungarian Justice Minister László Trócsányi
Secretary General Thorbjørn Jagland on Tuesday met the Hungarian Justice Minister, László Trócsányi. Minsiter Trócsányi reported that new legislation had been adopted to provide an effective remedy to victims of prison ovecrowding in line with a pilot judgment (Varga and others) by the European...
The European day of justice is celebrated in 18 member States of the Council of Europe
The European Day of Justice is celebrated each year around the 25 October. It aims to bring justice closer to citizens, to inform them on their rights and to to promote the work of the Council of Europe and the European Commission in the field of justice, through simulation of procedures and...
Prevention of corruption in respect of top government officials and law enforcement
In 2017, the Council of Europe anti-corruption body GRECO will start monitoring the prevention of corruption and the promotion of integrity in central governments (top executive functions) and law enforcement agencies, which will be the themes of its 5th Evaluation Round. In a plenary meeting...
EUR-OPA Hazard Ministerial Conference in Lisbon: Building more disaster resilient societies
This summer, some Southern European countries have faced unprecedented heatwaves and wildfires. Portugal is due to host the 13th ministerial session of the Council of Europe’s European and Mediterranean Major Hazards Agreement (EUR-OPA) on 26 October 2016 in Lisbon. Designed to strengthen...
A Europe rich in history, heritage and values: the Cultural Routes Advisory Forum 2016 in Vilnius
A journey through space and time across Europe to foster cultural heritage, enhance diversity and promote intercultural dialogue: the Council of Europe Cultural Routes Annual Advisory Forum 2016 will take place at the Radisson Blu Hotel Lietuva in Vilnius (Lithuania) on 26-27 October. This year’s...
Local democracy in Cyprus
Today the Congress of Local and Regional authorities of the Council of Europe adopted a report on the state of local democracy Cyprus following a monitoring visit to Nicosia, Kokkinotrimithia, Ayios Dhometios and Paphos in April 2016. It was the third monitoring report since the ratification of...
European Committee of Social Rights: Greek minister attends hearing on social rights and austerity
A public hearing of the European Committee of Social Rights today focused on how austerity in Greece has affected social rights under the guidelines of the European Social Charter. The committee granted the hearing request, which was made by the complainant organisation, the Greek General...
Thorbjørn Jagland: “Congress' thematics are in line with the Council of Europe's priorities”
“It is very important for the Council of Europe to work with the Congress which represents the grassroots level closest to the people of our member countries”, said Council of Europe Secretary General Thorbjørn Jagland in his address to the 31st Session of the Congress on 19 October 2016. He...
Preventing radicalisation in towns, cities and regions: the Congress consolidates its strategy
The Congress committees on current affairs and governance have held joint discussions on the Congress’ strategy to prevent radicalisation in towns, cities and regions. The report and resolution presented by Josef Neumann (Germany, SOC) and Bert Bouwmeester (Netherlands, ILDG) urge the Congress...
Gudrun Mosler-Törnström elected as first woman President of the Congress
The members of the Congress of Local and Regional Authorities of the Council of Europe, meeting for the 31st Session in Strasbourg (France), elected Gudrun Mosler-Törnström (Austria, SOC) as President for a two-year term of office. Ms Mosler-Törnström is the first woman being elected to the...
How to fight human trafficking: new guide for governments
10th European Anti-Trafficking Day, 18 October
Why remembering the Holocaust is a human rights imperative
"The Shoah stands out as one of the defining moments of history that has shaped the conscience of mankind. It is unique in its roots, implementation and envisioned totality", says Nils Muižnieks, Council of Europe Commissioner of Human Rights, in his latest Human rights Comment published today....
Calais camp closure
There must be alternative accommodation in France and increased cooperation for the transfer of unaccompanied children to the United Kingdom
Venice Commission: New Polish law on constitutional tribunal gives excessive power to parliament and the executive over the judiciary
An opinion adopted today by the Council of Europe’s constitutional law experts, the Venice Commission, found that Poland’s new Act on the Constitutional Tribunal does not meet two essential standards of balance of power in government: the independence of the judiciary and the position of the...
New tool to help governments strengthen democracy through culture
The 47-nation Council of Europe is today launching a new statistical tool to help decision-makers see where changes in cultural policy can best help to strengthen democracy. “Experts have thought for a long time that there are strong links between people taking part in cultural activities and...
Finland: new report on minorities
Efforts needed to protect Samí rights, Swedish language and combat hate speech, says a report on minorities in Finland
Conference on Migrants, asylum seekers and refugees in the context of major risks prevention and management
Migrants are a risk group also facing natural hazards and technological accidents. To analyse how countries deal with their vulnerabilities, the EUR-OPA Major Hazards Agreement of the Council of Europe will hold a conference on Migrants, asylum seekers and refugees in the context of natural and...
Frank-Walter Steinmeier: ‘Human rights are and must remain non-negotiable’
“Human rights are and must remain non-negotiable,” German Federal Foreign Minister Frank-Walter Steinmeier told parliamentarians today at PACE’s plenary session in Strasbourg. “They are not just an instrument to be used when it suits on the road to peace. They are in fact the cornerstone on which...
Ukraine: only ‘significant progress’ by Russia can form basis for full-fledged dialogue
The Parliamentary Assembly of the Council of Europe (PACE) has said that only “significant and measurable progress” by Russia towards implementation of three recent resolutions of the Assembly can form the basis for restoration of a fully-fledged, mutually respectful dialogue. In a resolution on...
Mevlüt Çavuşoğlu: the values of the Council of Europe should inspire further reforms in Turkey
“The Council of Europe has had a significant role in Turkey’s progress in the past 15 years. We will press ahead with our plans for constitutional and institutional reform and will continue to heed the Council of Europe’s recommendations,” said Mevlüt Çavusoglu, Turkey’s Minister for Foreign...
Thomas Bach: Governments and the Olympic Movement have a common responsibility in the fight against doping
“Deficiencies of the World Anti-Doping Agency in the fight against doping have become apparent. It is encouraging to see that the World Anti-Doping Agency (WADA) is now starting to address these deficiencies through the organisation of Think Tanks and other measures”, today said the President of...
Cyprus: Secretary General Jagland on Official Visit
Secretary General Thorbjørn Jagland is meeting with Cypriot government officials on Friday to discuss the upcoming Cypriot chairmanship of the Council of Europe (from 22 November 2016 to 19 May 2017). The chairmanship will address several key human rights issues, from detention of irregular...
Jürgen Ligi: the Committee of Ministers and the Assembly must work together closely
Addressing the Parliamentary Assembly today, Jürgen Ligi, Minister for Foreign Affairs of Estonia, mentioned the recent events that had taken place during Estonia’s Chairmanship of the Committee of Ministers, including notably the attempted coup d’état in Turkey. “It is important that the...