News and events
Empowering the next generation of local leaders for a democratic Belarus
From 7 to 9 July 2026, 28 representatives of the Belarusian democratic forces and civil society, as well as experts and the Congress Rapporteur for a democratic Belarus, Belinda Gottardi (Italy, SOC/G/PD), met in Strasbourg for the third edition of the workshop “Leaders for change: Promoting...
Council of Europe draws attention to the death penalty in Belarus at World Congress in Paris
Abolition advocacy discussed with Belarusian democratic forces and civil society in exile at a Council of Europe-supported event
“Everywhere. Under all circumstances” – Secretary General Berset on death-penalty abolition
Ninth World Congress against the death penalty features organisation’s efforts to abolish capital punishment
Call for applications to participate in the Leaders for Change workshop
As part of its support to Belarusian democratic forces, the Congress of Local and Regional Authorities of the Council of Europe is launching the third edition of the workshop “Leaders for Change: promoting democracy and human rights at local level” on 7-9 July 2026 in Strasbourg, France,...
Democratic culture is the answer to authoritarianism in Belarus, says Congress Rapporteur
On 2 June 2026, the Congress Rapporteur for a Democratic Belarus, Belinda Gottardi (Italy, SOC/G/PD), participated in the second Kościuszko Forum in Gdansk, co-organised by the Minister of Foreign Affairs of Poland and the European Solidarity Centre. Speaking on a panel alongside Sviatlana...
Secretary General discusses challenges to democracy and the rule of law on official visit to Lithuania
In Vilnius Alain Berset also inaugurated Council of Europe Information point for Belarusian People
Secretary General Alain Berset on official visit to Lithuania
Discussions to focus on international law, democratic security and Ukraine, inauguration of Council of Europe Information point for Belarusian people
Council of Europe advances equality and anti-discrimination agenda with Belarusian democratic forces and civil society
New tools and strengthened commitments discussed in Warsaw
Council of Europe gender equality course now available in Belarusian
The Council of Europe's online course "Gender Equality and Gender Mainstreaming" is now available in Belarusian on the Human Rights Education for Legal Professionals (HELP) e-learning platform. Developed in 2023, the two-and-a-half-hour course introduces key concepts such as gender equality and...
Council of Europe committed to continuing cooperation with Belarusian democratic forces and civil society
New projects planned for next two years
Meeting of the Ministers’ Deputies on 24-25 February 2026
At a special commemoration session on 24 February to mark the fourth anniversary of Russia’s full-scale military invasion of Ukraine, the Ministers’ Deputies reaffirmed their unwavering support to Ukraine and its people. They reiterated that the Russian Federation bears full responsibility for...
Congress concludes series of workshops to support future democratic local governance in Belarus
The Congress has completed a series of three online thematic workshops designed to support Belarusian democratic forces and civil society in their efforts to transform the local self-government system for a future democratic Belarus. The training programme was specifically dedicated to the...
Congress Rapporteur for a Democratic Belarus meets Belarusian democratic forces and civil society in Poland
Congress Vice-President and Rapporteur for a Democratic Belarus Cecilia Dalman Eek (Sweden, SOC/G/PD) carried out a study visit in Poland on 8-10 December 2025 to assess the situation of Belarusian democratic forces (BDF) and civil society in exile and their co-operation with local and regional...
Council of Europe leaders welcome the release of political prisoners in Belarus
Maria Kalesnikava and Ales Bialiatski among those released
Congress initiates dialogue on local solutions to transnational repression against Belarusians in exile
On 29 October, on the sidelines of its 49th session, the Congress of Local and Regional Authorities organised the side event “When passports become weapons: Local authorities’ response to transnational repression against Belarusians abroad”. The objective was to initiate a process towards the...
Congress initiates dialogue on local solutions to transnational repression against Belarusians in exile
On 29 October, on the sidelines of its 49th session, the Congress of Local and Regional Authorities organised the side event “When passports become weapons: Local authorities’ response to transnational repression against Belarusians abroad”. The objective was to initiate a process towards the...
40 years of the European Charter of Local Self-Government: Congress session opens in Strasbourg Session of the Congress of Local and Regional Authorities
“Our session is taking place at a special moment, the 40th anniversary of the European Charter of Local Self-Government. This Charter, ratified by the 46 member countries of the Council of Europe, has established the provisions that must be respected in order for local self-government to be...
Side event of the Congress session: Panel discussion with Belarus Democratic Forces
During the its 49th session, the Congress is organising a panel discussion with the delegation of Belarus democratic forces on Wednesday 29 October from 12:45 to14:00 in Room 10 of the Palais de l’Europe, in English. The panel discussion, under the theme “When passports become weapons: Local...
Side event of the Congress session: Panel discussion with Belarus Democratic Forces
During the its 49th session, the Congress is organising a panel discussion with the delegation of Belarus democratic forces on Wednesday 29 October from 12:45 to14:00 in Room 10 of the Palais de l’Europe, in English. The panel discussion, under the theme “When passports become weapons: Local...
European and World Day against the Death Penalty, 10 October 2025: Joint statement by the High Representative of the European Union and the Secretary General of the Council of Europe
The European Union (EU) and the Council of Europe strongly reaffirm their unequivocal opposition to the death penalty, in all cases and in all circumstances. More than two-thirds of all countries have abolished the death penalty in law or in practice. In 2024, we welcomed the abolition of the...