Newsroom
Committee denounces silencing of critical voices in Azerbaijan
The Committee on Legal Affairs and Human Rights, meeting in Tallinn on 27 May, expressed its deep concern regarding the systemic pattern of “silencing critical voices in Azerbaijan”, including through restrictive legislative measures – notably the Law on the Media, the Law on Political Parties...
Azerbaijan has ratified the Council of Europe Convention against trafficking in human organs
Azerbaijan has deposited the instrument of ratification of the Council of Europe Convention against Trafficking in Human Organs (CETS No. 216).
Congress Secretary General at World Urban Forum: “Housing is a question of democratic resilience and human dignity”
“If we want local and regional governments to play their full role in housing and land-use planning, we need governance systems that combine democratic legitimacy, long-term capacity and...
PACE rapporteur calls for the immediate release of Anar Mammadli
The General Rapporteur for political prisoners of the Parliamentary Assembly of the Council of Europe (PACE), Azadeh Rojhan (Sweden, SOC), made the following statement on the second anniversary of Anar Mammadli’s detention in Azerbaijan: “Today marks exactly two years since Anar Mammadli, a...
PACE rapporteur strongly condemns harsh final sentences against journalists in Azerbaijan
Christophe Lacroix (Belgium, SOC), PACE rapporteur for “Threats to life and safety of journalists and human rights defenders in Azerbaijan”, made the following statement today: “I am deeply disappointed by the recent decisions of Azerbaijan’s Supreme Court rejecting the appeals of imprisoned...
Council of Europe anti-torture Committee holds high-level talks in Azerbaijan
Representatives of the Committee for the Prevention of Torture and Inhuman or Degrading Treatment or Punishment (CPT), led by President Alan Mitchell, recently conducted high-level discussions...
Towards a new European security architecture
Secretary General Berset addresses the Committee of Ministers of the Council of Europe as war in Iran rages on its borders
Money laundering and terrorist financing progress reports on Azerbaijan, Croatia and Estonia
Council of Europe’s MONEYVAL issues follow-up reports
PACE General Rapporteur expresses deep concern over pre-trial detention of Ali Karimli in Azerbaijan
The General Rapporteur for political prisoners of the Parliamentary Assembly of the Council of Europe (PACE), Azadeh Rojhan (Sweden, SOC), made the following statement regarding the arrest of Ali Karimli, the Chairman of the Azerbaijan Popular Front Party, on charges of actions aimed at seizing...
Implementation by Armenia, Azerbaijan and Georgia of ECRI priority recommendations
Work outstanding regarding majority of Council of Europe’s anti-racism body’s priority recommendations to three states
Democratic security: Europe’s strategic imperative
Insights from Secretary General Berset’s weekly briefing to the Ministers’ Deputies
Convictions of Abzas Media journalists ‘part of a continuing pattern of pressure against independent media in Azerbaijan’ says Parliamentary Assembly rapporteur
Christophe Lacroix (Belgium, SOC), PACE rapporteur on “Threats to life and safety of journalists and human rights defenders in Azerbaijan”, has issued the following statement: “I am deeply disappointed by the recent judgment of the Baku Court of Appeal upholding the convictions of seven...
Three candidates shortlisted for the 2025 Václav Havel Prize
The selection panel of the Václav Havel Human Rights Prize, which rewards outstanding civil society action in defence of human rights in Europe and beyond, has today announced the shortlist for the 2025 Award. Meeting in Prague, the panel – made up of independent figures from the world of human...
Armenia and Azerbaijan: A milestone on the road to lasting peace
The Secretary General of the Council of Europe, Alain Berset, has made the following statement: “I warmly welcome today’s initialing of the Armenia-Azerbaijan peace agreement in Washington DC, which paves the way towards a final settlement of the long-standing conflict between the countries –...
Azerbaijan: the Commissioner reiterates his call for the release of imprisoned human rights defenders, journalists and civil society activists
Statement - “I am concerned by the criminal conviction of 7 journalists of Abzas media in Azerbaijan, who received prison sentences of 7,5 to 9 years. I reiterate my call for the release of all...
Implementing ECHR rulings: Latest decisions from the Committee of Ministers
The Council of Europe’s Committee of Ministers has published the case-by-case decisions taken during the Committee’s meeting from 10 to 12 June to supervise the implementation of judgments and decisions from the European Court of Human Rights. The Committee of Ministers adopted 40 decisions...
Azerbaijan: Parliamentary Assembly General Rapporteur deplores sentencing of a Talysh academic to 18 years in prison
The PACE General Rapporteur for political prisoners, Azadeh Rojhan (Sweden, SOC), made the following statement regarding the conviction of Igbal Abilov, a Talysh historian and ethnographer, on charges of high treason in Azerbaijan: “I am deeply concerned by the verdict of the Lankaran Serious...
Azerbaijan: authorities should release imprisoned human rights defenders, journalists and civil society activists
Statement - “I am following with concern the criminal proceedings against Anar Mammadli,” said Council of Europe Commissioner for Human Rights, Michael...
Armenia and Azerbaijan: statement by Secretary General Alain Berset
The Secretary General of the Council of Europe, Alain Berset, has welcomed the announcements of Armenia and Azerbaijan on the finalisation of negotiations on the draft Agreement on Peace and Establishment of Interstate Relations. When joining the Council of Europe in 2001, both countries pledged...
Parliamentary Assembly monitors call on Azerbaijan authorities to immediately release Bakhtiyar Hajiyev
The co-rapporteurs of the Parliamentary Assembly of the Council of Europe (PACE) for the monitoring of Azerbaijan, Ian Liddell-Grainger (United Kingdom, EC/DA) and Lise Christoffersen (Norway, SOC), have expressed profound concern over the continuing detention of Bakhtiyar Hajiyev, a well-known...
*All references to Kosovo, whether the territory, institutions or population, in this text shall be understood in full compliance with United Nation's Security Council Resolution 1244 and without prejudice to the status of Kosovo.