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Congress Rapporteur: Local and regional authorities bear key responsibility for fighting intolerance
“The Congress is active on a wide range of anti-discrimination issues, fighting intolerance and strengthening human rights delivery in municipalities and regions,” underlined Martine Dieschburg-Nickels (Luxembourg, ILDG), Deputy Standing Rapporteur on Human Rights of the Congress, addressing the...
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
GRETA welcomes increased focus on child trafficking in France
Council of Europe body calls for improvements in prevention and victim identification
Happy Birthday to the Permanent Representation of France to the Council of Europe!
Robert Schuman, René Cassin, Simone Veil, Robert Badinter – une contribution exceptionnelle
The situation in long-term care facilities in France: the Council of Europe Commissioner for Human Rights encourages the accelerated implementation of measures to safeguard the human rights of older people
Following his visit to France from 8 to 16 June, the Council of Europe Commissioner for Human Rights, Michael O’Flaherty, sets out his findings on the human rights situation of...
Congress urges partnerships with civil society to counter hate speech
“Hate speech does not occur in a vacuum. It is generally a symptom of underlying causes such as social exclusion, feelings of injustice or discrimination,” stressed Kristoffer Tamsons (Sweden,...
Congress Governance Committee adopts reports on preventing corruption and school absenteeism
The Congress Committee on Governance, Civic Engagement and the Environment met in Paris on 11 June 2026, chaired by Bernadette Geieregger (Austria, EPP/CCE). A key highlight was the adoption...
Congress Secretary General at the G7 engagement group for cities
Ten days ahead of the G7 Summit in Evian (France), the engagement group for cities (U7), met in Nancy from 2 to 4 June 2026. The U7 brought together mayors and local leaders from G7 countries...
Twelfth Palme d’Or for the Council of Europe in red-letter night
Council of Europe’s Eurimages involved in production of eight winning films at Cannes film festival
Twenty-two Council of Europe films in competition at Cannes film festival
Eurimages hopes to maintain outstanding record at 79th edition of the festival
Election observation is about confidence in fair processes and trusted democratic institutions, says Congress President
From left to right: Congress President Gunn Marit Helgesen, PACE President Petra Bayr and Venice Commission President Marta Cartabia “Democracy does not begin in institutions, it begins with...
Jean-Noël Barrot: force is gaining ground over the rule of law
France’s Minister for Europe and Foreign Affairs speaks at the Parliamentary Assembly of the Council of Europe
Nine countries sign new Council of Europe Convention on series co-production at Series Mania
“This treaty will better establish the position of independent producers in a market dominated by non-European players” – Alain Berset
Congress 50th session: new leadership, Ukraine’s reconstruction, local democracy in Georgia, integrity of local elections, violence against elected officials and social rights at local level
The Congress of Local and Regional Authorities of the Council of Europe will hold its 50th session from 31 March to 2 April 2026 in Strasbourg, France. It will welcome new national delegations with a five-year mandate, elect its new leadership and adopt its priorities for 2026-2031. The session’s...
Secretary General to chair opening for signature of new Council of Europe drama-series convention
Convention on the co-production of audiovisual works in the form of series will bring diversity across Europe
The Council of Europe's Anti-Torture Committee (CPT) holds high-level talks in France on prison overcrowding and the detention of children
A delegation from the Council of Europe's Committee for the Prevention of Torture and Inhuman or Degrading Treatment or Punishment (CPT), led by its President, Alan Mitchell, held talks in...
Persistent prison overcrowding and worsening detention conditions in France
Anti-torture Committee publishes report on visit in 2024
PACE General Rapporteur urges immediate release of French journalist sentenced in Algeria
The General Rapporteur on media freedom and safety of journalists of the Parliamentary Assembly of the Council of Europe (PACE), Valentina Grippo (Italy, ALDE), made the following statement today: “I am deeply concerned by the seven-year prison sentence handed down to French journalist Christophe...
Action by every level of government needed now to address the housing crisis
“The current housing crisis in most European countries must be addressed urgently as the lack of access to affordable housing affects an ever-increasing proportion of the population. Otherwise, this situation is likely to fuel stronger feelings of social injustice and discrimination and to...
*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.