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German Parliament hosts discussions on the future of the European human rights system
Last month, the German Parliament, the Bundestag, hosted public events where the importance of the European Convention on Human Rights and the Council of Europe was discussed within the framework of the Conventions 75th anniversary. A conference on 26 March 2026, entitled “75 Jahre Europäische...
Germany: Commissioner calls for protection of freedom of expression and peaceful assembly
Memorandum - Council of Europe Commissioner for Human Rights, Michael O’Flaherty, released a memorandum today addressing freedom of expression and peaceful assembly, as well as efforts to combat racism and discrimination, with a focus on...
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...
Address by Moldovan President Maia Sandu to feature in Parliamentary Assembly programme
Armenian Foreign Minister and German Justice Minister to address hemicycle in interesting winter session
“The Council of Europe is the counter-model to violence as an instrument of political power” – Stefanie Hubig
German Justice Minister emphasises need for rule of law at Parliamentary Assembly
‘Too many have forgotten the importance of international law’
“To listen to the rhetoric and news in these last weeks and months, it seems that too many have forgotten the importance of international law and international justice, forgotten that these are the shared values of our community, and forgotten above all that humanity is at the heart of our system...
Europe’s resilience in the face of war and authoritarianism
Deputy Secretary General delivers 3rd Klaus Kinkel Lecture
Elections in Hamburg: Council of Europe Congress recommends legislation on the rights of election observers, collaboration on voter education
Le Congrès des pouvoirs locaux et régionaux du Conseil de l'Europe s'est félicité du bon déroulement des élections régionales à Hambourg (Allemagne) le 2 mars 2025, dans une recommandation adoptée le 29 octobre 2025 sur la base d'un rapport de David Eray (Suisse, R, PPE/CCE) et Güneş Pehlivan...
Human Rights Commissioner O’Flaherty’s visit to Germany: focus on migration, freedoms of assembly and expression, antisemitism and anti-Muslim hatred
Country visit - The Council of Europe Commissioner for Human Rights, Michael O’Flaherty, conducted a visit to Germany from 13 – 17 October 2025, during which he focused on issues related to...
A just peace for Ukraine, freedom of assembly and expression, new Charter on youth participation, housing crisis and drugs in European cities: 49th Congress session
The Congress of Local and Regional Authorities of the Council of Europe will hold its 49th session from 28 to 30 October 2025 in Strasbourg, France. To commemorate the 40th anniversary of the European Charter of Local Self-Government, opened for signature on 15 October 1985, the session will be...
ERIAC Board approves new strategic plan
On 26 September 2025, in Berlin, the Board of the European Roma Institute for Arts and Culture (ERIAC), approved its Strategic Plan for 2026-30 and took note of the work and achievements of the past year. Representing the Council of Europe at the meeting, Deputy Secretary General Bjørn Berge...
The Council of Europe updates mutual assistance provisions in criminal matters
The new “Valetta Protocol” will strengthen cooperation in countering transnational crimes
One third of spending on European original films and series is made by global streamers
The European Audiovisual Observatory has just published a new report on investment in original European films and series made by the main media players in Europe. This new study reveals that total spending on European original works (excluding news and sports rights) amounted to EUR 25.1 billion...
New report on Germany’s progress in anti-corruption measures regarding central government and law enforcement
The Council of Europe Group of States against Corruption (GRECO) published a report on Germany assessing progress made in implementing the recommendations issued to the country in the Fifth Round Evaluation Report (2020) on preventing corruption and promoting integrity in central governments...
Secretary General responds to questions at the Parliamentary Assembly summer session
During a lively Q & A session with parliamentarians, Council of Europe Secretary General Alain Berset underlined the organisation’s unique role in holding Russia to account, through the Special Tribunal for the crime of aggression against Ukraine. The Secretary General said that once the...
The Commissioner asks the German authorities to uphold freedom of expression and peaceful assembly in the context of the conflict in Gaza
Letter - In a letter addressed to the Federal Minister of the Interior of Germany published today, Commissioner O’Flaherty raises concerns about restrictions to freedom of expression and freedom...
Secretary General Alain Berset expresses his sadness over death of Walter Schwimmer, Secretary General from 1999 to 2004
Walter Schwimmer – a visionary for European unity in the face of multiple challenges and steadfast defender of our human rights values – passed away yesterday. We extend our heartfelt condolences to his family and loved ones. We will never forget his forthright calls for European unity when...
Peer Review in Cyprus contributes to ongoing debate on local government reform
Senior experts and policymakers from the Czechia, Germany, Ireland, Poland and the United Kingdom gathered in Nicosia 5-7 March 2025 to offer advice on internal governance procedures for local authorities in Cyprus. Known as a “Peer Review”, this activity of the Congress focused on the role and...
Hamburg Parliament elections: high commitment to local democracy, but transparency of political funding could be improved
Hamburg Parliament elections: high commitment to local democracy, but transparency of political funding could be improved Hamburg, 03.03.2025 – A ten-member delegation of the Congress of Local and Regional Authorities of the Council of Europe, led by David Eray (Switzerland, EPP/CCE), completed a...
Congress to observe regional elections in Hamburg
A ten-member delegation of the Congress of Local and Regional Authorities of the Council of Europe, led by David Eray (Switzerland, EPP/CCE), will carry out a mission from 28 February to 3 March 2025 to observe the elections for the Bürgerschaft (State Parliament) of Hamburg, Germany, planned on...
*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.