Discover the latest news from the Council of Europe on human rights, democracy and the rule of law. Browse news and updates by country, theme and institution.
Coastal communities must plan retreat from coastlines now or face higher costs later
Environmental issues in focus on first day of Council of Europe Congress autumn session
Council of Europe treaty strengthening criminal-asset recovery opened for signature
Eight countries and the European Union have signed a new Council of Europe treaty that strengthens authorities’ capacity to confiscate assets...
Democracy in Greece ‘firmly rooted and resilient’ but sustained efforts are needed to protect it, says the Parliamentary Assembly
While democracy in Greece remains firmly rooted and resilient, “sustained efforts and constructive political dialogue must converge to protect it and further entrench the rule of law”, the Parliamentary Assembly of the Council of Europe has concluded following a “periodic review” of the country...
Taking child-friendly justice forward in Europe
Launch of Phase II of the Joint European Union -Council of Europe Project on Child-friendly Justice On 29 September 2026, the Children’s Rights Division of the Council of Europe and the European Commission’s Directorate-General for Justice and Consumers (DG JUST) launched Phase II of the joint...
Democracy in Greece ‘firmly rooted and resilient’ but sustained efforts needed to protect it, says PACE committee
While democracy in Greece remains firmly rooted and resilient, “sustained efforts and constructive political dialogue must converge to protect it and further entrench the rule of law”, PACE’s Monitoring Committee has concluded following a “periodic review” of the country. In a draft resolution...
Austria, Denmark, Germany, Greece and the Netherlands should put in place strict human rights guardrails in their plans for ‘return hubs’
In letters published today, the Council of Europe Commissioner for Human Rights, Michael O’Flaherty, asks ministers responsible for migration policy in Austria, Denmark, Germany,...
Presidents of CINGO and its Expert Council reiterate concerns about Greece’s NGO registration and Ministerial Decision No. 82876 of 8 May 2026
In a letter sent today to the Permanent Representative of Greece to the Council of Europe, the presidents of the Conference of INGOs and of its Expert Council on NGO Law address Greece’s...
Help for Ukrainian children with disabilities resulting from the war
The urgent challenges faced by Ukrainian children with disabilities resulting from Russia’s war of aggression – including access to rehabilitation, healthcare, inclusive education, psychosocial support and continuity of care both in Ukraine and in host countries – was the topic of a high-level...
During official visit to Greece, Assembly President holds high-level meetings in Athens
During an official visit to Greece, PACE President Petra Bayr held a series of high-level meetings with Greek Prime Minister Kyriakos Mitsotakis, the Vice-President of the Hellenic Parliament Athanasios Bouras and Foreign Minister Georgios Gerapetritis, as well as with representatives of...
PACE periodic review co-rapporteurs in Greece discussed ‘all issues relating to the rule of law and democracy’
PACE’s periodic review co-rapporteurs for Greece, ending a three-day visit to the country to assess how far it is honouring its Council of Europe membership obligations, said they were able to discuss “all issues relating to the rule of law and democracy openly and in depth".
Georgia and Greece passed problematic laws for NGOs, says CINGO’s Expert Council on NGO Law
The Expert Council on NGO Law, an expert body of the Conference of INGOs of the Council of Europe, has just published two opinions on recent legal changes introduced in Georgia earlier this...
Sixth Parliamentary Assembly Human Rights in Motion Award goes to 'Birds of War' by Janay Boulos and Abd Alkader Habak
The former President of the Parliamentary Assembly of the Council of Europe, Theodoros Rousopoulos, presented the sixth ‘Human Rights in Motion’ Award at the Thessaloniki International Documentary Festival. The international jury selected Birds of War, a documentary by the Lebanese journalist...
Council of Europe anti-torture Committee (CPT) again calls on Greece to improve its prisons
The Council of Europe’s Committee for the Prevention of Torture and Inhuman or Degrading Treatment or Punishment (CPT), in a report on its January 2025 periodic visit published today along...
“Greece gave us democracy, now we must strengthen democracy in Europe, together” – Alain Berset
Council of Europe Secretary General discusses global issues with leaders in Athens
Alain Berset in Athens to emphasise Greece’s important geopolitical role
Council of Europe Secretary General to make first official visit to Greece
Congress welcomes the intention of Greece to complete ratification of the Local Self-Government Charter
In a monitoring report on the implementation of the European Charter of Local Self-Government, debated today, the Council of Europe Congress of Local and Regional Authorities called on Greece to complete the ongoing reform proposals to deepen decentralisation. The rapporteurs, Tanja Joona...
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...
Deputy Secretary General at the Athens Democracy Forum: Rethinking the World Order and Innovating for Democracy
“Democracy must remain our lighthouse and shared horizon”
European heritage masterpieces brought to Strasbourg
Exhibition of monastical treasures from Mount Athos at the Parliamentary Assembly
Despina Chatzivassiliou re-elected as Secretary General of the Parliamentary Assembly
The Parliamentary Assembly of the Council of Europe (PACE) today re-elected Despina Chatzivassiliou to the post of Secretary General of the Assembly. She will serve a second five-year term starting on 1 March 2026. Addressing the Assembly members upon her election, she said: “Your cross-party...
*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.