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.
Italy: Council of Europe anti-torture committee acknowledges plans to tackle prison overcrowding, notes challenges in prison system
Recommendations issued in a new report address several issues, including staff numbers and training, and healthcare
Drug policies with people at the centre are crucial for democratic security: Alain Berset
Council of Europe brings its approach to drug policy to the European Coalition Against Drugs
Council of Europe Secretary General to participate in European Coalition against drugs international meeting in San Patrignano
In Italy, Alain Berset will present the organisation’s approach to drug policies
European parliamentary summit opens in Rome with pledge to ‘serve our citizens’
“The Europe we dream of is never finished. It is always work in progress, and every one of us helps to build it,” PACE President Petra Bayr today told Speakers of Parliament from across the continent gathered in Rome. Opening the 2026 European Conference of Presidents of Parliament in the Italian...
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...
Council-of-Europe-supported Woman Unknown wins Golden Lion at the Venice Film Festival
Remarkable 2026 awards run from the Oscars and Cannes to Venice continues for Eurimages
As EU ministers meet following events in Ceuta, Council of Europe parliamentarians warn: ‘the principle of non-refoulement must be upheld’
Joint statement by Sandra Zampa (Italy, SOC), Chairperson of the Migration Committee of the Parliamentary Assembly of the Council of Europe (PACE) and Christiana Erotokritou (Cyprus, SOC), PACE Rapporteur on “Frontline states: the role of the Council of Europe in implementing the EU Pact on...
Italy needs to sustain its efforts to end child poverty – Council of Europe Commissioner
Council of Europe Commissioner for Human Rights, Michael O’Flaherty, published today a memorandum on child poverty in Italy. The Commissioner appreciates that child poverty is...
Congress Director welcomes the commitment of Italian local authorities to good democratic governance
In these turbulent times where democratic foundations are challenged, the European Label of Governance Excellence (ELoGE) is offering Italian local authorities an opportunity to engage with citizens and restore their faith in democratic institutions. At the 3rd national ELoGE award ceremony in...
Italy should continue its efforts to preserve and protect national minority rights
Twelve historical linguistic minorities are recognised in Italy
The 2026 Europe Prize is awarded to Reggio Emilia in Italy
The 2026 Europe Prize has been awarded by the Parliamentary Assembly of the Council of Europe (PACE) to the city of Reggio Emilia in Italy. The Prize is awarded each year to the city that has been most active in promoting the European ideal. Reggio Emilia is a city of 171,000 inhabitants located...
Secretary General on official visit to San Marino
Alain Berset attended investiture of the Republic’s Captains Regent
Secretary General on official visit to San Marino and to the community of San Patrignano
Alain Berset will attend investiture of the Republic‘s Captains Regent
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...
‘Terra dei Fuochi’ pollution case: Italy’s comprehensive strategy to implement key ECHR ruling welcomed
Judgment concerned illegal disposal of waste in the Campania region
Secretary General to stress importance of rule of law at Venice Commission
Constitutional opinions expected on five European countries and Peru
Council of Europe Commissioner asks Italy to establish a National Human Rights Institution
In a letter to the Presidents of the Senate and Chamber of Deputies of Italy published today, Council of Europe Commissioner for Human Rights Michael O’Flaherty encouraged the Italian...
No Russian return to football, Olympics must respect human rights – Parliamentary Assembly
Senior leadership of Council of Europe body makes two statements on sport
Italy: Council of Europe Commissioner calls for renewed action to break the cycle of child poverty and to ensure the protection of everyone’s human rights
After a four-day visit to Italy from 12 to 16 January, Council of Europe Commissioner for Human Rights Michael O’Flaherty today urged national authorities to make progress on eradicating persistent child poverty and to strengthen the country’s human rights architecture, including by establishing...
Closing of the exhibition on "Democracy through Law"
The exhibition on "Democracy through Law", co-organised by the Council of Europe and the Venice Commission with MuVE and the State Archives of Venice, has come to an end. It opened at the Doge's Palace on 11 October 2025; the museum attracted around 280,000 visitors over the course of three...
*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.