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.
European Court rejects complaint against the Netherlands concerning Supreme Court deliberations
Dutch woman claimed the potential involvement of “reservisten” in her case violated her right to a fair trial
The Netherlands ratifies Council of Europe convention establishing International Claims Commission for Ukraine
Future host country takes further step towards setting up a future claims commission as part of compensation mechanism for Russia’s war of aggression
“Change comes from the local level up to protect the rights of LGBTI persons” says Council of Europe Congress Rapporteur on LGBTI at the WorldPride Human Rights Conference
Amsterdam, the Netherlands 06.08.2026 – “Local and regional authorities across Europe must stand firm in protecting the rights of LGBTI people as we are at the forefront of safeguarding...
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,...
Council of Europe anti-torture Committee (CPT) publishes report on its 2025 visit to the Netherlands
During the October 2025 visit to the Netherlands, the CPT assessed the treatment and conditions of detention in facilities holding foreign nationals. To this end, the CPT visited two...
Appointment of candidates for the election of the Deputy Secretary General of the Council of Europe
The Committee of Ministers submits the shortlist to the Parliamentary Assembly
Municipal Elections in the Netherlands: well-organised and trusted procedures, but campaign finance should be improved
Commenting on the overall mission, Head of delegation Konstantinos Koukas (Greece, EPP/CCE) noted: “The six Congress teams deployed across the country observed well-organised elections with smooth procedures and highly committed polling station commissioners. In the 80 polling stations visited...
Council of Europe Congress to observe municipal elections in the Netherlands
A 13-member delegation from the Congress of Local and Regional Authorities of the Council of Europe will carry out an election observation mission from 16 to 19 March to observe the municipal elections scheduled in the Netherlands on 18 March 2026. Prior to the Election Day, the delegation, led...
Progress on equality, hate speech and integration in the Netherlands, but challenges remaining
Anti-racism experts highlight progress on citizenship education, political hate speech remains issue
Parliamentary Assembly elects Corinna Wissels judge to the European Court of Human Rights in respect of the Netherlands
The Parliamentary Assembly of the Council of Europe (PACE) today elected Corinna Wissels as judge to the European Court of Human Rights in respect of the Netherlands. Ms Wissels, having obtained a majority of votes cast, is elected judge of the European Court of Human Rights for a term of office...
Unprecedented support for new convention launching an International Claims Commission
New compensation body backed by signatures from 35 countries and EU
Council of Europe and partners working to “support Ukraine in achieving a just and lasting peace”
International Claims Commission being set up in The Hague
Council of Europe and Netherlands conference to launch International Claims Commission for Ukraine
Leaders to meet in The Hague as move towards ensuring compensation for Ukraine
Accountability must be ensured for MH17 downing and Russian invasion
First examination by the Committee of Ministers of ECHR inter-state judgment on Russia’s aggression against Ukraine
Twenty-four countries receive decisions on implementation of ECHR judgments
Committee of Ministers issues first decision on flight MH-17 case
Clearer understanding of domestic violence still needed in the Netherlands
Country’s legal and policy changes praised, but calls for more shelters
The 2025 Crystal Scales of Justice Prize is awarded to a Dutch initiative supporting people in debt
Winning project involves identifying people with debt problems for early support
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...
Netherlands funds Council of Europe action against cybercrime
The Government of the Netherlands has made a voluntary contribution of €50 000 to support the Council of Europe action against cybercrime.
Parliamentary Assebly President welcomes a historic ECHR judgment in the case of Ukraine and the Netherlands v. Russia
Theodoros Rousopoulos, President of the Parliamentary Assembly of the Council of Europe (PACE), today made the following statement: “On the eve of the eleventh anniversary of the downing of Malaysia Airlines flight MH17, the European Court of Human Rights delivered a judgment attributing...
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