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Serbia: a committee raises concerns about respect for the principles of democracy, rule of law and public freedoms
The Monitoring Committee, meeting in Sarajevo on 19 May, welcomed the progress made by Serbia as regards the reform of the judiciary and prosecution services since its accession to the Council of Europe in 2003, in particular the adoption of amendments to the Constitution in February 2022 and of...
Council of Europe anti-torture Committee (CPT) publishes report on its November-December 2024 visit to Serbia
The CPT today published the report of its ad hoc visit to Serbia (14–22 November and 13–18 December 2024), which examined the conditions of detention and treatment of persons held in juvenile ...
Congress to lead implementation of a new Council of Europe-EU programme for Western Balkans
The Local Observatory on Reform Agendas Implementation (LORAI), a joint initiative between the European Commission and the Council of Europe, was launched yesterday at a high-level ceremony on...
Elections in 10 municipalities of Serbia: violence-free elections and even playing field are essential to build trust, Congress observers say
On election day, six Congress teams, representing 13 observers, were deployed in mobile teams in seven out of the 10 municipalities holding elections on 29 March 2026 and visited more than 75...
PACE monitors, ending visit to Serbia, focus on Novi Sad tragedy, ‘Mrdić laws’ and local elections
Following a visit to Belgrade on 23 and 24 March, Victoria Тiblom (Sweden, ECPA) and Yunus Emre (Türkiye, SOC), co-rapporteurs of the Parliamentary Assembly of the Council of Europe (PACE) for the monitoring of Serbia’s obligations and commitments to the Council of Europe, made the following...
Congress 50th session: Mariupol Justice project, Roma History Month, launch of new project for Western Balkans and dialogue with Russian democratic forces among side events
Strasbourg, 25.03.2026 – The 50th Congress session (Strasbourg, 31 March – 2 April 2026) features a number of side events, including presentation of the Mariupol Justice project, with the...
Congress to observe local elections in 10 municipalities of Serbia
A delegation of the Congress of Local and Regional Authorities of the Council of Europe will carry out a mission from 26 to 30 March to observe the local elections in 10 municipalities of Serbia, taking place on 29 March. On election day, six Congress teams will be deployed randomly to observe...
PACE rapporteurs to make monitoring visit to Serbia
Victoria Тiblom (Sweden, ECPA) and Yunus Emre (Türkiye, SOC), co-rapporteurs of the Parliamentary Assembly of the Council of Europe (PACE) for the monitoring of obligations and commitments by Serbia, will make a fact-finding visit to the country on 23-24 March. In Belgrade, the co-rapporteurs are...
South-East Europe: call for applications to the training for facilitators of citizens’ assemblies
The Centre of Expertise for Multilevel Governance at the Congress of Local and Regional Authorities of the Council of Europe is launching a call for participants in the training course for lead facilitators of citizens’ assemblies. The call is open to representatives of civil society...
Dialogue across political spectrum pre-requisite for advancing democracy and strong rule of law - Secretary General concludes visit to Serbia
“At a time of rupture, Europe must reaffirm what binds us together”
Council of Europe Secretary General to visit Serbia on 5-6 March
Discussions to focus on the rule of law, democratic security, respect for shared European standards
Bosnia and Herzegovina: politicians in Republika Srpska should refrain from hateful speech
"I am deeply concerned by recent statements from the highest political leaders in Republika Srpska that risk fuelling hate and intolerance against Bosniaks, increasing inter-ethnic...
Strides made in risk assessment and prosecution of money laundering in Serbia
Council of Europe body states better supervision, use of financial intelligence needed
Democracy is no abstract concept in a Serbian primary school
In the Serbian Veljko Dugošević Primary School in Turija, democracy is not just a subject in the textbook; it’s part of daily life. Pupils debate, compromise, take initiative, and share responsibility for their community. Over time, this small rural school has become a model for how democratic...
Serbia should strengthen use of minority languages in education, public services and media
Progress achieved, but certain recommendations for immediate action still outstanding
Current affairs debate on the political crisis in Serbia
Opening a current affairs debate on “The political crisis in Serbia,” Victoria Tiblom (Sweden, ECPA), one of the co-rapporteurs for the monitoring of Serbia, outlined the events that led to the deterioration of the situation in the country, referring to the escalation of mass protests since...
Beyond domestic abuse: Council of Europe body calls for comprehensive action to protect victims of all types of violence against women in Serbia
Efforts to meet Istanbul Convention standards recognised, but effective implementation lagging behind
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...
Surge of clashes in Serbia: Parliamentary Assembly rapporteur urges all sides to refrain from further violence and to engage in constructive dialogue
The rapporteur of the Parliamentary Assembly of the Council of Europe (PACE) for the monitoring of Serbia, Victoria Tiblom (Sweden, ECPA), has made the following statement today concerning the escalation of violence in Serbia: “I am deeply alarmed by the recent surge in violence across Serbia...
Serbia: the authorities should refrain from excessive use of force and arbitrary arrests
Statement - “I am concerned about the current human rights situation in Serbia, where, despite the assurances I received from the authorities during my visit in April, excessive use of force is...
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