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.
Serbia’s early parliamentary elections saw high turnout amid a polarised environment and unequal campaign opportunities, international observers say
Serbia’s 25 October early parliamentary elections saw active citizen engagement, with high voter turnout and vigorous competition between two main contenders, but unfolded in an atmosphere of profound polarisation, with equality of campaign opportunities seriously compromised, international...
PACE to observe the early parliamentary elections in Serbia
20-member delegation of the Parliamentary Assembly of the Council of Europe (PACE), led by Piero Fassino (Italy, SOC), will travel to Serbia from 23 to 26 October to observe the conduct of the early parliamentary elections, alongside observers from the OSCE Parliamentary Assembly, European...
A PACE pre-electoral delegation highlights a highly polarised campaign ahead of Serbia’s early parliamentary elections
“The electoral campaign in Serbia is taking place in a highly polarised environment that could undermine a level playing field for contestants,” said a pre-electoral delegation from the Parliamentary Assembly of the Council of Europe (PACE), headed by Piero Fassino (Italy, SOC), ending a two-day...
PACE delegation makes pre-electoral visit to Serbia
A five-member delegation of the Parliamentary Assembly of the Council of Europe (PACE), led by Piero Fassino (Italy, SOC), will make a pre-electoral visit to Serbia on 12-13 October to assess the election campaign and political climate prior to the early parliamentary elections on 25 October. In...
Between erosion and hope, aspects of human rights in Serbia today
Transcript of remarks by Michael O’Flaherty, Council of Europe Commissioner for Human Rights, at the side event “Fundamental Freedoms Under Pressure: Human Rights and Accountability in...
Convicted war criminal Ratko Mladić should not be glorified, says Parliamentary Assembly committee
The Parliamentary Assembly Committee on Legal Affairs and Human Rights made the following statement today on the glorification of Ratko Mladić: "The International Criminal Tribunal for the former Yugoslavia (ICTY) convicted Ratko Mladić of genocide resulting in the massacre of between 7,000 and...
Council of Europe anti-torture Committee (CPT) holds high-level talks in Serbia
Representatives of the European Committee for the Prevention of Torture and Inhuman or Degrading Treatment or Punishment (CPT) held discussions with Ministers of Health and Justice of Serbia,...
Serbia: Parliamentary Assembly raises concerns about respect for the principles of democracy, rule of law and public freedoms
The Parliamentary Assembly of the Council of Europe (PACE), meeting in plenary session in Strasbourg, today welcomed the progress made by Serbia as regards combating corruption and the reform of the judiciary and prosecution services since its accession to the Council of Europe in 2003, in...
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...
*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.