Newsroom
“Europe’s role today is to stand for the force of rules, not the logic of force” – Alain Berset at UN
Advancing international law and democratic security central to Secretary General’s visit to Geneva and Lausanne
European TV fiction production slows as streamer commissioning declines
The European Audiovisual Observatory, part of the Council of Europe, has just published a new report on the production of audiovisual fiction in Europe. This new study analyses the number of TV films and series produced for broadcasters and streaming services, the share of international...
Congress to examine the application of the European Charter of Local Self-Government in Switzerland
A delegation from the Congress of Local and Regional Authorities of the Council of Europe, composed of rapporteurs Jani Kokko (Finland, SOC/G/PD) and Katrien Partyka (Belgium, EPP/CCE), will carry out a monitoring visit to Switzerland from 18 to 20 November to assess the application of the...
Alain Berset addresses science and policymaking at University of Fribourg
The Secretary General of the Council of Europe gives a public lecture on navigating decision-making in turbulent times
Fifth International Forum for sports integrity: evolving for integrity
Calls for countries to ratify the Council of Europe Convention on the manipulation of sports competitions
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...
Congress Secretary General speaks at UN Forum of Mayors
On 6 October 2025, Congress Secretary General Mathieu Mori spoke at the 5th session of the Forum of Mayors in Geneva, organised by the United Nations Economic Commission for Europe (UNECE). In an exchange highlighting the critical condition of democracy today, Secretary General Mori emphasised...
Council of Europe at the Zürich AI Policy Summit
Representatives from governments, the private sector, civil society organisations, academics and citizens are gathering in Zürich on 3 and 4 October at the AI Policy Summit 2025, held under the auspices of the Council of Europe, to discuss policy challenges related to artificial intelligence...
The Council of Europe updates mutual assistance provisions in criminal matters
The new “Valetta Protocol” will strengthen cooperation in countering transnational crimes
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...
First monitoring report on implementation of MEDICRIME Convention focuses on public health protection during COVID pandemic
The first monitoring report on the implementation of the Convention on the Counterfeiting of Medical Products and Similar Crimes Involving Threats to Public Health (MEDICRIME Convention) highlights how 13 of the 23 State Parties to the Convention (*) applied its provisions, with a particular...
Switzerland Signs the Council of Europe’s Global Treaty on AI
Switzerland signed the Council of Europe’s Framework Convention on Artificial Intelligence and Human Rights, Democracy and the Rule of Law (STCE n° 225) in Strasbourg, on 27 March 2025.
Secretary General on official visit to Geneva from 24 to 26 February
Council of Europe Secretary General Alain Berset will pay an official visit to Geneva, Switzerland, from 24 to 26 February as part of the process of stepping up co-operation between the Council of Europe and the international institutions based there. The programme will begin on 24 February with...
Anti-torture committee concerned about police practices and prison overcrowding in Switzerland
In a new report (French only) the Council of Europe’s Committee for the Prevention of Torture (CPT) raises a number of concerns about the treatment of persons deprived of their liberty by the police, as well as prison overcrowding. The report follows a visit by the CPT from 19-28 March 2024,...
Alain Berset elected Secretary General of the Council of Europe
The Parliamentary Assembly of the Council of Europe (PACE) today elected Alain Berset (Switzerland) as Secretary General of the Council of Europe for a five-year term beginning on 18 September 2024. In the second round of the election, Mr Berset obtained 114 votes, a majority of the votes cast....
Switzerland should improve identification of human trafficking victims and their access to justice and assistance
A new report by the Council of Europe’s Group of Experts on Action against Trafficking in Human Beings (GRETA) calls on Switzerland to take more measures against trafficking, particularly by improving victim identification and access to compensation, combating trafficking for the purpose of...
Three climate change rulings from the European Court of Human Rights
The Grand Chamber of the European Court of Human Rights has today issued three separate rulings on cases related to climate change. In the case of Verein KlimaSeniorinnen Schweiz and Others v. Switzerland, the Court found violations of Article 8 (right to respect for private and family life) and...
Secretary General election: Committee of Ministers submits candidatures to Parliamentary Assembly
The Committee of Ministers has decided to submit to the Parliamentary Assembly, for appointment to the post of Secretary General of the Council of Europe, with effect from 18 September 2024, the following candidatures: Alain BERSET (Switzerland) (Curriculum vitae) Indrek SAAR (Estonia)...
Switzerland: Progress noted but more efforts needed for minority language use in public life
The Council of Europe’s Committee of Experts of the European Charter for Regional or Minority Languages has reported some progress in Switzerland’s implementation of the Charter but has also invited the authorities to take additional measures. In its latest report on Switzerland, the committee...
Violence against women: GREVIO publishes annual report
The Council of Europe´s Group of Experts on Action against Violence against Women and Domestic Violence (GREVIO) has published its annual report of activities, highlighting the key milestones and accomplishments of the Group of Experts in 2022. These include: the publication of nine baseline...
*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.