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Latest decisions from the Committee of Ministers concerning ECHR rulings for 20 countries
The Committee of Ministers is responsible for monitoring implementation of European Court of Human Rights judgments by European states
Council of Europe Congress Rapporteur on LGBTI rights calls for respect for fundamental rights following operations targeting LGBTI civil society in Türkiye
“The Congress is deeply concerned by reports of coordinated raids, detentions and restrictions targeting LGBTI organisations, activists and human rights defenders in Türkiye,” stated Congress...
PACE General Rapporteur condemns raids and arrests against LGBTI activists in Türkiye
Kate Osborne (United Kingdom, SOC), the General Rapporteur for the Parliamentary Assembly of the Council of Europe (PACE) on the rights of lesbian, gay, bisexual, transgender and intersex (LGBTI) persons, made the following statement today: “I unequivocally condemn the wave of harassment...
Türkiye: Authorities should refrain from restricting the human rights of LGBTI civil society
“I am concerned by reports of a series arrests, raids and the blocking of websites and social media accounts targeting LGBTI civil society and human rights defenders across Türkiye”,...
Parliamentary Assembly rapporteur welcomes new judgment in the case of Osman Kavala as 'a wake-up call'
Sergiy Vlasenko (Ukraine, EPP/CD), PACE rapporteur for the implementation of judgments of the European Court of Human Rights, made the following statement today: “Turkish human rights defender and philanthropist Osman Kavala has been detained in Türkiye since 18 October 2017. In December 2019...
Türkiye: Council of Europe Congress deeply deplores the arrest of Congress Vice-President and Üsküdar Mayor, Sinem Dedetas
“We deeply deplore the detention of Sinem Dedetas, Mayor of Üsküdar and Vice-President of the Congress, on corruption charges...
Current affairs debate on the functioning of the judicial system and the crackdown on the opposition in Türkiye
“The annulment of an internal party Congress and the forced replacement of elected party leaders that has the effect of changing the political landscape cannot be allowed to stand,” today said Lord David Blencathra (United Kingdom, ECPA), speaking at the opening of a current affairs debate on...
Ten finalists shortlisted for the first edition of the Citizen Participation Award
The Local Citizen Engagement – ELDA (European Local Democracy Action) Award, whose finalists were announced on 18 June 2026, was established by the Congress of Local and Regional Authorities of the Council of Europe in cooperation with the European Capital of Democracy (ECoD),...
Türkiye: Council of Europe Congress calls to uphold opposition rights and respect the will of voters
Marc Cools (Belgium, ILDG) and Bryony Rudkin (United Kingdom, SOC/G/PD), Rapporteurs on the situation of local democracy in Türkiye of the Congress of Local and Regional Authorities of the Council of Europe, have made the following statement: “We deplore the recent developments affecting...
Türkiye: Council of Europe Commissioner calls for reforms to protect freedom of expression, peaceful assembly, and judicial independence
Memorandum - Council of Europe Commissioner for Human Rights, Michael O'Flaherty, released a memorandum today addressing freedom of expression, peaceful assembly and association, and aspects...
Türkiye: opposition must not be silenced through force or judicial pressure
Lord David Blencathra (United kingdom, ECPA) and Yves Cruchten (Luxembourg, SOC), co-rapporteurs of the Monitoring Committee on Türkiye, have made the following statement: “We are deeply concerned by the scenes witnessed today at the headquarters of Türkiye‘s main opposition party, the CHP...
Open letter by rapporteurs of European institutions on the situation of local democracy in Türkiye
The Rapporteurs on Türkiye of the Parliamentary Assembly of the Council of Europe (PACE) Lord David Blencathra (United Kingdom, ECPA) and Yves Cruchten (Luxembourg, SOC), of the Congress of Local and Regional Authorities of the Council of Europe Bryony Rudkin (United Kingdom, SOC/G/PD), of the...
Rapporteurs of European institutions address an open letter on the situation of local democracy in Türkiye
“Dear Minister, “We, the Rapporteurs on Türkiye of the Parliamentary Assembly of the Council of Europe, of the Congress of Local and Regional Authorities of the Council of Europe, of the...
Rapporteurs of European institutions address an open letter on the situation of local democracy in Türkiye
Congress and Parliamentary Assembly among those to raise detention of Istanbul Mayor other local elected representatives
Parliamentary Assembly President and the members of the Presidential Committee met the President of Cyprus
PACE President Petra Bayr, accompanied by the members of the PACE Presidential Committee (namely the Chairpersons of the five PACE political groups and the PACE Secretary General Despina Chatzivassiliou), today held an exchange of views with Nikos Christodoulides, the President of Cyprus, on...
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...
One year since the arrest of Ekrem İmamoğlu: Statement by Council of Europe Congress President
Marc Cools, President of the Congress of Local and Regional Authorities of the Council of Europe, made today the following statement: “Today marks one year since the arrest of Ekrem İmamoğlu;...
Towards a new European security architecture
Secretary General Berset addresses the Committee of Ministers of the Council of Europe as war in Iran rages on its borders
Acquittal of Congress youth delegate in Türkiye
Young people must be able to make their voices heard without fear of reprisals
Acquittal of Congress youth delegate: Young people must be able to make their voices heard without fear of reprisals
“I welcome yesterday’s decision by the Ankara courts to acquit Enes Hocaoğulları, the 2025 Congress youth delegate in respect of Türkiye, of all the charges brought against him following words he spoke during a plenary debate held by the Congress in Strasbourg on 27 March 2025,” said Council of...
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