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.
Kaja Kallas visits Register of Damage for Ukraine
EU High Representative underlines strong support for the Council of Europe’s work on accountability and compensation for Russia’s aggression
Council of Europe treaty strengthening criminal asset recovery opened for signature
Strasbourg, 14.10.2026 – Eight countries and the European Union signed a new treaty today in Strasbourg that strengthens authorities’ capacity to confiscate assets, including crypto-assets, obtained through criminal conduct.
European and World Day against the Death Penalty: joint statement by the Secretary General of the Council of Europe and the High Representative of the European Union
Recorded executions have risen by 78% globally compared with 2024
Ten years of working together for people and communities in a crucial region
EU–Council of Europe Horizontal Facility for the Western Balkans and Türkiye takes stock, looks at challenges ahead
“Languages unite!” – European Day of Languages 2026
New educational resources, events and fairs celebrate the power of languages to build bridges
How can we detect AI systems contributing to discrimination?
New Council of Europe funded tool to detect algorithmic discrimination and find redress launched
Congress Vice-President: Local authorities are crucial to Ukraine’s EU accession
Konstantinos Koukas made remarks before the Ukraine Recovery Conference in Gdańsk
International Claims Commission for Ukraine: first meeting of preparatory committee
New group to define rules of procedure and provisional budget for compensation body
Safe digital environments: Pompidou Group’s advancing action on the mental health and wellbeing of children and youth online
Policymakers, researchers and practitioners from the Pompidou Group member States and internationally gathered in Vienna and online on 2–3 June 2026 for a thematic seminar dedicated to the topic of online and digital addictions....
Europe strengthens co-operation on drug policy and addictions at Pompidou Group meeting in Vienna
How can Europe respond more effectively to organised crime linked to drug trafficking, protect human rights, and tackle emerging forms of addiction in an increasingly digital world? These questions were at the centre of the 98th meeting of the Pompidou Group of the Council of Europe, held in...
Conference addresses growing involvement of youth in terrorism and violent extremism
Digital spaces like gaming platforms can allow radicalisation to grow
Council of Europe Commissioner alerts to human rights risks in upcoming EU Returns Regulation
Observations - As the European Union moves toward adopting a new Regulation on the return of third-country nationals staying illegally in the EU, the Council of Europe Commissioner for Human...
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 supports Ukraine’s progress towards EU membership
“The Congress and its Centre of Expertise for Multilevel Governance will continue assisting Ukraine in strengthening its multilevel governance system. We remain committed to further work hand...
European and World Day against the Death Penalty, 10 October 2025: Joint statement by the High Representative of the European Union and the Secretary General of the Council of Europe
The European Union (EU) and the Council of Europe strongly reaffirm their unequivocal opposition to the death penalty, in all cases and in all circumstances. More than two-thirds of all countries have abolished the death penalty in law or in practice. In 2024, we welcomed the abolition of the...
New report explores the status of artists and creative professionals in Europe
The European Audiovisual Observatory has just published a new in-depth legal analysis of the social rights and mobility of Europe’s cultural and creative workforce. The Observatory, part of the Council of Europe in Strasbourg, has just released its latest legal study: The status of artists and...
Gender inequality persists in the European film industry according to new report
The European Audiovisual Observatory has just published a new report on the presence of women working in European film. This new study reveals that women represented only 27% of all professionals involved in European feature film production between 2015 and 2024. Gender imbalances remain marked...
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...
European Union-Council of Europe Senior Officials’ Meeting
On 8 July Senior Officials from the European Union and the Council of Europe convened in Brussels for their annual Senior Officials Meeting (SOM). The meeting reinforced the strategic and values-based nature of the partnership, highlighting ongoing cooperation and shared commitments. The...
Open Day at the Council of Europe Office in Ukraine: sharing values and achievements
The Council of Europe Office in Ukraine opened its doors for the Open Day to showcase its work dedicated to supporting reforms in human rights, democracy, and the rule of law as part of Ukraine’s path to European Union accession. The event, held on 27 February 2025 in Kyiv, brought together...
*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.