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.
Congress calls for a binding instrument on the environment protection
On 29 October 2026, at its 51st session in Strasbourg, the Congress adopted a recommendation “Towards a healthy environment from the local level up”, stressing the urgent need to draw up a...
Coastal communities must plan retreat from coastlines now or face higher costs later
Environmental issues in focus on first day of Council of Europe Congress autumn session
Norway encouraged to improve long-term care for older persons and better align climate action with human rights
The Council of Europe Commissioner for Human Rights, Michael O'Flaherty, conducted a visit to Norway from 19 to 23 October 2026. The visit focused on the human rights of older...
Council of Europe Congress: Coastal communities must plan now for retreat from coastlines, or face higher costs later
Europe needs to prepare now for the planned relocation of homes, businesses and infrastructure from coastlines increasingly exposed to erosion, underlined the Council of Europe’s Congress of...
Early warning against democratic backsliding, rights of LGBTI people, coastal erosion and school absenteeism on Congress agenda
Council of Europe’s Congress of Local and Regional Authorities’ session will also feature discussion on financing Ukraine’s recovery
Saving our planet… Doing nothing is not an option
Speech by Council of Europe Commissioner for Human Rights, Michael O’Flaherty, at the General policy debate on “Europe, the fastest-warming continent: Accelerating climate action with...
Parliamentary Assembly: Europe needs treaty on right to a healthy environment
Binding commitments necessary condition to ensure implementation
Climate risks, violence against women, social rights on the agenda of the international NGOs conference
Ahead of its 50th anniversary, the Conference of international NGOs (CINGO) to hold its biannual session in Strasbourg
Second Meeting of the Steering Committee on the Environment (CDENV)
As the Council of Europe continues to strengthen its work on environmental protection, the second meeting of the Steering Committee on the Environment (CDENV) will take place in Strasbourg on...
Monaco welcomes the ambassadors of the 46 Council of Europe member states
Thematic debate on “The environmental crisis through the lens of human rights” on the agenda
The urgency of a Council of Europe legal instrument on the right to a healthy environment
Intervention at the first european environmental human rights defenders forum. Dear friends, I am delighted to be here. I consider it an honour to be at the first ever European Forum on...
Committee denounces ‘the use of starvation as a method of warfare’
The Committee on Social Affairs, Health and Sustainable Development, meeting in Athens on 3 June, expressed concern that overlapping crises are severely undermining food security, food systems and nutrition worldwide. It strongly condemned “the use of famine as a method of warfare”, the unlawful...
First ever European Forum on environmental human-rights defenders from across the continent
Activists face growing pressure and personal risks in Europe today
World Environment Day 2026 - Council of Europe Congress Spokesperson: Local and national authorities must work together on innovative solutions - now
“Following record-breaking May temperatures, it is very clear that we need a step-change in climate action, with local, regional and national governments working together on innovative new solutions to the climate crisis,” stated Meropi Ydraiou (Greece, EPP/CCE), Spokesperson on the Environment...
As momentum grows, Parliamentary Assembly President urges states to move towards a right to a healthy environment
“Momentum is growing internationally and across Europe towards recognition of the right to a clean, healthy and sustainable environment,” said PACE President Petra Bayr in a statement to mark World Environment Day (5 June 2026), urging Council of Europe states to move towards formal recognition...
Petra Bayr welcomes UN General Assembly resolution reinforcing states’ climate obligations and the right to a healthy environment
The adoption yesterday by the UN General Assembly of a resolution on the advisory opinion of the International Court of Justice on climate change sends a strong and timely message: climate action and human rights are inseparable. The resolution reaffirms that states have obligations under...
27th International Workshop on the Implementation of the Convention
This workshop took place at a particularly important moment, as landscapes across Europe are facing unprecedented pressures arising from climate change, biodiversity loss, and increasing...
“Further reforms, including constitutional ones, remain essential”, says Secretary General in Sarajevo
Council of Europe launches new Action plan for Bosnia and Herzegovina 2026-29
Climate, health and equality: women on the front line
The Women@PACE group and the Parliamentary Network for a Healthy Environment held a joint meeting focusing on the links between environmental challenges, public health and gender equality. Opening the event, Aurora Floridia, Chairperson of the Environment Network and member of the Women@PACE...
Council of Europe Side Event on “Human Rights, Health and the Environment: Where human rights shape sustainable health and environmental action”
On 10 April 2026, the Council of Europe hosted an online side event on “Human Rights, Health and the Environment” as part of the One Health Summit. The event brought together representatives and experts from the Council of Europe, its intergovernmental bodies, the United Nations Environment...
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