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Anti-torture Committee publishes report on Spain, urges the authorities to address allegations of physical ill-treatment in three Andalusian Prisons and commends the range of activities on offer to prisoners under the ordinary regime
In a report published today on a visit to Spain undertaken in 2025, the Council of Europe’s anti-torture committee (CPT) expresses concern about numerous allegations of ill-treatment of...
Council of Europe honours victims of the Roma Holocaust
The Council of Europe has marked European Roma Holocaust Memorial Day in Strasbourg, honouring the memory of the hundreds of thousands of Roma murdered during the Holocaust and reaffirming its commitment to combating antigypsyism and discrimination. Held on the lawn in front of the Palais de...
Italy needs to sustain its efforts to end child poverty – Council of Europe Commissioner
Council of Europe Commissioner for Human Rights, Michael O’Flaherty, published today a memorandum on child poverty in Italy. The Commissioner appreciates that child poverty is...
Council of Europe Commissioner raises challenges regarding care homes for older persons in Romania
Letter - The Council of Europe Commissioner for Human Rights, Michael O’Flaherty, published today a letter to the Prime Minister of Romania following his visit to the country from 26 to 29 May...
Alternative sanctions to imprisonment grow moderately in Europe
Council of Europe 2025 probation survey examined 48 systems across the continent
Congress at the UN: Sustainable development requires democratic security and multilevel governance
“The Sustainable Development Goals will not be achieved in conference rooms alone. They will be achieved - or not - in our neighbourhoods, our towns, our cities and our regions. Every Sustainable Development Goal ultimately has a local address,” underlined Congress President Gunn Marit Helgesen...
Council of Europe issues guidance for strengthening trafficking victims’ access to residence permits
Anti-trafficking body GRETA gives practical advice to national authorities and agencies, and civil society
The CPT adopts six visit reports, two new standards on women in prison and immigration detention and discussed the impact of climate change on persons deprived of their liberty
The European Committee for the Prevention of Torture and Inhuman or Degrading Treatment or Punishment (CPT) held its 120th plenary meeting from 6 to 10 July 2026. 120th plenary meeting held in...
Ukrainian children at risk of trafficking owing to unlawful deportation by Russia
Anniversary of landmark European Court judgment against Russia for flagrant rights abuses of Ukrainian children
“Reform is about our collective ability to make full use of the potential of the Council of Europe” – Alain Berset
Insights from the Secretary General’s address to 46 European governments
Cyberviolence Resource tool on domestic legislation on cyberviolence worldwide was launched
Under the Cyberviolence Resource a new web page on domestic legislation on cyberviolence was launched. This webpage gathers over 1600 entries reflecting responses to a questionnaire adopted by...
Congress Rapporteur: Local and regional authorities bear key responsibility for fighting intolerance
“The Congress is active on a wide range of anti-discrimination issues, fighting intolerance and strengthening human rights delivery in municipalities and regions,” underlined Martine Dieschburg-Nickels (Luxembourg, ILDG), Deputy Standing Rapporteur on Human Rights of the Congress, addressing the...
Council of Europe draws attention to the death penalty in Belarus at World Congress in Paris
Abolition advocacy discussed with Belarusian democratic forces and civil society in exile at a Council of Europe-supported event
Justice and protection for children of Ukraine at the core of meetings at the Council of Europe
Key international actors discuss in Strasbourg the challenges the ongoing war poses to Ukraine’s children, including conflict-related sexual violence
Venice Commission President concludes visit to Hungary
Venice Commission and high authorities of Hungary discuss framework of cooperation for upcoming constitutional reform
Statement on the escalating violence and attacks against civilians in Ukraine
Statement - “The Russian war against Ukraine continues to escalate with horrendous consequences for the people of Ukraine. I condemn the brutal...
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,...
Council of Europe Commissioner calls for continued solidarity with displaced Ukrainians in Europe
Michael O’Flaherty sees policies promoting premature returns as a “worrying trend”
International Day against Drug Abuse and Illicit Trafficking 2026: Statement by the Council of Europe International Co-operation Group on Drugs and Addictions (Pompidou Group)
On the occasion of the International Day against Drug Abuse and Illicit Trafficking, the Council of Europe International Co-operation Group on Drugs and Addictions (Pompidou Group) reaffirms its commitment to addressing drug-related challenges and addictions through balanced, evidence-based and...
Food challenges and responses: Morocco offers instructive case study for resilient food systems, says Parliamentary Assembly
Based on a report prepared by Allal Amraoui (Morocco), PACE stresses a human rights-based approach to food security, recalling that the right to food implies that food must be “available, accessible, sustainable and adequate”. It situates food security within the broader 1996 World Food Summit...
*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.