News
Council of Europe co-operation with Internet sector: two new partners
The Council of Europe's Secretary General, Thorbjørn Jagland, today signed collaboration agreements - in the form of an exchange of letters – with the European Internet Service Providers Association (EuroISPA) and the IT security and performance firm Cloudflare to promote respect for human...
Spokesperson of the Secretary General: Council of Europe Platform for the Protection of Journalists registers alert on Ukraine - RIA Novosti Journalist Kyrylo Vyshynsky Held on Treason Allegations in Ukraine
The Council of Europe Platform for the Protection of Journalists has today published an alert by its partner organisations European Federation of Journalists and International Federation of Journalists on the detention of RIA Novosti journalist Kyrylo Vyshynsky on treason allegations in Ukraine....
Secretary General 2018 Report: Role of Institutions, Threats to Institutions
Human rights, democracy and the rule of law depend on the institutions that give them form. But for populists, who invoke the proclaimed “will of the people”, these institutional checks and balances on power are often seen as an obstacle that should be subverted. The 5th annual report of the...
Secretary General shocked over the attack on investigative journalist in Montenegro
“I was shocked and saddened by the news of yet another attack on a journalist, in Montenegro. According to several media reports, investigative journalist Olivera Lakić was wounded outside her home in Podgorica. An alert on this case is being published on our platform for the protection and...
Election of Nikol Pashinyan as Prime Minister of Armenia
Statement by the Secretary General
Secretary General Jagland concerned about Saturday's demonstrations in Russia
In a statement on Sunday, Secretary General Jagland offered Russia the Council of Europe’s assistance to improve legislation in the field of freedom of assembly
Secretary General Jagland to Armenian President Sarkissian: Letter and spirit of Constitution should be respected
In their phone conversation today, the Secretary General of the Council of Europe, Thorbjorn Jagland, and the President of Armenia, Mr Armen Sarkissian, discussed the current situation in Armenia. Secretary General Jagland was informed about the latest events in Yerevan. He underlined that after...
Secretary General to PACE: any attempt to divert attention from the corruption report is intolerable
Answering questions from members of the Parliamentary Assembly, Secretary General Thorbjørn Jagland said he was very sad that at a time when he and the Committee of Ministers were struggling to gain the release of a prisoner in Azerbaijan, in line with a judgment delivered by the European Court...
Secretary General Jagland on official visit to Croatia on 17 April
The Secretary General of the Council of Europe, Thorbjørn Jagland, is on official visit to Croatia on 17 April, where he met Prime Minister Andrej Plenković, the Deputy Prime Minister and Minister of Foreign and European Affairs, Marija Pejčinović-Burić, and Deputy Speaker of the Croatian...
Meeting of Ministers of Justice on the European human rights system: speech of Secretary General
The Danish Government made clear from the outset of its Chairmanship that strengthening our Convention system would be a priority. And I thank them for that. I was equally clear from the beginning of my first mandate that strengthening that system – and the European Court of Human Rights – would...
8 April, International Roma Day: Statement by Secretary General Thorbjørn Jagland
With the number of elected Roma and Traveller women 'close to zero', the Secretary General urges political parties to fast-track Roma women in politics
Secretary General condemns attacks on Carcassonne and Trèbes, France
Secretary General Thorbjørn Jagland made the following statement today: "I strongly condemn the attacks on the soil of our host country, France. These cowardly attacks have targeted civilians as well as law enforcement officials. I salute the courageous action of the latter and express the...
Secretary General concerned at US suggestion to extend use of the death penalty
The Secretary General of the 47-nation Council of Europe, Thorbjørn Jagland, has expressed his concern at suggestions in the United States that the death penalty should be extended to drug trafficking offences. “The Council of Europe is firmly opposed to the death penalty in all circumstances....
Statement on the execution of Kiryl Kazachok in Belarus
“The Council of Europe deeply regrets that a further execution has reportedly taken place in Belarus. We call on the Belarusian authorities to stop executing people and to join all of the other countries in Europe in rejecting capital punishment. Death is not justice.“
Meeting of Secretary General Thorbjørn Jagland with Italian Justice Minister Orlando
Secretary General Thorbjørn Jagland and Minister of Justice of Italy Andrea Orlando had an exchange of views today at the Palais de l’Europe to discuss current developments and issues of common interest. The Secretary General and the Minister underlined the excellent co-operation between Italy...
Turkey: Secretary General Jagland meets Turkish leadership in Ankara on 15-16 February
Speech to the candidate judges and prosecutors of the Justice Academy
Ceremony to mark International Day of Holocaust Commemoration
Secretary General Thorbjørn Jagland and Austrian President Alexander Van der Bellen led tributes to the memory of Holocaust victims, at a ceremony outside the main Council of Europe building in Strasbourg. Other participants who made addresses and laid wreaths in front of the commemorative stone...
Secretary General meets the new French parliamentary delegation
The Secretary General and members of the French delegation today discussed key issues for the Council of Europe in a difficult political and budgetary context. “The Council of Europe must remain a unifying force for a tangible and powerful ideal; the protection of human rights,” said Nicole...
Secretary General to PACE: member states have equal obligations and equal rights
Council of Europe Secretary General Thorbjørn Jagland has called on the Organisation’s member states to recommit themselves to fulfill their obligations and cooperate in good faith with the Council’s statutory bodies. He said “equal obligations – equal rights” was the only concept that would keep...
Statement of the Spokesperson of the Secretary General on new death verdicts in Belarus
"Two new death verdicts handed on 20 January to by the Minsk City Court are a very disturbing development. We reiterate our call on the Belarusian authorities to introduce a moratorium on capital punishment as the first step to its abolition. We call on the authorities not to proceed to the...
Speeches
Ministers of Justice: European Human Rights System in the Future Europe
Speech to the candidate judges and prosecutors of the Justice Academy
Letters
