News 2012
Jagland discusses integration with eight Presidents in Helsinki
Invited by President Halonen of Finland, Secretary General Jagland took part in a meeting with the presidents of Italy, Germany, Latvia, Portugal, Hungary, Slovenia and Finland. Secretary General presented a strategy for the democratic management of diversity in Europe. (see the report “Living...
Secretary General calls on Council of Europe expert body to assess compliance with rule of law in Romania
Reacting to the vote in the Romanian parliament on Friday to suspend president Basescu, Council of Europe Secretary General Thorbjørn Jagland issued the following statement: "I am very concerned about the recent developments in Romania, especially about actions taken by the Government and the...
Thorbjørn Jagland took part in Strasbourg’s Hanukkah celebration
- The Secretary General lit the Flame of Peace on the giant Hanukkah menora which has been erected for the occasion, at the Place de Bordeaux in Strasbourg.
International Day of Persons with Disabilities: Secretary General calls on governments to “assume responsibilities” through Council of Europe standards
Council of Europe Secretary General Thorbjørn Jagland called on governments today to use Council of Europe standards to protect and empower the millions affected by disability as he marks the International Day of Persons with Disabilities. "This year's theme of removing barriers to create an...
International Day for the Elimination of Violence against Women: Thorbjørn Jagland calls on Governments to ratify treaty
Every day in Europe women are victims of violence just because they are women. The International Day for the Elimination of Violence against Women on 25 November reminds us all that we need to fight this violation of human rights. The Council of Europe Convention on preventing and combating...
Secretary General participates in "Science for Peace" event in Milan
"The European model of tolerance, respect and plurality must be solidified", said Thorbjørn Jagland, addressing the prestigious audience of "Science for Peace" initiative at the University "Luigi Bocconi", on Saturday, 17th November. The Secretary General delivered a speech in the framework of...
Secretary General Jagland welcomes new anti-corruption law in Italy
"Fighting corruption is a key priority of the Council of Europe", declared Thorbjørn Jagland, welcoming the new anti-corruption law in Italy. The new law, which refers to the Council of Europe Criminal Law Convention on Corruption (CETS n° 173), monitored by the Group of States against Corruption...
Secretary General Thorbjørn Jagland congratulates President Obama
The Secretary General of the Council of Europe today issued the following statement on the reelection of President Obama: "I congratulate Barack Obama on his reelection and extend my best wishes for his second term in office. The Council of Europe values the constructive role of the United States...
Council of Europe and amusement park association issue joint statement against intolerance
Roland Mack, chairman of the International Association of Amusement Parks and Attractions (IAAPA), headquartered in Alexandria, Virginia (USA) and Council of Europe Secretary General Thorbjørn Jagland issued a joint statement today against racism and discrimination. The Secretary General welcomed...
Secretary General Jagland visits Spain
Council of Europe Secretary General Thorbjørn Jagland was in Madrid on 23 October, to attend the ceremony of the VIII Award to the most outstanding work in the eradication of domestic and gender violence. The award is granted every year by the Observatory against domestic violence, which is...
Secretary General Jagland visits Germany
Secretary General Thorbjørn Jagland was in Berlin on Tuesday for meetings with German Foreign Minister Guido Westerwelle and the Head of the Federal Chancellery, Minister Ronald Pofalla. He also paid a courtesy visit to Chancellor Angela Merkel. Talks focused on the human rights situation in...
Thorbjørn Jagland: "Democracy is a guarantor of progress and prosperity"
Democracy as a system that enshrines universal values. Democracy as an agent of peace. Democracy as a guarantor of progress and prosperity. Council of Europe Secretary General today opened the Strasbourg World Forum for Democracy, highlighting the unique role of democracy around the globe. "Our...
Secretary General Jagland concerned over law on homosexuality in Ukraine
In a letter sent to the Chairman of the Verkhovna Rada, Volodymyr Lytvyn, Council of Europe Secretary General Thorbjørn Jagland expressed deep concern over a bill which proposes to ban the so-called "promotion" of homosexuality. The Secretary General urged the Ukrainian authorities to guarantee...
Secretary General warns of the risk of the Syrian conflict spreading in the region
Thorbjørn Jagland, Secretary General of the Council of Europe, issued today the following statement: "I am extremely concerned about the violence on the Turkish-Syrian border yesterday. The loss of lives in a member state of the Council of Europe is deplorable, and illustrates the risk of the...
Secretary General Jagland "surprised and disappointed" about ban of "Belgrade Pride"
Responding to the ban of the Belgrade Pride 2012 event, the Secretary General of the Council of Europe issued the following statement: "I am surprised and disappointed that the Belgrade Pride event has been banned again. Citizens should be able to exercise their rights of freedom of assembly and...
Secretary General Jagland calls for a constructive handover of government after the elections in Georgia,
Secretary General Jagland today issued the following statement on the results of the Georgian elections: "The successful completion of open and competitive elections, recognised as democratic by the international observers including members of the Council of Europe Parliamentary Assembly, should...
Thorbjørn Jagland: Laws on defamation must not unjustly restrict freedom of expression
Responding to today's vote in the Ukrainian Parliament the Secretary General issued the following statement : "I welcome that the draft law criminalising defamation has been withdrawn from the procedure in the Verkhovna Rada of Ukraine. Defamation is a legitimate concern, but criminal sanctions...
"Re-criminalising defamation in Ukraine would be a step backwards"
The Secretary General of the Council of Europe, Thorbjørn Jagland today issued the following statement: " The Ukrainian Rada voted in first reading in favour of a law re-criminalising defamation. Ukraine has a vibrant media sector, but the mere threat of prosecution may create a chilling effect,...
Secretary General condemns film “The innocence of Muslims”
The Secretary General of the Council of Europe said today the European Convention on Human Rights offered guidance to European governments responding to the public outcry over the offending, anti-Islamic film. He condemned the film "The innocence of Muslims" as prejudiced and called on member...
Thorbjørn Jagland meets Belgian Foreign Minister Didier Reynders
The Secretary General met Didier Reynders, Deputy Prime Minister and Minister of Foreign Affairs, Foreign Trade and European Affairs of Belgium. The meeting focussed on the co-operation between the Council of Europe and Belgium, the future Belgian Chairmanship of the Committee of Ministers of the...
