The Advisory Council on Youth is deeply concerned by the increase in detainment of youth and young
activists in Council of Europe member States. Young people have the right to freedom of expression
and to contribute to democratic debate without fearing unjust repercussions or reprisals.
We welcome the swift reactions to the recent detainment of the Congress youth delegate Enes
Hocaoğulları by Mr O’Flaherty, Commissioner for Human Rights, and Mr Cools, President of Congress of
Local and Regional Authorities, and their calls for commitment to Council of Europe core values.
The Advisory Council on Youth has reached out to Council of Europe stakeholders and continues the
fight for young people’s participation.
The statements of the Advisory Council are published for the purpose of informing the public about the
activities of the statutory bodies of the Council of Europe youth sector. The statements reflect the
opinions and positions of the Advisory Council and its members. The views expressed therein do not
necessarily reflect the views of the Council of Europe.
