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Speech by Alain Berset, Secretary General of the Council of Europe

Vice President Gherman,
State Secretary Dinică, 
Deputy Executive Director Bahous of UN Women,
Excellencies, 
Colleagues, 

Let me begin by thanking the Permanent Missions of the Republic of Moldova, Monaco and Romania, as well as UN Women, for convening today’s side event. 
And also by welcoming an important delegation of the Parliamentary Assembly of the Council of Europe.
***
It is day twelve of the war in Iran and the Middle East. 
But this war did not start twelve days ago.
No one here has forgotten Mahsa Amini, who died four years ago at the hands of Iran’s morality police. 
Her death set off protests across Iran. 
Crowds chanted “Woman, Life, Freedom.”
I begin with Iran because the first cracks in a society appear where people are most vulnerable.
And very often, that is in the lives and rights of women and girls.
***
So coming to CSW in one of the most challenging periods of geopolitical instability since the Second World War is a stand against the direction the world is taking.
It is to refuse to treat the rights of women and girls as second-rate rights. 
It also means accepting that this rupture — because it is a rupture — comes at the very moment we are building the most powerful technology in human history.
***
The digital world has become a dangerous place for women and girls. 
In this world, a teenage girl discovers that a classmate has used AI to create a fake nude video of her and share it online.
In this world, a member of parliament receives hundreds of rape threats in a single day after speaking out about violence against women.
In this world, a president decides not to seek a second term after years of abuse and disinformation targeting her and her family.
***
This is about the safety of women and girls.
But it is also about the health of our democracies.
Today, around one in three women in politics in Europe report experiencing violence, most often psychological or online.
When women are pushed out of politics, journalism, and activism, democracy itself becomes less democratic.
***
In the digital age, violence spreads faster, travels further, and does more damage.
Confronted with this moment, we can be passive spectators. 
Or we can ensure that technology is not used to intimidate, humiliate, or silence women and girls. 
***
The European Court of Human Rights has already had to confront this reality.
It has ruled that hacking a partner’s private messages can be part of domestic violence.
That publishing intimate images online is a form of abuse.
And that digital blackmail used to silence a woman journalist violates fundamental rights.
***
The Council of Europe has never shied away from its responsibilities.
Already in 2001, when AI was science fiction and streaming was still in its infancy, it adopted the Budapest Convention on Cybercrime.
Ten years later, in 2011, came the Istanbul Convention, setting the global standard for preventing violence against women.
***
Today, the threats have changed.
They are more complex.
And the Istanbul Convention is coming under pressure, with some countries threatening to leave it.
The threats have changed.
But our responsibility has not.
That is why last week the Committee of Ministers of the Council of Europe adopted a new Recommendation on accountability for technology-facilitated violence against women and girls.
It makes clear that violence against women online is still violence.
It strengthens justice, with investigations that work, evidence that can be secured, and cooperation across borders.
And it requires technology companies to design their products with safety, user control, and transparent moderation in mind.
***
Earlier, I said that coming to CSW today is a stand against the direction the world is taking. 
The opening of the Council of Europe office here in New York turns that stand into action.
It strengthens cooperation with the United Nations and partners around the world.
Violence online does not stop at borders.
Justice cannot stop there either.
No perpetrator should feel protected by a keyboard or a fake name.
No victim should be left to fight alone.
A screen must never be a hiding place from justice.
And this is the work we must continue together.

Thank you.