
“The virus is destroying many lives and much else of what is very dear to us. We should not let it destroy our core values and free societies,”
Council of Europe Secretary General Marija Pejčinović Burić
At the end of March Secretary General Marija Pejčinović Burić warned that Covid-19 restrictions had to be balanced with human rights. We’ve put together a coronavirus toolkit to guide governments as they make difficult decisions, and opened up our human rights training programme for free with the launch of a five hour course.
As governments scramble to protect their populations many of the rights we take for granted are being taken away. In many countries, we’re not allowed to meet - even to visit relatives - our children are not allowed in school and our privacy is open to challenge by authorities trying to control the virus. Yet throughout Europe communities gain strength by coming together.


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COVID-19, challenges to human rights and the danger of widening social divisions
In online remarks to the sixth annual Delphi Economic Forum today, the Council of Europe’s Secretary General stressed the ”proactive approach” taken by the Council of Europe to meet human rights challenges associated with COVID19. As 11 May 2021 marked the 10th anniversary of the Council of...
Vaccine passes: protecting human rights and personal data
Statements by the Bioethics Committee and the Data Protection Convention Committee
High-level webinar: impact of Covid-19 policies on human rights in Europe
Council of Europe Secretary General Marija Pejčinović Burić has delivered a keynote speech on Covid-19 policies and their impact on human rights at a webinar organised on 27 April 2021 by the Centre for European Policy Studies (CEPS). Other speakers at the online event included: Salla...

More inter-governmental cooperation is needed using Artificial Intelligence to fight Covid-19 Coronavirus
Migrants, refugees and asylum seekers should not be held in detention centres. Alternatives to detention are needed.
One in five children suffers one or another form of sexual abuse or victimisation during their childhood
The Istanbul Convention on preventing and combating violence against women and domestic violence applies in “sickness and in health” - like in a marriage.
Youth organisations are crucial for society at this time : Grants available now!

- Anti-discrimination, diversity and inclusion
- Artificial Intelligence
- Bioethics
- Children
- Cities & Regions
- Civil participation
- Contact tracing apps
- Culture, heritage & art
- Cybercrime
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- Democracy
- Democratic governance
- Drugs
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- Human rights and the rule of law
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- Precautionary measures for visitors to the Council of Europe
- Roma and Travellers
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- Sexual Orientation and Gender Identity
- Social rights
- Support to the Audiovisual Sector
- Terrorism
- Women’s rights
- Youth
