Newsroom of DG Democracy and Human Dignity
Social media and children’s mental health: right answers are rarely black and white
Any policy decisions about access of children to social media should be guided by a children’s rights approach, informed by the latest research and, most importantly, by children’s voices. With many countries reviewing their legislation on children’s access to social media, the participants of a...
Romania: legislative initiative prompts concerns from the President of the Conference of International NGO (CINGO) and its Expert Council on NGO Law
In a letter dated 28 May sent to the Permanent Representative of Romania to the Council of Europe, the President of the Conference of International NGO and the President of its Expert Council...
CINGO’s Expert Council invites Bulgaria to revise its Law on Interest Representation
The Expert Council on NGO Law – a body of the Conference of INGOs – is publishing its Opinion on the Compatibility of the Bulgarian Law on Interest Representation with European Standards. The...
Creating, altering and distributing AI-generated child sexual abuse material is criminalised under Council of Europe conventions
The Council of Europe’s Cybercrime Convention committee and the Committee of the parties to the Convention on the protection of children against sexual exploitation and sexual abuse have issued a joint statement following a session held on 2 June 2026 in Strasbourg addressing the growing threats...
Deadline extensionto register: 8 June 2026
Join us for the Public Hearing on the Reykjavik Parameters for Democracy -registration deadline extended!
Are you interested in safeguarding Europe’s democratic security? Do you wish to hear from experts what safeguards are needed to uphold democracy, the rule of law and human rights as protection against democratic backsliding? Join the Steering Committee on Democracy (CDDEM) on this public online...
Italy should continue its efforts to preserve and protect national minority rights
Twelve historical linguistic minorities are recognised in Italy
Countering sexual abuse and exploitation of children: new report published by Council of Europe
Child-focused events on AI abuse material and social media and minors’ mental health to follow
Digital citizenship education vital for responsible use of technology
Strasbourg forum brings variety of perspectives to advance digital citizenship education
European Heritage Days national coordinators gather in Bern to explore “Heritage at Risk” and future themes
National coordinators of the European Heritage Days (EHD) programme gathered in Bern, Switzerland, from 19 to 20 May 2026 for the annual Assembly of Coordinators, hosted by the Swiss Cultural Heritage Network in cooperation with the Council of Europe.
Hate speech levels across Europe alarming, stronger action needed
Annual report 2025 by Council of Europe’s anti-racism commission notes increase in racist, anti-LGBTI and other hate speech
Access to Information and Freedom of Expression: New Training Programme Empowers Legal Professionals, Civil Servants, and Journalists
(anglais seulement) The Council of Europe Division for Cooperation on Freedom of Expression is launching a new Training Programme on Access to Information in the Context of Freedom of...
Twelfth Palme d’Or for the Council of Europe in red-letter night
Council of Europe’s Eurimages involved in production of eight winning films at Cannes film festival
Croatia moves closer to child-friendly justice with Barnahus (“Children’s House”) project completed at a final event in Zagreb
On 19 May 2026, the Final Conference of the joint European Union – Council of Europe project "Implementing the Barnahus Model in Croatia" took place at the National and University Library in...
Twenty-two Council of Europe films in competition at Cannes film festival
Eurimages hopes to maintain outstanding record at 79th edition of the festival
IFEX joins Council of Europe Platform for the Safety of Journalists
Signature adds network of 100 freedom-of-expression organisations in 70 countries to platform’s umbrella
Barnahus as a concrete implementation of the Lanzarote Convention and child-friendly justice standards: a North-South dialogue
31st North-South Prize Award On 18 May 2026, a high-level dialogue was held in Lisbon to explore child-friendly and multidisciplinary responses to violence against children, with a focus on...
Combating anti-LGBTI discrimination and hate across Europe
“It is time to renew our commitment to ensuring the full and equal enjoyment of rights by LGBTI people across Europe,” – Alain Berset
Europe’s security starts with democracy: Council of Europe Secretary General’s 2026 annual report
Report provides a state of play of the New Democratic Pact for Europe
The ICC Programme publishes its 2025 annual report: advancing inclusion and diversity worldwide
The Council of Europe’s Intercultural Cities (ICC) Programme has published its 2025 Annual Report, highlighting a year of dynamic growth, innovation, and partnership in advancing diversity, equality, and social cohesion across cities and regions worldwide.
Open School Data: Workshop on Practice, Capacity Building, and Exchange
On 29 April 2026, education stakeholders from across Europe gathered at the Council of Europe premises in Strasbourg for a Workshop on Open School Data (OSD). Organised in partnership with UNESCO’s International Institute for Educational Planning (IIEP-UNESCO), the event focused on practical...