Discover the latest news from the Council of Europe on human rights, democracy and the rule of law. Browse news and updates by country, theme and institution.
From New York, a call for the rule of law and democratic security
Secretary General Alain Berset takes his message to the UN, calling for stronger international cooperation in an increasingly divided world
Delivering Social Rights, Renewing Democracy: From Doha and Chișinău to living reality
The Council of Europe, Greece and Portugal are organising a high-level side event at the 81st session of the United Nations General Assembly on 22 September 2026, at UN Headquarters in New...
European Court rejects complaint against the Netherlands concerning Supreme Court deliberations
Dutch woman claimed the potential involvement of “reservisten” in her case violated her right to a fair trial
Citizen participation requires honesty, transparency and feedback
“Meaningful citizen participation requires honesty about the limits, transparency about the process, and feedback about the outcome,” stated Marcin Golaszewski (Poland, EPP/CCE), Congress...
President of the Committee of Ministers visits Ukraine
In Kyiv, Isabelle Berro-Amadeï reaffirms the Council of Europe’s commitment to a just and lasting peace
President of the Conference of INGOs condemns recent actions targeting LGBTI persons in Türkiye
The Conference of International Non-Governmental Organisations (INGOs) of the Council of Europe is deeply concerned by reports of coordinated raids, detentions and restrictions targeting LGBTI...
Between erosion and hope, aspects of human rights in Serbia today
Transcript of remarks by Michael O’Flaherty, Council of Europe Commissioner for Human Rights, at the side event “Fundamental Freedoms Under Pressure: Human Rights and Accountability in...
Principles for a human rights approach to tackling poverty
Speech delivered on the occasion of the Scottish Human Rights Commission event on poverty in Edinburgh, Scotland, United Kingdom. It's a really great pleasure to be here and thanks. As...
Luxembourg: Council of Europe anti-corruption body sees good practices at local level and calls for national strategy
Group of States against Corruption (GRECO) assesses anti-corruption and integrity measures at local level
Council of Europe opens first permanent UN Observer Office in New York during General Assembly
Council of Europe Secretary General Alain Berset has inaugurated the 46-member organisation’s first permanent Observer Office to the United Nations in New York, marking a significant step in cooperation between the Council of Europe and the UN at a time of growing geopolitical fragmentation and...
Secretary General Berset on mission to New York and Washington
Alain Berset will argue for closer links between international and regional organisations, and for transatlantic cooperation
European Court to hear case of ten Ukrainian children in care in Crimea in 2014
Children were allegedly forced to become Russian and put up for adoption
Ukraine signs Council of Europe’s Convention on the co-production of audiovisual works in the form of series
Signature took place on the margins of the Carpathian Summit focusing on extending regional integration
Worrying trends in treatment of national minorities highlighted in new Council of Europe report
Increasing challenges – including hostility and unequal treatment – to minority rights in Europe in 2024-26
Latest decisions from the Committee of Ministers concerning ECHR rulings for 20 countries
The Committee of Ministers is responsible for monitoring implementation of European Court of Human Rights judgments by European states
PACE pre-electoral delegation in Bosnia and Herzegovina welcomes electoral reforms but warns of continuing challenges
A pre-electoral delegation* from the Parliamentary Assembly of the Council of Europe (PACE) visited Bosnia and Herzegovina from 15 to 17 September 2026 to assess the electoral and political environment ahead of the general elections scheduled for 4 October 2026. The...
Prince Albert of Monaco, the President of Portugal and Germany’s Foreign Minister to address PACE autumn session
Addresses by HSH Prince Albert II of Monaco, the President of the Portuguese Republic António José Seguro and Germany’s Foreign Affairs Minister Johann Wadephul are among highlights of the autumn session of the Parliamentary Assembly of the Council of Europe (PACE) taking place in Strasbourg from...
Council of Europe anti-torture Committee (CPT) visits immigration detention facilities in Belgium
A delegation of the European Committee for the Prevention of Torture and Inhuman or Degrading Treatment or Punishment (CPT) carried out an ad hoc visit to Belgium from 8 to 17 September 2026....
Congress Secretary General calls for more intergenerational fairness in everyday local and regional democracy
“Long-term and intergenerational fairness – ensuring that decisions made today are fair to both current and future generations – must become determinants of everyday local and regional...
Congress connects local authorities to Register of Damage to push claims for justice in Ukraine
Local authorities are taking a decisive role in securing justice for Ukraine by directly connecting war-affected citizens with European compensation mechanisms. On 15 September 2026, the...
*All references to Kosovo, whether the territory, institutions or population, in this text shall be understood in full compliance with United Nation's Security Council Resolution 1244 and without prejudice to the status of Kosovo.