News 2018
Private Office procedure on Human Rights Defenders
Those who defend human rights should never face retribution for their principled stance. That’s why I put in place a new mechanism in May 2017 to assist human rights defenders who believe that they have been subject to reprisals for their interaction with the Council of Europe. This procedure is...
Turkish train crash: Council of Europe extends condolences and solidarity
The Council of Europe has expressed its sadness and solidarity with Turkey concerning those killed and injured in the train crash in Ankara. Secretary General Jagland has written a letter of condolence to President Erdogan. Letter to the President of the Turkish Republic, Recep Tayyip Erdoğan
Terrorist attack in Strasbourg
Statement by Council of Europe Secretary General Thorbjørn Jagland
Secretary General backs UN migration pact
“The human rights of refugee and migrant children deserve special protection,” says Thorbjørn Jagland
Statement of the Spokesperson on executions in Belarus
We condemn two new executions in Belarus reported by human rights defenders. Death is not justice. Capital punishment has no proven dissuasive effect on the crime situation in any part of the world. We reiterate our call on the authorities to impose a moratorium on the application of death...
Statement by the Secretary General on the situation around the Azov Sea and Kerch Strait
Free passage of the Kerch Strait is guaranteed by the Agreement between the Russian Federation and Ukraine about the cooperation on the usage of the Sea of Azov and the Kerch Strait. It was signed in 2003 and came into force in 2004. According to this Agreement, the Azov Sea and Kerch Strait are...
Council of Europe welcomes decision of German bishops’ conference to commemorate victims of sexual abuse on 18 November
The Council of Europe welcomes the decision of the German Catholic Bishops’ Conference (DBK) to introduce a commemoration day dedicated to the victims of sexual abuse. The Bishops’ Conference announced the annual commemoration should take place on or around the 18th November, which coincides with...
Statement on the detention of prominent academics in Turkey including Hakan Altinay
The Secretary General of the Council of Europe Thorbjørn Jagland said: "I am very concerned by the detention of a group of academics including Hakan Altinay and will raise this alarming development with the Turkish government as a matter of urgency."
Making sport safe for children: Stop Child Sexual Abuse Day
Governments and sports organisations must redouble their efforts to break the silence surrounding sexual abuse of children in sports, prevent it and fight impunity, stressed the Secretary General of the Council of Europe ahead of the European Day on the Protection of Children against Sexual...
Secretary General participates in Paris Armistice centenary commemoration
At the invitation of France’s President Emmanuel Macron, Council of Europe Secretary General Jagland is taking part in the ceremonies to mark the 100th anniversary of the end of the First World War on 11 November in Paris. Together with other heads of state, government and international...
Secretary General Jagland meets Finnish Foreign Minister, President and Parliament speaker
Secretary General Thorbjørn Jagland is on an official visit to Helsinki, in preparation for Finland’s upcoming presidency of the Committee of Ministers, which will run from 21 November 2018 until 17 May 2019. He said ”Finland will take up the presidency of the Council of Europe Committee of...
Secretary General Jagland on official visit to Finland
Council of Europe Secretary General Thorbjørn Jagland is making an official visit to Finland on 8 November 2018. The Secretary General is going to hold meetings in Helsinki with President Sauli Niinistö, Minister for Foreign Affairs Timo Soini and Speaker of the Parliament Paula Risikko. The...
Secretary General Jagland meets German Foreign Minister Heiko Maas
Council of Europe Secretary General Thorbjørn Jagland will meet German Foreign Minister Heiko Maas on Tuesday 6 November in Berlin. The meeting will focus on challenges to human rights in Europe and the current situation at the Council of Europe. A press briefing is scheduled at 11:45 in the...
World Day of Romani Language
Secretary General statement
Secretary General Jagland on official visit to Liechtenstein
On official visit in Liechtenstein on 29 October, Council of Europe Secretary General Thorbjørn Jagland held meetings with Prime Minister Adrian Hasler, Speaker of Parliament Albert Frick and Minister for Foreign Affairs, Justice and Culture Aurelia Frick, as well as with the delegation to the...
Secretary General Jagland on official visit to Liechtenstein
Council of Europe Secretary General Thorbjørn Jagland is making an official visit to Liechtenstein on 29 October. The Secretary General is holding meetings in Vaduz with Prime Minister Adrian Hasler, Speaker of Parliament Albert Frick and Minister for Foreign Affairs, Justice and Culture Aurelia...
Russia: Excessive fine for ‘New Times’ endangers media pluralism and press freedom
Statement by Council of Europe Secretary General Thorbjørn Jagland
Statement on the killing in Crimea
Secretary General extends condolences over the tragedy in Kerch, Crimea
Secretary General Jagland on official visit to Slovakia
Council of Europe Secretary General Thorbjørn Jagland is making an official visit to the Slovak Republic on 16 and 17 October. The Secretary General is holding meetings in Bratislava with President Andrej Kiska, Prime Minister Peter Pellegrini, Minister for Foreign and European Affairs Miroslav...
Secretary General Jagland on official visit to Slovakia
Council of Europe Secretary General Thorbjørn Jagland will make an official visit to the Slovak Republic on 16 and 17 October. The Secretary General will hold meetings in Bratislava with President Andrej Kiska, Prime Minister Peter Pellegrini, Minister for Foreign and European Affairs Miroslav...
