About: Council of Europe
In blow to UK’s Johnson, Council of Europe stops asylum-seekers’ flight to Rwanda
A first flight carrying asylum seekers to Rwanda as part of a controversial UK policy was cancelled on Tuesday (14 June), in an embarrassing blow to Prime Minister Boris Johnson's government.
Governments must increase transparency on lobbying, says anti-corruption group
EU governments must increase their transparency and accountability on lobbying, said the Group of States against Corruption (GRECO) of the Council of Europe in an annual report published on Thursday (2 June).
Controversy surrounds new cybercrime protocol as plenary vote still hangs in the balance
While the date for the ratification of the Second Additional Cybercrime Protocol by the European Parliament is yet to be set, civil society and MEPs call for the opinion of the European Court of Justice over data and privacy concerns.
Serbia reacts strongly to Kosovo Council of Europe application
Following Kosovo’s submission of an application to the Council of Europe (CoE) on Thursday (12 May), Serbian President Aleksander Vučić called an urgent meeting of the National Security Council for Friday, claiming Pristina has violated a number of agreements.
Press freedom alerts increase 41% in 2021, says Council of Europe
The number of press freedom alerts amongst Council of Europe (CoE) member states soared by 41% during 2021 and should be a wake-up call for Europe, according to their newly released annual report.
Turkish philanthropist Kavala jailed for life, activists protest
Turkish philanthropist Osman Kavala was jailed for life without parole on Monday after he was convicted of trying to overthrow the government by financing protests, in a case that Europe's top court and Western powers say is politically motivated.
Russia leaves Council of Europe, avoiding being kicked out
Russia announced it would no longer participate in the Council of Europe, days after the pan-European human rights body suspended Moscow's rights of representation following the invasion of Ukraine.
Russian court orders rights group Memorial to close
Russia's Supreme Court on Tuesday (28 December) ordered the closure of Memorial, the country's most prominent rights group that chronicled Stalin-era purges and symbolised post-Soviet democratisation.
History at heart – Teaching Europe’s past can protect its future
How to teach history across Europe, and how it can contribute to a vibrant democratic culture was the question at the heart of a two day annual conference ‘History Education for a Democratic Europe’ last week, organised by the Observatory on History Teaching in Europe (OHTE).
Council of Europe to discipline Turkey over jailed activist
The Council of Europe said Friday (3 December) it will launch disciplinary action against Turkey for refusing to free prominent activist and philanthropist Osman Kavala, triggering a procedure used only once before in the organisation's history.
Turkey calls on Council of Europe to avoid punishment over Kavala case
Turkey on Thursday (2 December) called on the Council of Europe to avoid punishing Turkey ahead of a decision this week on whether Ankara could face rare disciplinary proceedings over the case of a jailed activist.
Turkey holds first Kavala hearing after row with Western allies
A Turkish court on Friday (26 November) will hold the latest hearing in the trial of philanthropist businessman Osman Kavala, whose case provoked a diplomatic tussle between Ankara and its Western allies after they called for his immediate release.
Poland makes ‘unprecedented’ challenge to European rights pact
Poland’s Constitutional Court on Wednesday (24 November) ruled that part of the European Convention on Human Rights was incompatible with the Polish constitution, in an unprecedented challenge against a ruling from the European Court of Human Rights. “The Constitutional Court...
Belarus and EU to hold talks on migrant crisis
Belarus said Wednesday (17 November) that President Alexander Lukashenko and German Chancellor Angela Merkel agreed in a telephone call that Minsk and the EU should discuss the migrant crisis on the Belarusian-Polish border.
Council of Europe adopts additional protocol to tackle cybercrime
Ministers at the Council of Europe, an international human rights body, adopted the second Additional Protocol to the Budapest Convention on Wednesday (17 November) to tackle the current surge in cybercrime.
Georgian opposition vows ‘biggest ever’ protests, decries vote fraud
Georgia's opposition parties on Sunday (31 October) announced plans for a mass anti-government protest rally next weekend, denouncing as fraudulent local election runoffs won by the ruling party.
Turkey summons 10 ambassadors over calls for philanthropist’s release
Turkey's Foreign Ministry summoned the ambassadors of 10 countries, including the United States, Germany and France, over a statement calling for the release of philanthropist Osman Kavala, state-owned Anadolu agency said on Tuesday (19 October).
Commission yearns for setting the global standard on artificial intelligence
The European Commission believes that its proposed Artificial Intelligence Act should become the global standard if it is to be fully effective. The upcoming AI treaty that is being drafted by the Council of Europe might help the EU achieve just that.
Polish minister says European rights law breaches constitution
Poland's justice minister on Thursday (29 July) asked its Constitutional Tribunal to examine whether an article of the European Convention on Human Rights breaches the constitution, deepening an international row over the country's judicial reforms.
Turkish women rally in defense of Istanbul Convention
Hundreds of women rally in Istanbul on Saturday (19 June), urging President Recep Tayyip Erdoğan to reverse his decision to withdraw from a Council of Europe anti-violence treaty ahead of a formal exit on1 July.
Radio Free Europe petitions Strasbourg court to block Russian fines
The US-funded Radio Free Europe/Radio Liberty news website in Moscow said Friday (16 April) it was urgently appealing to Europe's highest rights court to stop Russia from heavily fining the media outlet for hundreds of alleged infractions.
US, Europe press Turkey to rethink ditching of Istanbul Convention
US and European leaders denounced what they called Turkey's baffling and concerning decision to pull out of an international accord designed to protect women from violence, and urged President Recep Tayyip Erdoğan to reconsider.
Controversial lobbyists raise eyebrows in Strasbourg
A non-profit group has been raising eyebrows in the Council of Europe for its questionable lobbying activities, a British lawmaker told EURACTIV.