“2016 will likely be remembered as a critical turning point for human rights in Europe” said the Council of Europe Commissioner for Human Rights, Nils Muižnieks today while presenting his annual activity report for 2016. More...

The Council of Europe Parliamentary Assembly (PACE) today ratified the terms of reference of an independent external investigation body to carry out a detailed independent inquiry into the allegations of “corruption and fostering of interests” made against certain PACE members or former members. More...

The Parliamentary Assembly of the Council of Europe (PACE) decided today to reopen the monitoring procedure in respect of Turkey until “serious concerns” about respect for human rights, democracy and the rule of law “are addressed in a satisfactory manner”. More...

In his 4th annual report on the state of democracy, human rights and the rule of law in Europe, the Secretary General assesses the health of the five building blocks of democratic security across member states: independent judiciaries, freedom of expression, freedom of assembly and association, the functioning of democratic institutions, and inclusive societies; this time in the context of growing populism. More...

The European Committee for the Prevention of Torture (CPT) urges the 47 Council of Europe member states to use remand detention only as a measure of last resort and to provide remand prisoners with adequate detention conditions. During visits to prisons throughout Europe, the CPT has often found that remand prisoners are held under very poor conditions and an impoverished regime. More...