Council of Europe

What needs to change for democracy to work better for you? #YourVoiceForDemocracy consultation is open to citizens across all 46 member states. 💡 Share your ideas & vote on proposals 🌍 Participate in 36 languages Open until 12 November 👉Take part now:

3 days until World Forum for Democracy!   Join us in Strasbourg or online on 2-3 November as political leaders, activists, young changemakers & experts come together to discuss the challenges facing democracy.   📍 Strasbourg & online
🗓️ 2-3 November 2026

Are our democracies facing a time of rupture or renewal? Join the World Forum for Democracy 2026 on 2-3 November in Strasbourg and online to explore "Rupture or renewal? Democratic security for the future." 📍 Strasbourg & online 🗓️ 2-3 Nov 2026

RT @CoE_Antidiscri: SRSG Irene Kitsou-Milonas emphasised the strategic role of living together in addressing today’s challenges - a vision also reflected in the @coe’s “New Democratic Pact for Europe” -at the 7th World Forum on #InterculturalDialogue in Baku, Azerbaijan. @AzMissionCoE @UNAOC

RT @alain_berset: I strongly condemn the appalling Russian attack on Dnipro railway station, killing at least 14 people on a platform where passenger trains were standing. My thoughts are with the victims, their families and all those injured. Attacks on civilians and civilian infrastructure are unacceptable. Those responsible must be held to account. There can be no impunity for crimes committed in Ukraine. And no peace without accountability. @ZelenskyyUa @andrii_sybiha @UKRinCoE

Norway has made progress in tackling hate crime and online hate speech, says a new report by @ECRI_CoE. The report also calls for further efforts to promote inclusion in schools, improve equal access to healthcare, and strengthen protection against racism and discrimination.

Read the report ⤵️

Hundreds of thousands marched. Students walked across cities. Others cycled nearly 1,400 km from Novi Sad to Strasbourg to make their voices heard.

During the @COECongress, a Serbian student shared the story of a generation that chose civic engagement, solidarity and democratic participation in the face of adversity. Young people's voices deserve to be heard, their rights protected, and their ideas taken seriously.

RT @alain_berset: Student protests, elections, the Council of Europe reform: important questions raised at the @CoECongress session yesterday. How can we respond to growing distrust in democratic institutions? What role can local and regional authorities play? And how can the Council of Europe adapt to the challenges of today? Watch my full statement and Q&A here:

New @ECRI_CoE report on Czechia welcome progress against hate crime while highlighting concerns over racist and anti-LGBTI hate speech and the continued segregation of Roma children in education. Read more:

RT @COECongress: 📢 David Meyer, President of the Group of States against Corruption (GRECO) makes a statement on democratic backsliding Join us live 🎥 Explore the agenda 👉 #democracy #humanrights #RuleOfLaw #51stSession

RT @COECongress: 🗣️ Listen to Sophie PANONACLE, Member of Parliament for Gironde, France, make a statement on #CoastalErosion Members will then debate and vote on a draft resolution and draft recommendation. Explore the agenda ➡️ #democracy #humanrights #RuleOfLaw

RT @COECongress: Coming up at the Congress' #51stSession We're pleased to showcase the highlights of our upcoming Congress session, taking place from 27-29 October Explore the full agenda here #democracy #humanrights #RuleOfLaw

RT @alain_berset: Congratulations to the Student List of Serbia on your electoral result. Serbian citizens have made their democratic choice. We welcome former President Vučić’s acceptance of the result and commitment to a peaceful democratic transition. Council of Europe stands ready to work with Serbia's democratically elected leadership to strengthen human rights, democracy and the rule of law. Your perseverance, energy and commitment to European principles and Serbia's future have brought you this far. You can count on our support. @MFASerbia @SRBinCoE

On #EuropeanDayOfJustice, the Council of Europe brings justice closer to citizens by raising awareness of rights, explaining how justice systems work, and promoting dialogue through information sessions and practical simulations.

Discover how the European Commission for the Efficiency of Justice supports efficient and accessible justice systems across Europe:

RT @CommissionerHR: As protests continue across Europe, with young people and students playing a prominent role, I call on member states to protect the right to freedom of peaceful assembly and ensure human rights-compliant policing. Violence by some individuals or groups does not justify arbitrary restrictions, blanket bans or the dispersal of an entire assembly. Those engaging in violence must be distinguished from peaceful participants. Law enforcement must prioritise dialogue and de-escalation. While it is legitimate for police to respond to looting and rioting and to keep people safe, the use of force and deprivation of liberty must be governed by strict standards: 🔹Lawful and proportionate use of force: Any use of force must be strictly necessary, and all allegations of excess must be promptly investigated. 🔹No arbitrary detention: Deprivation of liberty must have a lawful basis and never be used to intimidate or deter peaceful protest. 🔹Safeguards for children: Policing must take due account of children’s age and vulnerability. Detention must be a measure of last resort, with access to legal assistance. Furthermore, the use of military personnel to police demonstrations may be problematic from a human rights point of view. Protecting peaceful assembly is a democratic obligation. Responses to protests must always be guided by human rights and the rule of law. #FreedomOfAssembly #RighttoProtest #RuleOfLaw #ChildRights

RT @alain_berset: Thank you to Alfredo Mantovano, Undersecretary of State to the Presidency of the Council of Ministers of Italy, for our discussion on tackling drugs and for Italy’s support for the reform of the Council of Europe. With 46 member states and a common legal space, the Council of Europe is uniquely placed to help build a strong, coordinated European response to drug addiction and trafficking. Our reform aims to make full use of this potential.

RT @CommissionerHR: I welcome the @Europarl_EN's Sakharov Prize award to the @IntlCrimCourt and its officials. This is a powerful show of solidarity with an essential institution in the fight against impunity and for justice for victims of atrocity crimes. International institutions that uphold the rule of law and protect human dignity must be protected.

Secretary General @alain_berset joins the European Coalition against drugs meeting in San Patrignano. He will present the Council of Europe’s approach to drug policies and visit the San Patrignano community supporting people affected by addiction.

How do we build safer and more resilient societies? At the European Coalition Against Drugs meeting in San Patrignano, @alain_berset called for stronger cooperation on prevention, treatment, reintegration and action against traffickers.

Denmark has taken important steps to tackle racism and hate crime, but challenges remain. A new @ECRI_CoE report highlights rising hate speech, concerns over anti-Muslim racism, and bullying in schools, while calling for stronger action and monitoring.

RT @alain_berset: An important day for Europe’s joint fight against drugs. The declaration adopted at today’s meeting of the European Coalition against Drugs at @San_Patrignano marks a step forward in our cooperation. Drug policies may differ, but they must rest on a common foundation: health, safety and dignity for every person. This is also what democratic security means for the Council of Europe. Grateful to @Palazzo_Chigi and @san_patrignano for hosting this important gathering.

Read more ⤵️