Human Rights and the Rule of Law at the Council of Europe

👩🎓 The mission of the Knowledge Sharing Platform of the European Court of Human Rights (ECHR-KS) is to share Convention case-law knowledge, complementing the existing information tools such as HUDOC. ⚖️ It was launched in the Council of Europe official languages, English and French, in 2022. As of 27 February the ECHR-KS is also available in Romanian, Turkish and Ukrainian! This makes the latest analysis of case-law developments presented in a thematic and contextualised manner through particular Convention Articles and Transversal Themes more accessible to over 300 million citizens. This comprises nearly 45% of the population of the Council of Europe’s member States. 🦉 Learn more here: https://lnkd.in/eCBHVihM 📽️ Get a glimpse of the launching event: https://lnkd.in/eDWPxVzn

𝐑𝐞𝐠𝐢𝐬𝐭𝐫𝐚𝐭𝐢𝐨𝐧 𝐢𝐬 𝐧𝐨𝐰 𝐨𝐩𝐞𝐧 for this year’s 𝐎𝐜𝐭𝐨𝐩𝐮𝐬 𝐂𝐨𝐧𝐟𝐞𝐫𝐞𝐧𝐜𝐞, which will take place between 𝟒-𝟔 𝐉𝐮𝐧𝐞, 𝐢𝐧 𝐒𝐭𝐫𝐚𝐬𝐛𝐨𝐮𝐫𝐠, 𝐅𝐫𝐚𝐧𝐜𝐞! The conference will provide an opportunity to interface for #cybercrime experts from public and private sectors as well as international and non-governmental organisations from all over the world. High-level interventions are envisaged. The conference will also include an area where projects, partners and other initiatives will have the possibility to showcase their work. Should you wish to do so, please reach out to the Conference secretariat. Main sessions will address #artificialintelligence, cybercrime and e-evidence, cyber-interference with #democracy, online fraud such as pig-butchering/romance scams, and implementing the #SecondAdditionalProtocol on enhanced cooperation and disclosure of e-evidence. Workshops will focus on crypto-investigations, sharing e-evidence across borders under the 𝐂𝐨𝐧𝐯𝐞𝐧𝐭𝐢𝐨𝐧 𝐨𝐧 𝐂𝐲𝐛𝐞𝐫𝐜𝐫𝐢𝐦𝐞 (#BudapestConvention) and its Second Protocol, cybercrime as #warcrime and lessons from Ukraine, #cyberviolence (online child sexual exploitation and abuse, #OCSEA and the non-consensual dissemination of intimate images, #NCDII), #youth and cybercrime, regional workshops for countries in Africa, Americas, Asia and Pacific. 𝐑𝐞𝐠𝐢𝐬𝐭𝐫𝐚𝐭𝐢𝐨𝐧 𝐢𝐬 𝐨𝐩𝐞𝐧 𝐮𝐧𝐭𝐢𝐥 𝟑𝟎 𝐀𝐩𝐫𝐢𝐥 𝟐𝟎𝟐𝟓. Direct link to the registration form to attend the Octopus Conference 2025: → https://lnkd.in/dpwZanfm Visit the dedicated webpage for the Octopus Conference 2025 for more details and keep an eye on it for updates on the agenda, speakers and resources: → https://lnkd.in/dB2C8RSC More information about previous editions of the Octopus Conference: → https://lnkd.in/dSppaRSh Newsroom: → https://lnkd.in/dWsCDTfi #OctopusConference #OctopusConf2025 #OctopusProject #GLACYe #CyberEastplus #CyberSouthplus #CyberSEE #CyberSPEX

Secretary General of the Council of Europe calls for the universal abolition of the death penalty at the United Nations Human Rights Council in Geneva   Council of Europe Secretary General Alain Berset has concluded his official visit to Geneva, which took place from 24 to 26 February 2025.   During this visit, the Secretary General addressed a high-level panel on the death penalty at the 58th session of the United Nations Human Rights Council, reaffirming the Council of Europe’s commitment to its universal abolition. He also emphased the organisation’s crucial role in promoting and protecting fundamental rights in Europe, particularly in the context of the war in Ukraine, and beyond.   📢 More on the UN HRC panel and the Declaration of the Secretary General on death penalty: 🔗 https://lnkd.in/e4_qQMKk   👉 More on the official visit by the Secretary General of the Council of Europe Alain Berset (Geneva, 24 - 26 February 2025): 🔗 https://lnkd.in/ex-5cNtG

📣 The European Court's Knowledge Sharing platform (ECHR-KS) is expanding!  We're excited to launch Romanian, Turkish, and Ukrainian versions. Join our online conference today to explore the platform's features and hear from our speakers about this milestone. Learn more: https://lnkd.in/d5HFcEA2. #ECHR #LegalKnowledge

📢 Call for candidates for a secondment! Would you like to join the Council of Europe Office in Geneva? Do you comply with the following requirements? 📌 have the support of the member State seconding you to the Council of Europe (without this support, your application annot be considered); 📌 hold a higher education degree or qualification equivalent to a master’s degree (2nd cycle of the Bologna process framework of qualifications for the European Higher Education) in a relevant field (preferably in political sciences, law, international relations, economics or similar); 📌 have a long and substantial professional experience, including at senior management level, in diplomacy or in an international context; 📌 have a very good knowledge of one of the two Council of Europe’s official languages (English or French) and a good knowledge of the other; knowledge of other languages a distinct advantage; 📌 be a citizen of one of the member States of the Council of Europe. If so, apply via our website: https://lnkd.in/e9fT25Ut Deadline: 20 March 2025 #secondment #councilofeurope #coegenevaoffice

⚖️ Apply now for the 2025 Crystal Scales of Justice Prize The European Commission for the Efficiency of Justice (CEPEJ) invites courts, bar associations, justice professionals, NGOs, and judicial bodies from Council of Europe member or observer countries to apply for the 2025 Crystal Scales of Justice Prize. The CEPEJ is a body of the Council of Europe dedicated to improving the efficiency and quality of judicial systems across member states. Its goal is to promote better access to justice and ensure effective judicial processes for all. 💡 This competition rewards innovative practices that improve the efficiency, quality, and accessibility of justice. 👉 For details on eligibility, criteria, and how to apply: https://lnkd.in/dkGBH259 ⏳ Deadline: 2 May 2025 -------------------- ⚖️ Դիմեք 2025 թվականի արդարադատության բյուրեղյա կշեռքների մրցանակին Արդարադատության արդյունավետության եվրոպական հանձնաժողովը (CEPEJ) հրավիրում է դատարաններին, իրավաբանների ասոցիացիաներին, արդարադատության ոլորտի մասնագետներին, ՀԿ-ներին և դատական մարմիններին Եվրոպայի խորհրդի անդամ կամ դիտորդ երկրներից՝ դիմելու 2025 թվականի արդարադատության բյուրեղյա կշեռքների մրցանակին: CEPEJ-ը Եվրոպայի խորհրդի մարմին է, որը նվիրված է անդամ պետություններում դատական համակարգերի արդյունավետության և որակի բարելավմանը: Նրա նպատակն է նպաստել արդարադատության հասանելիությանը և ապահովել արդյունավետ դատական գործընթացներ բոլորի համար: 💡Այս մրցույթը պարգևատրում է նորարարական գործելակերպ՝ ուղղված արդարադատության արդյունավետության, որակի և մատչելիության բարելավմանը: 👉 Համապատասխանության, չափանիշների և դիմելու մասին մանրամասների համար՝ https://go.coe.int/2uEop ⏳ Վերջնաժամկետ՝ 2 մայիսի 2025թ

🆕 Ukraine and Council of Europe anti-corruption group GRECO: New report In a new report published recently, the Council of Europe’s anti-corruption group GRECO concludes that Ukraine has satisfactorily implemented 18 out of 31 recommendations on corruption prevention in respect of members of parliament, judges and prosecutors. Of the remaining recommendations, 11 have been partly implemented and two have not been implemented. GRECO continues to recognise the strong commitment shown by Ukraine in respect of work to counter corruption at an extremely difficult time for its member State, given the ongoing war of aggression by the Russian Federation against Ukraine. The country continues to function under martial law and hence has to adjust its priorities, the Council of Europe’s anti-corruption body says. It appreciates Ukraine’s timely submission of information to GRECO, as well as the progress reported, which is to be commended. GRECO has notably recorded progress in implementing its recommendations: ✅ to ensure effective supervision of the existing financial declaration requirements; ✅ to regulate the engagement of parliamentarians with lobbyists; ✅ to streamline the process of appointment of judges and related bodies. Important legislation has been adopted, and members of the High Council of Justice, of the High Qualification Commission of Judges, and of the Public Council of Integrity were appointed. The two recommendations that remain not implemented are related to prosecution: they concern 👉 introducing a system of random allocation of cases to individual prosecutors, 👉 defining more precisely disciplinary offences relating to prosecutors’ conduct and compliance with ethical norms, 👉 extending the range of disciplinary sanctions available to ensure better proportionality and effectiveness. GRECO encourages the Ukrainian authorities to take further action with a view to addressing the 13 pending recommendations and to provide a report on progress in implementing outstanding recommendations by 30 November 2025. 🦉 Learn more here: https://lnkd.in/eE5yWyCm Links to the report:  🔗 in English – https://lnkd.in/evZG3BFj 🔗 in French – https://lnkd.in/em3qpKjT 🔗 in Ukrainian – https://lnkd.in/e8y3YRwQ

Sport and Gender Equality – Key findings The “All In Plus – Promoting greater gender equality in sport” joint European Union - Council of Europe project is ending in February 2025. Its main goal was to address the invisibility of women in sport by working with governments, sports organisations, and stakeholders. Results of the project include: 📃 Numerous recommendations and a comprehensive analytical report promoting greater gender equality in European sport: https://lnkd.in/eW5ZfTb3 👉 21 factsheets: https://lnkd.in/eW5ZfTb3 👉 11 video interviews of role models: https://lnkd.in/eW5ZfTb3 👉 a Library of 85 Best Practice examples of gender equality in sport: Online library of practices - ALL IN: Towards gender balance in sport In the 21 jurisdictions analysed by the "All In Plus" joint EU - Conseil de l'Europe project, women represent only: 🟠 12% of Presidents of federations/29% of Vice-Presidents of federations 🟠 23% of registered coaches 🟠 32% of sports officials - with numbers particularly low in Austria (8%) 🟠 31% of members of federations - Participation rates drop significantly from youth to adulthood.   Other key findings highlight persistent disparities in gender equality across European sport: 🟠 The percentage of sports organisations having a written policy/action plan to prevent gender-based violence increased from 25% in 2019 to 39% in 2023 🟠 Only 35% of sports organisations have taken steps to promote gender-balanced representation in the media, with Austria (65%) and Spain (59%) leading in this area.

🆕 New Recommendation by the Council of Europe setting standards to Promote and Protect the Mental Health of Prisoners and Probationers and at ensuring that their mental disorders are managed with full respect for human dignity. This Recommendation underscores the crucial role of prison and probation staff, calling for specialised training to help them better understand mental health issues and respond appropriately and humanely. Key features: ✔️Those in detention or under probation should have access to mental healthcare of the same quality as that provided to the general population. ✔️ Screening by qualified staff to identify individuals with mental disorders, followed by detailed assessments when necessary. ✔️ Treatment with informed consent. ✔️ Protocols to respond to self-harm and suicide attempts, including immediate medical and psychological intervention. ✔️ Creating a supportive environment in prisons and probation services, with access to mental health education, community contacts, creative activities, and re-entry support. This is a critical step toward improving mental healthcare in justice systems while ensuring security measures never compromise mental health protection. ⚖️ The implementation of this Recommendation will be ensured by the Council for Penological Cooperation (PC-CP) and the European Committee on Crime Problems (CDPC) of the Council of Europe. 📌 Learn more: 🔗 CM Recommendation on the protection of mental health in prisons and probation services: https://lnkd.in/eXbFfaqz 🔗 Council for Penological Cooperation: https://lnkd.in/eeVBZMSE 🔗 European Committee on Crime Problems: https://lnkd.in/eCpuSZPk   Thanks also to our partners EuroPris - The European Organisation of Prison and Correctional Services.   #MentalHealth #HumanRights #PrisonReform #JusticeSystem #CouncilofEurope

🧑⚖️ New Guidelines on Prosecuting Violent Extremism On 26 February, the Council of Europe Committee of Ministers’ Deputies adopted new guidelines to prosecute violent extremism conducive to terrorism. These guidelines help criminal justice authorities better understand extremist threats and networks while upholding human rights standards. 🔍 Key Points: ▸Developing an understanding of the threat posed by violent extremism groups and networks; ▸Emphasising the importance of cross-border co-operation and interagency collaboration; ▸Addressing the increasingly young age of possible offenders; ▸Preventing radicalisation in prisons and implementing disengagement programmes. As part of the 2023-2027 Council of Europe Counter-Terrorism Strategy, these guidelines aim to address the rising threats and terrorist attacks by violent extremist groups.