News
“Democracy does not play out just in international summits, but in municipal councils too” – Alain Berset
As Secretary General Alain Berset addressed the Congress of Local and Regional Authorities, he discussed how fear has entered our democratic system. Rarely can he have had an audience with as sharp...
We’re ready to help put historic new recommendation on equal rights for intersex people into practice – Secretary General
“The Recommendation on equal rights for intersex persons is historic - not because it creates new standards, but because it makes existing ones impossible to ignore”, said the Secretary General of...
First Council of Europe Business and Human Rights Forum
The first Council of Europe Business and Human Rights Forum – BRAVE 2025 – brought together today in Strasbourg policy makers and representatives of leading companies and business associations to...
Advancing health as a human right
The Council of Europe’s conference on the protection of health has just taken place, showcasing the panoply of work that the organisation is doing in the area of healthcare. There is a lot to show....
In Switzerland, Council of Europe Secretary General Alain Berset concludes his official visit by reaffirming the European partnership around shared values
Council of Europe Secretary General Alain Berset paid an official visit to Switzerland today. In Bern, he met with President of the Swiss Confederation Karin Keller-Sutter, Federal Councillor...
Secretary General: Protection of health is vital for a healthy democracy
“Health is a measure of democratic resilience”, says Alain Berset, Secretary General of the Council of Europe, in an article entitled “Health in the age of disinformation: Protecting truth,...
Ceremony for the 35th Anniversary of the Venice Commission: the Council of Europe’s body of constitutional experts
The European Commission for Democracy through Law (better known as the Venice Commission), the Council of Europe’s advisory body on constitutional matters, celebrates its 35th anniversary of...
Secretary General: Organ donation depends on trust. We must defend it.
The Council of Europe Secretary General, Alain Berset, made the following statement ahead of European Donation Day (11 October): “Organ, tissue and cell donation gives countless people across Europe...
Youth Ministers call for democratic renewal: Europe’s future must be built with young people
Increasing confidence, improving quality and strengthening the resilience of European democracies through stronger youth participation, drawing on the Council of Europe’s New Democratic Pact for...
Statement of Secretary General Alain Berset on the Gaza agreement
Secretary General Alain Berset of the Council of Europe has issued the following statement regarding the agreement between Israel and Hamas: “I welcome the agreement towards a ceasefire reached...