Yesterday in San Marino, I had the great honour to speak at the ceremony marking the appointment of the Captains Regent.
At a time when many democracies are turning inwards, the decision to invite a voice from beyond its borders reflects openness and trust — values at the heart of @coe.int.
Global issues with local implications: Europe’s communities responding to AI, migration and healthcare pressure
Council of Europe’s Congress debates focus on plethora of issues affecting towns and region
www.coe.int/en/web/porta...
Person voting during a local election
Elections key to preserving grassroots democracy
Free local and regional elections, violence against elected officials, local elections observation in focus at the Congress plenary.
www.coe.int/en/web/porta...
It is a great honour to be in San Marino at such a solemn moment in its democratic life, marking the appointment of the Captains Regent.
Regular reminder that the UK’s ban on gay people serving in the armed forces was only lifted after a judgment from the European Court of Human Rights👇
🔗 www.bbc.com/news/article...
Surprising how often people don't mention that.
"Opre Roma!" Month celebrating Roma history, language and culture begins! Join events across Europe honouring Roma contributions.
Webpage: www.coe.int/en/web/roma-...
Calendar: www.coe.int/en/web/roma-...
Today, the Congress of Local and Regional Authorities unanimously elected Gunn Marit Helgesen as its new President.
Just after her election, we caught the newly elected President for a quick on‑the‑spot interview. Watch the video below!
SG @alain-berset.coe.int deplores the Knesset’s decision to expand the death penalty, a deeply troubling step back for human rights. It marks further distancing of Israel from the framework of values with which it has historically chosen to associate itself.
More: www.coe.int/en/web/porta...
Le vote à la Knesset rétablissant la peine de mort est un recul civilisationnel majeur. Un choix qui éloigne ceux qui l’ont fait du système de valeurs portées par le @coe.int. Ils endossent une responsabilité historique.
SG @alain-berset.coe.int visits San Patrignano and San Marino this week. From supporting innovative approaches to addiction treatment to attending the Investiture Ceremony of the Captains Regent - a visit focused on democracy, cooperation and community.
www.coe.int/en/web/porta...
The death penalty has no place in modern justice and is incompatible with respect for fundamental human rights.
I urge the Israeli authorities to abandon their new law.
www.coe.int/en/web/porta...
🧵 5/5
At its core, the treaty safeguards the ecosystem that allows creativity to flourish. By strengthening independent co‑production, it creates the space for pluralistic, high‑quality European narratives.
Read more: www.coe.int/en/web/porta...
🧵 4/5
This convention sets fair rules that empower smaller producers to collaborate across borders. It’s about giving independents the tools to compete and ensuring audiences access more diverse stories.
🧵 3/5
Beyond the technical side, it protects diverse European storytelling from market concentration and disinformation pressures. Why does it matter? Because independent creators face an increasingly complex landscape dominated by global platforms.
🧵 2/5
As platforms transform how stories are funded, produced, and consumed, the treaty brings clarity and shared rules to a fast‑moving market. It strengthens cross‑border cooperation, supports independent producers, and boosts transparency.
🧵 1/5
Nine countries have signed the new Council of Europe Convention on series co‑production at #SeriesMania. This is the first international legal framework dedicated to the independent co‑production of TV and streaming series.
Today at Series Mania in Lille, 9 countries made a strong choice: creativity, storytelling and working together.
France, Georgia, Greece, Italy, Luxembourg, Malta, Montenegro, Poland and Portugal signed the @coe.int Convention on the co-prouction of series.
A movement is underway.
⚖️ The Court held a Grand Chamber hearing today in the case of Kavala v. Türkiye (No. 2).
📽️ The webcast of the hearing is available:
tinyurl.com/3uzvde35
🔗Press release: tinyurl.com/ykyfkbcc
🧵 5/5
The message is clear: progress is real, but there is much more work ahead, especially in strengthening national systems to apply human rights rulings effectively.
www.coe.int/en/web/porta...
🧵 4/5
Ukraine made notable progress despite the ongoing war 97 cases closed, including 11 leading cases. Romania recorded the biggest drop in pending cases (-124 and -27 respectively), Austria, Estonia, France, Germany and Lithuania also recorded major improvements.
🧵 3/5
Progress is real, but so are the challenges. The number and complexity of pending cases continue to grow. Many states need stronger domestic capacity for implementation.
🧵 2/5
Nearly 1,000 cases were closed, a 6.2% increase from 2024.194 leading cases were resolved, meaning deeper structural reforms across member states.
🧵 1/5
The Council of Europe reports significant progress in implementing European Court of Human Rights judgments in 2025.
The Council of Europe's Eurimages has awarded €9.835 million to support 32 feature film co-productions in its first funding round of 2026.
17 of the selected projects are directed or co-directed by women, representing 59.71% of the total funding.
www.coe.int/en/web/porta...
Once the European Court of Human Rights rules, who ensures states comply?
Watch this quick explainer to see how your human rights stay protected. ⤵️
www.coe.int/en/web/execu...
Happening on 26 March: SG @alain-berset.coe.int opens the new convention dedicated to independent drama-series co‑productions.
The Council of Europe opens a new chapter for culture and democracy.
Learn more: www.coe.int/en/web/porta...
How should Europe respond to growing threats to our information space?
Today in Chişinău, Council of Europe experts, officials and civil society gathered to look at new ways to safeguard reliable information and strengthening our digital resilience.
www.coe.int/en/web/porta...
LIVE from Chișinău!
As part of the New #DemocraticPactforEurope, today’s Conference unites partners to counter disinformation, foreign information manipulation and interference and strengthen democratic resilience.
Follow online ⬇️
go.coe.int/uyDMu
Strengthening social rights → strengthening democracy.
President Maia Sandu: “If we are serious about preserving democracy, we must ensure it delivers for all.” Today in Chișinău, leaders reaffirm commitment to social equality and the European Social Charter.
go.coe.int/Z7BXV
Happening now: 50 delegations from different European countries gathered in Chișinău for the Conference on social rights - the European Social Charter.
Watch live: www.coe.int/en/web/europ...
