Regional conference on Article 10 of the European Convention on Human Rights held in Skopje

On-line lessons and a radio station in minority languages in package of new projects for minorities

A new radio station in Ruthenian and Ukrainian, TV shows in Albanian, a ‘school on wheels’ for young Roma children, on-line lessons in minority languages, bilingual street signs and a national minorities day in Sarajevo – these are among the many new projects designed to assist minorities in South-East Europe, which will start up this month.

The Living Library at the Belgrade Education Fair

The Living Library * was staged at the Belgrade Education Fair “The Bell” for the third time on 1 and 2 November.

The Living Library was opened by Mr Tim Cartwright, Head of the Council of Europe Office in Belgrade; Ms Nevena Petrusic, Commissioner for Protection of Equality; Ms Snezana Klasanja, Assistant Minister of Youth and Sport and the host Ms Bojana Dasic, PR Manager of the Education Fair “The Bell”.

European Day of Languages 2014: challenging mindsets and embracing diversity

To mark the European Day of Languages, Secretary General Jagland made the following statement:

Match-fixing: fifteen countries pave the way for implementation of the new Council of Europe Convention

The Council of Europe Convention on the Manipulation of Sports Competitions ( CETS no. 215) was opened for signature on 18 September at a ceremony held during the Conference of European Ministers of Sport, who are meeting in Macolin/Magglingen (Switzerland) to decide on measures to promote integrity in sport and combat corruption in the governance of sport.

Call for expression of interest

The Council of Europe is organising a  Call for expression of interest for the role of short-term consultants for the Project “Support to the judiciary in Serbia in the implementation of the European Convention on Human Rights” . Project is funded by the Kingdom of Norway and aims at supporting the Serbian judiciary in implementing the European Convention at the national level.

First Steering Committee meeting of the Joint EU/CoE project “Promoting Human Rights and Minority Protection in South East Europe”

The First Steering Committee meeting of the Regional Joint Programme funded by the European Union and Implemented by the Council of Europe “Promoting Human Rights and Minority Protection in South East Europe” was held in Belgrade, Serbia on 26^th August 2014. The Steering Committee members praised the Project for its focus and expressed their opinion that it can provide “direct impact to the lives of citizens in the region”.

Call for expression of interest

The joint European Union and Council of Europe Project “Promoting Human Rights and Minority Protection in South East Europe” has an overall objective to improve access to rights for minorities at various levels of government in South East Europe based upon Council of Europe standards in this field and in particular on the Framework Convention for the Protection of National Minorities (FCNM) and the European Charter for Regional or Minority Languages (ECRML).

Thorbjørn Jagland re-elected Secretary General of the Council of Europe

The Council of Europe Parliamentary Assembly (PACE) yesterday re-elected Thorbjørn Jagland (Norway) Secretary General of the Council of Europe for a five-year term.

Youth human rights at risk during the crisis

http://bit.ly/1tDIGgf

Strasbourg, 03/06/2014 – “Young people have been one of the groups hardest hit by the economic crisis in Europe, with youth unemployment being the most common pathology of many countries implementing austerity measures. However, it is not only the social and economic rights of young people that are being undermined, but also their right to equal treatment, their right to participation, and their place in society, and more broadly, in Europe. Due to chronic unemployment, many young people are losing hope in the future of their countries, their faith in the political elite, and their belief in Europe. A rights-based approach should replace the current neglect of young people in discussions about the crisis”, says Nils Muižnieks, Council of Europe Commissioner for Human Rights, in his latest Human Rights Comment published today.

CALL FOR EXPRESSIONS OF INTEREST: INTERPRETATION SERVICES IN SERBIA

CALL FOR EXPRESSIONS OF INTEREST:

INTERPRETATION SERVICES

IN SERBIA

2014AO28

The Council of Europe is organising a Call for Tenders with a view to awarding a contract/contracts for the provision of interpretation services in Serbia.

CALL FOR EXPRESSIONS OF INTEREST: TRANSLATION SERVICES IN SERBIA

CALL FOR EXPRESSIONS OF INTEREST:

TRANSLATION SERVICES

IN SERBIA

2014AO27

The Council of Europe is organising a Call for Tenders with a view to awarding a contract/contracts for the provision of translation services in Serbia.

Secretary General of the Council of Europe Thorbjorn Jagland expressed condolences to the President of Serbia Tomislav Nikolić

The Secretary General of the Council of Europe, Mr Thorbjorn Jagland, expressed condolences to the President of Serbia, Mr Tomislav Nikolić, for the loss of lives caused by the terrible floods.

In the letter sent to the President of Serbia, the Secretary General praised the work of the emergency services for their invaluable efforts in dealing with the aftermath of flooding.

Message on the occasion of devastating floods in the Balkans

We express our deep sympathy to those who have lost loved ones, their homes and their existence through the devastating floods that struck Serbia, Bosnia-Herzegovina and Croatia.

Vacancy Notice N° o10/2014

Project Assistant (Grade B2)
Directorate General of Democracy (DG II)
Directorate of Democratic Citizenship and Participation

New cooperation agreement between the Commission and Council of Europe on human rights, democracy and rule of law

The European Union and the 47-nation Council of Europe have today signed a “Statement of Intent” putting in place a new framework for cooperation in the EU Enlargement and Neighbourhood Regions for the period 2014-2020.

The agreement will enable the two organisations to work together in a more strategic and result-focused manner to help promote human rights, democracy and the rule of law in the EU Enlargement and Neighbourhood Regions based on the Council of Europe’s binding international conventions, monitoring bodies and assistance programmes.

Early parliamentary elections in Serbia offered voters a genuine choice and respected fundamental freedoms, say international observers

PACE to observe the early parliamentary elections in Serbia

International Women’s Day

“Women are suffering more than men from austerity policies: Gender Equality is at stake and it should be strengthened during these turbulent times. The right to fair remuneration, recognising the concept of equal pay for work of equal value, enshrined in article 4 of the European Social Charter (Revised), should be implemented and not just considered a principle. The gender dimension is key to fostering equal opportunities, fighting stereotypes and avoiding discrimination that might also lead to violence against women”, said Ms. Gabriella Battaini Dragoni, Council of Europe Deputy Secretary General marking the International Women’s Day.

Conference of the Cultural Routes Programme at the International Tourism Fair in Belgrade

The Cultural Routes programme was launched by the Council of Europe in 1987. Its objective was to demonstrate, by means of a journey through space and time, how the heritage of the different countries and cultures of Europe contributes to a shared cultural heritage. The Cultural Routes put into practice the fundamental principles of the Council of Europe: human rights, cultural democracy, cultural diversity and identity, dialogue, mutual exchange and enrichment across boundaries and centuries.

Statement of the pre-electoral mission of the Parliamentary Assembly of the Council of Europe

Belgrade, 20.02.2014 – A pre-electoral delegation from the Parliamentary Assembly of the Council of Europe (PACE) visited Belgrade to assess the election campaign and the preparation of the early parliamentary elections of 16 March 2014.

GRETA publishes first report on Serbia

Council of Europe LGBT Project presents a video featuring developments and outcomes of the project

The Project on Combating discrimination on the grounds of sexual orientation or gender identity, better known as the Council of Europe LGBT Project [1] , published a video presenting latest developments and outcomes of the project.

[1] The Council of Europe – through its standards and mechanisms – aims to promote and ensure respect for the human rights and dignity of every individual, including lesbian, gay, bisexual and transgender persons (LGBT persons) and to combat discrimination and violence against them in the 47 member states. For this purpose, the Committee of Ministers adopted Recommendation CM/Rec(2010)5 on Measures to combat discrimination on the grounds of sexual orientation and gender identity. The Council of Europe LGBT-Project contributes to the implementation of CM/Rec(2010)5 as well as to other key legal instruments and the work of the Commissioner for Human Rights .

Serbia should end degrading reception conditions for asylum seekers

Strasbourg, 12/12/2013 – “Serbia needs to strengthen its asylum system and reception capacities in order to cope with the ever increasing number of arrivals, in particular from war-torn Syria. I could witness signs of the current strains on the Serbian asylum system during my November visit in the reception centre of Bogovadja, one of the two asylum centres in the country. Additional efforts are needed in order to ensure that the human rights of every person in need of international protection are fully respected and protected” said today Nis Muižnieks, the Council of Europe Commissioner for Human Rights, releasing a letter addressed to Prime Minister Dačić.

Combating corruption within national parliaments

The PACE Committee on Rules of Procedure, Immunities and Institutional Affairs held a seminar today in Belgrade, in co-operation with the PACE Parliamentary Project Support Division, on the mechanisms available to national parliaments to counter corruption.

This international seminar, which is the first edition, involved parliamentarians of nine countries (Croatia, France, Italy, Montenegro, Poland, Romania, Serbia, Slovenia and Former Yugoslav Republic of Macedonia) and was held in the Serbian National Assembly. It followed the adoption in June 2013 of PACE Resolution 1943 (2013) on “Corruption as a threat to the rule of law”.

The Project “Support to the Judiciary in Serbia in the Implementation of the European Convention on Human Rights” launched on 22 November in Belgrade

Vacancy Notice N° o38/2013

Project Officer (Grade B4)
Directorate General of Democracy (DG II)

Ministerial conference in Belgrade to discuss how to further protect freedom of expression and Internet freedom in Europe

The conference will address violence and intimidation against journalists and the rights and responsibilities of journalists, bloggers and whistleblowers

Strasbourg, 01.11.2013 – Ministers responsible for Media and Information Society from the 47 Council of Europe member states will meet in Belgrade on 7 and 8 November to discuss how to improve the protection of freedom of expression in Europe.

The conference “Freedom of expression and democracy in the digital age: opportunities, rights, responsibilities” is organised by the Council of Europe in cooperation with the Ministry of Culture and Information of the Republic of Serbia.

Living Library opens its doors to readers at the Belgrade Book Fair

Belgrade, Education Fair “Bell”, 25 and 26 October 2013

from 11h00 to 17h00, hall 2

Thanks to the Belgrade Fair of Education “Bell”, the Living Library will be staged on 25 and 26 October at the Belgrade Book Fair. Our Books are people, and with our books you can talk and find out more about a life of a person who has experienced prejudice, stereotyping or discrimination.

Awareness-raising video clip - 13-year-old Lisa, victim of sexual abuse

Strasbourg, 11.10.2013 – The Parliamentary Assembly of the Council of Europe (PACE) today presented in Nicosia, Cyprus, its new video clip to raise awareness of sexual violence against children.

In the wood, 13-year-old Lisa is crying. A man touches her cheek with his hand. 

She turns away. The man takes her in his arms, consoles her.  She grits her teeth.

The man says “Don’t say anything to your mother … especially not to her”.

This is the start of the script by the young director Roland Edzard: two minutes to pass the message on to adolescents who are victims of sexual abuse of how important it is to talk about their experience if the situation is to improve.  The clip shows the secret pact between the abuser and the minor, a pact which the latter needs to break. Talking about it to someone else is difficult, but is vitally important.

European Day against the Death Penalty: joint Council of Europe/EU declaration

Joint Declaration by Thorbjørn Jagland, Secretary General of the Council of Europe, and Catherine Ashton, European Union High Representative for Foreign Affairs and Security Policy, on the European and World Day against the Death Penalty, 10 October 2013

Today, on the occasion of the European and World Day against the Death Penalty, the Council of Europe and the European Union reiterate their strong opposition to the use of capital punishment. They continue to underline, whenever and wherever possible, the inhumane and cruel nature of this unnecessary punishment and its failure to prevent crime. Although we are encouraged by the growing momentum towards abolition of the death penalty worldwide, the resumption of executions and breaches of decades of moratoria in different parts of the world clearly mark the necessity to pursue our long-standing action against the death penalty, in Europe and worldwide. Voices in favour of the death penalty within some parts of society, including in our continent, show that there is a continuous need to spell out why the death penalty runs contrary to the right to life and to human dignity.

Vacancy Notice N° o25/2013

Directorate General of Democracy (DG II)

Responding to the ban of the Belgrade Pride 2013 event, Council of Europe Secretary General Thorbjørn Jagland issued the following statement:

“I am very disappointed by the Serbian Government’s decision to ban the Belgrade Pride once again. The fundamental rights of the Europeans to freedom of assembly and freedom of expression must be effectively guaranteed. LGBT minorities must not be discriminated in the exercise of their fundamental rights. The case law of the European Court of Human Rights is clear in this regard.”

European Day of Languages - Conference on Multilingualism

The European Day of Languages has been celebrated jointly by the Council of Europe and the European Union on 26 September every year since 2001. The celebration has been initiated by the Council of Europe and some 800 million Europeans in the Council of Europe’s 47 member states are encouraged to learn more languages, at any age, in and out of school.

This year, the Council of Europe will join European Union National Institutes for Culture ( EUNIC Cluster Belgrade ) in the celebration of the European Day of Languages, in partnership with the Faculty of Philology in Belgrade and in collaboration with the Delegation of the European Union. The conference dedicated to multilingualism and the importance of learning languages will be opened by p rominent guest speakers who will pay a particular attention to idiomatic expressions and the specificities of their languages in that area.

MESSAGE IN SUPPORT OF THE BELGRADE PRIDE PARADE 2013

We are witnessing renewed efforts to silence the voices of lesbian, gay, bisexual and trans people in Europe. Sexual orientation and gender identity are used as grounds to restrict the exercise of fundamental freedoms through laws b anning “propaganda” or “promotion of homosexuality and non-traditional sexual relations ”. Several Pride events have been banned or interrupted.

Call for tender – Organisation of Events in Serbia

The Council of Europe (CoE) is an intergovernmental organisation with 47 member countries and has its headquarters in Strasbourg (France). Founded on 5 May 1949, the CoE seeks to develop throughout Europe common and democratic principles based on the European Convention on Human Rights and other reference texts on the protection of individuals. Further information is available at: http://www.coe.int/en/web/portal/call-for-tenders .

The Council of Europe is seeking a partner for the organisation of events in different locations throughout Serbia and study visits abroad (generally in EU Member States) by delegations from Serbia.

Call for Expression of Interest for Schools

The EU/CoE Joint Project “Regional Support for Inclusive Education” has launched a Call for Expression of Interest for primary and secondary schools in the South East Europe willing to participate in the project. A network of 49 Pilot Schools will be established. During the project implementation, this “Inclusive SchoolNet” will be provided by technical and financial support for mutual learning and exchange of experience and will be supported by a relevant web-platform. The final selection will be decided by the Evaluation Committee composed of representatives from Ministries of Education, the European Commission and the Council of Europe.

Milestone reached in negotiations on accession of EU to the European Convention on Human Rights

Living Library in the National Library of Serbia – with premiere screening of the Living Library short film and launch of publication

After the huge success at the Belgrade Book Fair, the Living Library [i] is back to Belgrade on Wednesday, 3 April from 15h00 to 19h00 at the National Library of Serbia at Skerliceva 1. You are kindly invited to come to the Living Library, where the books can speak!

PACE President to make official visit to Serbia

Jean-Claude Mignon, the President of the Parliamentary Assembly of the Council of Europe (PACE), is to make an official visit to Serbia on 11 and 13 March.

GRECO published report on the corruption in Serbia

The Council of Europe Anti Corruption Group (GRECO) published a report on the criminalisation of corruption and the transparency of political funding in Serbia.

1st Anniversary of the “1 in 5” campaign in Serbia

The Incest Trauma Center – Belgrade, the official partner of the Council of Europe campaign against sexual abuse of children “1 in 5” in Serbia, in cooperation with the Council of Europe and the European Union Delegation in Serbia will mark the first anniversary of the campaign with two events on 27 and 28 February in Belgrade.

Project against Money Laundering and Terrorist Financing in Serbia organises Mock Trial Workshop

The Congress of Local and Regional Authorities of the Council of Europe dedicates the European Local Democracy Week in 2013 to “ Active citizenship - voting, sharing, participating"

Municipalities and associations are invited to take part ! Register now!

Strasbourg , 7 February 2013. – Motivating citizens to take part in decision-making processes at the grassroots level will be at the centre of the new edition of the European Local Democracy Week (ELDW) which will be organised, this year, from 14 to 20 October in Europe and beyond. The leading theme of this event in 2013  is  “Active citizenship: voting, sharing, participating”.  

Venice Commission visit to Serbia - forthcoming opinions on judiciary

Belgrade - A delegation of the Venice Commission is visiting Belgrade on 31 January and 1 February 2013 to meet with representatives from the Ministry of Justice and Public Administration, Speaker of the Parliament, several working groups, the Judges’ Association of Serbia, the Prosecutors’ Association of Serbia and the Parliamentary Committee on the Judiciary, Public Administration and Local Self-government.

Vacancy Notice N° o29/2012 Project Officer (Grade B4) Directorate General of Democracy (DG II)

The Council of Europe Office in Belgrade marks the International Human Rights Day in Kragujevac

Human Rights Day presents an opportunity, every year, to celebrate human rights, highlight a specific issue, and advocate for the full enjoyment of all human rights by everyone everywhere.

The normalisation of relations between Belgrade and Pristina should go hand in hand with the implementation of European human rights and rule of law standards, says PACE rapporteur

Strasbourg, 16.11.2012 – “I listened to the concerns of the Serbian authorities and I reminded them of the need to ensure respect for human rights and the rule of law for all people of Kosovo*, also through the activities and the programmes of the Council of Europe” said Björn von Sydow (Sweden, SOC), rapporteur of the Parliamentary Assembly of the Council of Europe (PACE) on the situation in Kosovo, at the end of his two-day visit to Belgrade on 15-16 November.

Living Library at the Pančevo Public Library

Don ’t judge a book by its cover!

The residents of Pančevo will have an opportunity to borrow a living book at the Living Library which will be hosted by the Pančevo Public Library on 10 November.

Situation in Kosovo: PACE rapporteur makes fact-finding visit to Belgrade

Strasbourg, 13.11.2012 – Björn von Sydow (Sweden, SOC), rapporteur of the Parliamentary Assembly of the Council of Europe (PACE) on the situation in Kosovo*, will make a fact-finding visit to Belgrade on 15-16 November 2012, in the framework of the preparation of his report.

Living Library at the Belgrade Book Fair

Don’t judge a book by it ’s cover!

The Council of Europe Office in Belgrade is delighted to invite you to visit the Living Library at the Belgrade Book Fair and borrow a living book!

Secretary General Jagland "surprised and disappointed" about ban of "Belgrade Pride"

Strasbourg, 03.10.2012 - Responding to the ban of the Belgrade Pride 2012 event, Council of Europe Secretary General Thorbjørn Jagland issued the following statement:

Visit of the President of the European Court of Human rights, Sir Nicolas Bratza, to Serbia

On 27 and 28 September 2012, Sir Nicolas Bratza, President of the Court, paid an official visit to Serbia. During the visit, he was received by Nata Mesarovic, President of the Supreme Court of Cassation. He met Nebojsa Stefanovic, President of the National Assembly; Nikola Selakovic, Minister of Justice; judges of the Supreme Court of Cassation and Nenad Vujic, Director of Judicial Academy.

Thorbjørn Jagland, Secretary General of the Council of Europe, sent a letter of support to organisers of the Belgrade Pride Parade 2012

26 September is the European Day of Languages – Talk to me!

Initiated by the Council of Europe, the European Day of Languages has been celebrated jointly with the European Union every year since 2001.

Call for participants Youth Peace Camp in Albania

Don’t judge a book by its cover! Council of Europe launches Living Library Project in Serbia

With the Living Library in Smederevo, the Council of Europe Office in Belgrade presents its project of young people promoting diversity and human rights to a wider public in Serbia.  

Council of Europe anti-torture Committee publishes report on Serbia

Strasbourg, 14.06.2012 – The Council of Europe’s Committee for the Prevention of Torture and Inhuman or Degrading Treatment or Punishment (CPT) published today the report on its visit to Serbia in February 2011 together with the response of the Serbian authorities.

Congress welcomes improvements for local democracy in Serbia despite the predominance of Presidential elections on 6 May

Belgrade , 7 May 2012 - Today, a delegation from the Congress of Local and Regional Authorities of the Council of Europe has concluded its mission to observe the local and provincial part of the elections carried out in Serbia on 6 May 2012.  For the first time, three elections – at presidential, parliamentary and grassroots level – were held concurrently throughout the country. “This has led to organisational challenges for the election administration in over 8000 polling stations and to the fact that local elections were largely overshadowed by the national vote,” stated Nigel Mermagen (United Kingdom, ILDG), Head of the Congress delegation, at a press conference in Belgrade. He also referred to improvements in the legal framework and the electoral system of Serbia which had positive effects on the identification of local leadership in Serbia. Matters of concern from Congress perspective remain the infringement of the secrecy of the vote, the lack of transparency of media ownership and the situation of the Roma minority who seems to be particularly vulnerable to possible electoral malpractices.

Serbia’s elections open and highly competitive, additional transparency needed

Strasbourg , 07.05.2012 – Serbia’s parliamentary and early presidential elections on 6 May 2012 took place in an open and competitive environment but additional efforts are needed to improve the transparency of the election process and the functioning of the media, international observers said in a statement issued today.

Council of Europe Congress observes local elections in Serbia

27/04/2012 - A delegation from the Congress headed by Nigel Mermagen (United Kingdom, ILDG) will observe the local elections in Serbia on 6 May 2012.

PACE delegation to observe parliamentary and presidential elections in Serbia

Strasbourg, 27.04.2012 – A 20-member PACE delegation, led by Jean-Charles Gardetto (Monaco, EPP/CD), will visit Serbia from 4 to 7 May 2012 to observe the parliamentary and presidential elections alongside observers from the Parliamentary Assembly of the OSCE and the Office for Democratic Institutions and Human Rights (ODIHR) of the OSCE.

Council of Europe Congress to observe local elections in Serbia

Strasbourg 27 April 2012 - A delegation from the Congress of Local and Regional Authorities of the Council of Europe will observe the local elections in Serbia on 6 May 2012*.

47 States and one Organisation ... the Council of Europe

Call for tender - Contract for supply for complete solution for backup, disaster recovery, business intelligence and data warehouse in Serbia - Further questions/replies

Deadline for submission of bids: 25 April 2012

Serbia: statement of the PACE pre-electoral mission

  Strasbourg , 19.04.2012 – A pre-electoral delegation from the Parliamentary Assembly of the Council of Europe (PACE) visited Belgrade to assess the preparation of the elections and the election campaign on the eve of the parliamentary and early presidential elections of 6 May 2012.  

PACE delegation makes pre-electoral visit to Serbia

Strasbourg 13.04.2012 – A four-member delegation of the Parliamentary Assembly of the Council of Europe (PACE), led by Jean-Charles Gardetto (Monaco, EPP/CD), will carry out a pre-electoral visit to Belgrade on 17-18 April 2012, ahead of the presidential and parliamentary elections in Serbia on 6 May 2012, to assess the electoral framework and campaign.

Local elections in Serbia: Council of Europe Congress carries out a pre-electoral visit to Belgrade

Strasbourg, 13 April 2012 - A delegation of the Congress of Local and Regional Authorities of the Council of Europe, headed by Nigel Mermagen , United Kingdom (ILDG), will carry out a pre-electoral mission to Serbia, in view of the upcoming local elections scheduled for 6 May 2012*.

Call for Tender - Clarifications

Calls for Tenders

Incest Trauma Centre-Belgrade video on sexual violence against children /Evronet

Call for participants – Project ’Young people combating hate speech online’

The Council of Europe Youth Department invites all young bloggers and online activists concerned by human rights violations, hate speech online, discrimination and racism to apply for the training course taking place between May and December 2012, comprising a residential seminar between 20-27 May 2012 in the European Youth Centre Budapest as a first stage in their involvement in a long term campaign against racism, xenophobia and discrimination.

“The lasting impact of the serious human rights violations in the former Yugoslavia needs to be fully addressed”

Sarajevo, 19/3/2012 – “Inter-ethnic reconciliation, social cohesion and durable peace in the region of the former Yugoslavia cannot be achieved without the states fully addressing the consequences of the serious human rights violations suffered by thousands of victims during the wars in the 1990s. The remaining challenges require wise vision and determined political leadership. Peace and stability in the region should be firmly grounded in the principles of human rights and the rule of law” said Thomas Hammarberg, the Council of Europe Commissioner for Human Rights, presenting in Sarajevo a paper on post-war justice in the former Yugoslavia.

Vacancy Notice N° o5/2012, Local Programme Manager (Grade B5)

  Directorate General of Democracy (DG II)
Directorate of Democratic Governance, Culture and Diversity  

Closing Date: 29 March 2012
Location
Belgrade
Minimum Educational Requirements
Higher Education
Required Nationality
Any member state of the Council of Europe

Job Mission

Under the authority of the Programme Co-ordinator and the Head of Council of Europe Office in Belgrade, the Local Programme Manager ensures the effective implementation of the Programme on ’Strengthening local self-government in Serbia - Phase II’.

Secretary General makes official visit to Serbia

Council of Europe Secretary General Thorbjørn Jagland today launched the Serbian version of the “Living Together” report in Belgrade during an official visit.

Living together: Combining diversity and freedom in 21st century Europe – Council of Europe Secretary General presents the Serbian version

The Secretary General of the Council of Europe, Mr Thorbjørn Jagland pays an official visit to Serbia on 12 March 2012. At this occasion, he will present the Serbian version of the report "Living Together”: Combining diversity and freedom in 21st-century Europe in the House of the National Assembly, Small Hall, on Monday, 12 March at 15 hrs. Taking stock of the challenges arising from the resurgence of intolerance and discrimination in Europe, the report analyses "the threat" and proposes "the response" for "living together" in open European societies. “A belief in human values can’t be put on and off like a suit of clothes; when it is politically expedient. Real change comes about when attitudes change, and that change needs to be led by people who are willing to wear their heart on their sleeves, to stand up and say, we are doing this, because it is right.” says Mr Jagland.

National Conference “Modern and effective Human Resources Management at local level”

Tuesday 13 March 2012, Sava Centre, Belgrade

The Council of Europe and the European Commission, together with the Serbian Ministry of Human and Minority Rights, Public Administration and Local Self-Government and the Standing Conference of Towns and Municipalities (SCTM), partners on the Joint CoE/EU funded Programme on “Strenghtening Local Self-Government in Serbia, Phase 2“, are organising a National Conference “Modern and effective Human Resources Management at local level” to be held in Belgrade Sava Center, on 13 March 2012, at 11.00 am.

PACE rapporteurs congratulate Serbia on EU candidate status

Strasbourg, 02.03.2012 – The co-rapporteurs of the Parliamentary Assembly of the Council of Europe (PACE), Davit Harutyunyan (Armenia, EGD) and Indrek Saar (Estonia, SOC), has welcomed the decision of the European Council to grant Serbia the status of candidate country. "This decision acknowledges the significant progress made by Serbia in adopting European legal standards, co-operating with the International Criminal Tribunal for the former Yugoslavia (ICTY) and pursuing the dialogue with Pristina by diplomatic and peaceful means,” they said.

PACE rapporteur welcomes Belgrade-Pristina agreement on key issues

Strasbourg, 24.02.2012 – Björn von Sydow (Sweden, SOC), Rapporteur of the Parliamentary Assembly of the Council of Europe (PACE) on the situation in Kosovo,* has welcomed the agreement reached today in the EU-facilitated dialogue between Belgrade and Pristina on two key issues, namely Kosovo’s representation in regional forums and technical details of how Serbia and Kosovo will manage their joint borders.

Cartoon on local democracy: Guaranteed to make you smile!

The Centre of Expertise for Local Government Reform’s presents its cartoon for raising awareness of the importance of local democracy, produced as part of the programme to strengthen local government in Ukraine, and funded by the Swedish International Development Cooperation Agency - Sida.

CALL FOR TENDERS

Within the framework of the operation of the Council of Europe Office in Belgrade, the Council of Europe is organising a Call for Tenders with a view to awarding a contract for the supply of services for maintaining the information technology infrastructure and providing desktop support.

Situation in Kosovo*: “Negotiated settlements always require the involvement and goodwill of all parties”, PACE rapporteur says

Strasbourg, 20.01.2012 - “The whole region is facing decisions which call for considerable responsibility and risks which can be tackled only by courageous leadership. Pro-European leaders should demonstrate that they are prepared to take on responsibility”, Council of Europe Parliamentary Assembly (PACE) rapporteur on the situation in Kosovo*, Björn von Sydow (Sweden, SOC), said today at the end of a two day visit to Belgrade.

While thanking all authorities for “the warm welcome, openness and the respect and constructive attitude” shown, the rapporteur recommended that the Serbian authorities continue the EU-facilitated Belgrade-Pristina Dialogue with Pristina “based on a pragmatic approach focusing on the needs and security of the citizens” and, in this connection, facilitate participation by the representatives of Kosovo in the relevant international and regional bodies.

PACE Rapporteur on the Situation in Kosovo* on visit to Belgrade

Mr Björn von Sydow, Swedish member of the Parliamentary Assembly of the Council of Europe (PACE) and Rapporteur on the situation in Kosovo, visits Belgrade from 18 to 20 January for a fact-finding visit in the framework of the preparation of his report . Mr von Sydow will have meetings with high representatives of government, members of the Serbian Delegation to PACE and with representatives of NGOs.

10th anniversary of the CoE Office in Belgrade and 10 years of involvement of Parliamentarians of the Republic of Serbia in the PACE

The Council of Europe Office in Belgrade and the National Assembly of the Republic of Serbia will mark the 10th anniversary of the CoE Office in Belgrade and 10 years of involvement of Parliamentarians of the Republic of Serbia in the Parliamentary Assembly of the Council of Europe with a common event on 16 December 2011.

On this occasion, a workshop „Towards a Culture of Human Rights: Vision for Serbia“is held in the parliament building. A short documentary film "What kind of society do we want to live in?" (Director: Irena Fabri, Dokukino) will be followed by an open debate moderated by Mr Aleksandar Miladinovic, Journalist at B 92 TV. 

European Drug Prevention Prize 2012

Council of Europe offers most far-reaching international legal text in the world as new hope in stopping violence against women

Council of Europe Deputy Secretary General Maud de Boer-Buquicchio has urged governments to sign and ratify Europe’s first treaty aimed at combating violence against women and domestic violence. The Council of Europe’s new Convention on preventing and combating violence against women and domestic violence had the potential to truly make a difference to the lives of millions of women.

Council of Europe North-South Prize 2011 to Boris Tadić and Souhayr Belhassen

Lisbon, 02.11.2011 - The Executive Committee of North-South Centre has agreed today to jointly award the Council of Europe North-South Prize 2011 to:

Only genuine justice can ensure durable peace in the Balkans

Surčin municipality received the "3rd Dosta! - Congress Prize for Munipalities"

Strasbourg, 14.10.2011 – The “ 3rd Dosta! - Congress Prize for Municipalities” has been awarded to four communities, as part of the Congress of Local and Regional Authorities’ contribution to the Council of Europe’s Dosta! Campaign. The prize, established in 2007, rewards municipalities which are distinguished for their participatory and innovative work in combating anti-Gypsyism and promoting the inclusion of Roma in political and social life.

Resolution on the political situation in the Balkans adopted by the Parliamentary Assembly of the Council of Europe

The Parliamentary Assembly of the Council of Europe (PACE) adopted a resolution on the political situation in the Balkans on 6 October 2011.

Secretary General asks Serbian President Tadic for reasons behind ban of Belgrade Pride, 3 October 2011

Council of Europe anti-torture Committee publishes report on Kosovo

Strasbourg, 06.10.2011 – The Council of Europe’s Committee for the Prevention of Torture and Inhuman or Degrading Treatment or Punishment (CPT) today published a report on its most recent visit to Kosovo (8 to 15 June 2010), together with the response of the United Nations Interim Administration Mission in Kosovo (UNMIK). Both documents have been made public at the request of UNMIK.

Concern over intolerant attitudes leading to ban of Belgrade Pride Parade

Monitoring: Serbia remains on the right track, effective implementation of reforms now to be secured

Strasbourg, 27.09.2011 – “We welcome Serbia’s recent achievements and the adoption of an impressive number of laws that bring Serbia closer to European standards,” said Davit Harutyunyan (Armenia, EDG) and Indrek Saar (Estonia, SOC), monitoring co-rapporteurs of the Parliamentary Assembly of the Council of Europe (PACE), at the end of a visit to Serbia from 19-22 September 2011.

“The recent adoption of the laws on the election of parliamentarians and funding of political activities, full co-operation with the International Criminal Tribunal for the former Yugoslavia and the consolidation of the independent regulatory bodies are all important steps towards Serbia’s fulfillment of its obligations and commitments to the Council of Europe,” the co-rapporteurs said.

Report "Discrimination on grounds of sexual orientation and gender identity" published

Some LGBT organisations are denied registration or are banned from organising peaceful meetings and demonstrations in Europe. Many LGBT persons have fled to Council of Europe member states from countries where their human rights are not protected and they may even risk being tortured or executed because of their sexual orientation or gender identity.

Serbia: “Further progress needed to foster reconciliation and social inclusion”

Strasbourg, 22/9/2011 – “Important steps have been taken to overcome the legacy of the violent past. Sustained efforts are however necessary in order to achieve post-war justice and reconciliation, eradicate discrimination and enhance freedom of the media” said the Council of Europe Commissioner for Human Rights, Thomas Hammarberg, releasing today a report following his visit to Serbia from 12 to 15 June 2011.

“Greater determination is needed to effectively investigate and prosecute war-related crimes and all remaining obstacles to effective inter-state co-operation in this context should be removed. It is also necessary to provide adequate reparation to all victims for the gross human rights violations they suffered during the war time.” The Commissioner urges Serbia to improve the witness protection system and to promptly investigate and prosecute any threats and intimidation of witnesses.

PACE monitoring co-rapporteurs visit Serbia

Strasbourg, 16.09.2011 - Council of Europe Parliamentary Assembly (PACE) co-rapporteurs for the monitoring of Serbia, Davit Harutyunyan (Armenia, EDG) and Indrek Saar (Estonia, SOC), are to visit Belgrade from 19 to 22 September 2011 to assess different aspects of Serbia’s fulfilment of its obligations and commitments to the Council of Europe.

Secretary General deplores violence in Kosovo

‘A good day for justice and for Serbia’, says PACE President following Hadzic’s arrest

Strasbourg, 20.07.2011 – Following the arrest today of Goran Hadzic, the President of the Council of Europe Parliamentary Assembly (PACE) Mevlüt Çavuşoğlu made the following statement:

“The arrest of Goran Hadzic is excellent news, and I congratulate the Serbian authorities on this important step

Secretary General Jagland welcomes arrest of Goran Hadžić

Call for Participants to attend the Roma Youth Conference in the European Youth Centre in Strasbourg, from the 26 to 30 September 2011

Serbia has a key role to play in ensuring transitional justice and social cohesion in the Western Balkans

Strasbourg, 16/06/2011: “Serbia is going through a transitional period, striving to overcome the legacy of the violent past, and to enhance social cohesion. More sustained and concerted efforts are necessary to redress the gross human rights violations of the war, eliminate discrimination and enhance media freedom” said the Council of Europe Commissioner for Human Rights, Thomas Hammarberg concluding his four-day visit to the country.

Council of Europe Forum for the Future of Democracy

Council of Europe’s Anti-Racism Commission publishes new report on Serbia

Strasbourg, 31.05.2011 – The European Commission against Racism and Intolerance (ECRI) today published a new report on Serbia. ECRI’s Chair, Nils Muiznieks, said that, while there have been improvements, some issues of concern remain, for example  the Law on Churches and Religious Communities and courts’ practice relating to racist crime.

The Serbian authorities have adopted a law against discrimination and created a Commissioner for the Protection of Equality entrusted with monitoring compliance. A Strategy for the Improvement of the Status of Roma, which includes measures in the areas of education, employment, displaced persons, personal documents, social insurance and social care, as well as healthcare, was adopted in 2009.

Arrest of Mladic opens the way for true reconciliation and dialogue in the region

Hopes rise to see the remaining fugitive Goran Hadzic arrested soon

Statement by Thorbjørn Jagland, Secretary General of the Council of Europe

Serbia: PACE co-rapporteur welcomes progress made in implementing Council of Europe standards

European conference on Internet Governance in Belgrade

Belgrade, 25.05.2011 – The fourth European Dialogue on Internet Governance - EuroDIG 2011 - will take place on 30 and 31 May in Belgrade, following the editions in Strasbourg, Geneva and Madrid.

Over 400 participants from Europe are expected to participate in the meeting: the competent ministries of European countries, the Council of Europe, regulatory agencies, the European Internet Services Providers Associations, telecommunication carriers, Internet companies (Google, Microsoft), vendors (Cisco, Ericsson), registries of Internet addresses, media associations, academic institutions, non-governmental organisations and networks, as well as Internet communities (ISOC, ICANN).