17/07/2026 | LGBTI
PACE General Rapporteur on the rights of LGBTI persons, Kate Osborne (United Kingdom, SOC), has expressed concern at the growing number of bans and restrictions affecting Pride marches across Europe, warning that this trend reflects a wider shrinking of democratic space and increasing pressure on...
17/06/2026 | Equality and Non-Discrimination
On the occasion of the International Day for Countering Hate Speech (18 June), Francesco Verducci (Italy, SOC), PACE General Rapporteur on Combating Racism and Intolerance, made the following statement: “Hate speech remains a serious threat to equality, inclusion and, ultimately, to democracy...
02/06/2026 | Migration, International Protection and Economic Co-operation
Lord Michael German (United Kingdom, ALDE), PACE General Rapporteur on Migration and Asylum, and Maria Syrengela (Greece, EPP/CD), Rapporteur on The deterioration of women’s rights in Afghanistan: the need for a global response, have expressed alarm at the European Commission’s upcoming talks...
01/06/2026 | Equality and Non-Discrimination
The role of memory, history and culture in combating anti-gypsyism and promoting Roma and Traveller inclusion across Europe was the main focus of an Athens conference today, which brought together historians, cultural figures, Roma representatives, parliamentarians, experts and diplomats. The...
29/05/2026 | Equality and Non-Discrimination
The Committee on Equality and Non-Discrimination, meeting in Athens on 28 May, expressed concern at the pervasiveness of gender stereotypes throughout public communication spaces, including the press, radio and television, as well as online platforms and social networks. Too often trivialised and...
29/05/2026 | Equality and Non-Discrimination
A PACE committee has proposed that the production, dissemination, hosting and possession of violent pornography should be banned across Europe and demanded rapid and effective procedures for removing such content, as well as sanctions against online platforms and service providers which fail to...
22/05/2026 | Standing Committee
PACE has adopted a resolution stressing that “equality and non-discrimination are cornerstones of democratic societies and essential elements of the rule of law”, while warning that “regressions in women’s rights may serve as an early warning sign of broader democratic backsliding”. The adopted...
15/05/2026 | Equality and Non-Discrimination
“The protection of the rights of LGBTI persons lies at the heart of our democratic values” stressed Kate Osborne (United Kingdom, SOC), PACE General Rapporteur on the rights of LGBTI persons, on the International Day Against Homophobia, Lesbophobia, Biphobia, Transphobia and Intersexphobia (17...
21/04/2026 | Equality and Non-Discrimination
The President of the Council of Europe’s parliamentary body hails ‘a historic milestone’ partly driven by rule-changes The Parliamentary Assembly of the Council of Europe (PACE), which brings together parliamentarians from the Council’s 46 member states, contains an equal number of women and men...
19/04/2026 | Equality and Non-Discrimination
A PACE committee is calling on Council of Europe member states to strengthen co-operation between national parliaments and equality bodies, warning that democratic values and the principle of non-discrimination are under growing pressure across Europe. In a draft resolution based on a report by...
07/04/2026 | Equality and Non-Discrimination
On the eve of International Romani Day (8 April), Georgios Stamatis (Greece, EPP/CD), General Rapporteur on Roma and Travellers, made the following statement: "On International Romani Day and throughout the “Opre Roma!” month, we celebrate the rich heritage, resilience and contributions of Roma...
23/03/2026 | Equality and Non-Discrimination
“The issue of consent in sexual relations, considered for too long a taboo, has made the headlines of mainstream media and debates,” a committee of the Parliamentary Assembly of the Council of Europe (PACE) has stressed, warning that consent “can no longer be sidelined or undermined.” Adopting...