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1
Catalog
Towards a new democracy pact for Europe - Report of the Secretary General of the Council of Europe 2025 (2025)
"We cannot meet today’s challenges with yesterday’s playbook. And we must never forget that democracy is our first line of defence. What Europe needs is a reset: a New Democratic Pact for Europe."
The annual report of the Secretary General of the Council of Europe assesses the state of democracy, human rights and the rule of law across the Organisation’s member states. It is both a diagnostic tool and a reference for shaping the Council of Europe’s priorities and action.
Its purpose is to highlight key developments and challenges in the Council of Europe’s member states, support policy formulation and implementation, and encourage reforms where standards fall short.
The 2025 edition covers the two years since the publication of the previous full report. It is structured around thematic chapters, reflecting the core areas of the Council of Europe’s work. As a result of methodological choices, and space constraints, the report focuses on a selection of issues. This necessarily excludes some areas of activity – without prejudice to their relevance within the Organisation’s mandate and priorities.
The report draws primarily on Council of Europe sources: monitoring mechanisms, judgments of the European Court of Human Rights, reports by the Parliamentary Assembly of the Council of Europe, the Council of Europe Commissioner for Human Rights and opinions of the European Commission for Democracy through Law (Venice Commission), among others. As in previous editions, the findings include country-specific observations, highlighting good practices as well as challenges. Each chapter includes a summary of key findings, which will inform the preparation of the Council of Europe’s next Programme and Budget.
Alain Berset, Secretary General of the Council of Europe
The annual report of the Secretary General of the Council of Europe assesses the state of democracy, human rights and the rule of law across the Organisation’s member states. It is both a diagnostic tool and a reference for shaping the Council of Europe’s priorities and action.
Its purpose is to highlight key developments and challenges in the Council of Europe’s member states, support policy formulation and implementation, and encourage reforms where standards fall short.
The 2025 edition covers the two years since the publication of the previous full report. It is structured around thematic chapters, reflecting the core areas of the Council of Europe’s work. As a result of methodological choices, and space constraints, the report focuses on a selection of issues. This necessarily excludes some areas of activity – without prejudice to their relevance within the Organisation’s mandate and priorities.
The report draws primarily on Council of Europe sources: monitoring mechanisms, judgments of the European Court of Human Rights, reports by the Parliamentary Assembly of the Council of Europe, the Council of Europe Commissioner for Human Rights and opinions of the European Commission for Democracy through Law (Venice Commission), among others. As in previous editions, the findings include country-specific observations, highlighting good practices as well as challenges. Each chapter includes a summary of key findings, which will inform the preparation of the Council of Europe’s next Programme and Budget.
MESSAGE FROM THE SECRETARY GENERAL
COUNCIL OF EUROPE CONVENTIONS IN THE REPORT
The Council of Europe at a glance
Council of Europe member states
DEMOCRATIC VALUES
Introduction
Freedom of expression
Freedom of assembly
Freedom of association
Education
Youth
Culture and cultural heritage
Box – Rebuilding Ukraine: the Council of Europe’s commitment to justice, resilience and recovery
IMPLEMENTATION OF THE RULE OF LAW A. TRUST IN PUBLIC INSTITUTIONS
Introduction
Functioning of democratic institutions
Democratic elections
Local and regional democracy
Good democratic governance
Box – Democratic security: the Council of Europe’s strategic role in European peace and stability
B. EFFICIENT, IMPARTIAL AND INDEPENDENT JUDICIARIES
Introduction
Judicial independence
Judicial accountability
Efficiency of judicial systems
Box – Artificial intelligence: ensuring human rights, democracy and the rule of law in the digital age
C. SAFETY, SECURITY AND INTEGRITY OF SOCIETY AND PERSONS
Introduction
Corruption and integrity of institutions
Conditions of detention and probation
Cybercrime
Terrorism and organised crime
Governance and integrity of sport
Box – The Council of Europe Development Bank: advancing social solidarity and resilience in Europe
SOCIAL JUSTICE AND EQUALITY A. SOCIAL JUSTICE, GOOD HEALTH AND A SUSTAINABLE ENVIRONMENT
Introduction
Social rights
Health and quality of medicines
Box – Ensuring quality medicines and healthcare: the EDQM’s impact
Environment
B. EQUALITY, DIVERSITY AND RESPECT
Introduction
Combating trafficking in human beings
Gender equality and gender-based violence
Human rights and dignity of children
Migration
Anti-discrimination
Diversity and inclusion
ABBREVIATIONS COUNCIL OF EUROPE CONVENTIONS IN THE REPORT
"We cannot meet today’s challenges with yesterday’s playbook. And we must never forget that democracy is our first line of defence. What Europe needs is a reset: a New Democratic Pact for Europe."
The annual report of the Secretary General of the Council of Europe assesses the state of democracy, human rights and the rule of law across the Organisation’s member states. It is both a diagnostic tool and a reference for shaping the Council of Europe’s priorities and action.
Its purpose is to highlight key developments and challenges in the Council of Europe’s member states, support policy formulation and implementation, and encourage reforms where standards fall short.
The 2025 edition covers the two years since the publication of the previous full report. It is structured around thematic chapters, reflecting the core areas of the Council of Europe’s work. As a result of methodological choices, and space constraints, the report focuses on a selection of issues. This necessarily excludes some areas of activity – without prejudice to their relevance within the Organisation’s mandate and priorities.
The report draws primarily on Council of Europe sources: monitoring mechanisms, judgments of the European Court of Human Rights, reports by the Parliamentary Assembly of the Council of Europe, the Council of Europe Commissioner for Human Rights and opinions of the European Commission for Democracy through Law (Venice Commission), among others. As in previous editions, the findings include country-specific observations, highlighting good practices as well as challenges. Each chapter includes a summary of key findings, which will inform the preparation of the Council of Europe’s next Programme and Budget.
Alain Berset, Secretary General of the Council of Europe
The annual report of the Secretary General of the Council of Europe assesses the state of democracy, human rights and the rule of law across the Organisation’s member states. It is both a diagnostic tool and a reference for shaping the Council of Europe’s priorities and action.
Its purpose is to highlight key developments and challenges in the Council of Europe’s member states, support policy formulation and implementation, and encourage reforms where standards fall short.
The 2025 edition covers the two years since the publication of the previous full report. It is structured around thematic chapters, reflecting the core areas of the Council of Europe’s work. As a result of methodological choices, and space constraints, the report focuses on a selection of issues. This necessarily excludes some areas of activity – without prejudice to their relevance within the Organisation’s mandate and priorities.
The report draws primarily on Council of Europe sources: monitoring mechanisms, judgments of the European Court of Human Rights, reports by the Parliamentary Assembly of the Council of Europe, the Council of Europe Commissioner for Human Rights and opinions of the European Commission for Democracy through Law (Venice Commission), among others. As in previous editions, the findings include country-specific observations, highlighting good practices as well as challenges. Each chapter includes a summary of key findings, which will inform the preparation of the Council of Europe’s next Programme and Budget.