Catalogue
State of democracy, human right and the rule of law 2023 - Annual report of the Secretary General of the Council of Europe (2023)
An invitation to recommit to the values and standards of the Council of Europe.
In her annual report, published today – Council of Europe Day – the Secretary General says the Organisation’s standards need to be applied across every aspect of Europeans’ lives. She also stressed the deep impact of Russia’s brutal, illegal and ongoing aggression against Ukraine. “The aggression against Ukraine has caused extraordinary suffering: hundreds of thousands of deaths, millions of refugees, horrifying stories of torture, rape and loss. We yearn for a return to peace: a sustainable peace based on justice”.
The report, with a first section looking at strengths and weaknesses in democratic institutions and a second focusing on the quality of the democratic environment, highlights challenges such as:
These negative trends are not found everywhere, and it is important to recognise that there also positive developments in some member states.
In her annual report, published today – Council of Europe Day – the Secretary General says the Organisation’s standards need to be applied across every aspect of Europeans’ lives. She also stressed the deep impact of Russia’s brutal, illegal and ongoing aggression against Ukraine. “The aggression against Ukraine has caused extraordinary suffering: hundreds of thousands of deaths, millions of refugees, horrifying stories of torture, rape and loss. We yearn for a return to peace: a sustainable peace based on justice”.
The report, with a first section looking at strengths and weaknesses in democratic institutions and a second focusing on the quality of the democratic environment, highlights challenges such as:
• increased violence against journalists, the use of surveillance to track and intimidate them and tactics ranging from detention to strategic lawsuits against public participation (SLAPPs) to prevent investigative journalists and others from doing their jobs;
• new laws and the misuse of existing ones to limit civil society, with public demonstrations wrongly classified as dangerous, excessive force used against demonstrators, non-governmental organisations (NGOs) faced with increased financial restrictions and bureaucratic hurdles, and the use of the legal system to undermine political opposition;
•a polarised political environment in which hate speech continues to grow, both online and offline, often targeting women and a range of minorities and vulnerable groups.
These negative trends are not found everywhere, and it is important to recognise that there also positive developments in some member states.
A PREFACE BY THE SECRETARY GENERAL
KEY FINDINGS OF THE REPORT
GUIDE TO THE REPORT
PART I – DEMOCRATIC INSTITUTIONS
CHAPTER 1 – EFFICIENT, IMPARTIAL AND INDEPENDENT JUDICIARIES
PART II – DEMOCRATIC ENVIRONMENT
CHAPTER 6 – HUMAN DIGNITY
KEY FINDINGS OF THE REPORT
GUIDE TO THE REPORT
PART I – DEMOCRATIC INSTITUTIONS
CHAPTER 1 – EFFICIENT, IMPARTIAL AND INDEPENDENT JUDICIARIES
Introduction
Judicial independence
Judicial accountability
Efficiency of judicial systems
CHAPTER 2 – FREEDOM OF EXPRESSION
Introduction
Legal guarantees for freedom of expression
Safety of journalists and others who speak up
Independent and pluralistic media environment
Reliability and trust in information
CHAPTER 3 – FREEDOM OF ASSEMBLY AND FREEDOM OF ASSOCIATION
Introduction
Freedom of assembly
Freedom of association
CHAPTER 4 – POLITICAL INSTITUTIONS
Introduction
Functioning of democratic institutions
Democratic elections
Local and regional democracy
Good governance at all levels
CHAPTER 5 – INTEGRITY OF INSTITUTIONS
Introduction
Institutional integrity frameworks
Standards of conduct for public officials
Integrity, effectiveness and the impact of accountability and enforcement mechanisms
Criminal and non-criminal enforcement mechanisms
PART II – DEMOCRATIC ENVIRONMENT
CHAPTER 6 – HUMAN DIGNITY
Introduction
Combating trafficking in human beings
Promoting and protecting women’s rights
Human rights and dignity of children
Social rights
Humane detention conditions
CHAPTER 7 – ANTI-DISCRIMINATION, DIVERSITY AND INCLUSION
Introduction
Anti-discrimination
Diversity and inclusion
CHAPTER 8 – DEMOCRATIC PARTICIPATION
Introduction
Education for democracy
Youth for democracy
Culture and cultural heritage for democracy
An invitation to recommit to the values and standards of the Council of Europe.
In her annual report, published today – Council of Europe Day – the Secretary General says the Organisation’s standards need to be applied across every aspect of Europeans’ lives. She also stressed the deep impact of Russia’s brutal, illegal and ongoing aggression against Ukraine. “The aggression against Ukraine has caused extraordinary suffering: hundreds of thousands of deaths, millions of refugees, horrifying stories of torture, rape and loss. We yearn for a return to peace: a sustainable peace based on justice”.
The report, with a first section looking at strengths and weaknesses in democratic institutions and a second focusing on the quality of the democratic environment, highlights challenges such as:
These negative trends are not found everywhere, and it is important to recognise that there also positive developments in some member states.
In her annual report, published today – Council of Europe Day – the Secretary General says the Organisation’s standards need to be applied across every aspect of Europeans’ lives. She also stressed the deep impact of Russia’s brutal, illegal and ongoing aggression against Ukraine. “The aggression against Ukraine has caused extraordinary suffering: hundreds of thousands of deaths, millions of refugees, horrifying stories of torture, rape and loss. We yearn for a return to peace: a sustainable peace based on justice”.
The report, with a first section looking at strengths and weaknesses in democratic institutions and a second focusing on the quality of the democratic environment, highlights challenges such as:
• increased violence against journalists, the use of surveillance to track and intimidate them and tactics ranging from detention to strategic lawsuits against public participation (SLAPPs) to prevent investigative journalists and others from doing their jobs;
• new laws and the misuse of existing ones to limit civil society, with public demonstrations wrongly classified as dangerous, excessive force used against demonstrators, non-governmental organisations (NGOs) faced with increased financial restrictions and bureaucratic hurdles, and the use of the legal system to undermine political opposition;
•a polarised political environment in which hate speech continues to grow, both online and offline, often targeting women and a range of minorities and vulnerable groups.
These negative trends are not found everywhere, and it is important to recognise that there also positive developments in some member states.