“Revenge is a kind of wild justice, which the more man's nature runs to, the more ought law to weed it out.” English writer Francis Bacon was already debating death penalty during the 16th century. The right to life, and the right not to be tortured or treated cruelly are surely amongst the most important safeguards for a human being.

The 15th Przystanek Woodstock Festival was held in Kostrzyn on the Oder (Polish-German border) on 31 July – 2 August, 2009, the greatest music open-air festival in Europe. Contemporary rock stars from different parts of the world were present on the stage. The Festival gathered extraordinary number of participants: 450,000 young people from all over Poland and numerous European countries.

Gallery 

[10/07/2009] 20-24 May 2009, The CoE was a Guest of Honour of the 54. International Book Fair in Warsaw. The CoE stand at the IBF – the biggest (300 m2) stand in the main hall of the Palace of Culture and Science, was organised by the IOCE. The main idea was to present the activities of the CoE and its publications. The Fair was held under the honorary auspices of the President of Poland. The main hosts of the event were the Minister of Culture and National Heritage, the Marshall of Mazovian Voivoidship, and the Mayor of the City of Warsaw. About 500 participants and 52 000 visitors took part in the biggest Polish book fair.

The judicial year of the Court opened on 30 January 2009, officially marking the start of the Strasbourg Court’s 50th anniversary year. One hundred and fifty eminent figures from the European judicial scene attended a seminar organised for the occasion.

The Council of Europe’s Group of States against Corruption (GRECO) today published its Third Round Evaluation Report on Poland. The report has been made public with the agreement of the country’s authorities. It focuses on two distinct themes: criminalisation of corruption and transparency of party funding.

A three-member delegation from the Parliamentary Assembly visits Minsk from 16 to 19 February to sound out the Belarusian authorities on the prospects for developing a constructive dialogue with the Council of Europe and its Assembly in the fields of democracy, human rights and the rule of law.

Council of Europe conference
"Democratisation of the Media in Belarus"
Warsaw, 6-7 June, 2008

The Conference of International NGOs of the Council of Europe (INGO’s) is holding a conference on Democratisation of the Mass Media in Belarus on 6-7 June in Warsaw, hosted by the Polish Parliament.

for Thomas Hammarberg
Council of Europe Commissioner for Human Rights


31 May, 2008On 29 May, 2008 Thomas Hammarberg, Commissioner for Human Rights, started a three day contact visit to Poland

Council of Europe Commissioner for Human Rights
on death of Irena Sendler"IRENA SENDLER - THE GOOD CONSCIENCE OF POLAND

The message that Irena Sendler had passed away brings a deeper sorrow.