Ahead of IDAHOT+ on 17 May 🏳️‍🌈, the UK stands with 29 Council of Europe member states to reaffirm its commitment to protecting human rights and dignity for all, regardless of sexual orientation, gender identity and expression or sex characteristics. Read the statement below ⬇️

Honored to have been part of this informative, emotional & thought-provoking visit, humbled by immense suffering & courage we saw. 🇱🇹 will remain a staunch supporter of 🇺🇦 in face of aggression until russia’s ugly imperial ambition is defeated once and for all. Lithuania MFA | #StandWithUkraine

“Democracy is Europe’s first line of defence.” In this euronews op-ed, Secretary General Alain Berset sets out a vision for a new democratic pact to strengthen Europe’s democratic security. More: euronews.com/my-europe/2025…

Willkommen in Litauen! 🇱🇹🇩🇪 Today in Vilnius, we welcomed Germany’s 45th Armoured Brigade “Lithuania” – a historic moment of unity and friendship. A new chapter for Lithuania and NATO’s Eastern Flank begins today. Danke, Deutschland! #GutenTagPanzerbrigade45

“Lithuania’s security is our security. The defence of Vilnius is the defence of Berlin”. These words of 🇩🇪 Chancellor Friedrich Merz will go down in history. A powerful message to our adversaries: we are united, committed and strong! 🇱🇹🇩🇪

🇱🇹🇩🇪 The inauguration of the German brigade in Lithuania marks a key step toward a safer future – we stand united in defence of Europe’s freedom against any aggressor. As Bundeskanzler Friedrich Merz said: Lithuania’s security is our security, the defence of Vilnius is the defence of Berlin.

Dans ce #KézaCoE, découvrez comment la France et le Conseil de l'Europe Council of Europe travaillent sur la question des réparations russes, indispensables pour une paix juste et durable en #Ukraine 🇺🇦🇪🇺. La Russie devra réparer les crimes commis en Ukraine.

Today, Luxembourg officially handed over the Presidency of the Council of Europe Committee of Ministers to Malta! 🇲🇹 Many thanks to our colleagues from Luxembourg at the Council of Europe 🇱🇺🇪🇺 for their outstanding leadership 🇱🇺. We look forward to working with Malta at the CoE in the months ahead!

At Struthof, resistance takes on a whole new meaning. Today, with young people, we paid tribute. We don’t mourn the past in silence. We confront what made it possible. And we arm the next generation with truth. Council of Europe History #OHTE

“The Holocaust did not begin with camps, but with words and acts. Today, we see the signs again: #Antisemitism rising, truth denied and hate made ordinary. We have a duty to remember and stand against hate in all its forms.” The Day of Salvation and Liberation

The USSR regime claimed millions of innocent lives. One of the first Soviet terror operations took place on 14-18 of June 1941, when almost 18k innocent people were deported from #Lithuania to Siberia – most of them women & children. Many never returned home.

84 years ago, on June 14, the Soviet occupiers began the mass deportations from Lithuania. On this Day of Mourning and Hope, 🇱🇹 honor the memory of the hundreds of thousands of Lithuanians who were torn from their homes, families, and homeland by totalitarian Kremlin regime.

Everyone has the right to be themselves. It does not matter who you are or who you love. That is why 🇳🇱 walks with other @CoE member states in the Strasbourg #Pride March. Together, we stand for equal rights for all #LGBTIQ+ persons worldwide! 🏳️‍🌈🇪🇺 #Marchedesvisibilités

We march with Pride 🇪🇺🏳️‍🌈 #PRIDE2025

🌈🇪🇺 Today, Team Europe marched proudly at Strasbourg Pride! Diplomats from across the EU united to champion diversity and LGBTIQ+ rights. Together, we stand for equality, freedom, and dignity for all.

📸 On Friday, the Permanent Representation of Malta to the Council of Europe hosted an informal retreat for the Permanent Representatives, fostering open & constructive dialogue in further enhancing the efficiency, impact & visibility of CM-D meetings. #MaltaPresidency2025 #CouncilOfEurope

My husband Siarhei is free! It’s hard to describe the joy in my heart. Thank you, 🇺🇸 President Donald J. Trump, Gen. Keith Kellogg, @JohnPCoale, DAS Christopher W. Smith, Department of State & our 🇪🇺 allies, for all your efforts. We’re not done. 1150 political prisoners remain behind bars. All must be released.

Today, 14 political prisoners — including Siarhei Tsikhanousky — who were imprisoned by the Lukashenka regime, have been successfully released. They are now safe in Lithuania and are receiving proper care. The US role in the release has been critical. But, this is not the end.

Today in Vilnius, we welcomed heroes freed after years of torture in KGB prisons. Thanks to tireless 🇺🇸 efforts & unwavering 🇪🇺 support, they’re no longer behind bars, though forced into exile. Now we must help them heal—and keep fighting for those still imprisoned.

Very proud of you, Shalva! You have always been true to your values and principles as well as to Georgia’s European future. Stay strong!