Human Rights
Human Rights are a significant focus for international organisations such as the European Union, Council of Europe, Organization for Security and Cooperation in Europe and United Nations.
CEC Member Churches advocate for the promotion and protection of human rights at the highest standards inside Europe and beyond its borders.
We monitor and advocate for the implementation of civil and political rights, as well as social, economic and cultural rights vis-à-vis International Organisations and European Institutions. We devote attention to a number of specific issues including freedom of religion or belief, anti-discrimination legislation, and developing resources for training and human rights education. Recent consultations on freedom of religion or belief and religious minorities in culturally diverse societies have produced statements on these topics.
Let us work together for creation of a human rights culture!
For more information on these issues please contact Dr Elizabeta Kitanovic.

Related posts
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14 Dec, 2021
Spanish church leaders discuss project “Safer and Stronger Communities in Europe”
In a meeting held in Madrid on 10 December, Human Rights Day, CEC Executive Secretary Dr Elizabeta Kitanovic met with leaders from CEC Member Churches in Spain to discuss the security situation in the country. She presented CEC’s SASCE project (Safer and Stronger Communities in Europe) funded by the European Union’s Internal Security Fund – Police.
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15 Nov, 2021
Security awareness in Europe
The Ecumenical Council of Churches in Hungary welcomed Dr Elizabeta Kitanovic, CEC Executive Secretary of Human Rights in Budapest, where she shared with the church leadership about security situation in Europe and presented the Safer and Stronger Communities in Europe (SASCE) project, carried out by CEC and funded by the European Commission.
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4 Nov, 2021
Slovenian EU Presidency: European church delegation meets with Prime Minister Janez Janša
An ecumenical delegation, representing CEC and the Commission of the Bishops’ Conferences of the European Union, met with the Slovenian Prime Minister Janez Janša on Friday 5 November 2021 in Ljubljana, to discuss the implementation of the Slovenian EU Presidency’s priorities.
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9 Sep, 2021
Armenia: Conference on international religious freedom and peace
“Places of worship are meant to be places of peace, wisdom, and spirituality,” says Rev. Christian Krieger, president of the Conference of European Churches. “All religions, and all political and civil institutions must act together in solidarity and cooperation to safeguard their purpose.”
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5 Sep, 2021
Churches call for lasting peace and respect for human rights in Nagorno-Karabakh
On his return from Armenia, Bishop Hovakim Manukyan, primate of the Armenian Church of the United Kingdom and Ireland speaks about the conflict in Nagorno-Karabakh (Artsakh), challenges faced by the Armenian citizens, and churches’ struggles in pursuit of lasting peace, justice and respect for human rights in the region. Manukyan serves as member of the Governing Board of CEC.
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1 Sep, 2021
European churches urge EU to protect the vulnerable in Afghanistan
Conveying solidarity with people in Afghanistan, Rev. Christian Krieger, president of the Conference of European Churches and H. Em. Card. Jean-Claude Hollerich SJ, president of the Commission of the Bishops’ Conferences of the European Union, issued a joint statement urging the European decision makers to show humanity and act with determination in addressing the human tragedy currently unfolding in the country.
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2 Aug, 2021
Video resources: 2021 Summer School on Human Rights
Video resources from CEC’s 8th Summer School on Human Rights are available. The videos feature keynote speeches and panel presentations addressing the theme “Ensuring Security of Worship Places and Religious Communities” in a series of webinars.
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27 Jul, 2021
CEC video features responses to human rights in the times of COVID-19
Churches and believers across Europe have experienced numerous hardships, posing challenges to the state of human rights in the times of COVID-19. To explore these issues, the Conference of European Churches releases a new video, featuring impressions from participants of its 7th virtual Summer School on Human Rights.
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26 Jul, 2021
Summer School focuses on protection of worship places and religious communities
Freedom of religion or belief is a fundamental human right. It encompasses the right to publically exercise one’s religion, including the possibility to dedicate special places – churches, synagogues, mosques, cemeteries and other holy sites – to religious and cultic purposes.
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1 Jul, 2021
CEC Annual Report 2020: Living in Hope in Pandemic Times
The CEC Annual Report 2020 is now available. The report titled Living in Hope in Pandemic Times reviews CEC activities carried out in the tumultuous year of the COVID-19 pandemic.