Catarina Garcia

policy advisor @ Council of Europe. 🇪🇺 affairs. 🌱 environment. human rights lawyer. RT not endorsement. tweets in EN and PT.

[Council of Europe and the Environment @CoE_Environment]

🌍 On #WorldEnvironmentDay, we reflect on the need to protect our planet and the people who fight for it.
This week in Strasbourg @coe hosted the first-ever European Forum on Environmental Human Rights Defenders. Their protection is a core priority of the CoE Environment Strategy

[Catarina Garcia @catgarc_]

That’s a wrap! The first-ever #EuropeanForumOnEnvironmentalHumanRightsDefenders has just concluded in #Strasbourg, following two days of insightful discussions and exchange.

[Council of Europe and the Environment @CoE_Environment]

At the Forum on Environmental Human Rights Defenders, participants are exploring ways to strengthen protection, participation, & environmental democracy across Europe.

From policy gaps to access to justice, the goal is turning discussions into practical recommendations.

[Council of Europe and the Environment @CoE_Environment]

📊 1st European Forum on Environmental Human Rights Defenders (3-4 June) in numbers:
• 300+ participants
• ~280 environmental HRDs & civil society reps
• Reps from 46 CoE MS
• European institutions & intl orgs
Progress happens when defenders, institutions & governments unite.

[Council of Europe and the Environment @CoE_Environment]

🌿This week, 3–4 June, the first-ever European Forum on Environmental Human Rights Defenders will bring people together to turn commitments on human rights and the #environment into real protections and meaningful action for environmental human rights defenders. #EHRDs

[Council of Europe and the Environment @CoE_Environment]

🌿The 1st European Forum on Environmental Human Rights Defenders is happening 3-4 June! A space for #EnvironmentalDefenders & partners across Europe to exchange experiences, build connections & strengthen coordinated responses to shared challenges. #HumanRights #Environment

[Council of Europe and the Environment @CoE_Environment]

🌿Next week: 1st European Forum on Environmental Human Rights Defenders
Environmental defenders play an essential role in protecting human rights, democracy and the environment.
Amid growing pressure and risks, the Forum will be a space to listen and strengthen collective action.

[Council of Europe and the Environment @CoE_Environment]

Today in Chișinău, at the Ministerial Session of the @coe Committee of Ministers, Sweden signed the Council of Europe Convention on the Protection of the Environment through Criminal Law.

A strong signal - and hopefully one that many others will soon follow. Bravo Sweden 🇸🇪👏

[Catarina Garcia @catgarc_]

👇

[Council of Europe and the Environment @CoE_Environment]

🌿The 1st European Forum on Environmental Human Rights Defenders, co-organised by @CoE, #OHCHR, @FRA, and the mandate of the Special Rapporteur on Environmental Defenders under the Aarhus Convention, will be on 3–4 June in #Strasbourg. Expression of interest open to defenders👇

[Council of Europe and the Environment @CoE_Environment]

🌍 One Health Summit - One Planet

If you care about the future of global health governance and the link with environment, this is the conversation you don’t want to miss.

Register ➡️ https://t.co/zUYdxBaI6Q to join us online tomorrow 10 April, 10:00 CEST

#OneHealthSummit

[Council of Europe and the Environment @CoE_Environment]

The @coe's new Steering Committee on the Environment (CDENV) met for the first time on 24-25 March.

Key topics: The CoE Environment Strategy, nature-based solutions, information integrity, environmental law & links between human rights & environment:

https://t.co/3KtduHrSve🌍

[Council of Europe Social Rights @CoESocialRights]

The 2026 High-Level Conference on Social Rights begins. How can stronger social rights reinforce democratic resilience across Europe?
Follow for updates and highlights from the Conference.

[Council of Europe @coe]

Happening now: 50 delegations from different European countries gathered in Chișinău for the Conference on social rights - the European Social Charter.

Watch live: https://t.co/gNidgTJUNp

[Alain Berset @alain_berset]

Important discussion in Chișinău @CoESocialRights side-event on social inclusion and support for people in Moldova and Ukraine.
Thank you Ministers Uliutin, @nataplugaru, and everyone else who participated. 
Inclusive social systems are essential to resilience, trust and democratic stability.

[Council of Europe @coe]

Why does the European Convention on Human Rights (ECHR) still matter for young people in the UK today?

Watch the video interview with Attorney General Richard Hermer KC to learn how the ECHR protects the rights of everyday people in the UK ⤵️

[Alain Berset @alain_berset]

At our @coe side event in Geneva, I spoke about democratic security.
Democracy is not disappearing. It is losing credibility. When social mobility declines, so does trust in democratic systems.
Social rights are what make security legitimate, sustainable and accountable.

[Alain Berset @alain_berset]

In a world where rules are questioned and trust is fragile, institutions like @coe & @un have a responsibility to stay in conversation and to make that conversation count. Thank you, SG @antonioguterres, for the excellent exchange on how we adapt and reinforce the system, not simply defend it.

[Council of Europe @coe]

Petra Bayr becomes the 36th President of @PACE_News and the 5th woman to hold this office since 1949.

Learn more: https://t.co/lYTLRUNUCx

[António Costa @eucopresident]

Forty years ago, Portugal and Spain chose Europe.

Together, they wrote the most brilliant chapter of their recent shared history, leaving behind long dictatorships to become solid democracies and complete their journey back to Europe.

Portugal and Spain’s accession strengthened our Union, helping shape a more cohesive and resilient Europe, being at the forefront of the European integration, guided by the profound European commitment of their citizens.

Today, we celebrate 40 years of shared progress and belonging — a timely reminder of how each enlargement has made our Union stronger.

[Council of Europe @coe]

Message from SG @alain_berset: "As we enter 2026 our task is clear: to ensure that democracy can still protect, still decide and still deliver".

Read full statement: https://t.co/YJJn7od4L4

[Alain Berset @alain_berset]

The Council of Europe created the Register of Damage for Ukraine in 2023. The Convention we are adopting today will establish an independent Claims Commission to ensure people of Ukraine receive compensation for damage caused by Russia’s war of aggression. 
Watch it LIVE: https://t.co/il3LCSCWSr