The Secretary-General met today with H.E. Mr. Igor Crnadak, Foreign Minister of Bosnia and Herzegovina and President of the Committee of Ministers of the Council of Europe.

The Secretary-General and Mr. Crnadak discussed the human rights situation in Europe, including increasing racism and xenophobia.

The Secretary-General welcomed the Council’s Gender Equality Strategy for 2014-2017 and the focus of Bosnia and Herzegovina's Presidency of the Council of Europe on furthering implementation of the Istanbul Convention to counter violence against women.

The Secretary-General encouraged the Council of Europe to continue its efforts and work closely with the United Nations on addressing and preventing violent extremism.‎