On 8 September 2025, the European Commission for Democracy through Law of the Council of Europe (known as the Venice Commission) has been awarded the De Sanctis Prize for Human Rights. The jury decided to award the Prize to the Venice Commission for its "contribution to the consolidation of democracy … at a time when sympathy is growing for systems that tend to restrict the achievements of liberal democracy". In addition, the jury highlighted the interest in the Commission's work of numerous non-European countries, demonstrating the shared values of democracy, human rights and the rule of law that underpin the Council of Europe.
Senior Italian government officials attend ceremony
The President of the Venice Commission, Claire Bazy Malaurie, received the prize on behalf of the Venice Commission at the award ceremony held at the Supreme Court of Cassation in Rome, in the presence of the Italian Minister of Justice Carlo Nordio, Matteo Piantedosi, the Interior Minister, Matteo Piantedosi, Enterprise and Made in Italy Minister Adolfo Urso, and the Minister for the Environment and Energy Security Gilberto Pichetto Fratin, as well as the First President of the Supreme Court of Cassation Pasquale D'Ascola, and its President Emeritus, Pietro Curzio.
This was the fourth edition of the De Sanctis Prize for Human Rights, which honours individuals and organisations that, through their work, uphold fundamental rights and promote equal opportunities for all members of society. The De Sanctis Human Rights Prize is organised under the patronage of the Presidency of the Council of Ministers of Italy.
