Council of Europe

Council of Europe
Name	Council of Europe
Caption	The Flag of Europe is also the emblem.
Formation	5 May 1949; 75 years ago
Type	Regional intergovernmental organization
Headquarters	Strasbourg, France
Membership	46 member states
Language	English, French
Leader title	Secretary General
Leader name	Marija Pejčinović Burić
Leader title2	President of the Parliamentary Assembly
Leader name2	Theodoros Rousopoulos
Leader title3	President of the Committee of Ministers
Leader name3	Liechtenstein (May–November 2024)
Website	https://www.coe.int

Council of Europe. Founded in the aftermath of World War II, it is a distinct organization from the European Union, dedicated to upholding human rights, democracy, and the rule of law across the continent. Its most significant achievement is the creation of the European Convention on Human Rights, which established the European Court of Human Rights in Strasbourg. With 46 member states, it serves as the continent's leading human rights organization, setting standards through over 220 international treaties.

History

The organization was established by the Treaty of London (1949) on 5 May 1949, with its founding members including Belgium, Denmark, France, Ireland, Italy, Luxembourg, the Netherlands, Norway, Sweden, and the United Kingdom. Its creation was championed by statesmen like Winston Churchill and Robert Schuman, driven by a desire to prevent a recurrence of the atrocities witnessed during the Second World War and to counter the threat of Soviet expansion. A pivotal early milestone was the adoption of the European Convention on Human Rights in 1950, which came into force in 1953. The subsequent decades saw its expansion, particularly after the dissolution of the Soviet Union and the fall of the Berlin Wall, welcoming many states from Central and Eastern Europe. Key historical events it has addressed include the Greek junta, the Turkish invasion of Cyprus, and conflicts in the Balkans following the breakup of Yugoslavia.

Structure and institutions

The statutory organs are the Committee of Ministers, comprising the foreign ministers of all member states, and the Parliamentary Assembly of the Council of Europe (PACE), which brings together members of national parliaments. The European Court of Human Rights is the judicial body that rules on individual and state applications alleging violations of the European Convention on Human Rights. Other significant institutions include the Congress of the Council of Europe, which focuses on local and regional authorities, and the office of the Commissioner for Human Rights. The organization is headed by the Secretary General, elected by PACE, and its administrative headquarters are located at the Palais de l'Europe in Strasbourg.

Member states and observers

All 46 member states are located within the continent of Europe, with the exception of Cyprus and Armenia which are geographically in Western Asia. The only European state not a member is Belarus, whose application is suspended, while Vatican City is not a member. The Russian Federation was expelled in March 2022 following its invasion of Ukraine. Several non-European countries hold observer status in the Committee of Ministers, including Canada, Japan, Mexico, and the United States. The Holy See, Israel, and Kazakhstan are observers in the Parliamentary Assembly.

Aims and activities

Its core mission is to protect the three pillars of human rights, democracy, and the rule of law. Activities include extensive legal standard-setting through conventions, monitoring member states' compliance with their commitments via expert bodies like the European Committee for the Prevention of Torture and the Group of States Against Corruption (GRECO), and fostering cooperation on cultural and social issues. It runs numerous campaigns and programs focusing on areas such as the protection of minority rights, freedom of expression, gender equality, and the rights of the child. The organization also manages the European Cultural Convention and awards the European Heritage Label.

Key conventions and treaties

Beyond the foundational European Convention on Human Rights, other landmark treaties include the European Social Charter, which protects social and economic rights, and the European Convention for the Prevention of Torture. The Framework Convention for the Protection of National Minorities and the Convention on Action against Trafficking in Human Beings are also major instruments. In the digital age, the Convention on Cybercrime (Budapest Convention) has become a global benchmark. Other significant agreements cover areas from bioethics and data protection to sport and landscape preservation.

Relationship with the European Union

Although entirely separate legal entities, the two organizations maintain a close strategic partnership, often summarized by the phrase "different, but complementary." The European Union is expected to accede to the European Convention on Human Rights, a requirement under the Treaty of Lisbon. The two bodies share common symbols, most notably the Flag of Europe and the European anthem (Ode to Joy). They cooperate closely on programs promoting democratic governance and the rule of law, particularly in neighboring regions, and the European Court of Justice in Luxembourg often references the jurisprudence of the European Court of Human Rights.

Category:Council of Europe Category:International organizations based in Europe Category:Human rights organizations