The Council of Europe Commissioner for Human Rights Role and activities

Overview of presentation 1- Institution 2 - Mandate 3 - Working methods/Activities

1 - Institution Independent, impartial & non-judicial Established in 1999 Elected for a non-renewable term of 6 years

1 - Institution 3 Commissioners so far: Nils Muižnieks (2012-2018) Thomas Hammarberg (2006-2012) Alvaro Gil-Robles (2000-2006)

2 - Mandate (a) Promotes respect of HRs on the ground in 47 MSs (esp. identifying shortcomings in law and practice and assisting MSs in following applicable standards) (b) Promotes awareness of HRs (c) Works with NHRSs and for their establishment (d) Works with and provides protection to HRDs

3 - Working methods/Activities *Country monitoring *Thematic work *Media work *HRs diplomacy *3rd party interventions *Work with NHRSs *Work with HRDs

3 - Working methods/activities – Country monitoring Visit Around 12 per year Followed by reports with recommendations Focus on specific HRs issues Meetings with authorities, civil society, other stakeholders and the press Visits to places of HR relevance

3 - Working methods/activities – Thematic work Issue papers Recommendations Opinions HRComments Thematic visits

3 - Working methods/activities – 3rd party interventions Can take part in proceedings before ECtHR (written submissions and hearings) – since June 2010, at own initiative Interventions based on country and thematic work. Do not include comments on the facts or merits of the case. Powers used in: - M.S.S. v. Belgium and Greece - The Centre for Legal Resources on behalf of Valentin Câmpeanu v. Romania - 5 cases v. Azerbaijan (HRDs)

Office of the Council of Europe Commissioner for Human Rights Contacts Office of the Council of Europe Commissioner for Human Rights Avenue de l’Europe F-67075 Strasbourg Cedex Tel: +33 (0)3 88 41 34 21 Fax: +33 (0)3 90 21 50 53 commissioner@coe.int www.commissioner.coe.int