HUMAN RIGHTS WEEK 11: PROtection of hr

The council of europe

Founding fathers (1) These builders of Europe were the people who launched the process of European construction by founding the Council of Europe in 1949 and setting up the European Coal and Steel Community (ECSC) in 1950 and the European Economic Community (EEC) in 1957 Winston Churchill, Prime Minister of the United Kingdom Konrad Adenauer, Chancellor and Minister for Foreign Affairs of the Federal Republic of Germany Robert Schuman, French Republic Minister for Foreign Affairs Paul-Henri Spaak, Prime Minister and Foreign Minister of Belgium in the 40s and 50s Alcide de Gasperi, Prime Minister of the Republic of Italy Ernest Bevin,United Kingdom Secretary of State for Foreign Affairs

Founding fathers (2) These men of dialogue, who had lived through two world wars and had first-hand experience of a number of European cultures, were the pioneers of a Europe of peace founded on the values of human rights, democracy and the rule of law The Council of Europe is a separate organisation from the 28-member EU. No country has joined the EU without first joining the Council of Europe. 

Member States Denmark Lithuania Russian Federation Albania Estonia Latvia San Marino Andorra Finland Luxembourg Serbia Armenia France Malta Slovak Republic Austria Georgia Monaco Slovenia Azerbaijan Germany Montenegro Spain Belgium Greece Netherlands Sweden Bosnia and Herzegovina Hungary Norway Switzerland Bulgaria Iceland Poland The former Yugoslav Republic of Macedonia Croatia Ireland Portugal Turkey Cyprus Italy Republic of Moldova Ukraine Czech Republic Liechtenstein Romania United Kingdom

Observer States Canada Holy See Israel (Observer to the Parliamentary Assembly) Japan Mexico United States

Values (1) The Council of Europe advocates freedom of expression and of the media, freedom of assembly, equality, and the protection of minorities. It has launched campaigns on issues such as child protection, online hate speech, and the rights of the Roma, Europe's largest minority. The Council of Europe helps member states fight corruption and terrorism and undertake necessary judicial reforms. Its group of constitutional experts, known as the Venice Commission, offers legal advice to countries throughout the world.

Values (2) The Council of Europe promotes human rights through international conventions, such as the Convention on Preventing and Combating Violence against Women and Domestic Violence and the Convention on Cybercrime. It monitors member states' progress in these areas and makes recommendations through independent expert monitoring bodies. Council of Europe member states no longer apply the death penalty

The organisation The Council of Europe has its headquarters in Strasbourg, France. It employs 2 200 people, and maintains external and liaison offices to other international organisations. The European Youth Centres in Strasbourg and Budapest offer training for young people in democracy and human rights issues

Structure (1) Secretary General: is elected by the Parliamentary Assembly for a five-year term at the head of the Organisation. He is responsible for the strategic planning and direction of the Council's work programme and budget. He leads and represents the Organisation Committee of Ministers: This is the Council's decision-making body and is made up of the ministers of foreign affairs of each member state or their permanent diplomatic representatives in Strasbourg. The Committee of Ministers decides Council of Europe policy and approves its budget and programme of activities

Structure (2) Parliamentary Assembly (PACE): consists of 324 members of parliament from the 47 member states; the Assembly elects the Secretary General, the Human Rights Commissioner and the judges to the European Court of Human Rights; it provides a democratic forum for debate and monitors elections; its committees play an important role in examining current issues The Congress of Local and Regional Authorities: is responsible for strengthening local and regional democracy in its 47 member states. Composed of two chambers – the Chamber of Local Authorities and the Chamber of Regions – and three committees, it brings together 648 elected officials representing more than 200 000 local and regional authorities.

Structure (3) European Court of Human Rights: This is the permanent judicial body which garantees for all Europeans the rights safeguarded by the European Convention on Human Rights. It is open to states and individuals regardless of nationality. The 47 member states of the Council of Europe are parties to the Convention Commissioner for Human Rights: The Human Rights Commissioner independently addresses and brings attention to human rights violations Conference of INGOs: includes some 400 international Non Governmental Organisations (INGOs). It provides vital links between politicians and the public and brings the voice of civil society to the Council. The Council's work benefi ts extensively from the INGOs' expertise and their outreach to European citizens

Achievements (1) Abolition of the death penalty: The Council of Europe has made abolition of the death penalty a precondition for accession.  No executions have been carried out  in any of the Organisation's 47 member states since 1997 Strengthening of human rights: Every country which joins the Council of Europe agrees to be subject to independent monitoring mechanisms which assess its compliance with human rights and democratic practices

Achievements (2) Non-discrimination and the fight against racism: The European Convention on Human Rights prohibits all forms of discrimination by public authorities, on any grounds whatsoever. The Council of Europe carries out various activities to protect minorities, including the largest minority in Europe, the Roma Upholding freedom of expression: It is helping several of its member states to improve their legislation and policies on freedom of expression and freedom of the press

Achievements (3) Gender equality: Protection of children's rights: The aim of the relevant Council of Europe instruments is to combat all forms of discrimination against women and to promote women's role in society The Council of Europe Convention on preventing and combating violence against women, which constitutes a significant step forward in this field, is based on the premise that such violence cannot be eradicated unless efforts are made to achieve greater equality between women and men Protection of children's rights: The aim of the Council of Europe's programme for children is to protect their rights, prevent every kind of violence against them, ensure that offenders are prosecuted and promote children's participation in those decisions which concern them

Achievements (4) Defence of cultural diversity: Election observation: Following the adoption in 2008 of its "White Paper on Intercultural Dialogue", the Council of Europe started several programmes on teacher training, the protection of minorities and social cohesion, including an annual dialogue with religious communities and representatives of non-religious beliefs Election observation: Through their advisory and observation activities, the Parliamentary Assembly of the Council of Europe and some other European institutions, such as the OSCE, help to guarantee democratic, free and fair elections throughout the continent

Achievements (5) Education in human rights and democracy: Democracy also extends to active public participation in community life, especially in the context of civil society activities.  The Council of Europe develops strategies and tools to promote the learning of human rights and democracy.  The Council of Europe Charter on Education for Democratic Citizenship and Human Rights Education shows us how to put those values into practice Quality of medicines and health care: The Council of Europe has been able to set up a single European agency for medicines which harmonises quality standards for substances used in the manufacture of pharmaceutical products. 

Budget The Council of Europe's budget, for 2017, is € 454 586 500 The Budget is mainly funded by member States' contributions. National contributions are based on a formula which takes into account population and Gross Domestic Product. The major contributors (France, Germany, Italy, Russian Federation, Turkey and United Kingdom) all pay the same rate for the ordinary budget, providing nearly 65% of the total The money is used to implement the Programme, which is structured around three thematic pillars: Human Rights (including the European Court of Human Rights), Rule of Law and Democracy, with an additional support pillar covering governing bodies, general services and other common expenditure lines. The Programme and Budget for 2016-2014 comprises 29 operational programmes, covering the intergovernmental sector, the institutions, the partial agreements and the independent mechanisms