Organisation and operation
Organisation and operation
Organisation and operation
Organisation und Funktionsweise des Europarats (5. Mai 1949)
SchemaSchematische Darstellung der Organisation und der Funktionsweise des Europarates gemäß den Bestimmungen der Satzung des Europarates vom 5. Mai. 1949.
‘European Conventions’ from the Council of Europe News (July 1949)
TextThis article, published in a supplement to the Council of Europe News in July 1955, outlines the procedure for the drafting and adoption of European agreements through the combined action of the Committee of Ministers and the Consultative Assembly, as well as the procedure for implementation carried out by national authorities of the Member States.
Functional Chart of the Council of Europe (1950)
BildFunctional Chart of the Council of Europe in 1950, when the organisation comprised 14 member States following the accession of the Federal Republic of Germany in July 1950 and after the establishment of a Joint Committee in August 1950.
Special message of the Committee of Ministers: excerpt on the role of the Council of Europe's organs (20 May 1954)
TextThis excerpt from the special message of the Committee of Ministers, dated 20 May 1954, transmitting to the Consultative Assembly the Programme of Work of the Council of Europe, deals with the respective roles of the Assembly and the Committee as well as the relations between these two organs within the organisation.
Address given by François Mitterrand (Strasbourg, 4 May 1992)
TextOn 4 May 1992, during the ceremony at which he laid the foundation stone for the Palace of Human Rights in Strasbourg, François Mitterrand addresses the Parliamentary Assembly of the Council of Europe. The President of the French Republic suggests organising summits involving Heads of State or Government of the member States of the Council of Europe.
Committee of Ministers
Conference on the establishment of a Council of Europe: extract concerning voting in the Committee of Ministers (London, 3 and 4 May 1949)
TextExtract from the minutes of the Conference on the establishment of a Council of Europe, held at St James’s Palace in London from 3 to 5 May 1949, concerning the issue of voting in the Committee of Ministers.
Inaugural session of the Committee of Ministers of the Council of Europe (August 1949)
BildView of the conference room at the inaugural meeting, in August 1949, of the Committee of Ministers of the Council of Europe held in the Strasbourg Town Hall.
The Italian delegation at the inaugural meeting of the Committee of Ministers (August 1949)
BildIn August 1949, Count Carlo Sforza chairs the Italian delegation at the inaugural meeting of the Council of Europe’s Committee of Ministers held in the Strasbourg Town Hall.
Rules of Procedure of the Committee of Ministers of the Council of Europe (2 August 1951)
TextOn 2 August 1951, the Committee of Ministers of the Council of Europe adopts its first Rules of procedure.
Konrad Adenauer présidant une réunion du Comité des ministres (15 mai 1954)
BildLe 15 mai 1954, le chancelier allemand Konrad Adenauer, assis entre Walter Hallstein, Secrétaire d'État aux Affaires étrangères de la République fédérale d'Allemagne (à sa droite), et Léon Marshal, Secrétaire général du Conseil de l'Europe, préside une réunion du Comité des ministres du Conseil de l'Europe.
Konrad Adenauer devant l'Assemblée consultative (mai 1954)
BildSuite à la réunion du Comité des ministres du 15 mai 1954, son président en exercice Konrad Adenauer en fait rapport à l'Assemblée consultative.
Réunion des délégués des ministres (1956)
BildLes délégués agissent au nom des ministres des Affaires étrangères dans l'intervalle des sessions du Comité.
Rules of Procedure of the Council of Europe's Committee of Ministers (August 1951) — consolidated version (1964)
TextRules of Procedure of the Committee of Ministers of the Council of Europe, adopted by the Committee of Ministers in August 1951 at its 9th Session, and last amended in July 1964 at the 133rd meeting of the Ministers’ Deputies.
Resolution (74) 33 of the Committee of Ministers of the Council of Europe (20 November 1974)
TextOn 20 November 1974, the Committee of Ministers of the Council of Europe resolves to adopt a medium-term plan specifying the sectors and objectives of its activities.
Resolution (76) 3 of the Committee of Ministers of the Council of Europe (18 February 1976)
TextOn 18 February 1976, using its power to determine its internal organisation and, in particular, that of appointing advisory or technical committees, the Committee of Ministers adopts a Resolution concerning committee structures, terms of reference and working methods.
Committee of Experts of the Council of Europe
BildThe Committee of Ministers of the Council of Europe may set up committees of a consultative or technical nature.
Resolution (84) 21 of the Committee of Ministers of the Council of Europe (21 November 1984)
TextOn 21 November 1984, the Committee of Ministers of the Council of Europe adopts Resolution (84) 21 on the organisation’s activities in the political field with the aim of strengthening the continuity and effectiveness of exchanges of views on the political aspects of European cooperation, in particular at sessions of the Committee of Ministers, informal meetings of Ministers, meetings of the Ministers’ Deputies and meetings of Political Directors.
Statutory Resolution (93) 27 of the Committee of Ministers of the Council of Europe (14 May 1993)
TextOn 14 May 1993, in order to strengthen the Organisation's capacity for action, the Committee of Ministers of the Council of Europe adopts a Statutory Resolution reducing the number of cases where unanimity is required for its decisions.
Meeting of the Council of Europe’s Committee of Ministers
BildView of the meeting room of the Council of Europe’s Committee of Ministers, located in the Palais de l’Europe in Strasbourg, where the Foreign Ministers, or their delegates, of the organisation’s member States, hold their meetings.
Rede von Leni Fischer: das Monitoring-Verfahren des Ministerkomitees (Straßburg, 10 Oktober 1997)
TonLeni Fischer, Präsidentin der Parlamentarischen Versammlung des Europarates von 1996 bis 1998, betont die Fortschritte der Versammlung im Bereich des Monitoring und unterstreicht, wie wichtig ein intensiveres Monitoring vor allem auf Ebene des Ministerkomitees ist.
Information document on the Committee of Ministers’ monitoring procedure (23 November 1998)
TextDrawn up in 1998 by the Monitoring Unit under the Secretary-General of the Council of Europe, this information document analyses the evolution of the Committee of Ministers’ procedure for monitoring compliance with commitments entered into by its member States.
Rules of Procedure of the Council of Europe's Committee of Ministers (August 1951) — consolidated version (2005)
TextRules of Procedure of the Committee of Ministers of the Council of Europe, adopted by the Committee of Ministers in August 1951 at its 9th Session, and last amended in July 2005 at the 934rd meeting of the Ministers’ Deputies.
Parliamentary Assembly
"Was ist von der Europäischen Versammlung zu erwarten?" in Le Figaro (10. August 1949)
TextAnlässlich der ersten Tagung der Beratenden Versammlung des Europarates am 10. August 1949 unterstreicht die französische Tageszeitung Le Figaro die Symbolkraft dieser Institution, hebt aber gleichzeitig ihre politischen Grenzen hervor.
Parliamentary Assembly
Eröffnung der ersten Sitzung der Beratenden Versammlung des Europarates (Straßburg, 10. August 1949)
VideoAm 10. August 1949 tritt die Beratende Versammlung des Europarates zum ersten Mal in Straßburg zusammen.
First session of the Consultative Assembly of the Council of Europe in the hall of Strasbourg University (Strasbourg, 10 August 1949)
BildThe first session of the Consultative Assembly of the Council of Europe is held under the provisional chairmanship of Édouard Herriot in the hall of Strasbourg University on 10 August 1949.
Edouard Herriot and Paul-Henri Spaak (Strasbourg, 10 August 1949)
BildOn 10 August 1949, after having chaired the inaugural sitting of the Consultative Assembly of the Council of Europe, Edouard Herriot, oldest member and Honorary President, hands over the chair to Paul-Henri Spaak following his election.
Address given by Paul-Henri Spaak (Strasbourg, 10 August 1949)
BildOn 10 August 1949, at the first session of the Consultative Assembly of the Council of Europe, Paul-Henri Spaak is elected as the Assembly’s first President.
Van Cauwelaert, Churchill and Cingolani, members of the Consultative Assembly (Strasbourg, 11 August 1949)
BildIn the Consultative Assembly of the Council of Europe, the members are seated by alphabetical order in order to avoid the formation of national groups. On 11 August 1949, in the hall of Strasbourg University Winston Churchill, the British member, sits between Frans van Cauwelaert and Mario Cingolani, the Belgian and the Italian members.
Rules of Procedure of the Consultative Assembly of the Council of Europe (17 August 1950)
TextRules of Procedure of the Consultative Assembly of the Council of Europe, adopted on 17 August 1950.
Draft Recommendation of the Consultative Assembly of the Council of Europe (November 1950)
TextThe account of the reasons behind this Draft Recommendation, presented in 1950, indicates the weakness of the Consultative Assembly’s position with regard to the Committee of Ministers and the members’ demands to increase the influence of the institution. The role of defining and consolidating the Assembly’s consultative function is to take priority over the institution’s claim to power of decision.
Interview mit Paul Collowald (Sanem, 28. Juni 2002) – Auszug: die Versammlung des Europarates und der Koreakrieg
VideoIn diesem Interview schildert Paul Collowald, ehemaliger Journalist bei der Tageszeitung Le Nouvel Alsacien und ehemaliger Korrespondent für Europafragen der Tageszeitung Le Monde im Elsass, die Haltung der Beratenden Versammlung des Europarates zum Ausbruch des Koreakrieges im August 1950.
Ministers Macmillan, von Brentano, Spaak and Beyen at the Consultative Assembly (Strasbourg, 6 July 1955)
BildOn 6 July 1955, the ministerial bench pays close attention to the debates held during the seventh session of the Consultative Assembly of the Council of Europe. From left to right: Harold Macmillan from the United Kingdom, Heinrich von Brentano from Germany, Paul-Henri Spaak from Belgium and Jan Willem Beyen from the Netherlands.
Secretariat memorandum on the name of the Assembly of the Council of Europe (Strasbourg, 26 February 1975)
TextMemorandum from the Secretariat of the Assembly of the Council of Europe setting out the background to the proposal to change the name of the Consultative Assembly and the practical consequences of its decision to adopt the name ‘Parliamentary Assembly’.
‘Parliamentary Assembly: half a century of history in two speeches’ from The Europeans
TextExtracts from two speeches, juxtaposed by The Electronic Newsletter of the Council of Europe Parliamentary Assembly on the occasion of the 50th anniversary of the Council of Europe: the first is from a speech given by Edouard Herriot, Honorary President of the Assembly, during the first session of the Council held on 10 August 1949, and the second is from a speech given by Lord Russell Johnston, President of the Assembly, on 25 January 1999.
Rules of Procedure of the Council of Europe’s Parliamentary Assembly (4 November 1999) — consolidated version (2001)
TextRules of Procedure of the Council of Europe’s Parliamentary Assembly adopted by the Standing Committee, acting on behalf of the Assembly, on 4 November 1999 and last amended in 2001.
Rules of Procedure of the Council of Europe’s Parliamentary Assembly (4 November 1999) — consolidated version (2011)
TextRules of Procedure of the Council of Europe’s Parliamentary Assembly adopted by the Standing Committee, acting on behalf of the Assembly, on 4 November 1999 and last amended in 2011.
Visit of the representatives of the Association of Asian Parliaments for Peace (Strasbourg, 21 June 2005)
BildOn 21 June 2005, the representatives of the Association of Asian Parliaments for Peace (AAPP), on a visit to Strasbourg, inform the Political Affairs Committee of the Parliamentary Assembly of the Council of Europe (PACE) of the decision to transform the AAPP into an Asian Parliamentary Assembly based on the model of the PACE. The meeting is attended by Luzius Wildhaber, President of the European Court of Human Rights (second from the right).
Presidents of the Parliamentary Assembly of the Council of Europe
TabelleList of the Presidents of the Council of Europe's Assembly since 1949.
Paul-Henri Spaak
BildPaul-Henri Spaak, first President of the Consultative Assembly of the Council of Europe from 1949 to 1951.
François de Menthon
BildFrançois de Menthon, President of the Consultative Assembly of the Council of Europe from 1952 to 1954.
Guy Mollet
BildGuy Mollet, President of the Consultative Assembly of the Council of Europe from 1954 to 1956.
Fernand Dehousse
BildFernand Dehousse, President of the Consultative Assembly of the Council of Europe from 1956 to 1959.
John Edwards
BildJohn Edwards, President of the Consultative Assembly of the Council of Europe from 1959 to 1960.
Per Federspiel
BildPer Federspiel, President of the Consultative Assembly of the Council of Europe from 1960 to 1963.
Pierre Pflimlin
BildPierre Pflimlin, President of the Consultative Assembly of the Council of Europe from 1963 to 1966.
Sir Geoffrey de Freitas
BildSir Geoffrey de Freitas, President of the Consultative Assembly of the Council of Europe from 1966 to 1969.
Parliamentary Assembly
Oliver Reverdin
BildOlivier Reverdin, President of the Consultative Assembly of the Council of Europe from 1969 to 1972.
Giuseppe Vedovato
BildGiuseppe Vedovato, President of the Parliamentary Assembly of the Council of Europe from 1972 to 1975.
Karl Czernetz
BildDer Österreicher Karl Czernetz, Präsident der Parlamentarischen Versammlung des Europarates von 1975 bis 1978 (rechts). Das Photo wurde am 22. September 1976 anlässlich der Feierlichkeiten zum Beitritt Portugals zum Europarat aufgenommen (links: José Manuel de Medeiros Ferreira).
Hans J. de Koster
BildHans J. de Koster, President of the Parliamentary Assembly of the Council of Europe from 1978 to 1981.
José María de Areilza
BildJosé María de Areilza, President of the Parliamentary Assembly of the Council of Europe from 1981 to 1983.
Karl Ahrens
BildKarl Ahrens, President of the Council of Europe’s Parliamentary Assembly from 1983 to 1986.
Louis Jung
BildLouis Jung, President of the Parliamentary Assembly of the Council of Europe from 1986 to 1989.
Anders Björck
BildAnders Björck, President of the Parliamentary Assembly of the Council of Europe from 1989 to 1992.
Geoffrey Finsberg
BildGeoffrey Finsberg, President of the Parliamentary Assembly of the Council of Europe in 1992.
Miguel Ángel Martínez
BildMiguel Ángel Martínez, President of the Parliamentary Assembly of the Council of Europe from 1992 to 1996.
Leni Fischer
BildLeni Fischer, President of the Parliamentary Assembly of the Council of Europe from 1996 to 1998.
David Russell-Johnston
BildDavid Russell-Johnston, President of the Parliamentary Assembly of the Council of Europe from 1999 to 2001. Photo taken at the ceremony held on 5 May 1999 in Strasbourg to mark the 50th anniversary of the establishment of the organisation.
Peter Schieder
BildDer Österreicher Peter Schieder, Präsident der Parlamentarischen Versammlung des Europarates vom 21. Januar 2002 bis zum 23. Januar 2005.
René van der Linden
BildRené van der Linden, President of the Parliamentary Assembly of the Council of Europe from 24 January 2005 to 20 January 2008.
Lluís Maria de Puig
BildLluís Maria de Puig, President of the Parliamentary Assembly of the Council of Europe since 21 January 2008.
Jean-Claude Mignon
BildJean-Claude Mignon, President of the Parliamentary Assembly of the Council of Europe since January 2012.
Political groups of the Parliamentary Assembly of the Council of Europe (1956-2012)
TabelleTable showing the political groups of the Parliamentary Assembly of the Council of Europe in their historical context.
Evolution of the General Committees of the Assembly of the Council of Europe
TabelleTable on the evolution of the General Committees of the Parliamentary Assembly of the Council of Europe.
Former debating chamber of the Council of Europe (I) (Maison de l’Europe, Strasbourg)
BildThe debating chamber in the Maison de l’Europe in Strasbourg, seat of the Council of Europe’s Consultative Assembly from 1950 to 1977.
Former debating chamber of the Council of Europe (II) (Maison de l’Europe, Strasbourg)
BildThe debating chamber of the Maison de l’Europe in Strasbourg, seat of the Consultative Assembly of the Council of Europe from 1950 to 1977.
Debating Chamber of the Council of Europe (Palais de l'Europe, Strasbourg)
BildThe Debating Chamber of the Council of Europe in the Palais de l'Europe, Strasbourg, seat of the Parliamentary Assembly of the Council of Europe and the Congress of Local and Regional Authorities of Europe.
Committee room of the Council of Europe’s Consultative Assembly
BildThe business of the Council of Europe’s Consultative Assembly is prepared in committee.
General Secretariat
Organigramm des Generalsekretariats des Europarates (Oktober 1954)
SchemaOrganigramm des Generalsekretariats des Europarates im Oktober 1954.
Organigramm des Generalsekretariats des Europarates (Dezember 2003)
SchemaOrganigramm der Dienststellen des Generalsekretariat des Europarates im Jahr 2003.
Procedure for appointments to the posts of Secretary-General, Deputy Secretary-General and Clerk of the Assembly (6 December 1956) — amended text
TextRules of Procedure dated 6 December 1956 concerning appointments to the posts of Secretary-General, Deputy Secretary-General and Clerk of the Assembly having the rank of Deputy Secretary-General, as amended on 20 March 1962.
General Secretariat
Resolution (57) 26 of the Committee of Ministers of the Council of Europe (13 December 1957)
TextIn December 1957, the Committee of Ministers of the Council of Europe requests the Secretary-General to prepare an annual report on European cooperation for the spring session of the Assembly.
Secretaries General of the Council of Europe
TabelleList of the Secretaries General of the Council of Europe since 1949.
Léon Marchal
BildLéon Marchal, French Secretary-General of the Council of Europe from 21 September 1953 to 24 September 1956.
Lodovico Benvenuti
BildLodovico Benvenuti, Italian Secretary-General of the Council of Europe from 15 September 1957 to 15 March 1964.
Peter Smithers
BildPeter Smithers, British Secretary-General of the Council of Europe from 16 March 1964 to 15 September 1969.
Lujo Toncic-Sorinj
BildDer Österreicher Lujo Toncic-Sorinj, Generalsekretär des Europarates vom 16. September 1969 bis zum 16. September 1974.
Georg Kahn-Ackermann
BildGeorg Kahn-Ackermann, German Secretary-General of the Council of Europe from 17 September 1974 to 17 September 1979.
Franz Karasek
BildDer Österreicher Franz Karasek, Generalsekretär des Europarates vom 1. Oktober 1977 bis zum 1. Oktober 1984.
Marcelino Oreja Aguirre
BildMarcelino Oreja Aguirre, Spanish Secretary-General of the Council of Europe from 1 October 1984 to 1 June 1989.
Catherine Lalumière
BildCatherine Lalumière, French Secretary-General of the Council of Europe from 1 June 1989 to 31 May 1994.
Daniel Tarschys
BildDaniel Tarschys, Swedish Secretary-General of the Council of Europe from 20 June 1994 to 1 September 1999.
Walter Schwimmer
BildDer Österreicher Walter Schwimmer, Generalsekretär des Europarates vom 1. September 1999 bis zum 31. August 2004.
Terry Davis
BildTerry Davis, British Secretary-General of the Council of Europe from 1 September 2004 to 31 August 2009.
Thorbjørn Jagland
BildThorbjørn Jagland, Norwegian Secretary-General of the Council of Europe from 1 October 2009.
Deputy Secretaries-General of the Council of Europe
TabelleList of the Deputy Secretaries General of the Council of Europe since 1949.
Maud de Boer-Buquicchio
BildMaud de Boer-Buquicchio (Netherlands), Deputy Secretary General of the Council of Europe from 2002 to 2012.
Gabriella Battaini-Dragoni
BildGabriella Battaini-Dragoni (Italy), Deputy Secretary General of the Council of Europe since 1 September 2012.
The Commission and the European Court of Human Rights (1954-1998)
Convention for the Protection of Human Rights and Fundamental Freedoms (Rome, 4 November 1950)
TextOpen for signature by the member States of the Council of Europe in Rome on 4 November 1950, the Convention for the Protection of Human Rights and Fundamental Freedoms entered into force on 3 September 1953.
The control mechanism of the European Convention on Human Rights (1954-1998)
SchemaInteractive diagram on the control mechanism of the European Convention on Human Rights from 1954 to 1998.
"Installation de la Commission Européenne des Droits de l'homme" dans Nouvelles du Conseil de l'Europe (Août 1954)
TextEn août 1954, à l’occasion de la première réunion de la Commission européenne des Droits de l’homme le 12 juillet 1954 à Strasbourg, le mensuel Nouvelles du Conseil de l’Europe publie, dans un supplément consacré à l’installation de la Commission, le message de Konrad Adenauer, président en exercice du Comité des ministres, le message de la commission permanente de l’Assemblée consultative, et le discours inaugural de Léon Marchal, Secrétaire général du Conseil de l’Europe.
Rules of procedure of the European Commission of Human Rights (1956)
TextRules of procedure of the European Commission of Human Rights adopted on 15 December 1956.
Déclaration de Halvard Lange (Oslo, 4 décembre 1957)
TextLe droit de recours individuel, accordé aux personnes qui se prétendent victimes d’une violation de la Convention européenne des droits de l’homme par un État partie, est facultatif. Pour qu’il soit applicable il faut que l’État mis en cause ait déclaré reconnaître la compétence de la Commission européenne des droits de l’homme d’être saisie d’une requête individuelle. Voici, à titre illustratif, une déclaration du gouvernement de la Norvège du 4 décembre 1957 souscrivant pour une durée déterminée à la clause de l’article 25 de la Convention.
Rules of Court of the European Court of Human Rights (1959)
TextRules of Court of the European Court of Human Rights adopted on 18 September 1959.
Protocol No. 2 to the Convention for the Protection of Human Rights and Fundamental Freedoms (Strasbourg, 6 May 1963)
TextProtocol No. 2 to the Convention for the Protection of Human Rights and Fundamental Freedoms, conferring upon the European Court of Human Rights competence to give Advisory Opinions. Open for signature in Strasbourg on 6 May 1963 by the members of the Council of Europe that are signatories of the Convention, it entered into force on 21 September 1970.
The Commission and the European Court of Human Rights (1954-1998)
Protocol No. 3 to the Convention for the Protection of Human Rights and Fundamental Freedoms, amending Articles 29, 30 and 34 of the Convention (Strasbourg, 6 May 1963)
TextProtocol No. 3 to the Convention for the Protection of Human Rights and Fundamental Freedoms, amending Articles 29, 30 and 34 of the Convention. Open for signature in Strasbourg on 6 May 1963 by the members of the Council of Europe that are signatories of the Convention, it entered into force on 21 September 1970.
Protocol No. 5 to the Convention for the Protection of Human Rights and Fundamental Freedoms (Strasbourg, 20 January 1966)
TextProtocol No. 5 to the Convention for the Protection of Human Rights and Fundamental Freedoms, amending Articles 22 and 40 of the Convention. Open for signature in Strasbourg on 20 January 1966 by the members of the Council of Europe that are signatories of the Convention, it entered into force on 20 December 1971.
Protocol No. 8 to the Convention for the Protection of Human Rights and Fundamental Freedoms (Vienne, 19 March 1985)
TextOpen for signature in Vienna on 19 March 1985 by the members of the Council of Europe that are signatories of the Convention for the Protection of Human Rights and Fundamental Freedoms, the Protocol No. 8 to the Convention entered into force on 1 January 1990.
The European Court of Human Rights (Strasbourg, 1966)
BildHearing of the European Court of Human Rights in 1966 under the Presidency of the French Judge, René Samuel Cassin.
The European Commission of Human Rights (Strasbourg, 1966)
BildThe European Commission of Human Rights in 1996 under the Presidency of the Swedish Judge, Sture Petrén.
Presidents of the European Commission and Court of Human Rights (1954 - 1998)
TabelleList of the Presidents of the European Commission of Human Rights from 1954 to 1999 and of the Presidents of the European Court of Human Rights from 1959 to 1998.
European Court of Human Rights (Post 1998)
Protocol No 11 to the Convention for the Protection of Human Rights and Fundamental Freedoms (11 May 1994)
TextProtocol No 11 to the Convention for the Protection of Human Rights and Fundamental Freedoms replacing the existing European Commission and Court of Human Rights with a permanent Court. The Protocol is opened for signature by the member States of the Council of Europe in Strasbourg on 11 May 1994 and enters into force on 1 November 1998.
Convention for the Protection of Human Rights and Fundamental Freedoms (4 November 1950) — amended version 1994
TextConvention for the Protection of Human Rights and Fundamental Freedoms of 4 November 1950, as last amended by Protocol No 11 of 11 May 1994, which enters into force on 1 November 1998.
The control mechanism of the European Convention on Human Rights (1998–2009)
SchemaInteractive diagram on the control mechanism of the European Convention on Human Rights from 1998 to 2009. Since it was adopted, the control mechanism for the rights in the Convention has been amended several times. It was thoroughly reformed by Protocol No 11, which was adopted in 1994 and came into force on 1 November 1998; then by Protocol No 14, which was adopted in 2004 and came into force on 1 June 2010. However, since Protocol No 14 did not come into force early enough, the states parties to the Convention agreed to adopt a Protocol No 14 bis, which contained just some of the procedural measures in Protocol No 14, as an interim and provisional measure. Protocol No 14 bis, adopted in May 2009, came into force on 1 October 2009 and ceased to be in force or applied on a provisional basis as from 1 June 2010.
‘Strasbourg: jurisdiction over 760 million people’ from Le Figaro (3 November 1998)
TextArticle published on 3 November 1998 in the French daily newspaper Le Figaro as the new European Court of Human Rights is inaugurated in Strasbourg.
Inauguration of the new European Court of Human Rights (Strasbourg, 3 November 1998)
BildGeneral view of the Grand Chamber during the inauguration ceremony of the new European Court of Human Rights held in Strasbourg on 3 November 1998.
The judges at the inauguration ceremony of the new European Court of Human Rights (Strasbourg, 3 November 1998)
BildPhoto of the judges at the inauguration ceremony of the new European Court of Human Rights held in Strasbourg on 3 November 1998.
Hearing in the European Court of Human Rights (Strasbourg)
BildCourtroom of the European Court of Human Rights in the Human Rights Building, Strasbourg.
Composition of the European Court of Human Rights (3 February 2003)
TabelleList of the members of the European Court of Human Rights (as of 3 February 2003).
Composition of the European Court of Human Rights (21 January 2005)
TabelleList of the members of the European Court of Human Rights (as of 21 January 2005).
Composition of the European Court of Human Rights (20 September 2010)
TabelleList of the members of the European Court of Human Rights (as of 20 September 2010).
‘European Convention on Human Rights: past, present and future' from the Human Rights Information Bulletin
TextContribution by Luzius Wildhaber, first President of the European Court of Human Rights after its 1998 reform, published to mark the 50th anniversary of the European Convention on Human Rights. In his article, Mr Wildhaber identifies the challenges facing the system of protection of human rights set up by the Convention as it enters the new century.
Der Europäische Gerichtshof für Menschenrechte: das Gewissen Europas (2003)
VideoDarstellung des von der Europäischen Menschenrechtskonvention aufgestellten Systems der gerichtlichen Kontrolle: die Rolle des Gerichtshofes in Straßburg, sein Sitz, seine Zusammensetzung, seine Funktionsweise, das Ausmaß des Schutzes, die Zulässigkeitsvoraussetzungen für Klagen, Rechtswirkung der Urteile und Kontrolle ihrer Ausführung. Der Videoausschnitt zeigt insbesondere konkrete Beispiele von Beschwerden, die dem Gerichtshof vorgelegt wurden, sowie den Einfluss seiner Rechtsprechung in den verschiedenen Staaten, die die Konvention verabschiedet haben.
Speech by Luzius Wildhaber (Strasbourg, 27 January 2004)
TextDuring the annual press conference held on 27 January 2004, Luzius Wildhaber, President of the European Court of Human Rights, highlights the difficulties that the Court, a victim of its own success, is encountering as it faces a growing workload, and indicates the need to complete the reform of the control mechanismof the European Convention on Human Rights.
Protocol No 14 to the Convention for the Protection of Human Rights and Fundamental Freedoms (Strasbourg, 13 May 2004)
TextProtocol No 14 to the Convention for the Protection of Human Rights and Fundamental Freedoms, amending the control system of the Convention. The Protocol is opened for signature by the member States of the Council of Europe signatories to the Convention in Strasbourg on 13 May 2004 and has entered into force on 1 June 2010.
"Un filtre pour les plaintes" dans Le Soir (13 mai 2004)
TextLe 13 mai 2004, le quotidien belge Le Soir commente la réforme de la Cour européenne des droits l’homme, adoptée la veille à Strasbourg, portant notamment sur le durcissement des critères de recevabilité des recours individuels.
Progress of a case referred to the European Court of Human Rights (2007)
TextThis diagram shows the stages of the procedure at the European Court of Human Rights, from the lodging of an application to the implementation of the judgment.
Protocol No 14 bis to the Convention for the Protection of Human Rights and Fundamental Freedoms (Strasbourg, 27 May 2009)
TextOn 12 May 2009, pending the entry into force of Protocol No 14 amending the control system of the European Convention on Human Rights and Fundamental Freedoms, the Committee of Ministers of the Council of Europe adopted Protocol No 14 bis to the Convention at its ministerial session in Madrid. The aim of Protocol No 14 bis was to increase the Court’s case-processing capacity as rapidly as possible. It was opened for signature on 27 May 2009 in Strasbourg and came into force on 1 October 2009. It ceased to be in force or applied on a provisional basis as from 1 June 2010, the date on which Protocol No 14 to the Convention came into force.
Case-processing flow chart by judicial formation (2010)
TextThese flow chart indicates the progress of a case by judicial formation.
European Court of Human Rights (Post 1998)
Cheminement d’une requête (2010)
TextThese flow chart indicates the progress of a case through the different judicial formations.
Rules of the European Court of Human Rights (2012)
TextRules of the European Court of Human Rights entered into force on 1 September 2012.
The Judges of the European Court of Human Rights
BildThe Judges of the European Court of Human Rights
Luzius Wildhaber
BildLuzius Wildhaber (Switzerland), elected as the first President of the new single European Court of Human Rights on 24 July 1998. President of the European Court of Human Rights from 1 November 1998 to 18 January 2007.
Jean-Paul Costa
BildJean-Paul Costa (France), President of the European Court of Human Rights from 19 January 2007 to 31 octobre 2012.
Nicolas Bratza
BildNicolas Bratza (United Kingdom), President of the European Court of Human Rights from 4 November 2011 to 31 October 2012.
Dean Spielmann
BildDean Spielmann (Luxembourg), President of the European Court of Human Rights since 1 November 2012.
Commissioner for Human Rights
Resolution (99) 50 of the Committee of Ministers of the Council of Europe (7 May 1999)
TextResolution creating the post of Commissioner for Human Rights, adopted by the Committee of Ministers of the Council of Europe on 7 May 1999.
Address given by Álvaro Gil-Robles when presenting his third Annual Report (Strasbourg, 26 January 2004)
TextOn 26 January 2004, Álvaro Gil-Robles, Commissioner for Human Rights, delivers an address when presenting his third Annual Report to the Parliamentary Assembly of the Council of Europe in which he outlines the institutional developments that have occurred during his term of office, as well as his main areas of activity during his four-year tenure.
Interview with Álvaro Gil-Robles in El País (19 October 2005)
TextIn an interview for the Spanish daily newspaper El País, published on 19 October 2005, Álvaro Gil-Robles, Commissioner for Human Rights of the Council of Europe, gives an account of the changes made in Europe to human rights policies during his term of office from 1999 to 2005.
Álvaro Gil-Robles
BildÁlvaro Gil-Robles, first Council of Europe's Commissioner for Human Rights from 15 October 1999 to 31 March 2006.
Thomas Hammarberg
BildThomas Hammarberg, Council of Europe's Commissioner for Human Rights from April 2006 to March 2012.
Nils Muižnieks
BildNils Muižnieks, Commissioner for Human Rights of the Council of Europe since 1 April 2012.
Congress of Local and Regional Authorities of Europe
Resolution (61) 20 of the Committee of Ministers of the Council of Europe (13 September 1961)
TextOn 13 September 1961, in Resolution (61) 20, the Committee of Ministers of the Council of Europe establishes the European Conferenece of Local Authorities pursuant to Article 17 of the organisation’s Statute and adopts the Conference’s Charter.
Resolution (75) 4 of the Committee of Ministers of the Council of Europe (19 February 1975)
TextOn 19 February 1975, in Resolution (75) 4, the Committee of Ministers of the Council of Europe decides to amend the Charter of the European Conference of Local Authorities, which is renamed the Council of Local and Regional Authorities of Europe.
Statutory Resolution (94) 3 of the Committee of Ministers of the Council of Europe (14 January 1994)
TextStatutory Resolution of 14 January 1994 adopted by the Committee of Ministers of the Council of Europe, which creates the Congress of Local and Regional Authorities of Europe (CLRAE).
Charter of the Congress of Local and Regional Authorities of Europe (14 January 1994)
TextCharter of the Congress of Local and Regional Authorities of Europe (CLRAE) adopted on 14 January 1994.
Press release of the first session of the CLRAE (Strasbourg, 31 May-3 June 1994)
TextSummary report of debates of the first session of the Congress of Local and Regional Authorities of Europe, held in Strasbourg from 31 May to 3 June 1994.
Opening address given by Claude Haegi (Strasbourg, 30 May 1995)
TextOn 30 May 1995, Claude Haegi, President of the Chamber of Regions of the Congress of Local and Regional Authorities of Europe (CLRAE), delivers the opening address at the Chamber’s second session.
Statutory Resolution (2000) 1 of the Committee of Ministers of the Council of Europe (15 March 2000)
TextOn 15 March 2000, the Committee of Ministers of the Council of Europe adopts a revised Statutory Resolution relating to the Congress of Local and Regional Authorities of Europe (CLRAE).
Charter of the Congress of Local and Regional Authorities of Europe (15 March 2000)
TextOn 15 March 2000, the Committee of Ministers of the Council of Europe adopts, as an annexe to Statutory Resolution (2000) 1, a revised Charter of the Congress of Local and Regional Authorities of Europe (CLRAE).
Rules of procedure of the Chamber of Local Authorities (2000)
TextRules of procedure of the Chamber of Local Authorities of the Congress of Local and Regional Authorities of Europe (CLRAE), adopted by the Chamber in 2000.
Rules of procedure of the Chamber of Regions (2000)
TextRules of procedure of the Chamber of Regions of the Congress of Local and Regional Authorities of Europe (CLRAE), adopted by the Chamber in 2000.
Rules of procedure of the Congress of Local and Regional Authorities of Europe (2002)
TextRules of procedure of the Congress of Local and Regional Authorities of Europe (CLRAE), adopted by the Congress in 2000.
Statutory Resolution (2007) 6 of the Committee of Ministers of the Council of Europe (2 May 2007)
TextOn 2 May 2007, the Committee of Ministers of the Council of Europe adopts a revised Statutory Resolution relating to the Congress of Local and Regional Authorities of Europe (CLRAE).
Congress of Local and Regional Authorities of Europe
Rules of procedure of the Congress and its Chambers (2008)
TextRules of procedure of the Congress and its Chambers, adopted by the Congress on 29 May 2008.
Statutory Resolution (2011) 2 of the Committee of Ministers of the Council of Europe (19 January 2011)
TextOn 19 January 2011, the Committee of Ministers of the Council of Europe adopts a revised Statutory Resolution relating to the Congress of Local and Regional Authorities of Europe (CLRAE).
Rules of procedure of the Congress and its Chambers (2012)
TextRules of procedure of the Congress and its Chambers, adopted by the Congress on 20 March 2012.
Presidents of the Congress of Local and Regional Authorities of Europe
TabelleList of the Presidents of the Congress of Local and Regional Authorities of the Council of Europe since 1957.
Jacques Chaban-Delmas
BildJacques Chaban-Delmas (France), President of the European Conference of Local Authorities from 12 January 1957 to 24 January 1960.
Georges Dardel
BildGeorges Dardel (France), President of the European Conference of Local Authorities from 25 January 1960 to 20 March 1962.
Henry Cravatte
BildHenry Cravatte (Luxembourg), President of the European Conference of Local Authorities from 21 March 1962 to 6 June 1964.
Sir Francis Hill
BildSir Francis Hill (United Kingdom), President of the European Conference of Local Authorities from 7 June 1964 to 27 October 1968.
Alois Lugger
BildAlois Lugger (Austria), President of the European Conference of Local Authorities from 28 October 1968 to 25 October 1970.
Kjell T. Evers
BildKjell T. Evers (Norway), President of the European Conference of Local Authorities from 26 October 1970 to 24 September 1972.
Giancarlo Piombino
BildGiancarlo Piombino (Italy), President of the European Conference of Local Authorities from 25 September 1972 to 15 September 1974.
R. Laan
BildR. Laan (Netherlands), President of the European Conference of Local Authorities, renamed Conference of Local and Regional Authorities of Europe during his term of office, from 16 September 1974 to 25 April 1976.
Henry Cravatte
BildHenry Cravatte (Luxembourg), President of the Conference of Local and Regional Authorities of Europe from 26 April 1976 to 19 June 1978.
Gordon Pirie
BildGordon Pirie (United Kingdom), President of the Conference of Local and Regional Authorities of Europe from 20 June 1978 to 9 June 1980.
Bernard Dupont
BildBernard Dupont (Switzerland), President of the Standing Conference of Local and Regional Authorities of Europe from 10 June 1980 to 18 October 1982.
Eric Kiesl
BildEric Kiesl (Netherlands), President of the Standing Conference of Local and Regional Authorities of Europe from 19 October 1982 to 15 October 1984.
John Winther
BildJohn Winther (Denmark), President of the Standing Conference of Local and Regional Authorities of Europe from 16 October 1984 to 14 October 1985.
Antoni Siurana
BildAntoni Siurana (Spain), President of the Standing Conference of Local and Regional Authorities of Europe from 15 October 1985 to 19 October 1987.
John Morgan
BildJohn Morgan (United Kingdom), President of the Standing Conference of Local and Regional Authorities of Europe from 20 October 1987 to 18 March 1991.
Lucien Sergent
BildLucien Sergent (France), President of the Standing Conference of Local and Regional Authorities of Europe from 19 March 1991 to 16 March 1992.
Bengt Mollstedt
BildBengt Mollstedt (Sweden), President of the Standing Conference of Local and Regional Authorities of Europe from 17 March 1992 to 30 May 1994, the year in which the institution became the Congress of Local and Regional Authorities of Europe (CLRAE).
Alexander Tchnernoff
BildAlexander Tchernoff (Netherlands), President of the Congress of Local and Regional Authorities of Europe (CLRAE) from 31 May 1994 to 2 July 1996.
Claude Haegi
BildClaude Haegi (Switzerland), President of the Congress of Local and Regional Authorities of Europe (CLRAE) from 2 July 1996 to 25 May 1998.
Alain Chenard
BildAlain Chenard (France), President of the Congress of Local and Regional Authorities of Europe (CLRAE) from 26 May 1998 to 22 May 2000.
Llibert Cuatrecasas
BildLlibert Cuatrecasas (Spain), President of the Congress of Local and Regional Authorities of Europe (CLRAE) from 23 May 2000 to 1 June 2002.
Congress of Local and Regional Authorities of Europe
Giovanni di Stasi
BildGiovanni di Stasi (Italy), President of the Congress of Local and Regional Authorities of Europe (CLRAE) from 25 May 2004 to 30 May 2006.
Halvdan Skard
BildHalvdan Skard (Norway), President of the Congress of Local and Regional Authorities of Europe from 30 May 2006 to 27 May 2008.
Yavuz Mildon
BildYavuz Mildon (Turkey), President of the Chamber of Regions of the Congress of Local and Regional Authorities of the Council of Europe (CLRAE) from 2004 to 2008 and President of the Congress of Local and Regional Authorities of the Council of Europe from 27 May 2008 to 26 October 2010.
Ian Micallef
BildIan Micallef (Malta), President of the Chamber of Local Authorities of the Congress of Local and Regional Authorities of the Council of Europe (CLRAE) from June 2006 to October 2010 and President ad interim of the Congress of Local and Regional Authorities of the Council of Europe from January 2009 to October 2010.
Keith Whitmore
BildKeith Whitmore (United Kingdom), President of the Congress of Local and Regional Authorities of the Council of Europe (CLRAE) from 26 October 2010 to 16 October 2012.