Activities
Activities
Activities
Council of Europe poster
ImageCouncil of Europe poster illustrating the organisation’s main area of activity: the defence of democracy and human rights.
Address given by Marcelino Oreja to the Parliamentary Assembly of the Council of Europe (Strasbourg, 3 October 1984)
TextOn 3 October 1984, in an address delivered to the Parliamentary Assembly to mark his investiture as Secretary-General of the Council of Europe, Marcelino Oreja outlines the organisation’s main spheres of activities and sets out the priorities for his term of office: to concentrate efforts on a number of priority measures and, in so doing, strengthen the identity of the organisation.
Statutory Resolution (93) 28 the Committee of Ministers of the Council of Europe (14 May 1993)
TextStatutory Resolution (93) 28 of the Committee of Ministers of the Council of Europe, of 14 May 1993, on Partial and Enlarged Agreements.
List of the Council of Europe's treaties (1949-2006)
TableList of the Conventions and Agreements, which are part of the European Treaty Series (ETS), opened to the member States of the Council of Europe and, where appropriate, to European non-member States, to non-European non-member States and to the European Community.
Rede von Daniel Tarschys: die Bedeutung des Europarates (Straßburg, 10. Oktober 1997)
Audio extractDaniel Tarschys, ehemaliges Mitglied der Parlamentarischen Versammlung und Generalsekretär des Europarates von 1994 bis 1999, hebt in dieser Rede die wichtigsten Stärken des Europarates hervor und unterstreicht dabei die Schlüsselrolle dieser Institution bei der Herstellung der "demokratischen Sicherheit" in Europa.
‘The Council of Europe, a neglected player’ from Le Monde (27 November 2001)
TextIn an article published in the French daily newspaper Le Monde on 27 November 2001, Francis Kessler, senior lecturer at the University of Paris I Panthéon-Sorbonne, sheds light on the little-known role of the Council of Europe in the area of social policy.
‘Crisis of legitimacy in the Council of Europe’ from Le Figaro (16 May 2005)
TextReporting on the Third Council of Europe Summit, held in Warsaw on 16 and 17 May 2005, the French daily newspaper Le Figaro recalls the organisation’s main activities since it was established in 1949 and explains the reasons for its frequent lack of credibility, in particular since the rise in power of the European Union.
Interview with Álvaro Gil-Robles in El País (26 November 2005)
TextIn an interview published on 26 November 2005 in the Spanish daily newspaper El País, Álvaro Gil-Robles, Commissioner for Human Rights of the Council of Europe, outlines his role in the opening of the investigation, led by the Secretary General as well as by the organisation’s Parliamentary Assembly, into the activities of foreign security services and, in particular, the allegations of illegal detentions and rendition flights on the territory of member States of the Council of Europe.
Ministerial conference on the integration of people with disabilities (Málaga, 7 May 2003)
ImageOn the invitation of the Spanish Government, the Second European Conference of Ministers responsible for Integration Policies for People with Disabilities in the Member States of the Council of Europe is held in Málaga on 7 and 8 May 2003.
Dick Marty, Parliamentary Assembly Rapporteur, on secret detentions (Strasbourg, 24 January 2006)
ImageFrom 2005 onwards, the Council of Europe denounces the illegal practices, in its Member States, of secret detentions and flights chartered by the CIA transporting terrorism suspects. The photo shows Dick Marty, Rapporteur for the Committee on Legal Affairs and Human Rights, who is responsible for studying the issue (seated, on the right), in Strasbourg on 24 January 2006, the day on which he submits an information note concerning these practices. He is accompanied by Terry Davis, Secretary General of the Council of Europe, and Mateo Sorinas, Secretary General of the Assembly.
International conference held by the Council of Europe on the question of terrorism (Strasbourg, 25 April 2007)
ImageOn 25 and 26 April 2007, in Strasbourg, on the initiative of the Committee of Experts on Terrorism, the Council of Europe holds an international conference entitled ‘Why terrorism? Addressing the conditions conducive to the spread of terrorism’. The photo shows Philippe Boillat, the Council of Europe’s Director General of Human Rights and Legal Affairs, and Peter Lizák, Chairman of the Security Committee of the Organisation for Security and Cooperation in Europe (OSCE).
Council of Europe Campaign to Combat Violence against Women (Strasbourg, 7 March 2007)
ImageFrom November 2006 to June 2008, the Council of Europe carries out a ‘Campaign to Combat Violence against Women, including Domestic Violence’ to raise public awareness of one of the most serious forms of gender-based violations of human rights and to promote the implementation of effective measures by public authorities to prevent and combat violence against women. The photo shows a campaign poster displayed in a street in Strasbourg.
The European Convention on Human Rights
Signing of the European Convention on Human Rights (4 November 1950)
ImageSigning in Rome, on 4 November 1950, of the Council of Europe Convention for the Protection of Human Rights and Fundamental Freedoms, the first international legal instrument to guarantee the protection of human rights.
Unterzeichnung der Menschenrechtskonvention durch Robert Schuman (Rom, 4. November 1950)
ImageDer französische Außenminister Robert Schuman unterzeichnet am 4. November 1950 in Rom die Europäische Menschenrechtskonvention.
European Convention on Human Rights (Rome, 4 November 1950)
TextPages bearing the signatures to the European Convention on Human Rights.
Protocol to the Convention for the Protection of Human Rights and Fundamental Freedoms (Paris, 20 March 1952)
TextReproduction of the first, middle and last pages of the European Convention on Human Rights.
Convention for the Protection of Human Rights and Fundamental Freedoms (Rome, 4 November 1950)
TextOpened 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 enters into force on 3 September 1953.
Protocol to the Convention for the Protection of Human Rights and Fundamental Freedoms (Paris, 20 March 1952)
TextOpen for signature in Paris on 20 March 1952 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 enters into force on 18 May 1954.
Press release on the ceremony of the entry into force of the ECHR (3 September1953)
TextPress release published on 3 September 1953 at the conclusion of the ceremony of the entry into force of the European Convention on Human Rights. Annexed thereto are the speeches delivered by Jean-Pierre Kremer, Permanent Representative of the Grand Duchy of Luxembourg to the Council of Europe, and Anthony Lincoln, Secretary-General of the organisation.
The European Convention on Human Rights
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.
Protocol to the Convention for the Protection of Human Rights and Fundamental Freedoms (Paris, 20 March 1952) — amended version
TextProtocol to the Convention for the Protection of Human Rights and Fundamental Freedoms of 20 March 1952, as amended by Protocol No. 11 of 11 May 1994 which enters into force on 1 November 1998.
Protocol No.º4 to the Convention for the Protection of Human Rights and Fundamental Freedoms (Strasbourg, 16 September 1963)
TextProtocol No. 4 to the Convention for the Protection of Human Rights and Fundamental Freedoms, securing certain rights and freedoms other than those already included in the Convention and in the first Protocol thereto, as amended by Protocol No. 11 of 11 May 1994. Open for signature in Strasbourg on 16 September 1963 by the members of the Council of Europe that are signatories of the Convention, it entered into force on 2 May 1968.
Protocol No.º6 to the Convention for the Protection of Human Rights and Fundamental Freedoms (Strasbourg, 28 April 1983)
TextProtocol No. 6 to the Convention for the Protection of Human Rights and Fundamental Freedoms concerning the Abolition of the Death Penalty, as amended by Protocol No. 11 of 11 May 1994. Open for signature in Strasbourg on 28 April 1983 by the members of the Council of Europe that are signatories of the Convention, it entered into force on 1 March 1985.
Protocol No.º7 to the Convention for the Protection of Human Rights and Fundamental Freedoms (Strasbourg, 22 November 1984)
TextProtocol No. 7 to the Convention for the Protection of Human Rights and Fundamental Freedoms, as amended by Protocol No. 11 of 11 May 1994. Open for signature in Strasbourg on 22 November 1984 by the members of the Council of Europe that are signatories of the Convention, it entered into force on 1 November 1988.
Protocol No. 12 to the Convention for the Protection of Human Rights and Fundamental Freedoms (Rome, 4 November 2000)
TextProtocol No. 12 to the Convention for the Protection of Human Rights and Fundamental Freedoms. Open for signature in Rome on 4 November 2000 by the members of the Council of Europe that are signatories of the Convention, it entered into force on 1 April 2005.
Protocol No.º13 to the Convention for the Protection of Human Rights and Fundamental Freedoms Vilnius, 3 May 2002)
TextProtocol No. 13 to the Convention for the Protection of Human Rights and Fundamental Freedoms, concerning the Abolition of the Death Penalty in all circumstances. Open for signature in Vilnius on 3 May 2002 by the members of the Council of Europe that are signatories of the Convention, it entered into force on 1 July 2003.
Judgment of the European Court of Human Rights, Lawless v Ireland (1 July 1961)
TextFirst judgment given by the European Court of Human Rights. The Court rules that there has been no violation of Article 7 of the European Convention on Human Rights (no punishment without law).
Judgement of the European Court of Human Rights, Ireland v. the United Kingdom (18 January 1978)
TextFirst judgment given by the European Court of Human Rights concerning an inter-state case. The Court rules that there has been violation of Article 3 of the European Convention on Human Rights (prohibition of torture and inhuman or degrading treatment or punishment).
Lettre de Halvard Lange au Secrétaire général du Conseil de l'Europe (Oslo, 4 décembre 1956)
TextEn 1956, se conformant à l'article 9 de la Convention européenne des droits de l'homme sur le droit à la liberté de pensée, de conscience et de religion, la Norvège abroge l'article 2 de sa constitution du 17 mai 1914 selon lequel "les Jésuites ne sont pas tolérés". La Norvège est le premier pays à modifier sa constitution pour la rendre compatible avec les dispositions de la Convention.
"Vers une Cour européenne. Les droits de l'homme" dans La Relève (20 septembre 1958)
TextParu dans l'hebdomadaire belge La Relève, l'article témoigne de la ratification par l'Autriche et l'Islande, le 3 septembre 1958 lors de l'Exposition universelle de Bruxelles, de la Convention européenne des droits de l'homme et de ses protocoles additionnels. Cet événement détermine l'entrée en vigueur du protocole qui rend obligatoire, pour les États signataires de la Convention, la juridiction d'une Cour européenne des droits de l'homme.
"L'Europe ouvre la voie" dans Nouvelles du Conseil de l'Europe (Août 1963)
TextEn août 1963, dix ans après la l’entrée en vigueur de la Convention européenne des Droits de l’Homme, le mensuel Nouvelles du Conseil de l’Europe publie un supplément consacré aux répercussions de la Convention sur les ordres juridiques nationaux.
Allocution de Gérard Wiarda (Rome, 12 décembre 1983)
TextAllocution de Gérard Wiarda, président de la Cour européenne des Droits de l'Homme, le 12 décembre 1983 à Rome, à l'occasion du 30ème anniversaire de l'entrée en vigueur de la Convention européenne des Droits de l'Homme.
Interview mit Catherine Lalumière: der Europarat und die Menschenrechte (11. Mai 1998)
Audio extractCatherine Lalumière war von 1986 bis 1988 Mitglied der Parlamentarischen Versammlung des Europarates und von 1989 bis 1994 Generalsekretärin der Organisation. Für sie besteht die wirkliche institutionelle Neuerung, die der Europarat gebracht hat, in den Sanktionsmechanismen der Europäischen Konvention der Menschenrechte und Grundfreiheiten.
50th anniversary of the European Convention on Human Rights (Rome, 3–4 November 2000)
ImageMinisters from the 41 member States of the Council of Europe and 9 non-member States meet in Rome from 3 to 4 November 2000 to celebrate the 50th anniversary of the European Convention on Human Rights.
‘The Convention at national level’ from Human Rights Information Bulletin
TextArticle published in December 2000 in a special edition of the Human Rights Information Bulletin of the Council of Europe to mark the 50th anniversary of the European Convention on Human Rights. With the help of examples, the article illustrates the influence of case-law concerning the Convention in the different member States of the Council of Europe.
Ratification by Turkey of Protocol No 6 of the European Convention on Human Rights concerning the abolition of the death penalty (Strasbourg, 12 November 2003)
ImageOn 12 November 2003, in Strasbourg, Numan Hazar (on the left), Permanent Representative of Turkey to the Council of Europe, ratifies Protocol No 6 of the European Convention on Human Rights concerning the abolition of the death penalty, in the presence of Walter Schwimmer, Secretary General of the Council of Europe.
Ceremony to mark the signing and ratification of Protocol No 14 to the European Convention on Human Rights (Strasbourg, 10 November 2004)
ImageOn 10 November 2004, in Strasbourg, several of the Member States of the Council of Europe sign or ratify Protocol No 14 to the Convention for the Protection of Human Rights and Fundamental Freedoms, amending the control system of the Convention. The photo shows Ambassador Neris Germanas, Permanent Representative of Lithuania to the organisation, signing the Protocol (on the left), and Terry Davis, Secretary General of the Council of Europe.
The European Social Charter
European Social Charter (Turin, 18 October 1961)
TextThe European Social Charter, signed in Turin on 18 October 1961, enters into force on 26 February 1966.
The European Social Charter
Additional Protocol to the European Social Charter (Strasbourg, 5 May 1988)
TextAdditional Protocol to the European Social Charter, opened for signature by the member States of the Council of Europe on 5 May 1988 and coming into force on 4 September 1992. This Protocol extends the protection of the Charter to new social rights.
Protocol amending the European Social Charter (Turin, 21 October 1991)
TextProtocol amending the European Social Charter, opened for signature by the Member States of the Council of Europe on 21 October 1991, the 30th anniversary of the Turin Charter. This Protocol seeks to improve the effectiveness of the Charter and, in particular, the functioning of its supervisory machinery.
Additional Protocol to the European Social Charter providing for a System of Collective Complaints (Strasbourg, 9 November 1995)
TextAdditional Protocol to the European Social Charter Providing for a System of Collective Complaints, open for signature by the member States signatories to the Charter on 9 November 1995 and entered into force on 1 July 1998.
Revised European Social Charter (Strasbourg, 3 May 1996)
TextThe Revised European Social Charter opens for signature by the member States of the Council of Europe on 3 May 1996 and enters into force on 1 July 1999. Designed progressively to take the place of the European Social Charter, the Revised Charter includes the rights guaranteed by the Charter as amended, the rights guaranteed by the Additional Protocol of 1988 as well as new rights.
Rules of Procedure of the European Committee of Social Rights (9 September 1999)
TextRules of Procedure of the European Committee of Social Rights, the monitoring body established under the European Social Charter and responsible for monitoring observance of the rights guaranteed under the Charter by the States party to it. Adopted on 9 September 1999, these rules replace those adopted on 4 July 1983 and the Rules of Procedure for collective complaints adopted on 21 March 1997.
Address by Hans Christian Krüger (Strasbourg, 18 October 2001)
TextAddress by Hans Christian Krüger, Deputy Secretary-General of the Council of Europe, at the ceremony to commemorate the 40th anniversary of the European Social Charter held on 18 October 2001 in Strasbourg.
Interview with Stein Evju (18 October 2001)
TextIn this interview, published on the 40th anniversary of the European Social Charter on 18 October 2001, Stein Evju, President of the European Committee of Social Rights from 2000 to 2002, stresses the importance of the Charter as a binding international instrument for the protection of rights.
The Convention for the Prevention of Torture
European Convention for the Prevention of Torture (Strasbourg, 26 November 1987)
TextThe European Convention for the Prevention of Torture and Inhuman or Degrading Treatment or Punishment, signed in Strasbourg on 26 November 1987, enters into force on 1 February 1989.
Rules of Procedure of the European Committee for the Prevention of Torture and Inhuman or Degrading Treatment or Punishment (16 November 1989)
TextRules of Procedure of the European Committee for the Prevention of Torture and Inhuman or Degrading Treatment or Punishment, adopted on 16 November 1989 and last amended on 12 March 1997.
Interview with Silvia Casale (18 March 2002)
TextThe criminologist Silvia Casale, President of the Committee for the Prevention of Torture (CPT) since March 2000, briefly describes the role and main activities of the Committee in this interview given on 18 March 2002.
Public statement on Turkey by the Committee for the Prevention of Torture (15 December 1992)
TextIn its first public statement, made on 15 December 1992 pursuant to Article 10(2) of the European Convention for Prevention of Torture and Inhuman or Degrading Treatment or Punishment, the European Committee for the Prevention of Torture (CPT) denounces the widespread practice of torture and ill-treatment of persons held by the police, following two ad hoc visits and one regular visit to Turkey.
Thomas Hammarberg visits the Köpenick Detention Centre (Berlin, 11 October 2006)
ImageIn October 2006, Thomas Hammarberg, Commissioner for Human Rights at the Council of Europe, visits the Köpenick Detention Centre in Berlin with Ulrich Freise, German State Secretary for the Interior, as part of his evaluation mission for the effective respect for human rights in the organisation’s Member States.
Address given by Mauro Palma, President of the European Committee for the Prevention of Torture (Strasbourg, 18 April 2007)
ImageOn 18 April 2007, Mauro Palma, President of the European Committee for the Prevention of Torture and Inhuman or Degrading Treatment or Punishment (CPT), gives an address during the first debate on the state of human rights and democracy in Europe, held at the Parliamentary Assembly of the Council of Europe.
The Framework Convention for the Protection of National Minorities
Framework Convention for the Protection of National Minorities (Strasbourg, 1 February 1995)
TextThe Framework Convention for the Protection of National Minorities, signed in Strasbourg on 1 February 1995, enters into force on 1 February 1998.
Resolution (97) 10 of the Committee of Ministers of the Council of Europe (17 September 1997)
TextRules adopted on 17 September 1997 by the Committee of Ministers of the Council of Europe relating to the monitoring arrangements laid down in Articles 24 to 26 of the Framework Convention for the Protection of National Minorities. These rules establish the procedure for election and appointment of the members of the Advisory Committee as well as the procedure to be followed in the exercise of supervisory duties.
Rules of Procedure of the Advisory Committee on the Framework Convention for the Protection of National Minorities (29 October 1998)
TextRules of Procedure of the Advisory Committee on the Framework Convention for the Protection of National Minorities, adopted by the Advisory Committee on 29 October 1998.
Local and regional democracy
European Charter of Local Self-Government (Strasbourg, 15 October 1985)
TextThe European Charter of Local Self-Government opened for signature by the member States of the Council of Europe on 15 October 1985 and entered into force on 9 September 1988.
Draft European Charter of Regional Self-Government (5 June 1997)
TextThe Council of Europe's Congress of Local and Regional Authorities of Europe (CLRAE) draws up in 1997 a draft ‘European Charter of Regional Self-Government' along the lines of the ‘European Charter of Local Self-Government'. Given that these two Charters are complementary in the application of the principle of subsidiarity for the benefit of regional and local authorities, the CLRAE directs its efforts towards this Charter eventually securing the status of European treaty as does the European Charter of Local Self-Government. However, points of contention between the member States of the Council of Europe stand in the way of its being signed.
European Outline Convention on Transfrontier Co-operation between Territorial Communities or Authorities (Madrid, 21 May 1980)
TextThe European Outline Convention on Transfrontier Co-operation between Territorial Communities or Authorities opens for signature by the member States of the Council of Europe and for accession by European States which are not member States on 21 May 1980 and enters into force on 22 December 1981.
Legal cooperation
Resolution (90) 6 of the Committee of Ministers of the Council of Europe (10 May 1990)
TextOn 10 May 1990, against a background of constitutional change in Eastern Europe, the Committee of Ministers of the Council of Europe resolves to establish, as a Partial Agreement of the organisation, the European Commission for Democracy through Law. The Statute of this consultative body, which is primarily responsible for constitutional assistance, is annexed to the resolution.
Resolution (2002) 3 of the Committee of Ministers of the Council of Europe (21 February 2002)
TextBy this Resolution, adopted on 21 February 2002, the Committee of Ministers of the Council of Europe decides that the European Commission for Democracy through Law shall henceforth be an Enlarged Agreement governed by the provisions of the appended revised Statute.
Rules of Procedure of the European Commission for Democracy through Law (8-9 March 2002) - Revised version
TextRules of Procedure of the European Commission for Democracy through Law (Venice Commission), adopted by the Commission on 8-9 March 2002 as amended on 13-14 December 2002.