I joined the Council of Europe because, as a lawyer, I believed that human rights could only be enforced through judicial procedures, including international ones. I have since learned that respect for human rights is not just about the relationship between the state and the individual. Our society has a collective responsibility to ensure respect for human rights in all its components, in particular the more vulnerable groups of society.

Our Organisation, through all its work on standard-setting, monitoring and co-operation activities, helps to create the conditions to make that happen. I see my role as Deputy Secretary General to be an Ambassador of these standards, which should be respected and promoted.