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4th Round Table of European National Institutions for the Promotion and Protection of Human Rights and the Commissioner for Human Rights

Athens, 27-28 September 2006

Jointly with the Greek National Commission for Human Rights, the Office of the Commissioner for Human Rights has held the 4th Round Table of European National Institutions for the Promotion and Protection of Human Rights and the Commissioner for Human Rights in Athens on 27-28 September.

The conference brought together the heads of National Human Rights Institutions (NHRIs) as well as experts working on setting up such institutions. The event was opened by the President of the Hellenic Republic, Mr. Karolos Papoulias, and the Minister of Justice, Mr. Anastasios Papaligouras.

Participants discussed new opportunities at the European level for NHRIs and, in particular, what new functions these institutions were ready to assume in the context of Protocol No. 14 to the European Convention on Human Rights. There was also an exchange on the reflections offered by the Group of Wise Persons on how NHRIs - in conjunction with the Commissioner - might further support the European Court of Human Rights. Working groups discussed the role for NHRIs with respect to counter-terrorism legislation and practices, including the so-called rendition flights.

Meeting Documents

Programme
List of participants

Opening addresses

Opening address by Mr. Karolos Papoulias, President of the Hellenic Republic
Opening address by Prof. Alice Yotopoulos - Marangopoulos, President of the National Commission for Human Rights of the Hellenic Republic
Opening address by Mr. Anastasis Papaligouras, Minister of Justice of the Hellenic Republic
Opening address by M. Joël Thoraval, President of the Group of European National Human Rights Institutions, President of the French National Consultative Commission of Human Rights

Reports and presentations

"Opportunities for NHRIs with respect to the European Social Charter", by Dr. Mark Bell
"The role of NHRIs in monitoring the execution of judgments of the European Court of Human Rights-What NHRIs do", by Dr. Alpha Connelly
"The role of NHRIs in monitoring the execution of judgments of the European Court of Human Rights-What NHRIs could do", by Prof. Emmanuel Roucounas
"The question of rendition flights raised in the Council of Europe and the European Union: Any follow-up role for NHRIs ? Findings by Council of Europe bodies: the Parliamentary Assembly" by Gavin Simpson
"Modern forms of violation of the right to privacy: Which role for NHRIs ? Targeted intrusions" by Nikos Frangakis
"Modern forms of violation of the right to privacy: Which role for NHRIs? Untargeted intrusions" by Nicole Questiaux
"How to avoid emergency legislation becoming permanent ? Case studies to illustrate the problem" by Monica McWilliams
"How to avoid emergency legislation becoming permanent? Case studies to illustrate solutions", by Maggie Beirne
"When can NHRIs successfully intervene in the process of adopting legislation? Possible solutions" by Olivier de Schutter

Appeal and Conclusions

Athens Appeal of the 4th Round Table of the European National Institutions for the promotion and the protection of Human Rights
Conclusions : Athens Declaration 2006