 Strasbourg,
10.11.11 - As a founder member of the organisation and the first
country to ratify the European Convention on Human Rights, the UK takes the
responsibility of the Chairmanship, which it last held in 1993. UK sees it as an
opportunity to play a leading role in the vital work of the Council of Europe in
promoting human rights, democracy and rule of law across the continent.
The overarching theme of the Chairmanship will be the promotion and protection
of human rights. A particular focus will be drawn on developing practical
measures in the following areas:
A. reforming the European Court
of Human Rights and strengthening implementation of the European Convention on
Human Rights;
B. supporting Secretary General
Thorbjørn Jagland’s programme of reform of the Council of Europe as an
organisation;
C. strengthening the rule of
law;
D. internet governance,
including freedom of expression on the internet;
E. combating discrimination on
the grounds of sexual orientation and gender identity;
F. streamlining the Council of
Europe’s activities in support of local and regional democracy.
In addition to these priorities,
the UK Chairmanship will of course work to progress other areas of important
Council of Europe business.
Calendar of events
17-19 November 2011: Experts’
conference on a 2020 Vision for the European Court of Human Rights. Wilton
Park.
March 2012 (date to be confirmed): Meeting of the member states and
the Venice Commission on the Rule of Law. Foreign and Commonwealth Office,
London.
April 2012 (date and venue to be confirmed): Ministerial meeting on
Reform of the European Court of Human Rights.
14
May 2012: Committee of Ministers
meeting – handover from United Kingdom to Albania, Strasbourg
For more information see: www.coe.int / www.coe.ge |
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GEORGIAN 
A
political organisation set up in 1949, the Council of Europe works to promote
democracy and human rights continent-wide. It also develops common responses to
social, cultural and legal challenges in its 47 member states.