Council of Europe

 

 

The Council of Europe in brief 

 

 

 

 

Council of Europe and Ukraine

Ukraine became the 37th member State of the Council of Europe on 9 November 1995. The Permanent Representation of Ukraine to the Council of Europe started its work. 

The Council of Europe, through co-operation, accompanies the country in its efforts to bring legislation, institutions and practice further into line with European standards in the areas of human rights, the rule of law and democracy and, through this, to support the country in meeting its obligations as a Council of Europe member State.

On July 17, 1997, the Verkhovna Rada of Ukraine ratified the ECHR, which entered into force for Ukraine on September 11 of the same year. Due to this, Ukrainians have the right, after using all national remedies, to file a complaint about the violation of Ukraine's rights and freedoms guaranteed by the Convention to the European Court of Human Rights.

To support Ukraine in fulfilling its obligations as a member state of the Council of Europe, Action Plans have been implemented since 2005 – strategic program documents with a certain period of validity. The Council of Europe Action Plan for Ukraine “Resilience, Recovery and Reconstruction” 2023-2026 is currently being implemented. The Plan implements a number of projects to promote respect for human rights, democracy and the rule of law in Ukraine. The Action Plan provides a four-year framework for co-operation while offering the flexibility required to respond to evolving needs in the current volatile context and high-risk environment. As a living document, it will be updated as needed in line with developments in the country to adapt priorities to emerging needs. Risks and threats mitigation strategies and management mechanisms will be evaluated and discussed with the Ukrainian authorities. The overall budget for the four-year co-operation framework is estimated at €50 million.

On 16-17 May 2023, at the Council of Europe Summit in ReykjavikIceland, Heads of State and Government of the organisation’s 46 member states have decided to establish a Register of damage caused by the Russian Federation’s aggression as a first step towards an international compensation mechanism. The leaders agreed to strengthen the Council of Europe and its work in the field of human rights, democracy and the rule of law by adopting a declaration on democracy principles, recommitting to the European Convention on Human Rights and developing tools to tackle emerging challenges in the area of technology and the environment.

 

Coordinating cooperation

The Directorate of Programme Co-ordination (DPC) manages Council of Europe cooperation activities in member states and non-member states in its neighbourhood. These cooperation activities are undertaken to help these countries reach Council of Europe standards in human rights, rule of law and democracy.

The Directorate of Programme Co-ordination ensures the strategic programming of these activities and mobilises resources for their implementation, while co-ordinating the Council of Europe's action with other organisations and agencies. The Directorate of Programme Co-ordination is also responsible for coordinating the Council of Europe Offices and Programme Offices, which play an active part in identifying and implementing projects and in raising funds for their execution.

 

     Ukraine // 46 States, one Europe

 

Action of the Council of Europe in Ukraine

 


Prevention of torture

The European Committee for the prevention of torture visits places of detention (for juvenile or immigration detainees, police stations, psychiatric hospitals) in order to assess how persons deprived of their liberty are treated.

 Visits and reports

 


Fight against racism

The European Commission against Racism and Intolerance (ECRI) is an independent monitoring body which provides member States with concrete and practical advice on how to tackle problems of racism and intolerance in their country.

 Reports

 


Protection of social rights

The European Social Charter is a Council of Europe treaty which guarantees social and economic human rights. It was adopted in 1961 and revised in 1996. The European Committee of Social Rights rules on the conformity of the situation in States with the European Social Charter, the 1988 Additional Protocol and the Revised European Social Charter.

 Factsheets

 Reports

 


Protection of minorities

The Framework Convention for the Protection of National Minorities provides for a monitoring system to evaluate how the treaty is implemented in State Parties. An advisory Committee adopts recommendations to improve minority protection.

 Documents

 


Fight against corruption

The Group of States against Corruption (GRECO) monitors member states' compliance with the Council of Europe anti-corruption standards with the objective to improve the capacity of its members to fight corruption.

 Evaluations

 


Fight against money laundering


MONEYVAL Committee of experts

The committee evaluates the effectiveness of domestic measures to counter money laundering and the financing of terrorism in Council of Europe member states which are not members of the Financial Action Task Force (FATF). Council of Europe member states which are members of MONEYVAL but subsequently become members of the FATF can elect to retain full membership of MONEYVAL. Applicant states for membership and other non-member states which are not members of the FATF may apply to join the terms of reference under certain conditions.

 Evaluations


COP198

The Conference of the Parties under the Council of Europe Convention on Laundering, Search, Seizure and Confiscation of the Proceeds from Crime and on the Financing of Terrorism (CETS No. 198) monitors the proper implementation of the Convention by the Parties.

 Reports

 


Democracy through Law

The European Commission for Democracy through Law - the Venice Commission - is an advisory body on constitutional matters which plays a leading role in the adoption of constitutions that conform to the standards of Europe's constitutional heritage

 Documents

 


Fight against trafficking in human beings

The Group of Experts on Action against Trafficking in Human Beings (GRETA) is responsible for monitoring implementation of the Convention on Action against Trafficking in Human Beings by the Parties. It regularly publishes evaluation reports.

 Evaluations

 


Justice system


European Commission for the Efficiency of Justice (CEPEJ)

The aim of the CEPEJ is the improvement of the efficiency and functioning of justice in the member States.

 Evaluations


Consultative Council of European Prosecutors (CCPE)

This consultative body to the Committee of Ministers prepares opinions, promotes the implementation of Rec(2000)19 and collects information about the functioning of prosecution services in Europe.

 Documents

 


Art and donations

The Council of Europe’s various buildings are home to an extensive collection of works of art. Member and non-member states, regional and local authorities, and even artists themselves have donated works of art to the Council. These gifts symbolise their donors’ attachment to one of the oldest of Europe’s political organisations. They are a tangible expression of support for an organisation that views human rights as the focal point of society, as well as acknowledging that creative artists play a vital part in shaping attitudes and behaviour.

 

Born by native land by Leonid Tovstukha 


Tapestry Donated by Ukraine in 2006

Action Plan 2023-2026


 

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