Addressing the Parliamentary Assembly of the Council of Europe, Jean-Noël Barrot, Minister for Europe and Foreign Affairs, issued a warning: human rights, the rule of law, and democracy are now under threat “even in countries that have been at the forefront of these struggles.”
“Every day, force is gaining ground over the rule of law,” he said, calling on Europe to set an example and to vigorously defend fundamental rights and freedoms.
An alarming situation
The minister drew attention to the democratic backsliding in Europe and beyond: contested elections, judges and journalists being intimidated, civil liberties being flouted, women’s rights being called into question, and even the death penalty rearing its head again. He cited the adoption by Israel’s Knesset of a law extending the death penalty, noting that “neither peace nor security can be built on discrimination and injustice.”
The French foreign minister also praised the resilience of the peoples of Poland, Hungary, and the Republic of Moldova in the face of pressure. With the return of war to the continent, he emphasised the urgent need for Europe to rebuild its military, diplomatic and economic strength. But this rearmament, he stressed, must go hand in hand with a “democratic rearmament.”
The Council of Europe, a bastion of values
The minister noted the central role of the Council of Europe and the European Convention on Human Rights, describing it as the “glue that holds European unity together”. He referred to the impact of the case law of the European Court of Human Rights on French law, particularly in relation to the fight against discrimination, respect for privacy and freedom of expression. Despite criticism, particularly over migration policy, “France reaffirms its absolute support for the Court’s independence and autonomy,” he stressed.
Jean-Noël Barrot also praised the work of the Parliamentary Assembly, describing it as “the democratic conscience of Europe” and the “voice of its citizens.”
Justice for Ukraine
“France supports the establishment of the Special Tribunal to address the crime of aggression against Ukraine, which will complement the International Criminal Court,” said the minister.
“France will join the agreement on the Management Committee of the Special Tribunal, which we hope will be established at the ministerial meeting in Chișinău on 14 and 15 May,” he added.
The minister noted that the Council of Europe had taken the lead in efforts to secure justice for Ukraine and its people. “These efforts paved the way for the creation back in 2023 of the Register of Damage, the first pillar of the compensation mechanism sought by Ukraine,” the minister continued.
“But compensation for damage is not enough. The Russian leaders must be held to account,” he insisted, recalling the massacres in Bucha and Mariupol, the deportations of children, the attacks on civilians, the murder of journalists and the many war crimes committed.
“There is no peace without justice. And there is no justice without truth,” he concluded.
Palais de l’Europe designated a “Heritage of Diplomacy” site
Before addressing the Parliamentary Assembly, Jean-Noël Barrot, alongside Secretary General Alain Berset, officially designated the Palais de l’Europe part of France’s “Heritage of Diplomacy.”
““This is where the heart of European multilateralism beats,” declared the minister, adding that this was the first time the designation had been awarded to a 20th-century building, one whose “functionalist structure is proof that unity is strength.”
“This recognition reminds us that memory matters, that it is alive, and that at a time when history is accelerating, diplomacy and the rule of law must prevail over force and impunity. In the name of democracy and in the interests of peace,” said the Secretary General.
With this award, the Palais de l’Europe, a pan-European diplomatic forum in the true sense, has found a permanent place in the network of historical landmarks of French diplomacy.
Launched in June 2025 by France’s European and Foreign Affairs Ministry, the "Heritage of Diplomacy" scheme seeks to showcase remarkable sites all over France that have served as a backdrop for diplomatic events throughout history.
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