The mandate of the Special Representative includes the following actions:

  • raise awareness and visibility by actively communicating the Organisation’s work and the Secretary General’s priorities to governments, relevant international organisations, religious organisations in the member states, political leaders, influencers and the general public, and enhance the Council of Europe’s regular dialogue with the above-mentioned stakeholders by working closely with all relevant structures within the Organisation;
  • develop a comprehensive response of the Council of Europe to antisemitic, anti-Muslim and other forms of hate crimes by working closely with all relevant structures within the Organisation, including the Steering Committee on Anti-Discrimination, Diversity and Inclusion (CDADI) and European Commission against Racism and Intolerance (ECRI);
  • put forward specific proposals to the Secretary General on ways to strengthen Council of Europe assistance and advice to member states on how to combat antisemitic, anti-Muslim and other forms of religious hatred and hate crimes in line with the European Convention on Human Rights and other Council of Europe relevant standards.

 

The Secretary General may, either of her own account or at the Special Representative’s recommendation, mandate her Special Representative to carry out a variety of tasks. These include preparing discussion papers and opinion editorials and representing her in international fora and in dialogue with national authorities. The Special Representative may also be tasked with co-ordinating the preparation of strategic documents including proposals for action to be undertaken by the Council of Europe.

The Special Representative will report to the Secretary General.

Office of the Special Representative of the Secretary General on Antisemitic, Anti-Muslim and other forms of religious intolerance and hate crimes

Fighting discrimination has always been an integral part of the Council of Europe’s major priorities. Both the Committee of Ministers and the Parliamentary Assembly are actively working in this field. This is also a focus for other Council of Europe institutions and monitoring mechanisms, in particular the Commissioner for Human Rights and the European Commission Against Racism and Intolerance (ECRI).  

To help consolidate and coordinate Council of Europe’s efforts in responding challenges linked to antisemitism, anti-Muslim hate and other forms of religious intolerance across Europe, the Secretary General appointed in 2020, Mr. Daniel Höltgen as her Special Representative.

Determined to enhance and strengthen the fight against all forms of religious intolerance, since 1 January 2023, the Secretary General created the Office of the Special Representative on antisemitic, anti-Muslim and other forms of religious intolerance and hate crimes, and appointed Mr. Alexandre Guessel as her Special Representative.

The Office of the Special Representative is tasked to raise awareness and visibility by actively communicating the Organisation’s work and the Secretary General’s priorities to governments, relevant international organisations, religious organisations in the member states, political leaders, influencers, and the general public in line with the European Convention on Human Rights and other Council of Europe relevant standards.

Alexandre Guessel was appointed to the post of the Special Representative of the Secretary General of the Council of Europe on antisemitic, anti-Muslim and other forms of religious intolerance and hate crimes since 1 January 2023.

He started working in the Council of Europe in 2000 in the Office of the Human Rights Commissioner first as adviser, then as Deputy to the Director of the Commissioner’s Office.

From 2008 to 2010, Alexandre Guessel served as the CoE’s Anti-terrorist coordinator. This activity was closely linked to the protection of human rights while fighting terrorism.

After having served as adviser in the Private Office of the Secretary General and the Deputy Secretary General from 2010 to 2012, Alexandre Guessel was appointed as Head of the Organisation’s Directorate of Political Affairs. He served as Director of Political Affairs of the Council of Europe for 11 years before being recently appointed as SRSG.

Mr Guessel graduated from Paris II Assas Law University and has been a member of the Paris Bar Association before joining the Council of Europe.

 Further information