The ad interim Head of the Brussels office, Humbert de Biolley, met former Norwegian Prime Minister and founder of the Oslo Center for Peace and Human Rights, Kjell Magne Bondevik, and Dr Mohammad Al Issa, Secretary General of the Muslim World League, in the office on 7 September.

Mr de Biolley gave his interlocutors an overview of the Council of Europe and, in particular, its work on anti-discrimination, freedom of expression and freedom of religion as well as the organisation’s efforts to counter hate speech, tackle radicalisation and promote abolition of the death penalty.

He also explained the Council of Europe’s Intercultural Cities initiative and its on-going cooperation with neighbouring regions.