The Congress of Local and Regional Authorities of the Council of Europe has always been convinced that local and regional good governance entails a full compliance with fundamental freedoms and human rights. Local governments, with a political leadership accountable to citizens, are key players in guaranteeing human rights.  The Congress has adopted several reports and has been collecting data and good practice examples of human rights applications at local and regional levels of government.

The aim is to:

  • promote awareness among elected representatives of their responsibilities in dealing with human rights issues that affect people’s everyday lives at the local level ;
  • encourage the national, as well as local, authorities to be trained in the field of human rights ;
  • disseminate reliable information among citizens about their rights.
Human Rights Handbook

The Congress has developed a series "Human rights handbook for local and regional authorities" to provide a practical tool for local and regional elected representatives, but also for the staff of territorial administrations. The aim is to highlight the practical implementation of human rights at local and regional levels and to facilitate the exchange of experience between local and regional elected representatives.Each handbook presents examples of initiatives implemented by communities and provides contact details for each of them.

Fight against discrimination

Fight against discrimination

Human Rights Handbook - Vol.1

The first volume focuses on the right to non-discrimination across three categories requiring special attention: refugees, asylum seekers, migrants and internally displaced persons (IDPs); Roma and Travellers; LGBTI+ persons.

 Download the first volume of the Human Rights Handbook (Pdf): English - French - Georgian

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Social rights

Social rights

Human Rights Handbook - Vol.2

The second volume focuses on social rights. It features issues with regards to health, education, work, housing, social security, protection, inclusion and integration, with a particular focus on the impact of the Covid-19 pandemic.

 Download the second volume of the Human Rights Handbook (Pdf): English - French

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Environment and sustainable development

Environment and sustainable development

Human Rights Handbook - Vol.3

The third volume is dedicated to the environment and sustainable development. It addresses issues of transport, housing, sustainable economy, education, public procurement, and local strategies for sustainable development.

 Download the third volume of the Human Rights Handbook (Pdf): English - French

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Adopted texts
Congress texts
Other texts
ECHR
News

Back What can be done to make human rights popular again : Facebook live on 6 March 2018

What can be done to make human rights popular again : Facebook live on 6 March 2018

What can be done to make human rights popular again in times of increased populism and scepticism? A High level panel discussion on this issue will take place in Geneva, Palais des Nations, room XXIII on 6 March (1:30 – 3:00 pm). Among the speakers will be United Nations Deputy High Commissioner for Human Rights Kate Gilmore, Council of Europe Commissioner for Human Rights Nils Muižnieks, Director of the EU Fundamental Rights Agency Michael O’Flaherty, Ombudswoman of Croatia and current Chair of ENNHRI Lora Vidović, and Special Envoy of GANHRI Florence Simbiri-Jaoko, HumanRightsWatch Deputy Executive Director for Advocacy Bruno Stagno Ugarte. This side event of the Human Rights Council will be moderated by BBC Correspondent in Geneva Imogen Foulkes and will be available on Facebook live. Event hashtag #StandUp4HumanRights

For several years, the Congress of Local and Regional Authorities of the Council of Europe has also been promoting human rights at the local and regional levels and has adopted several resolutions and recommendations on this subject.

Human Rights Geneva, Switzerland 5 March 2018
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Congress Reference Texts

Congress Reference Texts

The Congress has adopted several recommendations and resolutions relating to human rights at local and regional levels. These texts aim to raise awareness among local and regional authorities to respect, protect, implement and promote human rights. The topics of the reports are:

  • The role of local and regional authorities in the implementation of human rights;
  • The development of indicators for human rights awareness at local and regional levels;
  • Good practices for the implementation of human rights at local and regional levels in Council of Europe member States and other States.

Publication "Promoting human rights at local and regional level"

Thematic Activities

Thematic Activities

The publication “Thematic Activities” presents the Congress’s reference texts in the light of the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) of the United Nations Agenda 2030. Indeed, local and regional authorities contribute a significant share to the efforts of national governments to fulfil the SDGs and can build on the reports, recommendations and handbooks made available by the Congress.

The thematic activities on which the work of the Congress is based include human rights at local and regional levels, gender equality, children's rights and inclusive societies (rights of refugees and migrants, Roma and travellers, LGBTI+ persons).

Publication "Thematic Activities"

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