Standards and monitoring
The Council of Europe works to promote measures in combating discrimination and prejudice against persons or groups of persons for the protection of their human rights and inclusion in democratic societies in the light of the European Convention on Human Rights.
The Inclusion and Anti-Discrimination Division’s approach to co-operation and assistance programmes is based on the “triangle” of standard-setting, monitoring and co-operation.
Committee of Experts on Combating Hate Speech within Human Rights Framework (ADI/MSI-DIS)
This new Committee of Experts will prepare a draft recommendation on a comprehensive approach to addressing hate speech, including in the online environment. It will build on the relevant case-law of the European Court of Human Rights, other Council of Europe standards, monitoring reports and cooperation practices. Due to the complex nature of hate speech the Expert Committee on Combating Hate Speech (ADI/MSI-DIS) is sub-ordinated to two Steering Committees: the Steering Committee on Anti-Discrimination and Inclusion (CDADI) and the Steering Committee on Media and Information Society (CDMSI).
The European Commission against Racism and Intolerance (ECRI)
is a specialised monitoring body of the CoE, composed of independent experts, which monitors problems of racism, discrimination on grounds of ethnic origin, citizenship, colour, religion and language, as well as xenophobia, antisemitism and intolerance, prepares reports and issues recommendations to member States.
The Advisory Committee on the Framework Convention for the Protection of National Minorities (FCNM)
is a convention-based monitoring mechanism, composed of independent experts, entrusted with the task to evaluate the implementation of the Framework Convention by State Parties. Upon examination of all relevant information (State reports, NGOs contributions, other relevant sources, information gather during missions on the spot), the Advisory Committee issues detailed country-specific opinions the conclusions of which are adopted by the Committee of Ministers as Resolutions.
The European Charter for Regional or Minority Languages (ECRML)
is the European convention for the protection and promotion of languages used by traditional minorities. ECRML has contributed to the development of minority language legislation, enabling and encouraging the use of regional or minority languages in all domains of public life, from education, media and culture to public administration.
Sexual Orientation and Gender Identity Unit (SOGI)
The Council of Europe standards and mechanisms seek to promote and ensure respect for the human rights of every individual. These include equal rights and dignity of all human beings, including lesbian, gay, bisexual and transgender (LGBT) persons.
The Intercultural cities programme (ICC)
supports cities in reviewing their policies through an intercultural lens and developing comprehensive intercultural strategies to help them manage diversity positively and realise the diversity advantage. Cities can gain enormously from the entrepreneurship, variety of skills and creativity associated with cultural diversity, provided they adopt policies and practices that facilitate intercultural interaction and inclusion.
The No Hate Speech Movement
is a youth campaign led by the Council of Europe Youth Department (2013-2017) which mobilised young people to combat hate speech and promote human rights online. The movement remains active through the work of various national campaigns, online activists and partners.
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