2017 marked the 20th anniversary of the Convention on Human Rights and Biomedicine (Oviedo Convention).

On this occasion an international conference was held on 24-25 October 2017, in Strasbourg, under the auspices of the Czech Chairmanship of the Committee of Ministers.

The seminar took place in the framework of the preparation of the first HELP course focusing on Human Rights in Biomedicine. It aimed in particular at discussing an outline of this future course with those directly concerned taking into account training needs of legal and health professionals of Russia.

The Conference was being jointly organised by the Ministry of Health of the Russian Federation, the Russian State University of Justice under the Supreme Court of the Russian Federation and the Bioethics Unit of the Council of Europe. The main focus was on the key principle of human rights’ protection enshrined both in the Constitution of the Russian Federation and in the Oviedo Convention.

In view of the increase of high-profile cases relating to Human Rights in the biomedical field, the Seminar aimed at analysing the qualitative and quantitative evolution of the relevant case-law of the European Court of Human Rights and impact at national level.

At an international conference organised by the Council of Europe and the Ministry of Health of the Russian Federation, ethical, legal and health professionals, together with representatives of relevant authorities, agreed on the need for more experience-sharing, co-operation and public dialogue to ensure better protection of human rights in the biomedical field.

The Conference aimed at identifying priority human rights challenges raised by emerging technologies and their convergence. Its conclusions will be used as a basis for a white paper to be prepared by the DH-BIO.The Conference promoted interdisciplinary debate with lawyers and experts in Human Rights, scientists, sociologists, philosophers as well as other experts in fields concerned.

The objective of this conference was not only to present the Guide, but also to benefit from the feedback of professionals and patients on this document.

The objective of this Symposium was to provide a basis for the re-examination of the Council of Europe Recommendation (2006)4 on research on biological materials of human origin.

It was organised by the Council of Europe and the Ministry of Health and Social Development of the Russian Federation.

The CDBI delegations participated in the launching session of the Conference on Ethics of Biomedical Research in Countries with Emerging or Developing Economy organised on 27 April 2009 by the Spanish authorities.

Seminar on Predictivity, Genetic Tests and Insurance was held in Strasbourg on 3-4 December 2007.