The Council of Europe
The Council of Europe is the continent's leading human rights organisation. It includes 46 member states, 27 of which are members of the European Union. All Council of Europe member states have signed up to the European Convention on Human Rights, a treaty designed to protect human rights, democracy and the rule of law.
Since Georgia's accession to the Council of Europe on 27 April 1999 as its 41st member state, the Organisation has been supporting Georgia in honouring its statutory obligations and specific commitments to strengthen democracy, human rights and the rule of law.
Values
Human rights, Democracy, Rule of Law
The Council of Europe promotes human rights through international conventions, such as the Convention on Preventing and Combating Violence against Women and Domestic Violence and the Convention on Cybercrime. It monitors member states' progress in these areas and makes recommendations through independent expert monitoring bodies. All Council of Europe member states have abolished the death penalty.
Did you know?
The Convention on the protection of children against sexual exploitation and sexual abuse is the first instrument to establish the various forms of sexual abuse of children as criminal offences, including abuse committed in the home or family.
Our History
![Origins](/documents/3973856/20547300/image-fondateurs.jpg/b3a42fa8-8f26-4a5c-8552-34b53fadc1ee?t=1478184914000)
Origins
In the immediate aftermath of the Second World War, it was generally felt that a new –style organization was needed to ensure that totalitarianism would never get a second chance in Europe, and guarantee peace, democracy and human rights throughout the Continent.
From Zurich to The Hague
Even before the war ended, politicians, idealists, writers and former members of the French Resistance were envisaging a fresh political start for Post-war Europe.
The Hague Congress
Chaired by Winsto
But a split soon developed between the “federalists” , who wanted a federal Europe , and the “Unionists”, who were determined to preserve state sovereignty.
The congress ended by recommending three things: Establishment of an economic and political union to ensure security and social progress; convening of a deliberative assembly; and preparation of a human rights charter with a European Court of justice to enforce it.
From London to Strasbourg
Franc
Why Strasbourg?
It was Ernest Bevin, British Foreign Secretary from 1945 to 1951, who suggested putting the Council in Strasbourg. He saw the Alsatian capital as a symbol of Franco-German reconciliation, essential to a peaceful future for the continent
Abolition of the death penaltyFR
The Council of Europe has made abolition of the death penalty a precondition for accession. No executions have been carried out in any of the Organisation's 47 member states since 1997.
Strengthening of human rights
One example is the Council of Europe's Committee for the Prevention of Torture, which regularly makes unannounced visits to places of detention in the 47 member states (prisons, police stations, holding centres for foreign nationals) in order to evaluate the way in which people deprived of their liberty are treated.
For its part, the European Committee of Social Rights verifies that the rights to housing, health, education, employment and freedom of movement guaranteed by the European Social Charter are implemented by the countries concerned.
Another example is the Group of States against Corruption (Greco), which identifies deficiencies in national anti-corruption policies and encourages states to carry out the necessary legislative, institutional or administrative reforms. Its evaluation is based on the relevant Council of Europe conventions.
Non-discrimination and the fight against racism
The European Alliance of Cities and Regions for Roma Inclusion, for instance, is an initiative of the Congress of Local and Regional Authorities of the Council of Europe. One tangible result of the Alliance is the Romact project run jointly with the European Union.
For its part, the European Commission against Racism and Intolerance analyses those specific problems and makes regular recommendations to the 47 member states of the Council of Europe.
The Council of Europe also plays a leading role in the fight against discrimination for reasons of sexual orientation or gender identity.
Finally, the Framework Convention for the Protection of National Minorities provides for a monitoring mechanism which evaluates and improves the protection of minorities in the countries concerned.
European Alliance of Cities and Regions for Roma Inclusion
Roma rights
European Commission against Racism and Intolerance
Discrimination on the grounds of sexual orientation
Protection of national minorities
Upholding freedom of expression
The right to freedom of expression also applies to new forms of mass communication, including the Internet. The Council of Europe is constantly active in defence of this right, taking account of any developments.
It is helping several of its member states to improve their legislation and policies on freedom of expression and freedom of the press. Training courses and study visits are also organised for media professionals.
Gender equality
The Council of Europe Convention on preventing and combating violence against women, which constitutes a significant step forward in this field, is based on the premise that such violence cannot be eradicated unless efforts are made to achieve greater equality between women and men.
Protection of children's rights
Hence the Convention for the Protection of Children against Sexual Exploitation and Sexual Abuse is the first instrument criminalising sexual abuse of children, including at home or in the family. The convention came into force on 1 July 2010.
In addition, the Council of Europe has adopted guidelines to improve children's access to justice.
Violence against children
Programme for children
ONE in FIVE Campaign
Defence of cultural diversity
In order to promote intercultural understanding, the Council of Europe prepares programmes and tools to improve language teaching.
Election observation
The Congress of Local and Regional Authorities periodically observes local and regional elections in the Council of Europe's 47 member states. Its observation missions cover the whole electoral process and complement its activities in monitoring the European Charter of Local Self-Government.
Furthermore, in order to improve the proper conduct of elections, the Council of Europe draws up programmes of assistance for fundamental reform of electoral legislation, for the drawing up of electoral rolls and for the training of national observers and election officials.
Parliamentary Assembly
Congress of Local and Regional Authorities
Democratic institutions
Education in human rights and democracy
Over 5,000 youth leaders are trained each year at the Council of Europe's European Youth Centres in Budapest and Strasbourg. The courses provided produce a cascade effect, with the youth leaders passing on what they have learned to the members of their associations. Over 15,000 young people also benefit from projects supported by the European Youth Foundation with a view to promoting understanding, tolerance and solidarity.
Quality of medicines and health care
The work of the Council of Europe also encompasses specific health fields, such as blood transfusion and organ transplantation.
The European Directorate for the Quality of Medicines and Health Care (EDQM) bears responsibility for all those activities.
Thanks to the "Medicrime" Convention, which is open to non-European states, it is now possible to punish as criminal offences, on the grounds of damage to public health, the distribution and sale (including via the Internet) of counterfeit medical products.
How to distinguish us
An international organisation in Strasbourg which comprises 46 countries of Europe. It was set up to promote democracy and protect human rights and the rule of law in Europe.
Institution of the European Union, consisting of the heads of state or government from the member states together with the President of the European Commission, for the purpose of planning Union policy.
The EU currently has 27 members that have delegated some of their sovereignty so that decisions on specific matters of joint interest can be made democratically at European level. No country has ever joined the EU without first belonging to the Council of Europe.
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Conseil de l'Europe - site web en français
Le Conseil de l’Europe est la principale organisation de défense des droits de l’homme du continent. Il comprend 46 États membres, dont l’ensemble des membres de l’Union européenne. Tous les États membres du Conseil de l’Europe ont signé la Convention européenne des droits de l’homme, un traité
visant à protéger les droits de l’homme, la démocratie et l’État de droit. La Cour européenne des droits de l’homme contrôle la mise en oeuvre de la Convention dans les États membres.
Office in Georgia
64b Chavchavadze Ave. 14th Floor
Tbilisi 0179, Georgia
+99532 2913870/ 71/ 72