Evrópuráð

Evrópuráð, or the Council of Europe, is an international organization founded in 1949 with the aim of defending human rights, promoting democracy and upholding the rule of law across Europe. It is distinct from the European Union and brings together member states to address common legal and political standards.

The council’s work centers on the protection and advancement of human rights, the quality of democracy, and the rule of law. Its most prominent achievement is the European Convention on Human Rights, opened for signature in 1950, which created a system for individuals to challenge rights abuses before the European Court of Human Rights. The council also develops standards and monitoring mechanisms in areas such as elections, anti-corruption, minority rights, and judicial independence, often through specialized bodies and committees.

The main organs of the Council of Europe are the Committee of Ministers, the Parliamentary Assembly, and the Secretary General. The Committee of Ministers is the decision-making body composed of the foreign ministers or their representatives. The Parliamentary Assembly, consisting of delegates elected by national parliaments, debates and makes recommendations. The Secretary General heads the Secretariat and leads day-to-day operations. The organization also hosts the European Court of Human Rights, which enforces the rights guaranteed by the Convention. Other instruments include various conventions and commissions, such as the Commissioner for Human Rights who provides independent examination of rights concerns.

As of now, the Council of Europe has 46 member states from across Europe. Membership is open to states committed to the council’s core aims, and while many European states participate, it remains separate from the European Union, with some overlap among member states. Russia’s membership was suspended in 2022 following its invasion of Ukraine.