Human rights, democracy and the rule of law depend on the institutions that give them form. But for populists, who invoke the proclaimed “will of the people”, these institutional checks and balances on power are often seen as an obstacle that should be subverted.
This is the fifth annual report of the Secretary General of the Council of Europe on the state of democracy, human rights and the rule of law in Europe. As with previous reports, the five chapters look at the key building blocks of democratic security: efficient, impartial and independent judiciaries; freedom of expression; freedom of assembly and freedom of association; democratic institutions; and inclusive societies.
INTRODUCTION
GUIDE TO THE REPORT
PROPOSALS FOR ACTION
CHAPTER 1 – EFFICIENT, IMPARTIAL AND INDEPENDENT JUDICIARIES
Introduction
Judicial independence
Enforcement of court decisions
Efficiency of court proceedings
CHAPTER 2 – FREEDOM OF EXPRESSION
Introduction
Legal guarantees for freedom of expression
Safety of journalists and other media actors
Media independence
Media pluralism and diversity
Freedom of expression on the internet
CHAPTER 3 – FREEDOM OF ASSEMBLY AND FREEDOM OF ASSOCIATION
Introduction
Freedom of assembly
Freedom of association
CHAPTER 4 – DEMOCRATIC INSTITUTIONS
Introduction
Free and fair elections
Functioning of democratic institutions
Decentralisation
Good governance
CHAPTER 5 – INCLUSIVE SOCIETIES
Introduction
Non-discrimination and integration policies
Access to rights and integration of migrants and refugees
Social rights
Education and culture for democracy
Engaging young people
Human rights, democracy and the rule of law depend on the institutions that give them form. But for populists, who invoke the proclaimed “will of the people”, these institutional checks and balances on power are often seen as an obstacle that should be subverted.
This is the fifth annual report of the Secretary General of the Council of Europe on the state of democracy, human rights and the rule of law in Europe. As with previous reports, the five chapters look at the key building blocks of democratic security: efficient, impartial and independent judiciaries; freedom of expression; freedom of assembly and freedom of association; democratic institutions; and inclusive societies.
