"Council of Europe Highlights 2016 provides a comprehensive overview of the Organisation’s work to promote human rights, democracy and the rule of law. Some of our activities generate substantial public and media attention, while others can best be described as “quiet diplomacy”. But all of our work is aimed at protecting the individual rights enshrined in the European Convention on Human Rights. The welfare of human beings lies at the heart of our mission.
In 2016 more challenges to human rights arose, including discrimination, threats to freedom of expression and risks to justice.
This publication shows how we are addressing those challenges – and why this work is essential for the future of our continent."
Foreword by Thorbjørn Jagland, Secretary General of the Council of Europe
FOREWORD
COMMITTEE OF MINISTERS
PARLIAMENTARY ASSEMBLY
A pan-European forum to debate major political issues
The preparatory work in committees
CONGRESS OF LOCAL AND REGIONAL AUTHORITIES
The Congress, a watchdog of local and regional democracy
Renewal of delegations and new Presidency
Integration of migrants and refugees
Fighting radicalisation and promoting intercultural dialogue
Promoting public ethics
Human rights at the local level
Co-operation activities
New working priorities for 2017-2020
EUROPEAN COURT OF HUMAN RIGHTS
Engagement with civil society
Deepening co-operation with national courts
Judicial dialogue in various forms
A growing workload and a new response
Recognition of the Court’s contribution to the development of Europe
COMMISSIONER FOR HUMAN RIGHTS
Country monitoring
Thematic work
CONFERENCE OF INTERNATIONAL NON-GOVERNMENTAL ORGANISATIONS (INGOS)
Civil society’s voice in the Council of Europe
Voice of solidarity with European civil society
Voicing issues of concern to European civil society
EXTERNAL RELATIONS
Policy of the Council of Europe towards neighbouring regions
Relations with the European Union, the UN and the OSCE
Relations with other organisations/other countries
POLICY PLANNING AND POLITICAL ADVICE
Policy planning
Schools of Political Studies
Political affairs
HUMAN RIGHTS AND THE RULE OF LAW
Protection and development of human rights
Specific human rights issues
Co-operation activities
Rule of law
Justice and legal co-operation
DEMOCRACY
Democratic governance
Democratic participation and citizenship
Human dignity and equality
European Directorate for the Quality of Medicines & HealthCare (EDQM)
ACTIONS IN THE FIELD AND RESOURCE MOBILISATION
Member states
Non-member states
PUBLIC INTERNATIONAL LAW
COMMUNICATIONS
Press relations
Online and audiovisual communications
Public relations and publications
2016 CONTRIBUTIONS OF COUNCIL OF EUROPE MEMBER STATES
2016 VOLUNTARY CONTRIBUTIONS TO THE COUNCIL OF EUROPE
ORGANISATION CHART OF THE SECRETARIAT GENERAL OF THE COUNCIL OF EUROPE IN 2016
"Council of Europe Highlights 2016 provides a comprehensive overview of the Organisation’s work to promote human rights, democracy and the rule of law. Some of our activities generate substantial public and media attention, while others can best be described as “quiet diplomacy”. But all of our work is aimed at protecting the individual rights enshrined in the European Convention on Human Rights. The welfare of human beings lies at the heart of our mission.
In 2016 more challenges to human rights arose, including discrimination, threats to freedom of expression and risks to justice.
This publication shows how we are addressing those challenges – and why this work is essential for the future of our continent."
Foreword by Thorbjørn Jagland, Secretary General of the Council of Europe
