
         A security imperative for Europe
The past 12 months have seen a gear shift in Europe’s security concerns. Recent terrorist attacks have sent a shockwave through our societies. Unco-ordinated responses to the migrant crisis have sustained chaos at our borders. Combined with economic uncertainty, this is creating fertile ground for nationalists and xenophobes who seek to exploit public anxiety. Such developments are posing serious problems for our shared security.
This is the third annual report of the Secretary General on the state of democracy, human rights and the rule of law. The report assesses the extent to which the Council of Europe’s member states are able to make the building blocks of democratic security a reality and exposes Europe’s democratic shortcomings, which require immediate attention. The report also highlights pan-European trends and areas for joint action, where key recommendations have been made.
CONTENTS
FOREWORD 
EXECUTIVE SUMMARY 
CHAPTER 1 – AN EFFICIENT, IMPARTIAL AND INDEPENDENT JUDICIARY 
     Introduction 
     Judicial independence 
     Efficiency of court proceedings 
     Enforcement of court judgments 
     Legality and legal certainty 
     Access to legal aid 
     Lawyer professionalism 
     Proposed actions and recommendations 
CHAPTER 2 – FREEDOM OF EXPRESSION 
     Introduction 
     Safety of journalists and others performing public watchdog functions 
     Protection from arbitrary application of law 
     Media independence 
     Media pluralism and diversity 
     Protection of freedom of expression on the Internet 
     Proposed actions and recommendations 
CHAPTER 3 – FREEDOM OF ASSEMBLY AND FREEDOM OF ASSOCIATION 
     Introduction 
     Freedom of assembly 
     Freedom of association 
     Proposed actions and recommendations 
CHAPTER 4 – DEMOCRATIC INSTITUTIONS 
     Introduction 
     Free and fair elections 
     Functioning of democratic institutions 
     Vertical separation of powers 
     Good governance 
     Proposed actions and recommendations 
CHAPTER 5 – INCLUSIVE SOCIETIES 
     Introduction 
     Social rights 
     Non-discrimination 
     Integration of migrants 
     Education and culture for democracy 
     Engaging young people 
     Proposed actions and recommendations
          A security imperative for Europe
The past 12 months have seen a gear shift in Europe’s security concerns. Recent terrorist attacks have sent a shockwave through our societies. Unco-ordinated responses to the migrant crisis have sustained chaos at our borders. Combined with economic uncertainty, this is creating fertile ground for nationalists and xenophobes who seek to exploit public anxiety. Such developments are posing serious problems for our shared security.
This is the third annual report of the Secretary General on the state of democracy, human rights and the rule of law. The report assesses the extent to which the Council of Europe’s member states are able to make the building blocks of democratic security a reality and exposes Europe’s democratic shortcomings, which require immediate attention. The report also highlights pan-European trends and areas for joint action, where key recommendations have been made.
