Presentation of the Council of Europe

2. COUNCIL OF EUROPE -
Advancing human rights, democracy,
rule of law
1) Background information
2) Council of Europe within other European organisations
3) Structure and institutions
4) Website
5) Tasks for further studying

3. Abbreviation CoE
Formation
Treaty of London 1949 10 founding members
(GER 1959, AUT 1956, FIN 1989)
Type Regional intergovernmental organization
Headquarters Strasbourg, France
Membership
47 member states
exception of BLR, KAZ (both for human rights concerns),
Vatican City (a theocracy), territories with limited
recognition
1 candidate country (BLR)
5 Council observers (Vatican City, JAP, USA, CAN, MEX)
3 Assembly observers (ISR, CAN, MEX)
Official languages English, French
other working languages: German, Italian, Russian, Turkish
Secretary General Thorbjørn Jagland (NOR)
overall responsibility for the strategic management

4. founding members other members candidate state
assembly observers council observers

5. Council of Europe within other European organisations

6. Tasks for further studying:
Please form groups of four students with three nationalities at least.
Distribute the following 5 tasks about the current work of the CoE among you. Find a fair solu
Prepare a short presentation to one of the following topics.
Assign the theme to one/ multiple values of the CoE.
Do some research into the CoE´s Action Day for Human Rights Online on 10/12/2016 and hav
Explain the statements of the CoE´s constitutional law experts (the Venice Commission) on 9
Find background information to the thesis: The refugee crisis is more a management crisis th
What should European states do to meet current migration
challanges? Human rights comment by Nils Muižnieks
(15/11/2016). http://www.coe.int/en/web/portal/-/migrants-in-limbo-in-europe-have-the-r
Do some research into the CM´s decision about “Abolition of the death penalty in Europe”. E

7. In collaboration CM & PACE are the guardian of CoE´s fundamental
values and monitor member states' implementation of these values
Structure & Institutions

8. Website(s)
www.coe.int
http://www.coe.int/en/web/portal/full-news
(newsroom)

9. Tasks for further studying:
Please form groups of four students with three nationalities at least.
Distribute the following 5 tasks about the current work of the CoE among you. Find a fair solution.
Prepare a short presentation to one of the following topics.
Assign the theme to one/ multiple values of the CoE.
Do think the CoE is a powerful organization?
1) Do some research into the CoE´s Action Day for Human Rights Online on 10/12/2016 and have
a look into the campaign of your countries.
https://www.nohatespeechmovement.org/hate-speech-watch/actionday
2) Explain the statements of the CoE´s constitutional law experts (the Venice Commission) from
9/12/2016: Turkey had good reasons to declare the state of emergency but went too far with the
emergency measures.
https://wcd.coe.int/ViewDoc.jsp?p=&id=2449431&Site=DC&BackColorInternet=F5CA75&BackColorIntr
3) Find background information to the thesis: The refugee crisis is more a management crisis than
a humanitarian one. Use information about the Lisbon Forum from 24/11/2016.
http://www.coe.int/en/web/portal/-/refugees-speak-out-at-lisbon-forum-amid-calls-to-improve-coord

10. 4) What should European states do to meet current migration challenges? Human rights
comment by Nils Muižnieks from (15/11/2016).
http://www.coe.int/en/web/portal/-/migrants-in-limbo-in-europe-have-the-right-to-live-in-dignity
5) Do some research into the CM´s decision about “Abolition of the death penalty in Europe”.
Explain the purpose of this decision.
http://www.coe.int/en/web/portal/-/abolition-of-death-penalty-and-public-opinion and
https://search.coe.int/cm/Pages/result_details.aspx?ObjectId=09000016806be4ed