Founded on 5 May 1949 by 10 countries, the Council of Europe seeks to develop throughout Europe common and democratic principles based on the European Convention on Human Rights and other reference texts on the protection of individuals.

The Council of Europe, based in the Palais de l’Europe building in Strasbourg, France, is the first and most widely based European political organisation. Established in 1949 by 10 founding members, it now covers virtually the entire European continent with its 47 member states, and has thus become a unique forum for voicing the concerns, hopes and aspirations of 800 million Europeans.

47 Member States Belgium (founder), Denmark (founder), France (founder), Ireland (founder), Italy (founder), Luxembourg (founder), Netherlands (founder), Norway (founder), Sweden (founder), United Kingdom (founder), Greece (1949), Turkey (1949), Iceland (1950), Germany (1950), Austria (1956), Cyprus (1961), Switzerland (1963), Malta (1965), Portugal (1976), Spain (1977), Liechtenstein (1978), San Marino (1988), Finland (1989), Hungary (1990), Poland (1991), Bulgaria (1992), Estonia (1993), Lithuania (1993), Slovenia (1993), Czech Republic (1993), Slovak Republic (1993), Romania (1993), Andorra (1994), Latvia (1995), Albania (1995), Moldova (1995), “the former Yugoslav Republic of Macedonia“(1995), Ukraine (1995), Russian Federation (1995), Croatia (1996), Georgia (1999), Armenia (2001), Azerbaijan (2001), Bosnia and Herzegovina (2002), Serbia (2003), Monaco (2004), Montenegro (2007).

The primary aim of the Council of Europe is to create a common democratic and legal area throughout the whole of the continent, ensuring respect for its fundamental values: human rights, democracy and the rule of law. Human Rights... Democracy... Rule of Law These values are the foundations of a tolerant and civilised society and indispensable for European stability, economic growth and social cohesion.

Objectives to protect human rights, pluralist democracy and the rule of law; to promote awareness and encourage the development of Europe’s cultural identity and diversity; to find common solutions to the challenges facing European society; to consolidate democratic stability in Europe by backing political, legislative and constitutional reform

the Palais de l’Europe

Official Languages English and French are the Council of Europe's two official languages. German, Italian and Russian are also working languages. Various documents are also published in other European languages.

The Council of Europe's symbols The European flag and the European anthem were chosen and adopted by the Council of Europe before also becoming symbols of the European Union. European Flag “Ode to Joy” They are now the emblems of a shared European identity.

The European flag was chosen by the Council of Europe in 1955 The European flag was chosen by the Council of Europe in 1955. It displays a circle of 12 gold stars on a blue background. The number of stars is invariable, twelve being a number symbolic of perfection. The same flag was adopted by the European Community (now European Union) in 1986. The European anthem, adopted by the Council in 1972 and later by the EU, is a musical arrangement by Herbert von Karajan of the prelude to the Ode to Joy from Beethoven’s Ninth Symphony.

Council of Europe and European Union Although the Council of Europe and the European Union now both share a common flag and an anthem, their roles, functions and aims are quite distinct. The Council of Europe is an intergovernmental organisation which today has 47 member states. It is concerned primarily with protecting human rights, democracy and the rule of law. The European Union currently has 27 members that have delegated some of their sovereignty so that decisions on specific matters of joint interest can be made democratically at European level. No country has ever joined the European Union (EU) without first belonging to the Council of Europe.

The institutions of the Council of Europe

The Committee of Ministers This is the Council’s decision-making body and is made up of the ministers of foreign affairs of each member state or their permanent diplomatic representatives in Strasbourg. The Committee of Ministers decides Council of Europe policy and approves its budget and programme of activities.

The Parliamentary Assembly (PACE) This is the deliberative body and the driving force of the Council of Europe. The Assembly has initiated many international treaties, helping to create a Europe-wide system of legislation. Its members are appointed by the national parliaments of each member state.

The Congress of Local and Regional Authorities The Congress is the voice of Europe’s 200 000 regions and municipalities and provides a forum where elected representatives can discuss common problems, pool their experiences and develop policies. It works to strengthen democracy and improve services at local and regional level.

The European Court of Human Rights This is the permanent judicial body which garantees for all Europeans the rights safeguarded by the European Convention on Human Rights. It is open to states and individuals regardless of nationality. The 47 member states of the Council of Europe are parties to the Convention.

Commissioner for Human Rights The Commissioner is an independent body responsible for promoting education, awareness and respect for human rights in member states. The Commissioner plays an essentially preventive role.

The Conference of INGOs The Conference includes some 400 international Non Governmental Organisations (INGOs). It provides vital links between politicians and the public and brings the voice of civil society to the Council. The Council’s work benefits extensively from the INGOs’ expertise and their outreach to European citizens.

The Secretary General The Secretary General is elected by the Parliamentary Assembly for a five-year term at the head of the Organisation. He is responsible for the strategic planning and direction of the Council’s work programme and budget and oversees the day-to-day management of the Organisation.

Do not get confused

Do not get confused Council of Europe An international organisation in Strasbourg which comprises 47 countries of Europe. It was set up to promote democracy and protect human rights and the rule of law in Europe. European Union (EU) The EU currently has 27 members that have delegated some of their sovereignty so that decisions on specific matters of joint interest can be made democratically at European level. No country has ever joined the EU without first belonging to the Council of Europe.

Do not get confused Council of Europe An international organisation in Strasbourg which comprises 47 countries of Europe. It was set up to promote democracy and protect human rights and the rule of law in Europe. European Council Regular meeting (at least twice a year) of the heads of state or government from the member states of the European Union for the purpose of planning Union policy.

Do not get confused Parliamentary Assembly The deliberative body of the Council of Europe, composed of 318 representatives (and the same number of substitutes) appointed by the 47 member states’ national parliaments. European Parliament The parliamentary body of the European Union which comprises 785 European Members of Parliament of the 27 European Union countries, elected by universal suffrage.

Do not get confused European Commission of Human Rights Until November 1998, this international body examined the admissibility of all individual or state applications against a member state in accordance with the European Convention on Human Rights; it expressed an opinion on the violation alleged in applications found to be admissible in cases in which no friendly settlement is reached. European Commission The executive organ of the European Union, based in Brussels, which monitors the proper application of the Union treaties and the decisions of the Union institutions.

Do not get confused European Court of Human Rights Based in Strasbourg, this is the only truly judicial organ established by the European Convention on Human Rights. It is composed of one Judge for each State party to the Convention and ensures, in the last instance, that contracting states observe their obligations under the Convention. Since November 1998, the Court has operated on a full-time basis. International Court of Justice Judicial body of the United Nations, which is based in The Hague. Court of Justice of the European Communities Based in Luxembourg and ensures compliance with the law in the interpretation and application of the European Treaties of the European Union.

Do not get confused European Convention on Human Rights Treaty by which the member states of the Council of Europe undertake to respect fundamental freedoms and rights. Universal Declaration of Human Rights Adopted by the United Nations in 1948 in order to strengthen the protection of human rights at international level.

The Ministers for Foreign Affairs of Council of Europe member states hold the Chairmanship of the Committee of Ministers, the executive body of the Council of Europe, on a rotating basis in alphabetical order, for a six-month term.