1. The Council of Europe Commissioner for Human Rights
Role and activities

2. Overview of presentation
1- Institution 2 - Mandate 3 - Working methods/Activities

3. 1 - Institution Independent, impartial & non-judicial
Established in 1999
Elected for a non-renewable term of 6 years

4. 1 - Institution 3 Commissioners so far: Nils Muižnieks (2012-2018)
Thomas Hammarberg ( )
Alvaro Gil-Robles ( )

5. 2 - Mandate
(a) Promotes respect of HRs on the ground in 47 MSs (esp. identifying shortcomings in law and practice and assisting MSs in following applicable standards)
(b) Promotes awareness of HRs
(c) Works with NHRSs and for their establishment
(d) Works with and provides protection to HRDs

6. 3 - Working methods/Activities
*Country monitoring
*Thematic work
*Media work
*HRs diplomacy
*3rd party interventions
*Work with NHRSs
*Work with HRDs

7. 3 - Working methods/activities – Country monitoring
Visit
Around 12 per year
Followed by reports with recommendations
Focus on specific HRs issues
Meetings with authorities, civil society, other stakeholders and the press
Visits to places of HR relevance

8. 3 - Working methods/activities – Thematic work
Issue papers
Recommendations
Opinions
HRComments
Thematic visits

9. 3 - Working methods/activities – 3rd party interventions
Can take part in proceedings before ECtHR (written submissions and hearings) – since June 2010, at own initiative
Interventions based on country and thematic work. Do not include comments on the facts or merits of the case.
Powers used in:
- M.S.S. v. Belgium and Greece
- The Centre for Legal Resources on behalf of Valentin Câmpeanu v. Romania
- 5 cases v. Azerbaijan (HRDs)

10. Office of the Council of Europe Commissioner for Human Rights
Contacts
Office of the Council of Europe
Commissioner for Human Rights
Avenue de l’Europe
F Strasbourg Cedex
Tel: +33 (0)
Fax: +33 (0)