What future for human rights and democracy in Europe? The role of the Council of Europe

Sixty years after its creation, in a completely changed political and economic environment, the Council of Europe faces new major challenges for the defence of human rights and the democratic ideal in Europe. In this context, a conference is organised in Paris on 11 September on the theme ’’What future for human rights and democracy in Europe? The role of the Council of Europe’’. Bringing together personalities from the realms of politics, civil society and academia throughout Europe, the Paris conference will contribute to the preparation of a report on the future of the Council of Europe to be debated at the next session of the Parliamentary Assembly

Established in the post-war period sixty years ago to consolidate and promote democracy, human rights and the rule of law, the Council of Europe is confronted today with new challenges in a Europe enlarged to 47 member countries.

In a context of world economic recession and post-conflict situations in several regions of Europe, the common values of protection of human rights and rule of law seem threatened. How are they to be reaffirmed? Should new frames of reference be proposed?

Europe’s identity is multiple and diversified; how can cultural diversity be combined with respect for each person’s rights as a citizen for the sake of greater social cohesion?

What is the added value of Europe to universal values? Is the Europe of values a model for other continents? Where does the Council of Europe stand in the European architecture? How is co-operation with the European Union, the OSCE and the United Nations to be strengthened and optimised?

The Paris Conference proposes to discuss these questions in three workshops bringing together personalities from the realms of politics, civil society and academia throughout Europe.

The discussions will contribute to the preparation of a report on the future of the Council of Europe to be debated at the Autumn session of the Council of Europe Parliamentary Assembly (28 September-2 October).

Maud de Boer-Buquicchio, the Council of Europe Acting Secretary General, and Jean-Claude Mignon, Head of the French delegation to PACE and rapporteur on the future of the Council of Europe, will speak at the opening of the conference.