Council Of Europe: International organisation founded in 1949

One of its first successes was the European Convention on Human Rights in 1950, which serves as the basis for the European Court of Human Rights.

The seat of the Council of Europe is in Strasbourg on the Franco-German border. The original meeting place was in the city's University Palace. The Palais de l'Europe, about two kilometres from city centre, has taken its place. Membership is open to all European democracies which accept the principle of the rule of law and guarantee fundamental human rights, civil rights and freedoms to their citizens and respect of rights of minority groups.

The Council of Europe is not to be confused with the Council of the European Union or the European Council, as it is a separate organisation and not part of the European Union. But all member states of European Union are also the member states of Council of Europe.

On 15 March 2022, Russia is excluded from Council of Europe because of 2022 Russian invasion of Ukraine.

• European Union
• European Convention on Human Rights
• European Court of Human Rights
• Organization for Security and Co-operation in Europe
• European Charter for Regional or Minority Languages
• Istanbul Convention

 

Wikisource has original writing related to this article:

Framework Convention for the Protection of National Minorities

• Council of Europe - Official site