The end of World War II marked a turning point in contemporary history, leading to the establishment of a new international order based on multilateralism and respect for international law. The devastation caused by the conflict highlighted the urgent need to create institutions that would guarantee peace, security, and the protection of human rights.
A Political Community for Europe, a Council of Europe
On May 5, 1949, ten founding states (Belgium, Denmark, France, Ireland, Italy, Luxembourg, Norway, the Netherlands, Sweden, and the United Kingdom) signed the Treaty of London, formally establishing the Council of Europe to promote democracy, guarantee human rights, and strengthen the rule of law in Europe.
Unlike the European Union, which seeks deeper integration through the transfer of sovereignty and the creation of supranational institutions, the Council of Europe is based on intergovernmental cooperation among its member states.
The Council of Europe consists of 46 European countries. Among them are the 27 member states of the European Union, as well as other countries within its geopolitical sphere. It is worth noting that neither the Russian Federation, which was expelled from the organization in 2022, nor Belarus, which refuses to abolish the death penalty (a requirement for membership), are part of this organization.
Spain, for its part, joined the Council of Europe in 1977, before the approval of its Constitution, marking a key moment in its democratic transition process.
European Standards
The Council of Europe, in seeking to achieve “a closer union between its members” (Article 1 of the Treaty of London), actively contributes to the creation, promotion, and consolidation of European standards in multiple areas.
Thus, the European Convention on Human Rights (ECHR) has become the fundamental pillar of human rights protection on the continent. In this regard, the European Court of Human Rights (ECHR) plays a crucial role as a guarantor of the enforcement of these rights.
Additionally, to promote the values and principles of the Council of Europe, more than 200 international conventions have been developed, including the European Social Charter, which safeguards fundamental social and economic rights. Other notable treaties include the Istanbul Convention (against violence against women), the Lanzarote Convention (for the protection of minors against sexual exploitation and abuse), the Convention on Artificial Intelligence and Human Rights, Democracy, and the Rule of Law, and the Convention on Cybercrime. At the moment, a new criminal convention for environmental protection is being drafted.
The implementation of these conventions at the national level is carried out through monitoring mechanisms in committees such as the Group of States Against Corruption (GRECO) and technical cooperation programs, such as those conducted by the Council of Europe with the European Union, to extend European standards both within the EU and beyond the borders of the 46 member states.
An Intergovernmental Structure
As a key platform for political cooperation in Europe, the organization is structured into several main bodies:
- Committee of Ministers: Composed of the 46 foreign affairs representatives of the member states, it is responsible for making strategic decisions and overseeing compliance with adopted agreements and the case law of the ECHR. Representatives of observer countries (the United States, Japan, Canada, Mexico, and the Holy See) and the European Union also participate in its meetings.
- Parliamentary Assembly: Formed by representatives from national parliaments, it serves as a debate forum and makes recommendations to the Committee of Ministers.
- Congress of Local and Regional Authorities: Represents regional and local governments, promoting democracy within countries and fostering collaboration among regional and local representatives of the 46 member states.
- European Court of Human Rights (ECHR): The main judicial body of the organization, responsible for ensuring the application of the European Convention on Human Rights in member states. Its judgments are legally binding.
- Conference of International Non-Governmental Organizations (INGOs): Represents civil society organizations.
Collaboration Between the Council of Europe and Other International Organizations
Following the commitment to strengthen the organization’s role in the European multilateral architecture and global governance made by Heads of State and Government at the Fourth Reykjavik Summit in 2023, the Council of Europe is tasked with enhancing political dialogue with other international organisations including the United Nations and the OSCE while promoting its cooperation with the EU, its main institutional partner in political, legal, and financial matters.
Ultimately, the Council of Europe, as the political and legal forum of the European continent in the pursuit of strengthening democracies, protecting human rights, and upholding the rule of law, constitutes a key—yet often overlooked—component of the global multilateral system.
In the next article, we will examine how the Council of Europe carries out its mission of promoting democracy, protecting human rights, and strengthening the rule of law across the European continent.
