About the Council of EuropeThe Council of Europe advocates freedom of expression and of the media, freedom of assembly, equality, and the protection of minorities.Council of EuropeCOE_5014d16c-45c4-11ed-9646-72960d83ea00Marija Pejčinović BurićSecretary General ~ The Secretary General is elected by the Parliamentary Assembly for a five-year term at the head of the Organisation. She is responsible for the strategic planning and direction of the Council's work programme and budget. She leads and represents the Organisation.Bjørn BergeDeputy Secretary General ~ The Deputy Secretary General is also elected for a five-year term by the Parliamentary Assembly, in an election separate to the one held for the Secretary General.Committee of MinistersThis 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.Parliamentary Assembly (PACE)The Parliamentary Assembly consists of 306 members of parliament from the 46 member states; the Assembly elects the Secretary General, the Human Rights Commissioner and the judges to the European Court of Human Rights; it provides a democratic forum for debate and monitors elections; its committees play an important role in examining current issues.Congress of Local and Regional AuthoritiesThe Congress of Local and Regional Authorities is responsible for strengthening local and regional democracy in its 46 member states. Composed of two chambers – the Chamber of Local Authorities and the Chamber of Regions – and three committees, it brings together 612 elected officials representing more than 150 000 local and regional authorities.European Court of Human RightsThis 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 46 member states of the Council of Europe are parties to the Convention.Dunja MijatovićCommissioner for Human Rights ~ The Human Rights Commissioner independently addresses and brings attention to human rights violations.Conference of INGOsThe 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 benefi ts extensively from the INGOs' expertise and their outreach to European citizens.International PartnersGlobal co-operation ~ The Council of Europe works in close partnership with the European Union, and co-operates with the United Nations, the Organization for Security and Co-operation in Europe, and with partner countries in its neighbourhood and worldwide.European UnionUnited NationsOrganization for Security and Co-operation in EuropeCouncil of Europe Member StatesCouncil of Europe member states no longer apply the death penalty.AlbaniaAndorraArmeniaAustriaAzerbaijanBelgiumBosnia and HerzegovinaBulgariaCroatiaCyprusCzech RepublicDenmarkEstoniaFinlandFranceGeorgiaGermanyGreeceHungaryIcelandIrelandItalyLatviaLiechtensteinLithuaniaLuxembourgMaltaMonacoMontenegroNetherlandsNorth MacedoniaNorwayPolandPortugalRepublic of MoldovaRomaniaSan MarinoSerbiaSlovak RepublicSloveniaSpainSwedenSwitzerlandTürkiyeUkraineUnited KingdomCouncil of Europe Observer StatesCanadaHoly SeeIsrael(Observer to the Parliamentary Assembly)JapanMexicoUnited StatesFreedom and human rights are protected in Europe_5014d28e-45c4-11ed-9646-72960d83ea00To advocate freedom of expression and of the media, freedom of assembly, equality, and the protection of minorities_5014d360-45c4-11ed-9646-72960d83ea00Human RightsDemocracyRule of LawCampaignsConduct issue campaigns_5014d482-45c4-11ed-9646-72960d83ea001[Conduct] campaigns on issues such as child protection, online hate speech, and the rights of the Roma, Europe's largest minority.ChildrenProtect children_5014d540-45c4-11ed-9646-72960d83ea001.1ChildrenHate SpeechCombat online hate speech_5014d63a-45c4-11ed-9646-72960d83ea001.2RomaProtect the rights of the Roma_5014d766-45c4-11ed-9646-72960d83ea001.3RomaAssistanceHelp member states_5014d84c-45c4-11ed-9646-72960d83ea002Venice Commissionoffer legal advice to countries throughout the worldThe Council of Europe helps member states fight corruption and terrorism and undertake necessary judicial reforms. Its group of constitutional experts, known as the Venice Commission, offers legal advice to countries throughout the world.CorruptionFight corruption_5014d914-45c4-11ed-9646-72960d83ea002.1TerrorismFight terrorism_5014d9dc-45c4-11ed-9646-72960d83ea002.2Judicial ReformsUndertake judicial reforms_5014daa4-45c4-11ed-9646-72960d83ea002.3JudiaryHuman RightsPromote human rights_5014db62-45c4-11ed-9646-72960d83ea003Convention on Preventing and Combating Violence against Women and Domestic ViolenceConvention on CybercrimeThe Council of Europe promotes human rights through international conventions, such as the Convention on Preventing and Combating Violence against Women and Domestic Violence and the Convention on Cybercrime. It monitors member states' progress in these areas and makes recommendations through independent expert monitoring bodies.MonitoringMonitor member states' progress in these areas_5014dc2a-45c4-11ed-9646-72960d83ea003.1Council of Europe Monitoring BodiesGroup of States against Corruption (GRECO)European Committee for the Prevention of Torture and Inhuman or Degrading Treatment or Punishment (CPT)Group of Experts on Action against Trafficking in Human Beings (GRETA)Committee of the Parties to the Convention on the Protection of Children against Sexual Exploitation and Sexual Abuse(Lanzarote Committee)European Commission for the Efficiency of Justice (CEPEJ)Committee of Experts on the Evaluation of Anti-Money Laundering Measures and the Financing of Terrorism (MONEYVAL)European Commission against Racism and Intolerance (ECRI)European Committee of Social Rights (ECSR)Advisory Committee on the Framework Convention for the Protection of National MinoritiesCommittee of Experts of the European Charter for Regional or Minority LanguagesRecommendationsMake recommendations through independent expert monitoring bodies_5014dcf2-45c4-11ed-9646-72960d83ea003.22022-10-06https://www.coe.int/en/web/about-us/who-we-areOwenAmburOwen.Ambur@verizon.netOwen.Ambur@verizon.net