Council of Europe

The Council of Europe is an international organization of 44 member states in the European region. (It is not to be confused with the Council of the European Union, nor with the European Council.) It was founded on May 5, 1949 by the Treaty of London. Membership is open to all European states which accept the principle of the rule of law and guarantee fundamental human rights and freedoms to their citizens. One of the main successes of the Council was the European Convention on Human Rights in 1950, which serves as the basis for the European Court of Human Rights.

Institutions The institutions of the Council of Europe are:

• The Secretariat
• The Committee of Ministers
• The Parliamentary Assembly
• The European Court of Human Rights

Aims

• Protection of human rights, democracy and the rule of law
• Promotion of Europe's cultural identity[?] and diversity;
• Addressing problems facing European society including discrimination, xenophobia, environmental protection, AIDS, drugs and organised crime
• Encouraging democratic stability via reform.

Membership There are 44 member states today. Upon foundation on May 5, 1949 there were ten members:

• Belgium
• Denmark
• France
• Ireland
• Italy
• Luxembourg
• Netherlands
• Norway
• Sweden
• United Kingdom

Members with later admission dates:

• Albania (July 13, 1995)
• Andorra (October 10, 1994)
• Armenia (January 25, 2001)
• Austria (April 16, 1956)
• Azerbaijan (January 25, 2001)
• Bosnia and Herzegovina (April 24, 2002)
• Bulgaria (May 7, 1992)
• Croatia (November 6, 1996)
• Cyprus (May 24, 1961)
• Czech Republic (June 30, 1993)
• Estonia (May 14, 1993)
• Finland (May 5, 1989)
• Georgia (April 27, 1999)
• Germany (July 13, 1950)
• Greece (August 9, 1949)
• Hungary (November 6, 1990)
• Iceland (March 9, 1950)
• Latvia (February 10, 1995)
• Liechtenstein (November 23, 1978)
• Lithuania (May 14, 1993)
• Malta (April 29, 1965)
• Moldova (July 13, 1995)
• Poland (November 29, 1991)
• Portugal (September 22, 1976)
• Romania (October 7, 1993)
• Russian Federation (February 28, 1996)
• San Marino (November 16, 1988)
• Slovakia (June 30, 1993)
• Slovenia (May 14, 1993)
• Spain (November 24, 1977)
• Switzerland (May 6, 1963)
• The Former Yugoslav Republic of Macedonia (November 9, 1995)
• Turkey (August 9, 1949)
• Ukraine (November 9, 1995)

Yugoslavia has a special guest status. Canada, Israel, the Vatican City, Japan, Mexico and the USA have observer status.

See also: Europe, European Union, Organization for Security and Co-operation in Europe

External links

• Council of Europe (http://www.coe.int/) - Official site