“We must build a kind of United States of Europe,” Churchill said in a speech in Zurich in 1946. On 5 May 1949, it was done, the Council of Europe was born.
Europe is the result of dialogue and cooperation between countries, and this is what the Council of Europe embodies. Its work for more than three-quarters of a century to protect human rights, democracy and the rule of law has had a considerable impact on the daily lives of the 700 million Europeans living in its 46 Member States. The European Court of Human Rights, its judicial arm, is the main guarantor of the protection of individual rights and freedoms in Europe.
With more than 220 treaties, much progress has been made in advancing social rights, protecting people in vulnerable situations, combating racism and discrimination and promoting freedom of expression. It is also at the forefront of preventing and combating violence against women.
Its achievements are not limited to Europe’s borders; they inspire standards around the world, particularly in the fight against crime, including on the internet.
With its resolute focus on the future, the Council of Europe is a pioneer in developing tools and legal texts that will enable us to apply our values and standards in the face of new challenges, such as artificial intelligence or the right to a healthy environment.
