The Council of Europe is in the midst of a major human rights challenge. In response to Russia’s full-scale attack on Ukraine, the organization must be equipped with the necessary tools and resources. The Norwegian Helsinki Committee is also concerned about a general backsliding of democracy, human rights, and the rule of law in several member countries. The fourth high-level Summit in Reykjavik represents a unique opportunity to strengthen the Council of Europe’s capability to meet these challenges. Member states must commit to adhering to the organisations founding values in a better way than is the case today.
– In Ukraine, Russian forces are responsible for grave human rights violations and war crimes. At the same time, the Putin regime is crushing political opposition and civil society at home, said Berit Lindeman, Secretary General of the Norwegian Helsinki Committee.
– In member countries like Azerbaijan, Georgia, Turkey, Hungary and Poland, authorities are violating human rights in a systematic manner. The Council of Europe must be strengthened in order to handle this European human rights crisis, she continued.
Norway should contribute to a successful Summit by supporting an ambitious agenda of reforms, and by signalling a willingness to invest in the organisation. The NHC Annual Meeting asks the Norwegian Government to promote the following measures:
- The European Court of Human Rights (ECHR) is provided with increased resources.
- The Committee of Ministers, the highest political body, is intensifying its work to ensure that ECtHR judgments are followed.
- The member states undertake to establish effective systems to coordinate and ensure the effective implementation of judgments by the European Court of Human Rights and Council of Europe recommendations.
- The Council of Europe’s work for democracy is strengthened, among other things by:
a) the committee of ministers adopting principles for democratic governance
b) the organization developing a warning mechanism for democratic decline
c) the organization strengthens cooperation with civil society and other independent actors to counteract the development of authoritarian rule - Civil society organizations are included in the Council of Europe’s work, including organizations from Russia and Belarus.
- The Council of Europe should play an important role in Ukraine by
a) promoting and supporting accountability for core international crimes
b) securing reparations for victims of Russia’s war of aggression
c) improving the authorities’ work to ensure democracy, human rights and the rule of law.