The Council of Europe : democracy and human rights for a "greater Europe"

Abstract

The article provides a comprehensive and critical overview of the structures and policies of the Council of Europe, with special emphasis on the post-Cold War period. In that period policies were adopted to prevent the weakening of the organization's internal procedures and international role in view of its rapid enlargement, that in the course of twelve years more than doubled its membership. Developments like the procedure to "monitor member states' commitments", the inauguration of the "Single Court of Human Rights", the office of the Commissioner of Human Rights, the Framework Convention of National Minorities and others are discussed and evaluated. The author draws from his rich experience as Greece's Permanent Representative during that country's presidency of the Council of Europe (May-November 1998) to provide suggestions for long-term policies and short-term practical measures to enhance the organization's international posture in the field of "democratic security".