The Council of Europe was set up in 1949 in Strasbourg in France to defend human rights, parliamentary democracy and the rule of law. Following the collapse of communism, membership expanded rapidly to take in the new democracies of Eastern Europe and the former Soviet Union.

Much of the Council's work involves helping these countries with legal and political reforms, for example through the work of the Venice Commission, which helps to build democratic stability and improve human rights' protection.

Membership

Forty-seven countries are now members and the Council has granted observer status to the United States, Canada, Japan, Mexico and the Holy See – the Vatican. Belarus is the only European country not currently a member, although it has applied to join.

European Convention

The European Convention on Human Rights was adopted by the Council in 1950 to protect human rights and fundamental freedoms throughout the continent. All member states are party to the Convention and new members are expected to ratify the convention at the earliest opportunity.

Court of Human Rights

The Convention established the European Court of Human Rights and the UK enshrined the rights and obligations under the Convention into national law via the Human Rights Act in 1998.

The Council has a secretariat of around 1800 drawn from the member states and headed by its Secretary-General, Terry Davis from the UK.

UK delegation

The UK Delegation to the Council is led by Permanent Representative, Eleanor Fuller. We are a major contributor to the Council and gave £20.8million in 2007.