Council of Europe

The Council of Europe is an international organization founded in 1949 to uphold human rights, democracy, and the rule of law in Europe. It is distinct from the European Union, though many EU member states are also Council members. The organization operates through various bodies including the Committee of Ministers and the Parliamentary Assembly, and is best known for the European Convention on Human Rights and its enforcement mechanism, the European Court of Human Rights.

With 46 member states spanning from Portugal to Russia (though Russia's membership has been suspended), the Council of Europe serves as a forum for political dialogue and cooperation on legal, social, and cultural matters. It has produced numerous conventions and recommendations that have shaped European governance and human rights standards. The organization plays a crucial role in monitoring compliance with democratic standards and human rights obligations among its members.