2022-10-14
Firstly, the Council of Europe is not to be confused with the European Council (which is the EU's highest committee of Heads of State).
The Council of Europe was formed in 1949 (well before the EU) to promote democracy and human rights, and it boasts a Parliamentary Assembly. The UK retains its membership of the Council of Europe.
"This Assembly retains at least one important prerogative, that of electing the judges to the European Court of Human Rights (ECHR)"
A prerogative that may not have been always conscientiously exercised.
Of course, the Covid pandemic has left its mark on this now almost forgotten institution, and those who would use it for their own ends have apparently not been slow to take advantage. Where was the free press when it was needed?
The ECLJ (European Centre for Law and Justice) brings us up to date.
