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NOS DROITS, NOS LIBERTÉS, NOTRE EUROPE

Le Conseil de l’Europe a 70 ans

1949 - 2019
Our rights, Our Freedoms, Our Europe

The Council of Europe at 70

1949 - 2019

Asset Publisher

1949
1950
5 May 1949

Statute of the Council of Europe is signed in London

United Kingdom

The Treaty of London is signed by Belgium, Denmark, France, Ireland, Italy, Luxembourg, Netherlands, Norway, Sweden and the United Kingdom, founding the Council of Europe.

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1949
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8 August 1949

Committee of Ministers' first meeting

France

Paul-Henri Spaak chairs first session of the Council of Europe Committee of Ministers.

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1949
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9 August 1949

Greece joins

Greece

Greece becomes the 11th member State of the Council of Europe.

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1949
1950
11 August 1949

Council of Europe gets its first Secretary General

France

Jacques Camille Paris becomes the first Secretary General.

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1950
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7 March 1950

Iceland joins

Iceland

Iceland becomes the 12th member State of the Council of Europe.

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1950
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13 April 1950

Turkey joins

Turkey

Turkey becomes the 13th member State of the Council of Europe.

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1950
1950
13 July 1950

Federal Republic of Germany joins the Council of Europe

Germany

The Federal Republic of Germany joins the Council of Europe, becoming the 14th member State.

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1950
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11 August 1950

Winston Churchill speaks at Parliamentary Assembly.

United Kingdom

Winston Churchill, Prime Minister of the United Kingdom from 1940 to 1945 and again from 1951 to 1955, addresses the Parliamentary Assembly.

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1950
1950
4 November 1950

Human Rights Convention signed in Rome

Italy

The European Convention on Human Rights is signed in Rome marking a new era of respect for human rights in Europe.

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1951
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15 December 1951

Cooperation begins with the United Nations

A fairly limited working agreement is signed between the General Secretariat of the Council of Europe and the Secretariat of the United Nations, allowing relations between the two organisations to develop.

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1952
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10 September 1952

The Organisation's status is recognised

All Countries

General agreement on privileges and immunities of the Council of Europe enters into force.

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1953
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3 September 1953

Human Rights Convention goes live

All Countries

Entry into force of the European Convention on Human Rights.

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1953
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21 September 1953

Second Secretary General takes office

France

Léon Marchal becomes the second Secretary General.

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1954
1950
16 December 1954

First art exhibition in Brussels

Belgium

The first Council of Europe art exhibition "Humanist Europe" / "L'Europe Humaniste" opens at the Palais des Beaux-Arts in Brussels.

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1954
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19 December 1954

Celebrating cultural diversity

France

The European Cultural Convention is opened for signature, aiming to foster understanding and promote cultural diversity.

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1955
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9 December 1955

A flag for Europe

France

Adoption of the European Flag by the Council of Europe's Committee of Ministers.

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1956
1950
16 April 1956

Austria joins

Austria

Austria becomes the 15th Council of Europe member State.

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1956
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16 April 1956

Development Bank begins its work

France

The Council of Europe Resettlement Fund is set up (today the Council of Europe Development Bank) to provide support for social projects.

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1956
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23 October 1956

Hungarian Uprising

Hungary

Student protests begin the Hungarian uprising to challenge Soviet control.

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1957
1950
12 January 1957

Steps towards local democracy

France

First session of the Conference of Local Authorities of Europe (today the Congress)

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1957
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19 September 1957

Third Secretary General takes office

Italy

Lodovico Benvenuti becomes the third Secretary General.

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1957
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2 December 1957

Israeli Knesset granted observer status

Israel

The parliament of Israel, the Knesset, is granted observer status with the Parliamentary Assembly.

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1958
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1 January 1958

Easier personal travel between countries

All Countries

European Agreement on Regulations governing the Movement of Persons between Member States of the Council of Europe enters into force.

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1959
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21 January 1959

Human rights court is set up

France

First members of the European Human Rights Court elected by the Council of Europe Consultative Assembly.

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1959
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21 January 1959

Court gets first President

United Kingdom

Lord (Arnold Duncan) McNair becomes the first President of the European Human Rights Court.

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1959
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23 February 1959

First Court session

France

European Human Rights Court holds first session.

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1959
1950
20 April 1959

Refugees allowed to travel

All Countries

Refugees can move from one country to another thanks to an agreement on abolition of visas.

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1960
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14 November 1960

First human rights judgment

France

The European Human Rights Court delivers its first judgment following an individual application: Lawless v. Ireland.

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1961
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24 May 1961

Cyprus joins

Cyprus

Cyprus becomes the 16th member State to join the Council of Europe.

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1961
1950
18 October 1961

A safeguard for social rights

Italy

European Social Charter is adopted, safeguarding the economic & social rights of citizens.

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1962
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17 December 1962

Looking after the property of hotel guests

France

Opening of the Convention on the Liability of Hotel-keepers concerning the Property of their Guests

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1963
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6 May 1963

Switzerland joins

Switzerland

Switzerland joins the Council of Europe becoming the 17th member State.

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1964
1950
15 March 1964

Fourth Secretary General takes office

United Kingdom

Peter Smithers becomes the fourth Secretary General.

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1964
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17 May 1964

A day for Europe

All Countries

The Committee of Ministers decides that 5 May, the anniversary of the founding of the Council of Europe, should be celebrated as Europe Day.

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1964
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22 July 1964

Medicines made safe

France

The European Pharmacopoeia is launched to ensure safe medicine for all.

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1965
1950
29 April 1965

Malta joins

Malta

Malta becomes the 18th member State to join the Council of Europe.

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1965
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20 May 1965

Court gets second President

France

René Cassin becomes the second President of the European Human Rights Court.

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1966
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29 June 1966

Europe and art meet in Stockholm

Sweden

"Christina, Queen of Sweden: a personality of European civilisation", the eleventh Council of Europe Art Exhibition opens at the Stockholm Nationalmuseum.

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1967
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24 April 1967

Protection of adopted children

France

Opening of the European Convention on the Adoption of Children

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1968
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21 August 1968

Prague Spring

Czech Republic

The Soviet Union and other Warsaw Pact members send armed forces into Czechoslovakia to suppress the mass protests and put an end to liberal reforms.

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1968
1950
27 September 1968

Court gets third President

Belgium

Henri Rolin becomes the third President of the European Human Rights Court.

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1969
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16 September 1969

Fifth Secretary General takes office

Austria

Lujo Tončić-Sorinj becomes the fifth Secretary General.

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1969
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12 December 1969

Greece withdraws

Greece

Greece withdraws from the Council of Europe to avoid expulsion after a military coup.

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1970
1950
7 March 1970

Holy See becomes observer

Holy See

The Holy See is granted observer status with the Council of Europe.

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1971
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5 May 1971

Court gets fourth President

United Kingdom

Sir Humphrey Waldock becomes the fourth President of the European Human Rights Court.

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1972
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12 January 1972

An anthem for Europe

France

The Council of Europe chooses Beethoven's "Ode to Joy", the fourth movement of the composer's ninth symphony, as the European Anthem.

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1972
1950
15 May 1972

A foundation for youth

France

The European Youth Foundation is created.

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1972
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1 June 1972

A centre for youth

France

The European Youth Centre opens in Strasbourg.

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1973
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26 October 1973

A uniform mortuary "laissez-passer"

France

Agreement on the Transfer of Corpses simplifies formalities required for the international transfer of corpses, through a uniform mortuary "laissez-passer".

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1974
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25 April 1974

Portugal's peaceful coup

Portugal

Beginning as a military coup, Portugal's Carnation Revolution brings an end to dictatorship.

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1974
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8 May 1974

Court gets fifth President

Italy

Giorgio Balladore Pallieri becomes the fifth President of the European Human Rights Court.

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1974
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17 September 1974

Sixth Secretary General takes office

Germany

Georg Kahn-Ackerman becomes the sixth Secretary General to take office.

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1974
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28 November 1974

Greece re-joins

Greece

Greece returns to the Council of Europe after the end of military dictatorship and the restoration of democracy.

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1975
1950
20 November 1975

Franco dies

Spain

The death of dictator General Franco opens the way for Spain's transition to democracy.

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1976
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22 September 1976

Portugal joins

Portugal

Portugal is the 19th member State to join the Council of Europe.

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1977
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28 January 1977

Palais de l'Europe opens

France

Inauguration by French President, Giscard d'Estaing of the Palais de l'Europe, the home of the Council of Europe.

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1977
1950
24 November 1977

Spain joins

Spain

Spain becomes the 20th member State to join the Council of Europe.

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1978
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18 January 1978

Court's first inter-state judgment

France

First judgment given by the European Human Rights Court concerning an inter-state case - Ireland v. United Kingdom.

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1978
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23 November 1978

Liechtenstein joins

Liechtenstein

Liechtenstein becomes the 21st member State to join the Council of Europe.

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1979
1950
19 September 1979

A first for nature

Switzerland

The Bern Convention on the Conservation of European Wildlife and Natural Habitats is adopted, the first international treaty to protect wildlife and the natural environment.

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1979
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1 October 1979

Seventh Secretary General takes office

Austria

Franz Karasek becomes the seventh Secretary General of the Council of Europe.

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1980
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27 March 1980

Pompidou Group tackles drug policy

France

The Pompidou Group, European cooperation platform to combat drug abuse and illicit trafficking in drugs, becomes an enlarged partial agreement of the Council of Europe.

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1980
1950
17 September 1980

Solidarity founded

Poland

The Solidarity Movement is founded in the Gdańsk shipyard under the leadership of Lech Wałęsa.

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1981
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30 January 1981

Court's sixth President

Netherlands

Gérard J. Wiarda becomes the sixth President of the European Human Rights Court.

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1981
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13 December 1981

Martial law in Poland

Poland

General Jaruzelski's authoritarian regime imposes martial law in the Polish People's Republic.

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1982
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1 July 1982

Controlling movements of firearms between countries

All Countries

Convention on Control of the Acquisition and Possession of Firearms by Individuals enters into force.

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1983
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28 April 1983

Towards a Europe without the death penalty

France

Opening of Protocol 6 to the European Convention on Human Rights abolishing the Death Penalty

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1984
1950
1 October 1984

Eighth Secretary General takes office

Spain

Marcelino Oreja Aguirre becomes the eighth Secretary General.

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1985
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1 March 1985

Towards a Europe without the death penalty

All Countries

Protocol No. 6 to the European Human Rights Convention makes abolition of the death penalty a precondition for Council of Europe membership.

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1985
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30 May 1985

Court's seventh President

Norway

Rolv Ryssdal becomes the seventh President of the European Human Rights Court.

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1985
1950
1 October 1985

Privacy protected

All Countries

The Council of Europe leads the way in protecting privacy when personal data is processed with what is still the only binding international convention with a potential worldwide remit.

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1985
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1 November 1985

Making sport safe

All Countries

European Convention on Spectator Violence and Misbehaviour at Sports Events enters into force, bringing in stricter rules for sports grounds and crowd control.

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1986
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18 March 1986

Fewer experiments on animals

France

Opening of the Convention for the Protection of Vertebrate Animals used for Experimental and other Scientific Purposes

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1987
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20 March 1987

Quick response to disasters guaranteed

France

The EUR-OPA agreement starts work to predict, prevent and co-ordinate responses to major natural and technical disasters.

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1988
1950
1 September 1988

Democracy close to home

All Countries

The European Charter of Local Self-Government enters into force to guarantee democracy at local level and give local authorities power of decision. It is one of the earliest legal texts to promote subsidiarity - taking decisions closest to citizens.

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1988
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16 November 1988

San Marino joins

San Marino

San Marino becomes the 22nd member State to join the Council of Europe.

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1989
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1 February 1989

Torture watchdog created

All Countries

The European Convention against Torture & Inhuman and Degrading Treatment enters into force allowing specialised teams to visit places of detention throughout Europe.

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1989
1950
5 May 1989

Finland joins

Finland

Finland becomes the 23rd member State to join the Council of Europe.

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1989
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1 June 1989

First woman Secretary General takes office

France

Catherine Lalumière becomes the ninth Secretary General and the first woman to hold the post.

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1989
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6 July 1989

Gorbachev's message to Europe

Russian Federation

Mikhail Gorbachev outlines his idea of ‘a common European home’ in a speech to the Parliamentary Assembly.

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1989
1950
9 November 1989

Fall of the Berlin Wall

Germany

The East German government announces that all citizens of the German Democratic Repuplic can visit West Germany and West Berlin.

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1989
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16 November 1989

Spreading values worldwide

Portugal

The Lisbon-based Centre for Global Interdependence and Solidarity - more commonly known as the "North-South Centre" - is launched to spread universal values of human rights, democracy and the rule of law beyond the European continent.

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1989
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25 December 1989

Dictatorship ends in Romania

Romania

Nicolae Ceaușescu and his wife are shot in Târgoviște at the end of the Romanian revolution.

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1989
1950
29 December 1989

Václav Havel becomes President

Czech Republic

Václav Havel is elected President of Czechoslovakia after the Velvet Revolution brings an end to one-party rule in the country.

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1990
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1 March 1990

Action against sports cheats

All Countries

The Anti-Doping Convention enters into force, allowing countries to work together to efficiently fight doping in sport.

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1990
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10 May 1990

Václav Havel calls for courage to look at the stars

France

Václav Havel, President of Czechoslovakia, 1989-1992 and first President of the Czech Republic, 1993-2003, addresses the Parliamentary Assembly, saying ‘without dreaming of a better Europe we shall never build a better Europe.’

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1990
1950
10 May 1990

Help for constitutional standard-setting

France

The Venice Commission, formally known as the European Commission for Democracy through Law, is established as a consultative body of legal experts to help countries build the values of the Council of Europe into their constitutions.

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1990
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12 June 1990

Russia signals end of Soviet Union

Russian Federation

The Russian Soviet Federative Socialist Republic declares its sovereignty as a state, beginning constitutional reform in Russia.

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1990
1950
3 October 1990

German reunification

Germany

East and West Germany are unified.

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1990
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6 November 1990

Hungary joins - first from central and eastern Europe

Hungary

Hungary becomes the 24th member State, the first to join from central and eastern Europe.

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1990
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8 November 1990

Criminals can't profit from crimes

France

The Convention on Laundering, Search, Seizure and Confiscation of the Proceeds from Crime is opened for signature. It boosts co-operation in investigations and tracking down, seizing and confiscating the proceeds of crime.

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1990
1950
11 December 1990

End of one-party rule in Albania

Albania

Albania's Communist party allows political pluralism.

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1991
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25 June 1991

Break-up of Yugoslavia begins

Slovenia

Slovenia leaves the Yugoslav Federation.

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1991
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26 November 1991

Poland joins

Poland

Poland becomes the 25th member State to join the Council of Europe.

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1992
1950
7 May 1992

Bulgaria joins

Bulgaria

Bulgaria becomes the 26th member State to join the Council of Europe.

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1992
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15 December 1992

European Audiovisual Observatory launches

France

The European Audiovisual Observatory is created to collect and distribute information about the various audiovisual markets in Europe and their financing.

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1993
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1 January 1993

Czechoslovakia ceases to exist

Czechoslovakia splits into the Czech Republic and Slovakia

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1993
1950
14 May 1993

Estonia joins

Estonia

Estonia becomes the 27th member State to join the Council of Europe.

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1993
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14 May 1993

Lithuania joins

Lithuania

Lithuania becomes the 28th member State to join the Council of Europe.

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1993
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14 May 1993

Slovenia joins

Slovenia

Slovenia becomes the 29th member State of the Council of Europe.

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1993
1950
30 June 1993

Czech Republic joins

Czech Republic

The Czech Republic becomes the 30th member State to join the Council of Europe.

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1993
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30 June 1993

Slovakia joins

Slovak Republic

Slovakia becomes the 31st member State to join the Council of Europe.

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1993
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7 October 1993

Romania joins

Romania

Romania becomes the 32nd member State to join the Council of Europe.

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1993
1950
8 October 1993

Vienna Summit

Austria

First Summit of Heads of State and Government of the Council of Europe

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1994
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14 January 1994

Grassroots democracy given a voice

France

The Congress of Local and Regional Authorities of Europe is created to give a voice to towns, cities and regions.

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1994
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22 March 1994

Fighting racism and discrimination

France

The first meeting of the European Commission against Racism and Intolerance (ECRI). The Commission specialises in fighting all forms of racism, discrimination, xenophobia, anti-Semitism and intolerance.

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1994
1950
1 April 1994

Supporting film production

France

The European Convention on Cinematographic Co-Production enters into force and Eurimages is created to promote independent filmmaking with financial support for feature-length films, animation and documentaries.

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1994
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1 June 1994

Tenth Secretary General takes office

Sweden

Daniel Tarschys becomes the tenth Secretary General.

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1994
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10 November 1994

Andorra joins

Andorra

Andorra becomes the 33rd member State to join the Council of Europe.

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1995
1950
10 February 1995

Latvia joins

Latvia

Latvia becomes the 34th member State to join the Council of Europe.

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1995
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26 June 1995

New Human Rights building opened

France

Inauguration of the Human Rights Building, housing the European Human Rights Court, built by the British architect Lord Richard Rogers. Czech President Václav Havel attends.

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1995
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13 July 1995

Albania joins

Albania

Albania becomes the 35th member State to join the Council of Europe.

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1995
1950
13 July 1995

Moldova joins

Republic of Moldova

Moldova becomes the 36th member State to join the Council of Europe.

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1995
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22 July 1995

Srebrenica massacre

Bosnia and Herzegovina

More than 8,000 people are massacred in Srebrenica.

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1995
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9 November 1995

Ukraine joins

Ukraine

Ukraine becomes the 37th member State to join the Council of Europe.

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1995
1950
9 November 1995

"The former Yugoslav Republic of Macedonia" joins

North Macedonia

"The former Yugoslav Republic of Macedonia" becomes the 38th member State to join the Council of Europe.

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1995
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7 December 1995

USA becomes observer

United States

The United States of America is granted observer status.

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1995
1950
14 December 1995

Dayton Peace Accords

France

The Dayton Peace Accords end the Bosnian War.

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1995
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15 December 1995

Budapest Youth Centre opens

Hungary

European Youth Centre opens in Hungary.

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1996
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28 February 1996

Russia joins

Russian Federation

The Russian Federation becomes the 39th member State of the Council of Europe.

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1996
1950
3 April 1996

Canada becomes observer

Canada

Canada is granted observer status.

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1996
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6 November 1996

Croatia joins

Croatia

Croatia becomes 40th member State to join the Council of Europe.

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1996
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20 November 1996

Japan becomes observer

Japan

Japan is granted observer status.

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1997
1950
31 March 1997

Death Penalty ends

All Countries

The very last execution takes place on the Council of Europe's territory. There have been none since.

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1997
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4 April 1997

Protecting rights in biomedicine

Portugal

The Oviedo Convention is opened for signature and becomes the only internationally binding treaty to protect human rights in the biomedical field. In 1998 it was amended to include a ban on human cloning.

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1997
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10 October 1997

Second Council of Europe Summit

France

Second Council of Europe Summit.

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1998
1950
1 February 1998

National minorities protected against discrimination

All Countries

National minorities get protection against discrimination with the entry into force of the Framework Convention for the Protection of National Minorities.

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1998
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1 March 1998

Regional or minority languages protected

All Countries

Europe's regional and minority languages get protection with the entry into force of the European Charter for Regional or Minority Languages.

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1998
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24 March 1998

Court's eighth President

Germany

Rudolf Bernhardt becomes the eighth President of the European Human Rights Court.

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1998
1950
10 April 1998

Good Friday Agreement signed

United Kingdom

The Good Friday Agreement is signed, bringing an end to 'The Troubles' in Northern Ireland

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1998
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1 November 1998

"The new Court"

France

The European Court of Human Rights' operation is streamlined with a protocol restructuring the control machinery. Since 1998 it has sat as a full-time court and individuals can apply to it directly.

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1998
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1 November 1998

Court's Ninth President

Switzerland

Luzius Wildhaber becomes the ninth President of the European Human Rights Court.

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1999
1950
27 April 1999

Georgia joins

Georgia

Georgia becomes the 41st member State to join the Council of Europe.

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1999
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1 September 1999

Eleventh Secretary General takes office

Austria

Walter Schwimmer becomes the eleventh Secretary General.

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1999
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15 October 1999

First Human Rights Commissioner

Spain

Álvaro Gil-Robles becomes the first Human Rights Commissioner.

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1999
1950
1 December 1999

Mexico becomes an observer

Mexico

Mexico is granted observer status.

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2000
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1 July 2000

Children's rights in Court proceedings

All Countries

The European Convention on the Exercise of Children’s Rights boosts children's protection, giving them the right to be heard and to express their views in court proceedings affecting them.

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2000
1950
4 November 2000

Discrimination banned

Italy

A general ban on discrimination comes in as a new protocol is opened for signature.

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2001
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1 January 2001

A tool for language learners

France

Europe gets a common tool to measure language abilities thanks to the Common European Framework of Reference for Languages, launched at the beginning of the European Year of Languages.

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2001
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25 January 2001

Azerbaijan joins

Azerbaijan

Azerbaijan becomes the 43rd member State to join the Council of Europe.

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2001
Image
25 January 2001

Armenia joins

Armenia

Armenia becomes the 42nd member State to join the Council of Europe.

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2002
1950
24 April 2002

Bosnia and Herzegovina joins

Bosnia and Herzegovina

Bosnia and Herzegovina becomes the 44th member State to join the Council of Europe.

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2002
1950
3 May 2002

Death Penalty ban

Lithuania

The Council of Europe adopts a protocol banning the death penalty in all circumstances

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2002
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1 July 2002

Corruption criminalised

All Countries

The Criminal Law Convention on Corruption criminalises corrupt practices and improves international co-operation in their prosecution.

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2003
1950
3 April 2003

Serbia joins

Serbia

Serbia becomes the 45th member State to join the Council of Europe.

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2003
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1 November 2003

Protection against corruption

All Countries

The Civil Law Convention on Corruption brings in international rules, asking governments to provide remedies in their domestic law for anyone who has suffered damage as a result of corruption.

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2003
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19 November 2003

Civil society representation boosted

France

Participatory status granted to international non-governmental organisations with the Council of Europe.

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2003
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23 November 2003

Georgia's Rose Revolution ends

Georgia

President Eduard Shevardnadze resigns following the protests of the Rose Revolution, triggering presidential and parliamentary elections.

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2004
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1 July 2004

Combating cybercrime

All Countries

Budapest Convention - the first and only international legal treaty to tackle cybercrime - enters into force.

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2004
1950
1 September 2004

Twelfth Secretary General takes office

United Kingdom

Terry Davis becomes the 12th Secretary General.

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2004
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5 October 2004

Monaco joins

Monaco

Monaco becomes the 46th member State to join the Council of Europe.

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2005
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23 January 2005

Ukraine's Orange Revolution ends

Ukraine

Viktor Yushchenko is inaugurated as president of Ukraine.

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2005
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16 May 2005

Warsaw Summit

Poland

Third Summit of 46 Heads of State and Government of the Council of Europe

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2006
1950
1 April 2006

Second Human Rights Commissioner

Sweden

Thomas Hammarberg becomes the second Human Rights Commissioner.

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2006
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3 June 2006

Serbia and Montenegro separate

Serbia

The State Union of Serbia and Montenegro is dissolved.

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2007
1950
19 January 2007

Court's tenth President

France

Jean-Paul Costa becomes the 10th President of the European Human Rights Court.

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2007
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20 March 2007

EDQM building opens

France

Inauguration of the European Directorate for the Quality of Medicines and HealthCare (EDQM) building.

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2007
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11 May 2007

Montenegro joins

Montenegro

Montenegro becomes the 47th member State to join the Council of Europe following its independence.

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2007
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1 June 2007

Stopping terrorists in their tracks

All Countries

"A new convention bolsters the fight against terrorism with measures to criminalise public provocation, recruitment and training and to protect and compensate victims. "

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2007
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25 October 2007

Protecting children against sex abuse

Spain

The Lanzarote Convention is opened for signature, the first pan European treaty to make child sex abuse in the home, in the family or abroad a criminal offence.

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2008
1950
1 February 2008

Combating human trafficking

All Countries

A Convention to combat all forms of human trafficking comes into force, pledging assistance for victims, effective investigation and prosecution and stronger international co-operation.

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2008
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17 April 2008

The Agora building opens

France

Inauguration of the Agora, the Council of Europe's newest building.

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2008
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1 May 2008

Tackling terrorism financing

All Countries

The Warsaw Convention, the first international treaty covering both prevention and control of money laundering and the financing of terrorism, comes into force.

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2008
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7 May 2008

Celebrating and promoting diversity

France

The Council of Europe launches its "White Paper on Intercultural Dialogue" as a blueprint for open and diverse societies based on human rights, democracy and the rule of law.

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2008
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18 September 2008

10,000 human rights judgments

France

The European Human Rights Court delivers its 10,000th judgment.

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2009
1950
1 October 2009

Thorbjørn Jagland is thirteenth Secretary General

Norway

Thorbjørn Jagland takes office as the thirteenth Council of Europe Secretary General.

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2010
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1 June 2010

Efficient human rights protection

France

Protocol No. 14 to the Convention enters into force, aiming to guarantee the long-term efficiency of the European Human Rights Court.

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2011
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28 October 2011

Making drugs safe

Russian Federation

The Medicrime Convention - aimed at stopping counterfeiting of medical products and similar crimes that threaten public health - is opened for signature.

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2011
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4 November 2011

Court's eleventh President

United Kingdom

Sir Nicolas Bratza becomes 11th President of the European Human Rights Court.

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2012
1950
1 April 2012

Third Human Rights Commissioner

Latvia

Nils Muižnieks becomes the third Human Rights Commissioner.

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2012
1950
1 November 2012

Court's twelfth President

Luxembourg

Dean Spielmann becomes 12th President of the European Human Rights Court.

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2014
1950
24 June 2014

Secretary General re-elected

Norway

Thorbjørn Jagland is re-elected, the first time a serving secretary general has secured a second term.

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2014
1950
1 August 2014

An end to violence against women

All Countries

The Convention on preventing and combatting violence against women and domestic violence enters into force, with wide-ranging measures aiming to stop all forms of violence against women.

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2014
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18 September 2014

Stopping match-fixing

Switzerland

The Council of Europe launches a new Convention on the Manipulation of Sports Competitions to stop match-fixing and illegal sports betting operations.

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2015
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1 November 2015

Thirteenth Human Rights Court President

Italy

Guido Raimondi becomes thirteenth President of the European Human Rights Court.

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2016
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3 July 2016

A better approach to safety at sports events

France

Opening of Convention on an Integrated Safety, Security and Service Approach at Football Matches and Other Sports Events

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2017
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19 May 2017

Saving Heritage from destruction

Cyprus

The Convention on Offences relating to Cultural Property is opened for signature, the first international treaty to stop crimes that are destroying the world's cultural heritage such as theft, intentional damage, unlawful excavation and illegal sales.

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2018
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1 March 2018

Action against Organ Trafficking

All Countries

The Convention against Trafficking in Human Organs enters into force.

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2018
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1 April 2018

Fourth Human Rights Commissioner - first woman

Bosnia and Herzegovina

Dunja Mijatović becomes the Council of Europe's fourth Human Rights Commissioner - the first woman to hold the post.

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2018
1950
1 August 2018

Stronger links on human rights

France

Protocol 16 to the European Human Rights Convention allows national courts to request advisory opinions on questions of principle.

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2018
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21 September 2018

Human Rights for an AI future

France

Council of Europe sets up a taskforce to pinpoint the threats and opportunities of artificial intelligence for human rights.

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2019
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5 May 2019

Council of Europe reaches 70

All Countries

70th Anniversary of the founding of the Council of Europe.

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2019