It is Europe’s main human rights watchdog. Founded in Strasbourg in 1949 in the aftermath of the second World War, the council seeks to develop common democratic principles based on the European Convention on Human Rights throughout Europe.
It currently has 47 member countries, including Ireland, and is linked to the European Court of Human Rights, whose judgments are respected by the Irish courts.
The current Council of Europe commissioner for human rights is Thomas Hammarberg. His reports are not legally binding. They act, however, as a source of moral persuasion on national governments.