Council of Europe
The Council of Europe is a human rights organisation, based in Strasbourg (France), whose stated aim is to uphold human rights, democracy and the rule of law in Europe. Founded in 1949, it has 47 Member-States, including the 27 EU Member-States. Unlike the EU, the Council of Europe cannot make binding laws, however it has the power to enforce international agreements reached by European states on various topics.
Since 2001, FAFCE has been granted a participatory status to the Council of Europe, and supports the rights of the family in the different institutions of the Council of Europe:
- European Court of Human Rights: composed of judges from each Member-State, it ensures the respect of the obligations of Member-States under the European Convention on Human Rights (1950). The Court rules on individual or State applications alleging violations of the civil and political rights set out in the Convention.
- Committee of Ministers: composed of the Foreign Affairs Ministers, usually represented by Permanent Representatives and Ambassadors, it is the decision-making body of the Council of Europe.
- Parliamentary Assembly: composed of parliamentarians from all Member-States, it adopts resolution and recommendations to governments.
- Congress of Local and Regional Authorities of Europe: composed of political representatives from local and regional authorities, it issues opinions on fundamental rights affecting regions and cities.
- Conference of INGOs: composed of NGOs with a participate status, it produces opinions based on the ground expertise of NGOs.
Family and dignity highlighted in election guide circulated by Catholic Union of Great Britain
Brussels, 27th June 2024 The Catholic Union of Great Britain launched an election guide before the UK votes on 4th July. Voters will elect 650 members of parliament to sit in the House of Commons. Polls predict a Labour
FAFCE intervenes at Council of Europe event on education and subsidiarity
Brussels, 30th May 2024 On Monday, Policy Officer Teresa Gerns intervened on behalf of FAFCE at an event at the Council of Europe. The event, entitled Education, Citizenship, Subsidiarity was held under the patronage of Marija Pejčinović Burić, Secretary
FAFCE stresses family-work balance priority at Tripartite Social Summit
Brussels, 21st March, 2024 On Wednesday 20th March, representatives from the EU institutions met at the Tripartite Social Summit. Co-chaired by the President of the European Council and the President of the European Commission (and featuring trade union and
FAFCE statement on the discussion of the Employment, Social Policy, Health and Consumer Affairs Council
Brussels, 12th March 2024 FAFCE welcomes the discussion of the Employment, Social Policy, Health and Consumer Affairs Council on 11th March. Families should be at the core of policy-making, particularly vulnerable families and large families. The Council called upon
Belgian Presidency Priorities
Brussels, 29 January 2024 On 1 January 2024, Belgium assumed the Presidency of the Council of the European Union. This is the 13th time Belgium has held the EU Presidency, the last time being in 2010. It takes over
FAFCE welcomes conclusions on a long-term vision for the EU’s rural areas approved by the European Council
Brussels, the 23rd of November 2023 FAFCE welcomes the conclusions adopted this week by the Council of the European Union on a long-term vision for the EU's rural areas. These conclusions recognise the key contributions of rural areas to
The Council approves conclusions on interconnection between mental health and employment, with a focus on precarious work
Brussels, 10th of October 2023 FAFCE welcomes yesterday’s Council publication of the first-ever conclusions on the interconnection between mental health and employment, with a focus on precarious work. On 9th October 2023, the Council, under the Spanish Presidency, has
PRESS RELEASE I The European Parliament favours eugenics
PRESS RELEASE The European Parliament favours eugenics Brussels, 13th of September 2023 “Does the European Parliament want to promote eugenics?” This is the question that FAFCE’s President, Vincenzo Bassi, asks himself after the approval, this morning in Strasbourg, of the Report on the
PRESS RELEASE | European Council on Demographic Challenges and Competitiveness
PRESS RELEASE European Council on Demographic Challenges and Competitiveness Brussels, 1st of July 2023 "It is an important act of awareness, which will allow the European Commission to implement proposals to tackle the demographic imbalance. It is extremely appropriate
FAFCE participation to a Council of Europe Webinar on the Best Interests of the Child in parental separation and care proceedings
Brussels, 28 June 2022 Last Tuesday, FAFCE participated to a Webinar by the Conference of INGOs of the Council of Europe on "Determining and Evaluating the Best Interests and Rights of Children in Parental Separation and Care Proceedings: exploring
