Founded in 1949, in the aftermath of the Second World War, the Council of Europe was established to foster reconciliation and peace through the promotion of the values of human rights, democracy, and the rule of law. With 46 Member States, five Observer States and over 200 Conventions, it stands as the continent’s leading human rights organisation. The Council of Europe’s seat in Strasbourg holds a profound symbolic significance – once a city marked with conflict, it now stands as a testament to European reconciliation and unity.
The Committee of Ministers (CM) serves as the Council of Europe’s executive body, overseeing its decision-making process. It is composed of Foreign Affairs Ministers in its annual CM format, and of Permanent Representatives in its weekly Deputies meeting. Malta is represented by Hon. Ian Borg, Deputy Prime Minister and Minister for Foreign and European Affairs and Trade, and Ambassador Francesca Camilleri Vettiger, Permanent Representative of Malta to the Council of Europe, respectively.
The CM plays a key role in overseeing the execution of judgments by the European Court of Human Rights and coordinates intergovernmental cooperation across a wide range of topics. Its work is supported by the Chair, the Secretariat, Rapporteurs Groups, Thematic Coordinators and Ad Hoc Working Parties.
Founded in 1959, the European Court of Human Rights is the judicial body of the Council of Europe, tasked with ensuring that Member States uphold the European Convention on Human Rights (ECHR). Adopted 75 years ago, this Convention serves as the cornerstone for the organisation’s activity and has become a prerequisite for accession. Thanks to the Court’s unique mechanism, citizens from any of the 46 Member States can bring cases directly before the Court if they believe their rights under the Convention have been violated, providing a crucial legal framework for the protection of individual freedoms across the continent.
Based in Strasbourg, the Court is composed of 46 Judges, one for each Member State, elected by the Parliamentary Assembly of the Council of Europe for a nine-year period. Malta’s current Judge is Madam Justice, Dr Lorraine Schembri Orland.
The Parliamentary Assembly of the Council of Europe (PACE) is composed of 306 parliamentarians from all Member States. Acting as the Council of Europe’s consultative body, the Assembly convenes for an annual session, divided into several part-sessions, where members adopt recommendations, resolutions, and opinions that guide the Committee of Ministers, national governments, and parliaments.
Beyond its advisory role, PACE elects the Secretary General, Deputy Secretary General, and Commissioner for Human Rights of the Council of Europe, as well as judges from each Member State to the European Court of Human Rights. Furthermore, it has the capacity to monitor presidential and parliamentary elections and provides its opinion on potential accession to the Council of Europe.
Malta actively participates in PACE through a Parliamentary delegation led by Hon. Naomi Cachia, with Hon. Michael Farrugia and Hon. Joseph Beppe Fenech Adami as members. The substitute members are Hon. Omar Farrugia, Hon. Ramona Attard and Hon. Chris Said.
The Congress of Local and Regional Authorities brings together 306 representatives from the local and regional authorities of the organisation’s Member States. Its mission is to ensure that these authorities have a voice in the Council of Europe’s work. Central to this role is upholding the European Charter of Local Self-Government and the observation of local and regional elections, particularly in Council of Europe Member States.
In 2014, Congress launched its Rejuvenating Politics initiative aimed at empowering young people in the decision-making process. Each year, as part of this initiative, each year, one youth delegate from each Member State is appointed to the Congress.
Malta’s representatives to Congress are Mr Stephen Sultana as the Head of Delegation alongside Ms Marlene Cini and Mr Charles Bonello as representatives. Mr Jorge Grech, Ms Joan Agius, and Ms Ylenia Montfort are the substitutes, while Ms Francesca Giudice is the Youth Delegate for 2025.
Established in 1999, the Commissioner for Human Rights is responsible for safeguarding and upholding human rights across the organisation’s 46 Member States. Tasked with safeguarding fundamental freedoms, the Commissioner works to address violations, strengthen protections, and ensure the implementation of international human rights standards.
Elected by the Council of Europe’s Parliamentary Assembly for a single, non-renewable six-year term, the Commissioner focuses on addressing human rights violations, guiding the implementation of international standards, and advocating for stronger protections of fundamental freedoms. Through country visits, thematic reports, public statements, and awareness campaigns, the Commissioner works to improve human rights and uphold human dignity across Europe.
The Council of Europe’s conventions are legally binding treaties, central to the organisation’s work, setting common standards among its 46 Member States across various fields. Some of the key Conventions include the European Convention on Human Rights, a Convention at the heart of all Council of Europe initiatives, the Istanbul Convention, which addresses violence against women, and the Lanzarote Convention, aimed at preventing and protecting children from sexual exploitation.
While some Conventions are limited to the Council of Europe Member States, others are open for accession by third parties, extending their impact beyond the continent. Most recently the organisation adopted a Framework Convention on Artificial Intelligence, the first-ever international legally binding treaty in this field. It aims to ensure that activities are fully consistent with human rights, democracy and the rule of law, while being conducive to technological progress and innovation.
