Commissioner for Human Rights
 |
|
| Formation | May 7, 1999 |
|---|---|
| Purpose | Human Rights protection |
| Headquarters | Strasbourg |
| Leader | Nils Muižnieks |
|
Parent organization
|
Council of Europe |
| Website | Homepage |
The Commissioner for Human Rights is an independent and impartial non-judicial institution established in 1999 by the Strasbourg-based Council of Europe, to promote awareness of and respect for human rights in the 47 member states. The activities of this institution focus on three major, closely related areas:
The current Commissioner is Nils Muižnieks, a Latvian-American, who began his six-year mandate on April 1, 2012 (succeeding Álvaro Gil-Robles and Thomas Hammarberg).
Elected by the Parliamentary Assembly of the Council of Europe, the Commissioner seeks to engage in permanent dialogue with member states, continually raising awareness about human rights issues, and promoting the development of national human rights structures. The Commissioner conducts visits to each member state for an evaluation of the human rights situation, and issues reports, opinions and recommendations to governments.
The Commissioner also co-operates with a broad range of partners, including the European Union, the United Nations and its specialised offices, as well as leading human rights NGOs, universities and think tanks.
The mandate of the Commissioner is based on the resolution (99) 50 of the Council of Europe (adopted on May 7, 1999). It includes the following points:
*foster the effective observance of human rights, and assist member states in the implementation of Council of Europe human rights standards;
The member states are obliged to "facilitate the Commissioner's contacts, including travel, in the context of the mission of the Commissioner and provide in good time information requested by the Commissioner". While the Commissioner "shall function independently and impartially." The Commissioner may act "on any information relevant to the Commissioner's functions".
The Commissioner "may directly contact governments of member States of the Council of Europe". The Commissioner may also "issue recommendations, opinions and reports."
The Commissioner enjoys immunity "from arrest and all legal proceedings in the territories of all members, in respect of words spoken and votes cast".
The Ariticle 36 of European Convention on Human Rights admit "third party intervention" relating European Court of Human Rights for the Commissioner stating that "In all cases before a Chamber or the Grand Chamber, the Council of Europe Commissioner for Human Rights may submit written comments and take part in hearings.
...
Wikipedia