75 years of the Council of Europe: Anniversary Conference for Democracy and Human Rights

75 years of the Council of Europe: Anniversary Conference for Democracy and Human Rights

These days a very decisive chapter is being opened in the heart of Europe. Founded on May 5, 1949, the Council of Europe has over the years made a significant contribution to the protection of human rights, the promotion of democracy and the rule of law. On June 25, 2025, a bilateral agreement on the “Special Tribunal for the Crime of Aggression Against Ukraine” was signed between Ukraine and the Council of Europe in Strasbourg. The aim of this tribunal is to hold the Russian leadership accountable for the war of aggression against Ukraine, which violates international law. This is a further step towards strengthening international legal protection and combating human rights violations more vigorously. As Tagesschau reports, the new special tribunal will be based in The Hague.

What exactly is this tribunal all about? The special tribunal will play a central role in dealing with war crimes. It will provide an alternative to existing three options: the national criminal courts in Ukraine, the International Criminal Court and the national courts of other states. The treaty that creates the tribunal closes a legal gap that previously existed in the prosecution of crimes of aggression. At a time when Russia is ignoring its obligations under international agreements, this tribunal becomes even more relevant.

An important anniversary event

Another milestone in the history of the Council of Europe is being celebrated this year: Germany can look back on 75 years of membership. This anniversary celebration took place on July 8, 2025 at the Foreign Office in Berlin and brought together over 400 participants from different areas who exchanged views on support for Ukraine, the pressure on democratic structures and the challenges of the Council of Europe. This conference was organized in collaboration with the Federal Foreign Office and the European Movement Germany e.V.

Of course, the Council of Europe is not only in the headlines because of its organizational achievements. Over 200 conventions and protocols, including the famous European Convention on Human Rights (ECHR) and the Istanbul Convention, are milestones in his work. These instruments protect the rights of more than 700 million people in 46 Member States, as the Institute for Human Rights emphasizes.

The challenges of the Council of Europe

Russia's expulsion from the organization following its attack on Ukraine has put the stability of the Council of Europe at risk. The funding problems caused by this exclusion make independent human rights monitoring more difficult, which cannot in any way be in line with human rights. The challenges facing the Council of Europe are diverse. Political calls to leave the European Convention on Human Rights have become louder in some member states, endangering the rule of law.

It is now important for the Council of Europe to continue to act as a driving force for human rights protection and to urgently address the issues of artificial intelligence and the environment. Initiatives such as the Optional Protocol on the right to a clean, healthy and sustainable environment are in the starting blocks and require the support of all Member States.

At a time when democracy and human rights are under pressure worldwide, the member states of the Council of Europe have a key role to play. It remains to be seen whether the Council of Europe will meet this challenge and what influence the new special tribunal will have on the international legal situation. What is clear, however, is that the Council of Europe's steps are far-reaching and will have a significant impact on Europe's present and future.