Committee of Ministers
Strasbourg, 22 January 1998
CM(98)10 [Doc. 7982]
Communication on the activities of the Committee of Ministers
September 1997 – January 1998
Statutory report
CONTENTS
1 Political Developments
1.1 101st Session of the Committee of Ministers
1.2 Follow-up to the Second Summit
1.3 Compliance with commitments accepted by member States
1.4 Relations with Central and Eastern European States
1.4.1 Albania
1.4.2 Belarus
1.4.3 Bosnia and Herzegovina
1.4.4 Croatia
1.5 Relations with the European Union
1.6 Relations with the OSCE (and the UN)
2 Protection of Human Rights - the Conventions
2.1 European Convention on Human Rights
2.2 European Social Charter
2.3 European Convention for the Prevention of Torture and Inhuman or Degrading Treatment or Punishment
3 Implementation of the Intergovernmental Programme of Activities
3.1 Democratic cohesion
3.1.1 Pluralist democracy
Equality
Media
Local democracy
3.1.2 Human rights and minorities
3.1.3 Rule of Law
3.2 Social cohesion and quality of life
3.2.1 Social policies
3.2.2 Health
3.2.3 Environment
3.3 Cultural cohesion and cultural pluralism
3.3.1 Education, higher education, culture and heritage
3.3.2 Sport
3.3.3 Youth
4. Multilateral activities with countries of Central and Eastern Europe
5 Partial Agreements
5.1 Social Development Fund
5.2 Partial Agreement in the Social and Public Health Field
5.3 European Department for the Quality of Medicines
5.4 Pompidou Group
5.5 Cooperation Group for the Prevention of, Protection against, and Organisation of Relief in Major Natural and Technological Disasters
5.6 EURIMAGES
5.7 European Centre for Global Interdependence and Solidarity (North-South Centre)
5.8 European Commission for Democracy through Law
5.9 European Audiovisual Observatory
5.10 European Centre for Modern Languages
6 Congress of Local and Regional Authorities of Europe (CLRAE)
7 Conferences of specialised ministers
Appendix 1 Action taken on texts adopted by the Assembly
Appendix 2 Texts adopted by the Committee of Ministers
Appendix 3 Signatures and ratifications of European Treaties (19 September 1997 – 22 January 1998)
1 Political developments
1.1 101st Session of the Committee of Ministers
(Strasbourg, 5-6 November 1997)
The Committee of Ministers of the Council of Europe held its 101st session on 6 November 1997, under the chairmanship of Mr Pierre Moscovici, Minister responsible for European Affairs at the Ministry for Foreign Affairs (France).
The Ministers held an exchange of views on the Second Summit of Heads of State and Government of the Council of Europe, which took place in Strasbourg on 10 and 11 October 1997, and drew the main conclusions.
They concentrated on the decisions taken by the Summit, contained in the Final Declaration and Action Plan.
In conformity with the tasks entrusted to them by the Heads of State and Government concerning the Action Plan, the Ministers adopted:
- an additional Protocol to the Oviedo Convention on Human Rights and Biomedicine prohibiting the cloning of human beings, opened for signature on 12 January 1998 in Paris;
- the guiding principles to be applied in national legislations for the fight against corruption.
The Ministers gave policy guidelines to their Deputies on each of the Summit’s main themes: democracy and human rights, social cohesion, security of citizens, democratic values and cultural diversity. They also gave policy guidelines to their Deputies concerning structural reforms for the Council of Europe and decided to create for this purpose a Committee of wise persons, with limited membership, which should report to their 103rd session (November 1998) (as well as submitting an interim report to their 102nd meeting on 5 May 1998, see below).
At an informal meeting on 5 November, the Ministers discussed national minority questions, on the basis of a presentation by Mr Max van der Stoel, High Commissioner on national minorities of the OSCE, and on 6 November, following the close of the 101st Session, Minister of State Helmut Schäfer presented to the Deputies the programme of the German Chairmanship in the course of an exchange of views.
1.2 Follow-up to the Second Summit
The Ministers having decided to keep follow-up to the Summit on the agenda for their forthcoming sessions, the Deputies, at their 608th meeting, in November (608/1.4), created a "Follow-up Committee on the Second Summit (GT-SUIVI)" which held three meetings, resulting notably in adoption by the Deputies:
- of terms of reference, at their 613th meeting, in December (613/1.4), for the Committee of Wise Persons, whose composition and Chairman (Mario Soares, former President of the Republic, Portugal) were confirmed at the same meeting (see Doc. 7988 of the Parliamentary Assembly for a full list of members, as well as of authorities and representatives - including the President of the Parliamentary Assembly - which will be fully involved in the work of the Committee). The first meeting will be held in Strasbourg on 29 January 1998;
- approved more detailed guidelines concerning the implementation of the Action Plan;
- adopted a reply by the Committee of Ministers to the Parliamentary Assembly Recommendations 1324 (1997) and 1342 (1997);
- approved arrangements for participation by the Parliamentary Assembly (and the CLRAE) in the activities of the GT-SUIVI.
The three decisions above were adopted at their 614th meeting, in January (614/1.4).
1.3 Compliance with commitments accepted by member States of the Council of Europe
Heads of State and Government, having at the Second Summit (see above) resolved "to ensure that the commitments accepted by the member States are effectively honoured, on the basis of a confidential, constructive, non-discriminatory dialogue carried on within the Committee of Ministers and taking into account the monitoring procedures of the Parliamentary Assembly", the Deputies agreed, at their 609th bis meeting, in November (609 bis/1.5), to President Fischer’s proposal to devote the next Joint Committee meeting (on 29 January 1998) to a discussion on the monitoring of compliance with commitments.
In the meantime, the Deputies had devoted their 608th bis meeting to the previously identified "areas of concern" for monitoring, namely "Functioning and protection of democratic institutions, including matters relating to political parties and free elections" and "Freedom of expression and restrictions included in the Penal Code and other legal texts".
1.4 Relations with Central and Eastern European States
To mark a new emphasis, and evolution in the activities concerned, the Deputies, in the context of the budget (611th meeting, in December (611/2.1) adopted a new title for Vote IX cooperation activities "Activities for the consolidation of democratic stability (ADACS)", opened to all Council of Europe member States and applicant countries, while the competent Rapporteur Group (formerly GREL) became, by decision of the 614th meeting, in January (614/2.1), "Rapporteur Group for Democratic Stability (GR-EDS)".
1.4.1 Albania
At their 609th bis meeting, in November (609 bis/2.1), the Deputies authorised a high-level visit to Tirana (which took place from 18-20 January 1998) by their Chairman, Chairman of the GR-EDS and the Secretariat to examine with the competent Albanian authorities and the representatives of the international community in Tirana, the various aspects of the planning, implementation and evaluation of the Council of Europe cooperation programmes with Albania.
1.4.2. Belarus
At their 614th meeting, in January (614/2.1), the Deputies authorised the Secretariat to cooperate with the OSCE Advisory and Monitoring Group (AMG) in Minsk, by the appointment of a Liaison Officer for Belarus within the Secretariat and by providing experts (or members of the Secretariat) on an ad hoc basis to take part in activities for which Council of Europe expertise would be required.
1.4.3 Bosnia and Herzegovina
At their 614th meeting (614/2.1), the Deputies also decided to reply positively to the request of the UN Secretary General to intensify cooperation in the fields of law enforcement agencies and the functioning of the judicial system in Bosnia and Herzegovina.
1.4.4 Croatia
At their 608th meeting, in November (608/2.1), the Deputies decided to invite the Head of the OSCE Mission in Croatia, Ambassador Guldimann, for an exchange of views with the Rapporteur Group GREL, which subsequently became GR-EDS (see above). This exchange of views took place on 13 January 1998.
At their 611th meeting, in December (611/2.1), they took note of a final report by the Special Adviser for Education and Culture of the United Nations Transitional Administration in Eastern Slavonia (UNTAES), the Head of the School and Higher Education Department of the Secretariat, whom they had seconded, on a part-time basis, following a request by UNTAES.
1.5 Relations with the European Union
At their 613th meeting, in December (613/2.3), the Deputies marked their agreement with elements of the draft agreement on cooperation between the European Union’s Monitoring Centre on Racism and Xenophobia and the Council of Europe and instructed the Secretariat to convey their agreement to the Commission of the European Communities and to continue to work for the conclusion of a formal Agreement at the earliest possible date.
1.6 Relations with the OSCE (and the UN)
On 23 January 1998, the Secretary General participated in the High-Level Tripartite Meeting with the OSCE and United Nations’ institutions and agencies (as well as with the CICR) in Geneva, at the invitation of the Secretary General of the OSCE. The Chairman of the Ministers’ Deputies and the Chairman of the competent Rapporteur Group also took part in that meeting.
The Secretary General of the OSCE has been invited to an exchange of views with the Minister’ Deputies on 3 February 1998.
*
* *
It is recalled that the Ministers, at their 101st Session (see above), stressed the importance, for the implementation of the results of the Summit, of cooperation with European and other international organisations, notably the European Union and the Organisation for Security and Cooperation in Europe (OSCE).
2 Protection of Human Rights - the Conventions
2.1 European Convention on Human Rights
Signatures and ratifications
Italy ratified Protocol no. 11 to the Convention.
Croatia ratified the Convention and its Protocols nos.1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8 and 11.
The Czech Republic signed the European Agreement relating to persons participating in proceedings of the Court and Protocol no. 6 to the General Agreement on Privileges and Immunities.
Spain signed Protocol no. 6 to the General Agreement on Privileges and Immunities.
Croatia, Italy and Latvia ratified Protocol no. 6 to the General Agreement on Privileges and Immunities.
Implementation of Protocol no. 11
At their 613th meeting, in December (613/4.7), the Ministers' Deputies :
- took note of the candidatures for election of the judges of the European Court of Human Rights, presented in respect of Italy, the Netherlands, Spain, Turkey, Ukraine and the United Kingdom;
- agreed to transmit these lists of candidates to the President of the Parliamentary Assembly.
Applications of articles 32 and 54 of the Convention
A list of resolutions adopted by the Committee of Ministers under the application of Articles 32 and 54 of the Convention appears in Appendix 2 of the present report. The texts of the resolutions are available from the Directorate of Human Rights.
2.2 European Social Charter
Signatures and ratifications
Slovenia signed the Social Charter and its three protocols on 11 November.
Italy ratified the Protocol providing for a system of collective complaints on 3 November, which is the third ratification. Five ratifications are required for the instrument to enter into force.
The United Kingdom signed the Revised Social Charter on 7 November.
Committee of Independent Experts
The conclusions of the Committee of Independent Experts regarding cycle XIII-5 were published in November 1997. At its 148th (6-10 October 1997), 149th (3-7 November 1997), 150th (8-12 December 1997) and 151st (12-16 January 1998) sessions the Committee examined national situations relating to supervision cycle XIV-1. The Committee's conclusions regarding cycle XIV-1 will be published in February 1998.
Governmental Committee
The Governmental Committee met for its 85th meeting on 1-5 December 1997, where it finalised its examination of national situations relating to cycle XIII-4 and adopted its final report to the Committee of Ministers.
A working group set up by the Committee to assess the various proposals for modification of the Form for Reports held its second meeting on 18-21 November 1997. Discussion on the summary document prepared by the working group was begun by the Committee at its 85th meeting and the final decision will be taken at the 86th meeting.
Conferences, seminars, workshops, training courses
Within the cooperation and assistance programmes for central and eastern European countries, seminars and information meetings on the European Social Charter and the Revised Charter were held as follows:
- the Czech Republic on 22-23 September 1997;
- the Slovak Republic on 16-17 October 1997;
- the Russian Federation on 25-26 November 1997;
- Bulgaria on 16-17 December 1997;
- The former Yugoslav Republic of Macedonia on 18-19 December 1997.
Members of both the Committee of Independent Experts and the Governmental Committee participated in these seminars.
During the period in question study visits on the Charter were organised in Strasbourg for Russian and Estonian government officials.
Publications
- European Social Charter - Collected texts. ISBN 92-871-3366-2
- Committee of Independent Experts: Conclusions XIII-5.ISBN 92-871-3463-4
- The Social Charter of the 21st Century : Colloquy organised by the Secretariat of the Council of Europe. ISBN 92-871-3411-1
2.3 European Convention for the Prevention of Torture and Inhuman or Degrading Treatment or Punishment
Signatures, ratifications and entry into force
The Convention entered into force in "the former Yugoslav Republic of Macedonia" on 1 October 1997.
The Convention was ratified by Moldova on 2 October 1997 and by Croatia on 11 October 1997 (entry in force in respect of both countries: 1 February 1998).
Protocols 1 and 2 of the Convention were ratified by Moldova on 2 October 1997 and by Bulgaria on 27 October 1997.
Activities
The European Committee for the Prevention of Torture and Inhuman or Degrading Treatment or Punishment (CPT) carried out visits to the following States:
- United Kingdom and the Isle of Man (8 to 17 September 1997) (ad hoc visit)
- Turkey (5 to 17 October 1997) (periodic visit)
- Netherlands (17 to 27 November 1997) (periodic visit)
- Netherlands Antilles (7 to 11 December 1997) (ad hoc visit)
- Albania (9 to 19 December 1997) (periodic visit)
Publications
- The follow-up report of the Portuguese government in response to the CPT's report on the visit to Portugal (from 14 to 26 May 1995)
- The CPT's report on its visit to Italy (from 22 October to 6 November 1995) and the interim response of the Italian government
- The interim report of the Danish government in response to the CPT's report on the visit to Denmark (from 29 September to 9 October 1996)
3 Implementation of the Intergovernmental Programme of Activities
3.1 Democratic cohesion
3.1.1 Pluralist democracy
Equality
At their 609 bis meeting, in November (609bis/4.2), the Ministers’ Deputies :
- approved the terms of reference for the Group of Specialists on Positive Actions in the Field of Equality between Women and Men (EG-S-PA);
- took note of the comments and observations of the CDEG on the 6th report of the Secretary General on equality between women and men in the Council of Europe;
At their 613th meeting, in December (613/4.6), the Ministers’ Deputies :
- approved the terms of reference for the Group of Specialists for the Protection of Women and Young Girls against Violence (EG-S-FV).
Conferences, seminars, workshops, training courses
4th European Ministerial Conference on Equality between Women and Men
Istanbul (13 and 14 November 1997)
See Section 7 below
Information Forum on National Policies in the Field of Equality between Women and Men
Tallinn, Estonia (27 to 29 November 1997)
General theme: Guaranteeing freedom of choice in matters of reproduction, sexuality and lifestyles in Europe: trends and developments
Sub-theme 1: Adolescents and their right to reproductive health
Sub-theme 2: Contraception and abortion
Sub-theme 3: Reproduction and lifestyles: trends and developments
The conclusions highlighted, among other things, the increasing importance of the themes discussed and the necessity to establish that the right to free choice in matters of reproduction and sexuality be regarded as an integral part of human rights. The ability of women to control their own fertility was considered to be fundamental for the enjoyment of other rights and constituted the basis for real equality between women and men. The participants also proposed a range of more specific recommendations and activities to be undertaken as a follow-up to the Forum which could be developed both at national level and in the framework of the Council of Europe in various fields, such as information and education, awareness-raising, services, legal framework, research and statistical data, civil society.
Publications
- Compilation of internationally agreed texts concerning democracy and equality between women and men (EG (97) 5);
- Women in Politics in the Council of Europe Member States (EG (97) 6).
Media
At their 607th meeting, in October (607/5.1), the Ministers' Deputies adopted :
Recommendation No. R (97) 19 on the portrayal of violence in the electronic media;
Recommendation No. R (97) 20 on "hate speech";
Recommendation No. R (97) 21 on the media and the promotion of a culture of tolerance,
and authorised the publication of the explanatory memoranda to these three Recommendations.
5th European Ministerial Conference on Mass Media Policy
(Thessaloniki, 11-12 December 1997)
see Section 7 below
Standing Committee on Transfrontier Television
The Standing Committee on Transfrontier Television (T-TT) intensified its work to amend the European Convention on Transfrontier Television during three meetings held in September, October and November 1997. The purpose of the Committee's work is to ensure compatibility between the Convention and the European Union's revised "Television without Frontiers" Directive. Two questions remained pending at the outcome of these meetings, but it is hoped that the draft amending Protocol to the Convention will be finalised in the early part of 1998.
Publications
- Activities of the Council of Europe in the media field (DH-MM (97) 1)
- Recommendations and Declarations adopted by the Committee of Ministers of the Council of Europe in the media field (DH-MM (97) 2)
- Recommendations and Resolutions adopted by the Parliamentary Assembly of the Council of Europe in the media field (DH-MM (97) 3)
- Council of Europe Co-operation and Assistance Programmes in the media field for Central and East European countries (DH-MM (97) 5)
- Case-law concerning Article 10 of the European Convention on Human Rights
(DH-MM (97) 6 rev)
Local democracy
At its meeting on 26-28 November 1997, the Steering Committee on Local and Regional Authorities (CDLR) :
- adopted an opinion on the feasibility of a European Charter on Regional Self-Government and an opinion on the procedure recommended by the CLRAE in paragraphs 8 and 9 of Recommendation 20 (1996).
- adopted and forwarded to the Committee of Ministers, for adoption and opening for signature, the draft Protocol N° 2 of the Outline Convention on Transfrontier Co-operation and its draft explanatory report;
- adopted its programme of activities for 1998 (2 new activities), as well as the programme of activities of the Select Committee of Experts on Tranfrontier Co-operation (5 new activities).
Publications
- Regionalisation and its effects on Local Self-Government (No. 64 of the study series "Local and regional authorities in Europe"
- Structure and operation of local and regional democracy in Norway
- Structure and operation of local and regional democracy in Denmark
3.1.2 Human rights and minorities
Human rights
At their 602nd meeting, in September (602/4.2), the Ministers' Deputies adopted Recommendation No. R (97) 14 of the Committee of Ministers to member States on the establishment of independent national human rights institutions. On the same day, they also adopted Resolution (97) 11 on co-operation between national human rights institutions of member States and between them and the Council of Europe. By means of this Resolution, the Ministers' Deputies decided, in particular, to institute, in the framework of the Council of Europe, regular meetings with these institutions to exchange views and experience.
At their 613th meeting, in December (613/4.3), the Ministers' Deputies endorsed the proposals of the Ad Hoc Committee of experts to exchange views on the follow-up to the Programme of Action of the World Conference on Human Rights (CAHNU). These proposals concern a regional colloquy to be held from 2-4 September 1998 as a Council of Europe contribution to the commemoration of the 50th anniversary of the Universal Declaration of Human Rights and the 1998 review of the implementation of the Vienna Declaration and Programme of Action of the World Conference on Human Rights.
Also at their 613th meeting, (613/4.2 and 613/4.5), the Ministers' Deputies
took note of the opinion of the CDDH on Parliamentary Assembly Recommendation 1315 (1997) on minimum age for voting
approved the terms of reference adopted by the CDDH for
the Committee of Experts on issues relating to the protection of national minorities (DH-MIN),
the Group of Specialists on conscientious objection to military service (DH-S-CO),
the Group of Specialists on access to official information (DH-S-AC)
the Group of Specialists on democratic strategies for dealing with movements threatening human rights (DH-S-DEM).
Minorities
At their 608th meeting, in November (608/4.3), the Ministers' Deputies decided to hold the first elections for, and to make the first appointments of, ordinary members of, the Advisory Committee of the Framework Convention for the Protection of National Minorities at their 624th meeting (24-25 March 1998) (Rules 9 and 14 of the above-mentioned Resolution (97) 10). The deadline for the submission of candidates was set at 1 February 1998.
Racism and intolerance
At their 613th meeting, in December (613/4.1), the Ministers' Deputies renewed the terms of reference of the European Commission against Racism and Intolerance (ECRI) until 31 December 2002.
3.1.3 Rule of law
Protocol on Human cloning
The Protocol to the Council of Europe's Convention on Human Rights and Bio-Medicine (The Oviedo Convention) was opened for signature in Paris on 12 January and signed by 19 States. The Protocol prohibits "any intervention seeking to create a human being genetically identical to another human being, whether living or dead". It rules out any exception to this ban , even in the case of a completely sterile couple.
Decisions of the Committee of Ministers
The Ministers' Deputies, at their 602nd meeting, in September (602/10.2 and 602/10.5) :
- adopted Recommendation No. R (97) 18 of the Committee of Ministers to member States concerning the protection of personal data collected and processed for statistical purposes and authorised the publication of the explanatory memorandum thereon;
- took note of the CDCJ's Opinion on paragraph 6.i. of Parliamentary Assembly Recommendation 1315 (1997) on the minimum age for voting;
- noted that the CDCJ had requested Delegations to encourage their respective States to sign the European Convention on Nationality when it was opened to signature in Strasbourg on 6 November 1997 during the 101st session of the Committee of Ministers of the Council of Europe;
- took note that the CDCJ had requested the Project Group on administrative law (CJ-DA) and the Multidisciplinary Group against Corruption (GMC) to take account of Parliamentary Assembly Recommendation 1322 (1997) on civil service in an enlarged Europe;
- took note of the decision of the CDCJ to publish a Manual on information technology applications in correctional administration;
- took note of the opinion of the CDBI on the draft Recommendation on medical examinations preceding employment or private insurance and decided to instruct the CDBI, in the framework of the preparation of the Protocol concerning problems relating to human genetics, and in co-operation with the other committees concerned to co-ordinate activities aiming at the elaboration of norms or orientations on the ethical, legal and social problems relating to genetics;
- adopted the CDBI's terms of reference (which include the drawing up of a Protocol to the Convention on Human rights and Biomedicine concerning human genetics);
at their 606th meeting, in October (606/10.2 and 606/10.5) :
- agreed on the text of the draft Resolution containing the 20 guiding principles for the fight against corruption;
- invited States that have not yet done so to sign the Convention on Human Rights and Biomedicine and thereby fulfil the precondition for signing the additional protocol on the prohibition of cloning human beings;
- encouraged Member States' governments to improve public information and foster public debate on the fundamental questions raised by the developments of biology and medicine, in accordance with Article 28 of the Convention on Human Rights and Biomedicine;
- instructed the Secretary General of the Council of Europe to transmit, once the draft has been adopted, the text of the additional protocol to the Convention on Human Rights and Biomedicine to the United Nations General Assembly, inviting it to consider the case for adopting at a global level provisions banning cloning of human beings;
at their 607th meeting, in October (607/10.1) :
- adopted the reply to the Recommendation 1289 (1996) of the Parliamentary Assembly concerning the animal welfare and livestock transport in Europe;
at their 609th meeting, in November (609/10.1) :
- adopted Recommendation n° R (97) 22 containing guidelines on the application of the safe third country concept;
at their 612th meeting, in December (612/10.2) :
- adopted preliminary draft Specific terms of reference of the Group of Specialists on Reservations to International Treaties (DI-S-RIT) :
- to examine and propose ways and means and, possibly, guidelines to assist member States in developing their practice regarding their response to reservations and interpretative declarations actually or potentially inadmissible under international law;
- to consider the possible role of the CAHDI as an observatory of reservations to multilateral treaties of significant importance to the international community raising issues as to their admissibility under international law, as well as of the reactions by Council of Europe member States Parties to these instruments.
At their 616th meeting, in January (616/10.1a and 616/10.1b)
-. approved the revised terms of reference of the Committee of Experts on Family Law
(CJ-FA);- adopted a reply to Recommendation 1331 (1997) of the Parliamentary Assembly on establishing international standards for assessing the environmental impact of industrial enterprises;
- adopted Recommendation No. R (98) 1 on family mediation.
Meetings at steering committee level
Consultative Committee of the Convention for the Protection of Individuals with regard to Automatic Processing of Personal Data (STE N° 108)
13th meeting (10 - 12 December 1997)
During this meeting, the Committee examined the question of the accession of the European Communities to the Convention, following the request by letter from the Secretary General of the Commission to the Secretary General of the Council of Europe. The Committee analysed the standards of Convention 108 with regard to the new developments in the field of data protection, and in particular, the means to ensure an effective control of the implementation of the Convention. The Model Contract to ensure equivalent data protection in the context of transborder data flows was examined.
European Committee on Legal Co-operation (CDCJ)
68th meeting (25 - 28 November 1997)
At that meeting, the Committee approved in particular the text of the draft Recommendation on family mediation and adopted the text of its explanatory memorandum.
Steering Committee on Bioethics (CDBI)
13th meeting (1 - 4 December 1997)
The CDBI examined the different draft protocols actually being prepared within the Working Groups, namely those on organ transplantation, on biomedical research and on the protection of the human embryo and foetus. A fourth Working Group on human genetics has been constituted.
Conferences, seminars, meetings, workshops, training courses
12th Conference of Directors of Prison Administration (CDAP)
Strasbourg (26 - 28 November 1997)
The themes of the conference were the following:
- Overcrowding in penal institutions
- Long sentences and violent offenders
- Keeping prisoners active in an increasingly difficult economic environment
- The preparation of prisoners for release
- The treatment of sex-offenders in penal establishments and release programmes
- Co-operation among the member States of the Council of Europe
Second European Conference of Specialised Services in the Fight against Corruption "Corruption in Public Procurement", Tallinn, Estonia (27-29 October 1997)
The Conference was an initiative of the Council of Europe's Multidisciplinary Group on Corruption (GMC) in co-operation with the Government of Estonia. The aim of the Conference was to exchange the information and practices as regards corruption phenomena in public procurement and provide participants with deeper knowledge of public procurement systems and clearer understanding about how corruption is practised in this context.
Fourth meeting of the European Standing Conference of National Ethics Committees Paris (12 and 13 January 1998)
This meeting was organised in co-operation with the French National Advisory Ethics Committee for Life and Health Sciences and its general theme was "Ethical aspects of health collective choices".
3.2 Social cohesion and quality of life
3.2.1 Social policies
Social policy
Conferences, seminars, workshops, training courses
An International Seminar on Parenting in Europe organised jointly by the Council of Europe and the European Region of the International Union of Family Organisations took place in Strasbourg from 13-14 October.
Publications
The initial and further training of social workers taking into account their changing role, which was drawn up by the Co-ordinated research programme in the social field (1994-1995) (CDSP (97)21)
Concerning Recommendation No. R (94) 14 on coherent and integrated family policies (CDPS (97)25)
Social security
Statutory Meetings
The European Social Security Committee meeting (CDSS) held its 50th meeting in Strasbourg from 25 to 27 November 1997.
Following the request by the Committee of Ministers for an opinion on Recommendation 26 and Resolution 41 (1996) of the CLRAE on "health and citizenship: care for the poorest in Europe" the Committee drafted the requested opinion and submitted it to the Committee of Ministers.
Conferences, seminars, workshops, training courses
The training course on social security which had taken place in Strasbourg from 4 to 7 November 1997dealt with co-ordination instruments in the social security field.
Publications
Report on developments in social security legislation, 1997 edition
Comparative tables in social security systems, 8thedition
Population
At their 615th meeting, in January (615/6.2), the Ministers’ Deputies examined the report of the 22nd meeting of the European Population Committee (CDPO), from 25-27 June 1997. The Deputies subsequently :
- approved the publication of a report on the demographic situation of the two population groups in Northern Ireland, and of a synthesis report on the demographic situation of national minorities in Hungary, Romania and the Slovak Republic;
- took note of the final activity report on the demographic imbalances between the countries of the Mediterranean basin.
Publications
Recent demographic developments in Europe 1997
Migration
Statutory meetings
At its 37th meeting, from 5 to 7 November, the European Committee on Migration (CDMG) declassified the consultant's report on the fact-finding mission on the housing problems of Roma/Gypsies in Valdemingomez (Spain).
Conferences, seminars, workshops, training courses
A seminar on political and social participation of immigrants through consultative bodies took place in Strasbourg from 26 to 28 November 1997.
The debate focused on tasks and modalities of consultative bodies, membership issues and the advantages and disadvantages of special versus integrated arrangement.
Publications
Measurements and indicators of integration
Roma/Gypsies
At their 615th meeting, in January (615/6.1a), the Ministers Deputies decided to declassify the conclusions of the CDMG on problems arising in connection with the international mobility of Roma/Gypsies in Europe, as set out in Appendix V to CM(97)96, in order to make them accessible to those concerned;
The Specialist Group on Roma/Gypsies (MG-S-ROM) held its fourth meeting in Ploiesti, Romania, from 13 to 16 October 1997. It adopted a Memorandum on the education of Roma/Gypsy children.
Conferences, seminars, workshop, training courses
A seminar on "consultative bodies between Roma/Gypsies and national authorities" took place in Helsinki (29 October - 1 November 1997). It was organised in cooperation with the Finnish authorities and the OSCE/ODIHR.
The debates focused on the operation of the Finnish Advisory Board on Romani Affairs and, in general, on the composition, powers, terms of reference and activities of the different bodies represented.
Publications
Newsletter on "Activities of the Council of Europe on Roma/Gypsies" (No11).
3.2.2 Health
Protocol on human cloning
See Section 3.1.3 above
At their 602nd meeting, in September (602/6.1) the Ministers Deputies adopted the following recommendations :
- Recommendation No R (97) 15 on xenotransplantation
This recommendation asks member States to establish a mechanism for the registration and regulation of certain aspects of xenotransplantation with a view to minimising the risk of transmission of diseases.
- Recommendation No R (97) 16 on liver transplantation from living related donors
This recommendation lays down rules on liver transplantation from live donors, and proposes that such transplantation should be considered only where there is a shortage of cadaver organs, and only for children.
- Recommendation No R (97) 17 on the development and implementation of quality improvement systems in health care
This recommendation gives detailed guidelines on policies and structures for the implementation of quality improvement systems.
Statutory meetings
The European Health Committee held its 42nd meeting on 25-26 November 1997 in Strasbourg. Amongst the matters discussed, the following are of particular interest :
- The arrangements made by the CDBI and the CDSP for closer cooperation and coordination of activities, with a view to avoiding possible overlap or contradictory statements on similar themes.
- The adoption of the technical appendix to Recommendation No R (95) 15 on the preparation, use and quality assurance of blood components. This recommendation is the "golden standard" on the subject in Europe.
- The adoption of a position paper on the potential risk of transmitting Creutzfeldt-Jakob disease (CDJ) to a recipient by blood transfusion. This position paper has been forwarded to all national health authorities.
Conferences, seminars, workshops, training courses
Course on health care technology assessment
Strasbourg, 8-10 December 1997
The purpose of this course was to discuss the role and importance of assessing the health care technology in use or to be used from the points of view of efficiency, effectiveness and acceptability.
At the end of the course, the participants agreed on a series of recommendations and proposed that this course be followed by an expert committee to further study the matter.
Publications
- The Collection and use of human blood and plasma in the non-European Union Council of Europe member States in 1995 (English only)
- Standardisation of organ donor screening to prevent transmission of neoplastic diseases
- Activities of blood banks in the Council of Europe member States related to bone marrow (English only)
- xenotransplantation - State of the art report (English only)
3.2.3 Environment
At their 615th meeting, in January (615/9.2), the Ministers Deputies approved the terms of reference for the following groups :
Group of Specialists on Tourism and Environment (PE-S-TO);
Group of Specialists on Transport and Environment (PE-S-TE);
Group of Specialists on the European diploma (PE-S-DE).
Bureau of the Committee for the activities of the Council of Europe in the field of biological and landscape diversity (BU-DBP)
3rd meeting, Geneva (19 November 1997)
The Bureau took note of the progress report on the Council of Europe's contribution to the Pan-European Biological and Landscape Diversity Strategy and expressed its satisfaction with the Council of Europe's active contribution to the implementation of the Strategy.
Executive Bureau for the Pan-European Biological and Landscape Diversity Strategy (STRA-BU)
3rd meeting, Geneva (20 - 21 November 1997)
The Executive Bureau reviewed the state of progress of the work carried out in the Action Themes of the Strategy:
- Action Theme 0.2: Assist introduction of National Biodiversity Strategies and Action Plans in all countries of Europe
- Action Theme 1: Establishing the pan-European Ecological Network
- Action Theme 2: Integration of biological and landscape diversity considerations into sectors
- Action Theme 3: Raising awareness and support with policy-makers and the public
- Action Theme 4: Conservation of landscapes
- Action Theme 5: Coastal and marine ecosystems
- Action Themes 6: River ecosystems and related wetlands
- Action Theme 7: Inland wetland ecosystems
- Action Theme 8: Grassland ecosystems
- Action Theme 9: Forest ecosystems
- Action Theme 10: Mountain ecosystems
- Action Theme 11: Action for threatened species.
Publications
- Environmental Encounters series, No. 36, "Tourism and Environment: towards a New Tourist Culture". (Seminar, Strasbourg, 21 – 23 November 1996)
Publications (Centre naturopa)
- Naturopa No. 85 on nature conservation and land use problems
- Strategy Bulletin Nos. 5 and 6
- Library Bulletin No. 5-1997
- Selective Bibliography on nature conservation and land use problems, No. 1997-2
Series of Brochures "Questions and Anwers"
No. 2: Agriculture and biodiversity
No. 3: Tourism and environment
- Environment Encounters series: No. 37 on Nature conservation and media
Convention on the Conservation of European Wildlife and Natural Habitats (Bern Convention)
The Standing Committee of the Convention held its 17th meeting in Strasbourg from 1 to 5 December 1997. The Committee amended Appendices I, II and III of the Convention.
The Committee adopted the following recommendations:
- Recommendation No. 56 concerning guidelines to be taken into account while making proposals for amendment of Appendices I and II of the Convention and while adopting amendments
- Recommendation No. 57 on the Introduction of organisms belonging to non-native species into the environment
- Recommendation No. 58 on the Reintroduction of organisms belonging to wild species and on restocking and reinforcing populations of such organisms in the environment
- Recommendation No. 59 on the Drafting and implementation of Action Plans of wild fauna species
- Recommendation No. 60 on the Implementation of the Action Plans for globally threatened birds in Europe
- Recommendation No. 61 on the Conservation of the white-headed duck (Oxymora leucocephala)
- Recommendation No. 62 on the Conservation of regionally threatened birds in the Macaronesian and Mediterranean regions
- Recommendation No. 63 on the conservation of the Akamas peninsula, Cyprus, and, in particular, of the nesting beaches of Caretta caretta and Chelonia mydas
- Recommendation No. 64 on the conservation of Caretta caretta in Kaminia (Cephalonia, Greece)
Publications
Seminar on "Incentive measures for the voluntary creation and management of protected areas", Romania, 29 September-2 October 1996. – ISBN 92-871-3381-6
Introduction of non-native plants into the natural environment (Nature and Environment Series no. 87). – ISBN 92-871-3389-1
Comparative analysis of the effectiveness of legislation for the protection of wild flora in Europe (Nature and Environment Series no. 88). – ISBN 92-871-3429-4
3.3 Cultural cohesion and cultural pluralism
Council for Cultural Co-operation (CDCC)
At their 602nd meeting, in September (602/7.1), the Ministers’ Deputies
took note of the opinion of the CDCC on CLRAE Recommendation 17 (1996) on responsibilities and initiatives of cities in respect of education and decided to forward it to the CLRAE;
took note of the opinion of the CDCC on CLRAE Recommendation 19 (1996) on aspects of urban policies in Europe and agreed to resume consideration of this item at one of their forthcoming meetings.
3.3.1 Education, higher education, culture and heritage
Education
Statutory meetings
The Committee of Education met on 30 September and 1 October 1997 in Strasbourg. The agenda was given over to evaluating the 19th Session of the Standing Conference of European Ministers of Education which took place in June 1997 in Kristiansand (Norway), and preparing for the 2nd Summit of Heads of State and Government. During the discussion of the draft budget for 1998, the Committee was particularly interested in the new "modern languages" project, the implementation of the "Education for democratic citizenship" project, the "Democratic security, social cohesion and educational policy" activities and the in-service training programme for teachers. It also discussed a draft recommendation on modern languages. The Committee also prepared for a second informal meeting with the Committee of Education of the Council of the European Union.
Conferences, seminars, workshops, training courses
Social Cohesion, Democratic Security and Educational Policies
The dissemination seminars of the results of the "A secondary education for Europe" project took place in:
- Yakoutsk (Russian Federation), 7-11 October 1997,
- Pultusk (Poland), 12-14 October 1997,
- Bratislava (Slovak Republic), 3-5 December 1997,
- Riga (Latvia), 18-20 December 1997.
Expert’s missions on the reform of secondary education took place in the Russian Federation (7-9 October 1997) and in Croatia (2-5 October 1997).
Modern Languages Section
- Conference on "Good practice in initial training in modern languages" organised by CILT (Centre for Information on Language Teaching and Research), Southampton, United Kingdom, 26-27 September 1997
- Presentation at the meeting of the Council of Foundation of Eurocentres
Rapperswil, Switzerland, 1-3 October 1997
- Annual meeting of the Europe Commission of the International Federation of Teachers of French (FIPF), Thessaloniki, 24-25 October 1997
- First consultative meeting on the elaboration of a threshold level specification for Czech and dissemination seminar for teachers and teacher trainers
Prague, Czech Republic, 6-7 October 1997
- Seminar for the dissemination of the results of the "Modern Languages" project, Sigtuna, Sweden, 7-8 November 1997
- First consultative meeting on the elaboration of a threshold level for Hungarian and dissemination seminar for teachers and teacher trainers
Budapest, Hungary, 20-21 November 1997
- Seminar for the dissemination of the results of the "Modern languages" project, Moscow, Russian Federation, 2-3 December 1997
Education for Democratic citizenship
- An ad hoc meeting of the full Project Group took place following a seminar at the Council of Europe Headquarters, Strasbourg, on the 12 December 1997 on Education for Democratic Citizenship: basic concepts and key competencies.
- Cooperation with the Bulgarian Ministry of Education and Science in the development of a seminar on "Education for Human Rights and Democracy in Schools" Sofia and Primorsko, Bulgaria, 21-25 September 1997.
- Training Seminar "Learning and Teaching for Democratic Citizenship: critical approaches to the media in civic education", Budapest, Hungary, 7-12 October 1997. Carried out in cooperation with the Hungarian Ministry of Education and the Council of Europe In-Service Training Programme for Teachers.
- Seminar on "Citizenship Study" in cooperation with the European Union, Brussels, Belgium, 14 November 1997.
- Information exchange and planning meeting between representatives of the Scottish site of citizenship and the Alsace site of citizenship. European Youth Centre, Strasbourg, 12-15 November 1997
- Training Seminar "Training of Youth for Relay Mediation to Facilitate the Practice of Democratic Citizenship", Strasbourg, the 9, 10, 15, 16 December 1997. Activity carried out in cooperation with the Themis Association.
- Conference/seminar on "Education for Democratic Citizenship: basic concepts and core competences", Council of Europe Headquarters, Strasbourg, the 11-12 December 1997.
Learning and Teaching about the History of Europe in the 20thCentury
- 77th European Teachers' Seminar on "The History of Women in Europe in the 20th Century", Donauschingen, Germany, 6-11 October 1997
- Symposium on "Learning and teaching about the history of Europe in the 20th Century in secondary schools", Budapest, Hungary, 11-13 December 1997
New Initiative of the Secretary General
- Regional Seminar on "The reform of history teaching in secondary schools", Tbilissi, Georgia, 25-27 September 1997
- Regional Carpathian Seminar on "Central and Eastern Europe as a historical region: the problem of integration in 20th century world history", Chernivtsy, Ukraine, 27-29 October 1997
- Seminar on "Teaching national history in the Russian Federation: the balance between local, regional and national history in a multinational State", Novgorod, Russian Federation, 10-12 November 1997
- Seminar on "The preparation and publication of new history textbooks", Chisinau, Moldova, 24-26 November 1997
Civic Education
- A meeting of authors of a textbook for teachers of civic education was organised in Moscow from 17 to 20 September 1997 in co-operation with the Ministry of Education of the Russian Federation, the Russian Association for Civic Education, and the Association of Administrators of Education of Russia in the framework of the Project "In-service teacher training for civic education in the Russian Federation ".
- A planning meeting for 12 authors of a textbook for teachers of civic education and experts in in-service teacher training took place in Moscow (Russian Federation) from 12 to 13 November 1997 with the same partners as mentioned above.
- A meeting "Training Programme for teacher in Human Rights Education" with six Directors of Pedagogical Institutes of Bosnia and Herzegovine took place in Sarajevo on 14 October 1997.
- A seminar "Civic Education and the reform of the education system" for 35 administrators was organised in Tabakhmela (Georgia) from 16 to 19 November 1997 in co-operation with the Ministry of Education of Georgia.
- A Conference on "Education for democracy and for Human Rights" for 65 Ukrainian and Belorussian teachers took place from 2 to 5 December 1997 in Kyiv (Ukraine), organised in co-operation with CIVITAS, Kyiv Mohila University and the Ministry of Education of Ukraine.
The European dimension of education
In-service Teacher Training Programme
a. European Teachers' Seminars in Donaueschingen (Germany)
- Educational games in the classroom, 17-22 November 1997
- The History of Women in Europe in the 20th century, 6-11 October 1997
b. Other training courses
- Conference on Evaluation and Assessment, 26-28 September, Riga, Latvia
- The management and improvement of didactical activities, 4-6 October, Botosani, Romania
- History teaching in a divided community, 4-9 October, Carrickfergus and Londonderry, United Kingdom
- Social conflicts and the media, 7-12 October, Budapest, Hungary
- Education for legality, 20-24 October, Verona, Italy
- Getting to know the heritage of a big town, 25-30 October, Estoril, Portugal
- Managing curricula in secondary education, training for head teachers,
8-10 November, Stirling, United Kingdom
- Creativity and life-long education, 8-10 November, Timisoara, Romania
- Creative expression in education, 11-16 November, Ghent, Belgium
- Human rights – children’s rights, 11-16 November, Ghent, Belgium
- Managing 5-14 year olds in primary school, 17-19 November, Edinburgh, United Kingdom
- Meet first – then respect, 20-22 November, Radovlijca, Slovenia
- Quality assurance in secondary school, 24-26 November, Edinburgh, United Kingdom
- Ecology and the environment, 8-12 December, Han-sur-Lesse, Belgium
- Value education, 13-15 December, Iasi, Romania
- Festival "Cinema and Citizenship education", 19-24 January, Angers, France
School Links and Exchanges
- Exchange for change – training for head teachers and teachers involved in school exchanges, 20-24 October, Vilnius, Lithuania
- Intercultural education and multinational school projects – 1st part of a long-term training course for teacher trainers, 15-20 November, Moscow, Russian Federation
Europe at School
- European Committee, 5-7 October 1997, Bratislava, Slovak Republic
Publications
Social Cohesion, Democratic Security and Educational Policies
- What secondary education for a changing Europe? Trends, challenges and prospects – Pierre Luisoni
- Secondary education in Romania
- Secondary education in Luxembourg
- The education for the Secondary Education – Raymond Ryba
- Secondary Education in Cyprus
Modern languages
- Report of the Final Conference "Language learning for a new Europe"(doc. CC-LANG (97) 7)
- Practical guide on "The role of the school management team in pedagogical of exchanges" published in cooperation with the Network for links and school exchanges.
The European dimension in education
- "Vis-à-vis", practical guide for setting up school exchanges for primary schools
- "Vis-à-vis", practical guide for setting up school exchanges for lower secondary schools
- The role of the school management team in the pedagogy of exchanges : practical guide published in co-operation with the Modern Languages Section
Higher education and research
Statutory meetings
At its meeting on 24 – 25 November 1997, the Bureau of the Higher Education and Research Committee (CC-HER) approved a revised draft recommendation on access to higher education and its explanatory memorandum. These texts will be submitted to the CDCC in January 1998, for onward transmission to the Committee of Ministers.
The Bureau also considered proposals for the efficient continuation of the Legislative Reform Programme and its completion by December 2000, and reports on the two new activities on European Studies for Democratic Citizenship and Social Sciences and the Challenge of Transition. A joint meeting between the CC-HER Bureau and the Working Party on the new project on "Lifelong Learning for Social Cohesion: a new Challenge for Higher Education was organised on 25 November 1997. The meeting elaborated a programme proposal which should make it possible for the CC-HER, in March 1998, to launch the project and confirm its definitive title.
The second Working Party on European Studies for Democratic Citizenship took place on 22 - 23 December 1997 to discuss the development of the project and to prepare a symposium scheduled in 1998 to discuss several educational and methodological issues related to course design and teaching of European studies.
On 26 November 1997, the Working Party on "Criteria and procedures for the assessment of foreign qualifications" reviewed and finalised the draft recommendation and explanatory memorandum in view of comments made by the CC-HER Bureau. The draft recommendation will be submitted for adoption under the implementation mechanisms set up under the new Council of Europe/UNESCO Convention on the Recognition of Qualifications concerning Higher Education in the European Region (ETS No 165). The number of signatures for this Convention has now reached 33, the latest being Canada, the United Kingdom and Israel.
The pilot project on Diploma Supplement was launched at a conference in Brussels on 22 September 1997. This project, which includes some 35 higher education institutions, is carried out jointly by the Council of Europe, the European Commission and UNESCO. It will be completed in May 1998 and is being supervised by a joint working party, which met in Brussels on 21 September and on 12 – 13 November.
The Working Party on Regional Cooperation in Higher Education (Strasbourg, 27 November 1997 reviewed the final report of the General Rapporteur and the recommendations made by the Reykjavík Conference (10 – 12 September 1997) with a view to their implementation. The Council of Europe and the Nordic Council of Ministers will make a joint publication on the basis of the conference.
On 11 December 1997, the ENIC Bureau and NARIC Advisory Group met in Brussels. This was the first joint meeting of these two groups.
Conferences, seminars, workshops, training courses
A workshop on the organisation of professional higher education was held in Dubrovnik (Croatia) on 4 – 7 October 1997, as the ninth in a series of topical meetings within the Legislative Reform Programme in higher education and research. The conclusions will inform the future advisory missions of the LRP in new member States.
The LRP also organised a study visit in Ireland on 8 – 12 December 1997 for the benefit of decision-makers in new member States, using the new Irish network of regional technical colleges as a major case study.
Publications
The third Edition of the Student Handbook was published in November 1997. It gives comprehensive information on study opportunities for foreign students in 29 European countries not members of the European Union, complementing the European Union’s ORTELIUS database.
Culture
Statutory meetings
The 15th Meeting of the Culture Committee was held in Strasbourg from 30 September to 2 October 1997.
The Committee took note of the national and examiners cultural policy reports for Lithuania and chose the item "Privatisation and Desetatisation" for its first sectorial and transversal review. It examined the draft recommendation on Democratic Access to Archives. The Committee approved the draft resolution on the Cultural Routes and the draft agreements for the setting up of the European Institute for Cultural Routes.
Conferences, seminars, workshops, training courses
Books and Archives
A number of meetings and discussions took place on this theme, notably at the Frankfurt Book Fair (15 - 17 October 1997), where the project of the "New Book Economy" (a project being completed in co-operation with the European Union) was presented along with "Publishing in Bosnia and Herzegovina" and "Co-operation within the Book Chain".
Cultural Policy
A seminar "Internationalisation of cultural projects and cultural co-operation in Europe" took place in Budapest (European Youth Centre, 14 - 16 October 1997). This provided an overview of the mechanisms of cultural co-operation in Europe and encouraged a strategic approach to building cultural projects with a European dimension.
A national debate on the cultural policy of Slovenia took place in Ljubliana (24 - 25 October 1997) and a conference on States’ responsibilities to Culture was held in Vilnius (4 - 5 December 1997), while from 9 to 12 December 1997 a seminar was organised in Sofia on the theme "Cultural Policy in Bulgaria; Dilemmas and Perspectives".
On 6-8 November 1997 a working group on the exercise of the cultural policy review currently underway in Portugal, allowed for a firsthand review of the National Report.
On 24-25 November 1997 in Bucharest, the first elements for discussion concerning the Bulgarian cultural policy review were discussed upon the invitation of the Minister for Culture.
Culture, Creativity and the Young
Two regional meetings (Bratislava, 24-25 October 1997, and Helsinki, 21-22 November 1997) analysed the key conceptual issues in cultural provision for young people, identified examples of good practice and drew out implications for cultural policy and provision.
New Technologies
A conference "Towards a European Media Culture; From Practice to Policy" aimed at preparing a reflection on the development in New Technologies took place in Amsterdam on 29 October-1 November 1997. A further conference in London (26-28 November 1997), "the Artist, the Citizen and the Entrepreneur" discussed similar themes.
Publications
Cyberculture: Pierre LEVY
New Ideas in Science and Arts; New Technologies: cultural, co-operation and communication.
Cultural heritage
Conferences, seminars, workshops, training courses
The official launch ceremony for the European Heritage Days (EHD) could not take place in Sarajevo as foreseen, due to the elections in Bosnia and Herzegovina. The presentation of the 1997 EHD was carried out by means of an international press conference chaired by the Secretary General of the Council of Europe in Strasbourg on 12 September 1997. In 1997, this showcase was carried out in 43 European countries with the Russian Federation and Bosnia and Herzegovina taking part for the first time. 26 000 monuments were visited by some 18 million people.
In the framework of the European Heritage Days, the diploma award ceremony for the young prizewinners of the 2nd "International Photographic Experience of monuments" took place in Strasbourg on 3 December 1997. This event served to bring together young people of 8 European countries (Andorra, Wallonia/Belgium, Bosnia and Herzegovina, Catalonia/Spain, Greece, the Netherlands, Poland and Scotland/United Kingdom).
Publications
- Issues No 9 and 10 of the "Crafts and Heritage" magazine
- Proceedings of the first European symposium on strategies for vocational training in architectural heritage skills, Paris, 13 April 1996, "Cultural Heritage" series No.38.
3.3.2 Sport
At their 602nd meeting, in September (602/7.2), the Ministers’ Deputies:
took note of the proposal contained in the letter of the Chairman of the Monitoring Group of the Anti-Doping Convention, on the setting-up of an ad hoc interdisciplinary working party on the non-sport use of prohibited substances;
asked their Rapporteur Groups on Education, Culture and Sport (GR-C) and on Social and Health Questions (GR-SOC) to consider the desirability and the feasibility of implementation of the said proposal.
Conferences, seminars, workshops, training courses
Seminar on topical problems of doping control patterns and analysis
18-20 September 1997, Madrid
The main themes examined were the economical, technical, organisational and accreditation issues with respect to doping laboratories.
In their conclusions the participants:
outlined the important role which laboratories play in the fight against doping;
invited the Parties signatories to the Anti-Doping Convention to evaluate the cost of establishing a laboratory in their country and/or investigate the possibility of setting up regional partnerships;
underlined the urgent need for laboratories to use common methods and invest in scientific research.
Seminar on physical activity and health
2-4 October 1997, Antalya
The main themes were:
the benefits for public health of moderate physical activity practised regularly and the risks attached to physical activity incorrectly practised and how to avoid them;
the existing European tests for physical aptitude – Eurofit for children and adults;
marketing physical activity with publicity campaigns and through all the forms of mass media.
The conclusions stressed that on balance the benefits of moderate intensity physical activity outweighed the risks of sports injuries and that, therefore, promotional programmes should be initiated to motivate the public to participate in physical activity.
Seminar on the contribution of sport to a stronger democratic society
24-26 October 1997, Lisbon
The principal themes were:
the structures of a democratic sports system (role of the State, local authorities and the voluntary sector);
- the actors in a democratic sports system (sport and children and the responsibilities of trainers, sport and women, sport for people with disabilities, ethnic minorities and migrants).
In their conclusions the participants underlined the importance of well drafted sports legislation and suggested that the newly appointed national ambassadors for sport tolerance and fair play should look at the problems facing certain sectors of the population with regard to sport.
Seminar on Sport and the Law
29-31 October 1997, Rome
The main topics examined were:
- the recourse to arbitration, within the forms provided by common law as a solutions to sports disputes;
European co-operation in the fight against violence in sporting events and the compatibility of different national legislative measures;
European co-operation in the fight against doping and the compatibility of different national legislative measures;
the risks involved in doing sport, prevention and legal protection.
All participants considered the harmonisation of the norms in the field of sport as an essential aim and an obvious necessity for effective European co-operation in this area.
3.3.3 Youth
Consultative Meeting on the Future of the Youth Sector
14-15 December 1997, European Youth Centre (EYC), Strasbourg;
The objective of the Consultative Meeting was to review the history and achievements of the Council of Europe youth sector and to discuss future developments. The participants stressed the importance of the youth sector in the areas of training and policy, and supported the principle of co-management.
Statutory meetings
Advisory Committee of the EYC and EYF
The 18th meeting of the Advisory Committee, held from 13-15 October 1997 in Strasbourg, dealt mainly with the reform process of the youth structures and the policy and programme of the youth sector. The Committee adopted a declaration on this matter, underlining its belief in the principle of co-management between youth organisations and governments for elaborating and implementing youth policy.
Governing Board
The 18th meeting of the Governing Board, held from 16-19 December 1997, was preceded by a consultative meeting on the future of the youth sector, to which youth organisations, members of the Advisory Committee, the Governing Board and the CDEJ were invited to participate.
The Governing Board studied the question of the reform of the youth sector and examined the programmes of activities of the European Youth Centres and the EYF.
European Youth Foundation (EYF)
The EYF continued its work of management and follow-up to projects to which the Governing Board has awarded financial help. The 62nd Intergovernmental Committee of the EYF was held on 12 and 16 December. The Committee adopted the 1998 budget for the Foundation.
Intergovernmental co-operation
At its meeting from 14 to 16 October, the European Steering Committee for Intergovernmental Co-operation in the Youth Field (CDEJ) dealt with the reform of the structures of the Youth Directorate and the preparation of the next ministerial conference.
During the joint meeting with the Advisory Committee, held on 15 October, the first evaluation of a national youth policy, that of Finland, was organised.
Joint Conference CDEJ/CLRAE
Budapest, 23-25 October 1997
This Conference, which had as its theme "the evaluation of the implementation of the European Charter on youth participation on local and regional levels" was attended by representatives of the CDEJ, the CLRAE, the Parliamentary Assembly and young people, who represented local councils and youth parliaments. There was a fruitful exchange of views between all the participants on the situation of youth participation in society. The Conference enabled a training project "education to citizenship" to be elaborated in partnership with the CDEJ, the CLRAE and Youth Planet (a European network of young representatives of local councils and youth parliaments).
Coordinating Committee CDEJ/ERYICA
Luxembourg, 25 November 1997
In accordance with the Partnership Agreement signed between the Council of Europe and ERYICA, the Coordinating Committee met to draw up its 1998 programme. It decided to organise a European training course for newcomers in the field of youth information and counselling, the preparation of a guide for the setting-up of youth information and counselling centres and the follow-up to the survey on the networking of national information systems.
Study Sessions
19 study sessions were organised in the European Youth Centres, with a large variety of political, educational, social and single issue youth organisations.
The main themes included:
-social exclusion (constant increase for the past three years);
-training of members of INGYOs;
-citizenship and participation: role and values of associative life;
-European identity;
- multicultural society: consequences and challenges.
A major activity was held in close co-operation with the Parliamentary Assembly, namely the Round Table on "Mobilisation of young people to address the critical situation in Central and Eastern European rural areas" (26 October - 2 November, Budapest). Over 50 % of the participants came from Central and Eastern Europe.
Training courses
Training course on "different approaches on youth information in Europe"
Budapest, 15-20 December 1997
This training course, organised in accordance with the Partnership Agreement, was attended by 35 members of youth information services from 31 European countries. Its aim was to provide the participants with information, insights and contacts to help them in their work and develop the European dimension of their centre or service.
Two other training activities were held: one for Roma youth leaders (organised in cooperation with the Finnish authorities and with the European Commission), and the last phase of the training course on "Participation and Citizenship", in the context of the follow-up of the Campaign against Racism and Intolerance.
4 Multilateral activities with countries of Central and Eastern Europe
A comprehensive report of these activities is presented by the Political Affairs Division in the document :
Assistance with the development and consolidation of democratic security : Annual Report 1997 (Reference SG/INF(98)1)
The enforcement of court decisions in civil cases
Strasbourg (15-17 October 1997)
This meeting was organised by the Council of Europe in conjunction with the Japan Foundation. The principal aims were to analyse the general problems which arise in the course of enforcement of decisions, judgements, orders etc. issued by the civil courts including writs of execution (such as notarial acts, legal transactions under commercial law), to identify the rules and practices relating to enforcement, having regard to requirements for the protection of human rights and fundamental freedoms, to seek solutions which enable a balance to be struck between the efficacy of the enforcement decision and the rights of debtors especially with respect to precautionary measures such as interim administrative measures and to examine the powers and status of enforcement officers (officials, members of the liberal professions and other persons having powers to enforce decisions) together with the role of the courts in this respect.
The role of the notary in preventing litigation
Prague (22-24 October 1997)
This multilateral meeting was organised by the Council of Europe in co-operation with the Notaries' Chamber of the Czech Republic and under the auspices of the Ministry of Justice of the Czech Republic. The aim of the meeting was to define and stress how the notary can play his role in the administration of justice in preventing litigation by contributing to legal security.
It was recognised that, in particular in the new democracies, the notary has important tasks to fulfil in ensuring that transactions concerning, for instance, immovable property, the setting up of enterprises and family law are carried out according to the principles of a State of Law. The notary, as an impartial advisor of the parties to a contract, can through his work prevent litigation and thus alleviate the workload of courts. In this context, deontological and ethical questions of the profession of notary were also discussed.
3rd meeting of the Presidents of Supreme Courts : "The supreme court and the constitutional court : interrelation of the roles, powers and responsibilities"
Prague and Brno (20 - 23 October 1997)
The aims of this activity were to examine the powers of supreme and constitutional courts in order to delimit the scope of their competences and define their reciprocal relations, to analyse the principles governing the functioning of these bodies and the impact of their case-law and to look for legal solutions able to avoid confusion of powers between the supreme and constitutional court.
Meeting on practical issues relating to citizenship
Stubicke Toplice, Croatia (13-14 November 1997)
The aim of this conference was to offer an opportunity for officials, who on a daily basis deal with various aspects of the procedure of deciding on matters of citizenship, to exchange practical experiences and views on issues of present interest. Consideration was given to two themes, "International instruments and their effect on national law and practice relating to the granting of citizenship" and "Processing of applications for naturalisation and permanent residence permits". Conclusions were adopted, with reference i.a to the importance of promoting the development of the legal principles relating to citizenship and the methods used to process applications.
Evaluation conference on the fight against corruption in States in transition Strasbourg (1-3 December 1997)
This Conference was held in the framework of the joint project between the Council of Europe and the Commission of the European Communities
The main aim of the conference was for the scientific experts to evaluate, in the light of the recommendations and guidelines addressed earlier this year to the countries participating in the project, the measures which had been taken to combat corruption and organised crime. Participants requested a continuation of the project with a view to the provision of further advice, assistance and cooperation to facilitate the implementation of these recommendations and guidelines.
Workshop on the implementation of European Conventions in the penal field, Strasbourg (3-5 December 1997)
The object of this workshop, which brought together the representatives of 8 member and non-member States of the Council of Europe, was to deal with the practical problems of the adoption, ratification and implementation of the Conventions of the Council of Europe in the penal field and, in particular, of the European Convention on extradition, the European Convention on mutual assistance in criminal matters and the Convention on the transfer of sentenced persons.
The role and the responsibilities of the lawyer in a society in transition
Budapest (9-11 December 1997)
This multilateral meeting was organised by the Council of Europe in cooperation with the Hungarian Bar Association, CCBE and INTERIGHTS. Discussions, in particular, turned on the organisation and administration of the profession of lawyer, the professional standards and rules of professional conduct of the profession of lawyer, access to justice and legal aid, States obligations on access to justice under international Human Rights Treaties as well as the exercise of the profession of lawyer with regard to the principles of the European Convention on Human Rights.
Seminar on protection of personal data held by administration or police
Prague (18-19 December 1997)
This seminar for the representatives of the Ministry of the Interior, Ministry of Justice and Health and members of the Czech Parliament took place in the framework of the Demo-Droit Programme, following the request of the Czech Government and with the participation of Council of Europe experts concerning the matter of protection of personal data held by administration or in the police sector.
Seminar on the European Convention for the Prevention of Torture.
Kharkiv (Ukraine), 1-2 October
A seminar for NGO representatives, Kharkiv prison personnel, the leadership of the Ukrainian Ministry of Internal Affairs, students and Ministry of Defence and state security service officials was organised in conjunction with the Kharkiv Human Rights Protection Group and the Kharkiv State Legal Academy with the aim of introducing the European Convention for the Prevention of Torture, which Ukraine has recently ratified.
Seminars on human rights education and civic education.
Tallinn, 8-9 October, Druskinikai (Lithuania) 16-18 October, Riga, 10-11 December
Seminars on human rights education and civic education were organised in each of the three Baltic states this autumn. A number of education issues were addressed, including teacher training, curricula, teaching methods, development of materials, parent involvement, community involvement and others. The seminars were all aimed at providing a regional perspective, drawing on the experiences of all three Baltic States. The contributions of a wide range of Baltic experts, teachers and NGO representatives were thus enlisted.
The Second International Andrej Novak Memorial Colloquy.
Ljubljana, 16 October
The Second International Andrej Novak Memorial Colloquy concerned the constitutional protection of human rights and focused on judicial as well as non-judicial means of human rights protection, in Europe and in Slovenia. The changes following the coming into force of Protocol No. 11 were also considered. The Secretary General of the Council of Europe Mr Daniel Tarschys opened the seminar, which was organised in conjunction with the Law Faculty of the University of Ljubljana.
Information seminar on the European Convention for the Prevention of Torture.
Kyiv, 22-23 October
An information seminar was organised in conjunction with the Ukrainian Ministry of Justice and Ministry of the Interior with the aim of acquainting relevant Ukrainian officials with the European Convention for the Prevention of Torture, the CPT's mandate and working methods, and specific issues pursued in different categories of places of detention. Participants included staff from Ministry of Interior and Ministry of Health, staff of the Ukrainian Security Service, representatives of the Prokuratura, journalists and researchers.
Study visit for the Russian Presidential Human Rights Commission.
Madrid, 17-18 November 1997
As part of a series of activities for the Russian Presidential Human Rights Commission, members paid a study visit to examine the workings of the office of the Defensor del Pueblo (Ombudsman) in Madrid, and the regional ombudsman's offices in Leon and Castilla.
Conference on compatibility of domestic legislation with the European Convention on Human Rights.
Sofia, 4-5 December
The Directorate of Human Rights contributed towards a conference on the compatibility of domestic legislation with the requirements of the European Convention on Human Rights. The conference was organised in conjunction with the Bulgarian Information and Documentation Centre on the Council of Europe, the Bulgarian Institute of Legal Development and INTERIGHTS and offered an opportunity to take stock five years after Bulgarian ratification of the European Convention on Human Rights.
Workshop on selected aspects of the European Convention on Human Rights.
Sarajevo, 4-6 December 1997
The workshop concerned selected aspects of the European Convention on Human Rights and its applicability in Bosnia and Herzegovina. It was organised in conjunction with the office of the UNHCR in Bosnia and Herzegovina, and the participants were lawyers and judges from the Legal Aid Centres of the Republika Srpska and the Federation of Bosnia and Herzegovina.
Seminar on European standards for the protection of refugees' rights.
Kazimiers Dolny (Poland), 12-14 December
The seminar brought together legal practitioners from Poland, Ukraine and Belarus to discuss the rights of refugees and asylum-seekers under the European Convention on Human Rights and under Polish law. Discussions focused on the case law of the European Court of Human Rights, the procedure for obtaining a Rule 36 indication and the new Polish Act on Aliens.
Publications
- Co-ordination meeting for co-operation programmes for the countries of central and eastern Europe - Report on the Implementation of Activities for 1997
(DEMO/DDH(97)5 rev)
- The Council of Europe and Central and Eastern Europe - Summary Sheet. (H(97)14)
- Basic Human Rights Documents of the Council of Europe available in Central and Eastern European Languages . (H (96) 17)
5 Partial agreements
5.1 Social Development Fund
"The former Yugoslav Republic of Macedonia" acceded to the Fund on 15 December1997.
The Fund Bodies met as follows during the reporting period:
- 190th and 191st meetings of the Administrative Council on 2-3 October and 26-27 November 1997,
- 153rd meeting of the Governing Board on 16 December 1997,
- 22nd, 23rd and 24th meetings of the Executive Committee on 2 and 27 October and November 1997.
Administrative Council
At its 190th meeting on 2-3 October 1997, the Administrative Council :
- approved six new loan requests totalling more than ECU 400 million:
one was presented by France (solid household waste incinerator and sorting centre for dry recyclable products, ECU 46.7 million);
one by Germany (communal and private environmental projects, ECU 254.7 million);
two by Greece (reconstruction of earthquake damage in Western Greece, ECU 36.3 million; water supply system in Ilia, ECU 10.6 million);
one by Italy (social housing, ECU 51.8 million);
one by Portugal (education infrastructures, ECU 10.5 million).
-. authorised the Governor to negotiate and raise, up until 31 December 1998, long-term loans to a total amount not exceeding the equivalent of ECU 1.9 billion on the best terms available ;
at its 191st meeting on 26-27 November
-. approved four new loan requests totalling over ECU 450 million:
three projects concern Italy (social infrastructures, ECU 78 million; social housing, ECU 26 million; reconstruction of earthquake damage in Umbria and the Marches, up to ECU 259 million);
one project concerns Finland (social infrastructures, ECU 100 million).
-. approved the administrative budget for 1998 for a total of FRF 103 710 000;
-. adopted Resolution 1424 adjusting the criteria for the eligibility of projects, in particular in the light of the conclusions of the Council of Europe Summit in Strasbourg urging the fund to increase its funding in the field of job creation and in the social field.
-. took note of the undertaking by the Governor to increase the Fund’s lending in this field by an additional ECU 1 billion over the next three years;
-. approved the limits by groups of countries proposed by the Governor, stressing solidarity as the guiding principle in giving priority, where possible, to the Fund’s priority fields of activity and to its member states most in need, in particular to the countries of central and eastern Europe, and noting that these limits would be applied in a flexible manner;
-. took note of the Reports on Follow-up [Monitoring] of projects prepared by the Governor and the Secretariat, expressing its appreciation of the detailed and thorough work.
Governing Board
The Governing Board at its 153rd meeting on 16 December 1997,
-. welcomed "the former Yugoslav Republic of Macedonia" as the Fund’s 27th member state;
-. discussed the follow-up of the 2nd Summit of the Heads of State and Government of the Council of Europe member states. The Board welcomed the widening of the eligibility criteria decided by the Administrative Council in adopting Resolution 1424, stressing that this was an interactive, continuous process and that other measures may be necessary in future in order to adequately respond to the Summit’s expectations, taking into account the Fund’s financial equilibrium.
-. replied to Recommendation 1334 of the Parliamentary Assembly concerning Refugees, Asylum seekers and Displaced Persons in the Community of Independent States (CIS).
Executive Committee
The Executive Committee, at its 22nd, 23rd and 24th meetings examined in particular the new loan requests, the Fund’s financial situation and the proposals for a modification of the project eligibility criteria and the procedures for the preparation and follow-up of projects, leading to the approval of Resolution 1424 (1997).
5.2 Social and Public Health
Public health
Public Health Committee (Partial Agreement) (CD-P-SP)
At the 602nd meeting of the Ministers’ Deputies, in September (602/6.3), the Representatives, on the Committee of Ministers, of the Member States of the Partial Agreement in the Social and Public Health field:
- adopted the revised specific terms of reference of the Public Health Committee;
- adopted Resolution AP (97) 1 on ion exchange and adsorbent resins used in the processing of foodstuffs;
- adopted Resolution AP (97) 2 on the development of the function of pharmacists and the adaptation of their initial training;
At its 60th session, on 27 November, the Public Health Committee :
agreed to terminate the terms of reference of
the Committee of experts on the health control of foodstuffs;
the Committee of experts on pesticides;
the Select Committee of experts to revise the booklet 'Pesticides';
established a new Committee of experts on nutrition, food safety and consumer health;
Committee of experts on medicines subject to prescription
The annual revision, for publication purposes (1997 edition), of the Appendices to Resolution AP (95) 1 on the classification of medicines which are obtainable only on medical prescription was completed; these Appendices set out, on the one hand, an alphabetical list of active principles, their pharmaco-therapeutic classification and their anatomical-therapeutic-chemical classification and, on the other hand, recommendations on their classification as regards the renewal of medical prescription.
Rehabilitation and integration of people with disabilities
Committee on the Rehabilitation and Integration of People with Disabilities (Partial Agreement) (CD-P-RR)
At the 602nd meeting of the Ministers’ Deputies, in September (602/6.2), the Representatives, on the Committee of Ministers, of the Member States of the Partial Agreement in the Social and Public Health field:
Adopted revised specific terms of reference of the CD-P-RR;
Took note of the specific terms of reference of two new committees :
- Working Group on assessment of person-related criteria for allowances and personal assistance of people with disabilities (P-RR-ECA)
- Committee of Experts on the impact of new technologies on the quality of life of persons with disabilities (P-RR-NTH)
Working Group on legislation against discrimination of persons with disabilities (P-RR-LADI)
The Working Group held its 3rd session from 1-3 December 1997 in Strasbourg and discussed the first drafts of the two comparative studies on legislation against discrimination and on the practical situation of people with disabilities in the member and observer States.
Working Group on employment strategies for persons with disabilities (P-RR-SEH)
The Working Group devoted its second session to the review of employment measures described in the replies to the questionnaire on employment strategies which was drafted at the first session.
Working Group on assessment of person-related criteria for allowances and personal assistance of people with disabilities (P-RR-ECA)
The Working Group held its 1st session from 12-14 November 1997 in Strasbourg and established working definitions, a work programme and timetable as well as a questionnaire on the criteria which govern the granting of allowances and personal assistance to people with disabilities, paying special attention to the role of multidisciplinary teams.
Follow-up to the Committee of experts for the application of the WHO International Classification of Impairments, Disabilities and Handicaps (ICIDH) (P-RR-CI)
Publications
- The use and usefulness of the International Classification of Impairments, Disabilities and Handicaps (ICIDH) in relation to the elderly
- Resolution AP (95) 3 on a Charter on the vocational assessment of people with disabilities, and glossary
- Use and Usefulness of the International Classification of Impairments, Disabilities and Handicaps (ICIDH) for the education of children with impairments or disabilities
5.3 European Department for the Quality of Medicines (EDQM)
The European Pharmacopoeia Commission held its 99th session from 18 to 20 November 1997. At that time, 147 new or revised monographs were adopted as well as 14 general methods of analysis. These standards will be published in the 2nd supplements to the third Edition. Thirty-three meetings of Group of Experts and ad hoc working parties took place between September 1997 and January 1998.
During the three last months of 1997, the European Department for the Quality of Medicines has successively organised:
- The annual meeting of the European Network of Official Medicines Control Laboratories (OMCL), which was held in Bled (Slovenia) from 1 to 3 October 1997, which regrouped the OMCLs of the Member States and Observer countries of the European Pharmacopoeia.
- The first meeting of the representatives of the OMCLs from the countries of the European Economic Area concerned by the European central marketing authorisations of new medicines, held on 3 October in Bled.
- A conference on the practical aspects of the procedure on the Certification of Conformity of monographs of the European Pharmacopoeia which gathered together more than 220 experts in Strasbourg on 2-3 December 1997.
Publications
first supplement to the 3rd Edition, now available as a CD-ROM.
5.4 Pompidou Group
The Permanent Correspondents held their 40th meeting on 1-3 October. It was devoted principally to adoption of a plan of activities to implement the new work programme 1997-2000 agreed by ministers in May. In particular, new activities were launched on the economic and social costs of drug abuse, on social reintegration of ex-addicts and drug users, and on road traffic and drug use.
The epidemiology experts have completed a survey among their target groups on the use made of data on drugs and drug problems in Europe. The report of the ESPAD project (school surveys in 23 countries) coordinated by CAN, Sweden with support from the Pompidou Group was published at the beginning of November. A second epidemiology training and assistance programme in 6 countries of central Europe started in October in collaboration with the United Nations International Drug Control Programme.
Publications
A Handbook on planning and implementing prevention projects has now been finalised following a successful series of pilot projects.
Other new publications include:
Women and Drugs -Focus on prevention;
Special needs of children of drug misusers;
Volatile Substance Abuse in Poland;
Extension of the Multi-city network to central and eastern Europe - first reports from 9 cities
5.5 Cooperation Group for the Prevention of, Protection against, and Organisation of Relief in Major Natural and Technological Disasters
Lebanon acceded to the Partial Agreement on 16 December 1997 (612/10.3).
Moldova acceded to the Partial Agreement on 8 January 1998.
7th Ministerial session of the EUR-OPA Major Hazards Agreement
Monte-Carlo, Principality of Monaco (24 – 25 November 1997)
At the meeting seven resolutions were adopted.
- Resolution No. 1 : On the use of space technologies to assist risks management : STRIM programme
The Ministers expressed their resolve to participate in the STRIM programme, which should concentrate particularly on improving synergy between the various activities on the subject.
- Resolution No. 2 : On anti-personnel landmines and their humanitarian implications
The Ministers requested that a prospective study be initiated and concrete pilot actions be taken on in liaison with the European Commission, the European Space Agency, the Council of Europe EUR-OPA Major Hazards Agreement and the interested national organisations in order to develop integration of space and ground technologies to prevent accidents and to assist victims of accidents.
- Resolution No. 3 : On the Medium Term Plan 1997 – 2001 of the EUR-OPA Major Hazards Agreement
The Ministers decided, without changing the priorities of the said Plan, to instruct the Executive Secretary to examine the possibility of finding resources outside the budget of the Agreement to implement the proposal.
- Resolution No. 4 : On the modification of the budget of the EUR-OPA Hazards Agreement with regard to the European network of Specialised Centres
The Ministers decided to instruct the Committee of Permanent Correspondents to present proposals for the reorganisation of the Agreement’s budget for 1999 before the next ministerial session, scheduled for 1998, takes place.
- Resolution No 5 : On the evaluation of the ten-year activity of the EUR-OPA Major Hazards Agreement
The Ministers instructed the Committee of Permanent Correspondents to prepare an information document in 1998 on all the activities carried out by the Agreement during its first ten years of activities and on the programmes planned for 1999.
- Resolution No. 6 : On the draft charter on the protection of human rights in the event of natural and technological disasters
The Ministers requested the Committee of Permanent Correspondents to examine the possibility of preparing such a draft charter and to report back at the next ministerial meeting.
- Resolution No. 7 : On the draft Euro-Mediterranean convention on medical humanitarian law
The Ministers requested the Committee of Permanent Correspondents to examine the possibility of preparing such a draft convention and to report back at the next ministerial meeting.
Publications
1997 activity report of the EUR-OPA Major Hazards Agreement. (AP/CAT(97)74)
5.6 EURIMAGES
At their 613th meeting, in December (613/7.1), the Ministers’ Deputies, in their composition restricted to the member states of the "Eurimages" Partial Agreement:
adopted Resolution (97) 65 amending Resolution (88) 15 setting up a European Support Fund for the Co-production and Distribution of Creative Cinematographic and Audiovisual Works, "Eurimages" with a view to applying it for two years on a trial basis;
agreed to review the results of this decision at the end of the two year trial period".
Statutory meetings
At its 51st meeting, held on 24-26 November 1997, the Board of Management of Eurimages agreed to support 9 feature films and 6 documentaries for a total amount of 22,750,000 French Francs. Support was awarded to 13 films to be distributed in 6 countries.
The 52nd meeting of the Board took place in Paris on 15-16 December 1997 in order to define the policy outline for 1998. Following the Board of Management’s agreement in principle to the opening-up of Eurimages to bilateral co-productions, proposals for amendment of Resolution (88) 15 have been submitted to the Ministers’ Deputies. Furthermore, it was also suggested to modify point 6 of the Resolution "Accession and withdrawal" with the aim of avoiding a less "automatic" accession to the Fund to remain a support fund and not a developing fund.
5.7 European Centre for Global Interdependence and Solidarity
(North-South Centre)
Statutory meetings
Meeting of the member States of the North-South Centre
Strasbourg (3 October 1997)
Meeting of the Executive Council
Strasbourg (14 November 1997)
Meeting of the Bureau
Lisbon (9 January 1998)
Conferences, workshops, training courses
Workshop on "Partnership in Global Education – Global Education in Secondary Schools"
Soesterberg, The Netherlands (9 - 12 October 1997)
Brainstorming session on raising public awareness of international development and global interdependence
Strasbourg (13 November 1997)
2nd Workshop on the improvement of Regional Systems for the protection of human rights.
Lisbon (17 - 18 November 1997)
A working session and an exchange of experiences between the African Commission for Human and People’s Rights, the Inter-American Commission for Human Rights and the European Commission and the European Court of Human Rights
Working session "Towards a New Partnership for Development Cooperation"
Lisbon (24 November 1997)
Co-organised with UNDP
3rd Intercultural Task Force and Round table on "Culture and Development" in the framework of Thessaloniki, Cultural Capital of Europe.
Thessaloniki (28 - 29 November 1997)
Intergovernmental Round table on "Raising public awareness to international development – what strategy towards information, education and communication ?" Ljubljana (16 -17 January 1998)
5.8 European Commission for Democracy through Law
The Commission held its 32nd and 33rd plenary meetings in Venice on 17-18 October 1997 and 12-13 December 1997 respectively.
At its 32nd meeting, the Commission:
- adopted the opinion drawn up at the request of the Office of the High Representative in Bosnia and Herzegovina, on certain aspects of the constitutional crisis in the Republika Srpska (CDL (97) 28 rev and 44);
- adopted the Report on the composition of constitutional Courts (CDL-JU (97) 34);
- signed with the South African and Swiss authorities, a framework agreement relating to the establishment of Chairs in Intergovernmental Relations in two South African Universities;
- decided to set up a Working Group composed of Messrs La Pergola, Batliner, Economides, Helgesen, Malinverni, Ms Milenkova and Messrs Özbudun, Russell and Bartole to assist the Albanian authorities in the drafting of the new Constitution of Albania;
- set up a group of rapporteurs to assist Estonia with the revision of its Constitution with a view to accession to the European Union;
- was informed by the President La Pergola and the Argentinian Observer of the steps taken in Argentina with a view to creating in Latin America a body of independent experts in constitutional law similar to the Venice Commission.
At its 33rd plenary meeting, the Commission :
- adopted the consolidated opinion on the draft Constitution of the autonomous Republic of Nakhitchevan and decided to forward it to the authorities of the Azerbaijan Republic;
- adopted the Report on the legal foundations of foreign policy;
- took note of the consolidated opinion on constitutional control in Armenia and decided to transmit it to the Armenian authorities and to continue the examination of the Armenian system of constitutional control once new information on the draft Law on the Organisation of the Judiciary is available;
- adopted the opinion on the constitutionality of the death penalty in Ukraine and decided to forward it to the Parliamentary Assembly;
- was informed by Mr Dimitri Constas, Permanent Representative of Greece to the Council of Europe on the initiative of the Greek presidency in the Committee of Ministers to organise a seminar on "Democratic Institutions and Civil Society in south-eastern Europe" and agreed to act as a co-organiser of this event;
- was informed of the interest of the Governments of Kazakhstan and the Republic of Korea to obtain observer status with the Commission;
- set up working groups to consider :
- the draft constitutional law on the organisation of the judiciary in Albania;
- the amendments to the Albanian constitutional law for the "main constitutional provisions";
- the draft laws on the organisation of the Government and on the functioning of Ministries in Romania;
- the draft law on lustration in Bulgaria;
- decided, upon request from the Parliamentary Assembly, to draw up a report on the progress of its co-operation with Croatia;
- was informed of the progress of work concerning the creation of an Institution of Ombudsman in Republika Srpska (Bosnia and Herzegovina).
Conferences, seminars, workshops, training courses
UniDem Round table on the "The Legal Foundation of Foreign Policy"
Santorini (26-27 September 1997)
UniDem Seminar on "The transformation of the Nation State in Europe at the Dawn of the 21st Century", Nancy (6-8 November 1997)
Seminar on the Relations between the Constitutional Court of the Russian Federation and Constitutional Courts of Subjects of the Russian Federation
Petrozavodsk, Russian Federation (22-24 September 1997)
organised, in co-operation with the Constitutional Court of Karelia.
Seminar on Constitutional Control and the Protection of Human Rights
Erevan (23-24 October 1997)
Seminar on the Execution of Decisions of Constitutional Courts
Tbilissi (17-18 November 1997)
Workshop on the Constitutional Court of Azerbaijan
Baku, (4-5 December 1997)
Publications
Science and technique of Democracy
- Proceedings of the UniDem Seminar on Human Rights and the functioning of the democratic institutions in emergency situations (Wroclaw, 3-5 October 1996);
- Proceedings of the UniDem Seminar on The constitutional heritage of Europe (Montpellier, 22-23 November 1996);
- Report on Federal and Regional States;
- Report on the composition of Constitutional Courts
- Bulletin on Constitutional case law N° . 97/1.
5.9 European Audiovisual Observatory
Statutory meetings
The Advisory Committee of the Observatory met in Strasbourg on November 13 and adopted a recommendation for a 1998 Wide Interest Study on the impact of broadcasting investment in audiovisual production.
The Bureau of the Observatory met in Strasbourg on October 16.
The Executive Council and the Financial Committee of the Observatory met in Strasbourg on November 28.
Core activities
Development of the Observatory’s Internet site (http://www.obs.coe.int) is progressing steadily, with information being added on a regular weekly basis, according to a defined publication routine and schedule. New items during the autumn include extracts from the Statistical Yearbook and IRIS; a number of harmonisation reports made by the Observatory; the GAVIS Guide to Information Sources, comprising more than 1500 organisation contacts and 2000 Internet sites, plus a database on reference publications within the framework of the Observatory’s areas of activity; on-line versions of experts’ reports; and a report on financial instruments for audio-visual production, developed by Audiovisual EUREKA; in addition to constitutional documents, organisation profiles and news items on the Observatory and its network.
The legal review IRIS has appeared in five issues during the autumn, in accordance with the publications schedule. The Editorial Board of IRIS has met once during the autumn, on November 12. IRIS’ table of contents and certain articles are now available on the Observatory’s Internet site.
Alongside these activities the process of renegotiating contracts with the Observatory’s network of partner organisations has progressed throughout the autumn. A new concept has been incorporated into the new draft contracts, setting out one standard, common set of mutual contractual obligations and engagements, and one section devoted to individual, bilateral projects. At the time of writing, two contracts have been signed, three have been agreed, but are not yet formally signed, and four contracts are still under review and renegotiation.
Several major projects have been finalised during the autumn, among those the feasibility study on monitoring of box office receipts for feature films across Europe and the promotion and distribution of the EUROFICTION study of television drama.
Other projects have been initiated - development of an electronic glossary for the audio-visual sector, electronic publishing on overview articles on radio and television in the Observatory member countries (in collaboration with the Hans Bredow Institute, Hamburg, and Nomos Verlagsgesellschaft, Baden-Baden), a report on broadcaster investment in audio-visual production, and continuation of collaboration on the AUVIS manual (with EUROSTAT).
The Observatory has issued four press releases, on the box office study, development of cable in Europe (with ECCA), trends in cinema admissions in 1997, and on the EUROFICTION study. The press releases have been widely quoted, both in specialised and daily press.
In late November the Observatory organised a seminar in Bratislava in co-operation with the Slovakian National Centre for Mass Media and Communications. The seminar followed a study visit by a Slovakian expert in the Observatory earlier in the autumn. Two Observatory experts presented papers on European television fiction and on media convergence and liaised with Slovakian professionals.
5.10 European Centre for Modern Languages
Iceland acceded to the Partial Agreement on 1 January 1998.
Statutory meetings
The Governing Board of the European Centre for Modern Languages held its Fifth Meeting on 23 and 24 October 1997, in Strasbourg. It was its second meeting in 1997. The main items on the agenda were the following:
evaluation of the activities of the European Centre for Modern Languages; meeting of the evaluators with the members of the Governing Board;
discussion and adoption of the 1998 Programme of Activities of the European Centre for Modern Languages.
Conferences, seminars, workshops, training courses
Establishing Principles and Guidelines for Publishers and Authors of Foreign Language Textbooks in the Context of the Aims of the European Centre for Modern Languages, St. Petersburg, Russian Federation, 23 - 27 September 1997
This Workshop was organised in co-operation with the International Centre for Educational Innovation of the Herzen State Pedagogical University, St Petersburg, Russian Federation. Twenty additional Russian participants from the Federation took part in the Workshop.
Redefining Formal Foreign Language Instruction for a Bilingual Environment,
Graz, 21- 25 October 1997
Teaching Partner Languages in Border Areas, Graz, 12 - 15 November 1997
Several recommendations were issued and substantial follow-up activities are planned; as this theme is also of interest to the European Commission, Directorate General XXII, it will be part of the Third Annual Colloquy of the European Centre for Modern Languages which will be co-organised and co-financed by the European Commission.
Content and Language Integration in Vocational and Professional Education
Graz, 25 - 29 November 1997
A Reflective Model of Language Teacher Education: an Integration of Theoretical with Competency-based Training in an Awareness-raising Context
Graz, 5- 9 December 1997
Networking, Follow-up Activities, Dissemination of Workshop Results at a National and Regional Level: Exchange of Information and Ideas; Working out Adapted Strategies, Graz, 11 - 13 December 1997
Modern Language Education in Primary Schools - an International Concern to be Implemented in National Contexts, Graz, 13 - 17 January 1998
Publications
The following Workshop reports have been published and disseminated:
Workshop 9/95: Goals and contents of language teaching at universities
Workshop 1/96: Audiovisual media and language teaching. Strategies and methods of understanding, using and producing videos
Workshop 14/96: Inventing to learn
Workshop 16/96: New trends in FL learning and teaching for FL teachers from Bosnia and Herzegovina
Workshop 19/96: Media, multimedia and training: managing change in the educational system
Workshop 21/96: The implementation of bilingual streams in ordinary schools: process and procedures - problems and solutions
Workshop 3/97: Language and culture awareness in language learning/teaching (L1 and L2) for the development of learner autonomy
(Age 11 - 18)
Workshop 5/97: Video as a teaching tool. Audiovisual media and language teaching
Phase II: Strategies and methods of understanding, using and producing videos.
Workshop 9/97: Syllabus definition and evaluation of proficiency at the end of upper secondary education: diversity and harmony in objectives and approaches to assessment
Workshop 11/97: Content, design and methodology of seminars, workshops and congresses
6 Congress of Local and Regional Authorities of Europe (CLRAE)
Bureau
At its meeting on 26 November, the Bureau continued to examine the situation of local and regional democracy in certain countries, in particular in Croatia, "The former Yugoslav Republic of Macedonia", Albania and Ukraine. The reports on the situation of local democracy in these four countries were presented. Further to these reports, the Bureau adopted the conclusions of the missions sent to these countries.
The Bureau again expressed its anxiety about the conflict in Ukraine, which involves the President of the Republic and the Parliament and has had negative consequences on the situation at the town hall of Kyiv. The members of the Bureau instructed the President of the CLRAE to write to the President of Ukraine to remind him of the conditions to which his country subscribed when it joined the Council of Europe.
Further to the oral report of Mr Frécon concerning the sentences of the Mayors of Tetovo and Gostivar ("The former Yugoslav Republic of Macedonia"), the Bureau decided to follow-up this case and, in particular, to follow the procedure of appeal launched by these two elected representatives.
Having taken note of Mr Pellegrini's report on the CLRAE mission to Albania, which was carried out further to the receipt by the CLRAE of different complaints from local and regional elected representatives, the Bureau decided to organise a meeting of the Working Group on Local Democracy in Albania to evaluate the information the Congress has available at this stage and to discuss the follow-up to this case.
Concerning the situation in Croatia, the Bureau maintained its decision to foresee a report on Local Democracy in this country for the next plenary session of the Congress.
Standing Committee
The Congress Standing Committee met on 26-27 November in Strasbourg. During this meeting the members examined, in particular, the situation of local and regional democracy in a number of countries where difficulties were put forward to the attention of the Congress and for which the Bureau had taken political actions.
In addition, the Standing Committee adopted on behalf of the Congress the report on the observation of local elections in Bosnia and Herzegovina (13-14 September 1997) as well as an Opinion, essentially positive, on the draft Protocol n° 2 to the European outline Convention on Transfrontier co-operation between territorial communities or authorities concerning interterritorial co-operation.
10th Annual Seminar of ENTO
Vienna (13-14 October 1997)
The 10th Annual Seminar and General Assembly of ENTO (the European Network of Training Organisations for Local and Regional Authorities, attended by some 90 participants from 30 countries, dealt with the basic tools of human resources development in local and regional authorities and the role of training.
Following the initial presentations, the participants discussed in workshops their experiences with training schemes aimed at motivating staff, various assessment systems, programmes for female employees and the special problems of human resources management in Central and Eastern Europe.
Colloquy on Regional Self-Government in Slovenia
Maribor, Slovenia (27 October 1997)
Experts from the Council of Europe, Slovenian government officials and representatives of local authorities met to examine a draft law on regions, envisaged under the country's constitution in accordance with the European Charter of Regional Self-Government.
This event was attended by representatives of the Slovenian Government, about twenty mayors of the country and the members of the Working Group on Regionalisation in Europe of the Congress of Local and Regional Authorities of Europe, as well as some experts invited by the Congress.
The work concerned the discussion of the draft law on regions, aiming at the establishment of the fundamental rules for the creation, functioning and financing of regional administration in Slovenia. A debate on the situation of local self-government in this country was integrated in these deliberations.
Europe 2000 - Young people and their towns: what participation? Comparing policies
Budapest (23 - 25 October 1997)
See Section 3.3.3 (Youth)
Hearing "Cohesion and Enlargement"
Strasbourg (24 - 25 November 1997)
This hearing was organised by the Committee of Regional Policy of the European Parliament (President Mr Arias Canete) in co-operation with the CLRAE and the Committee of the Regions of the European Union with the contribution of the European Association of Regions and the Council of European Municipalities and Regions.
Mrs Wulf-Mathies, Commissioner responsible for regional policy, cohesion funds and relations with the Committee of the Regions, presented to the participants the modalities proposed for the enlargement of the European Union in Agenda 2000. Members of the CLRAE Standing Committee, in particular elected representatives from candidate countries (10 Central and Eastern European countries, already member states of the Council of Europe and Cyprus) were able to give their technical and political opinion on this enlargement.
7 Conferences of specialised ministers
4th European Ministerial Conference on Equality between Women and Men
Istanbul (13 and 14 November 1997)
General theme: Democracy and equality between women and men
Sub-theme 1: Equality between women and men as a fundamental criterion of democracy
Sub-theme 2: Promoting equality in the democratic process: the role of men.
A "Declaration on equality between women and men as a fundamental criterion of democracy" and a "Statement on equality between women and men in the context of the 50th Anniversary of the Council of Europe" were adopted by the Conference. The Ministers underlined the importance of strengthening the intergovernmental co-operation within the Council of Europe in the field of equality between women and men and in particular the role of men in this process.
5th European Ministerial Conference on Mass Media Policy
(Thessaloniki, 11-12 December 1997)
The Ministers responsible for the media in the member States of the Council of Europe met in Thessaloniki on 11 and 12 December 1997 at the invitation of the Government of the Hellenic Republic to examine the theme "The Information Society: a challenge for Europe". The Conference was also attended by delegations from Armenia, Georgia, Holy See, Canada, and the United States, as well as by a number of international organisations.
The two sub-themes of the Conference were "The impact of new communications technologies on human rights and democratic values" and "Rethinking the regulatory framework for the media".
The Conference adopted a series of policy texts in which States undertook to:
- develop training and information of the public in the new technologies,
- promote access to the new communications and information services via the principle of "universal community service",
- guarantee freedom of expression in the new services,
- combat hate speech, pornography, organised crime and any other misuse of services,
- encourage self-regulation of services at European and international levels.
Furthermore, the Ministers adopted a Statement in which they expressed grave concern at the restrictions to freedom of expression and of the media in the Republic of Belarus.
APPENDIX 1
Action taken on texts adopted by the Assembly
Assembly recommendations
The Committee of Ministers has given interim or final replies to the following Recommendations:
Recommendation 1197 (1992) on demographic structures of the Cypriot communities
Recommendation 1289 (1996) on animal welfare and livestock transport in Europe
Recommendation 1295 (1996) on the Procedure for examining candidatures for the election of judges to the European Court of Human Rights
Recommendation 1306 (1996) on migration from the developing countries to the European industrialised countries
Recommendation 1307 (1996) on drug misuse and the question of legislation
Recommendation 1308 (1996) on the World Trade Organisation and social rights
Recommendation 1314 (1997) on the new technologies and employment
Recommendation 1317 (1997) on vaccination in Europe
Recommendation 1319 (1997) on the organisation by the Council of Europe of a second European campaign on North-South interdependence and solidarity in 1998
Recommendations 1324 (1997) and 1342 (1997) on the Parliamentary Assembly contribution to the 2nd Summit of Heads of State and Government of the Council of Europe
Recommendation 1331 (1997) on establishing international standards for assessing the environmental impact of industrial enterprises
Assembly resolutions and orders
The Committee of Ministers has taken note of the following Resolutions:
Resolution 1132 (1997) on the organisation of a parliamentary conference to reinforce democratic systems in Europe and co-operation in the fight against terrorism
Resolution 1133 (1997) on the situation in Albania
Resolution 1134 (1997) on OECD and the world economy
Resolution 1135 (1997) on the implications for Europe and the world of the "Cuban Liberty and Democratic Solidarity Act (Libertad)" of the United States Congress
Resolution 1136 (1997) on the European partnership of national parliaments within the Parliamentary Assembly
Resolution 1137 (1997) on the Council of Europe’s North-South Centre: internal reform, role and achievements
Resolution 1138 (1997) on promoting small and medium-sized enterprises in central and eastern Europe
Resolution 1139 (1997) on global challenges for agriculture (including aquaculture, fisheries and forestry)
Resolution 1140 (1997) on food supply in the world
Resolution 1141 (1997) on the role of farmers’ professional organisations as partners of governments in developing and implementing policies
Resolution 1142 (1997) on parliaments and media
Resolution 1143 (1997) on working methods and frequency of meetings of the Standing Committee.
The Committee of Ministers has taken note of the following Orders:
Order No. 534 (1997) on research and the cloning of human beings
Order No. 535 (1997) on anti-personnel landmines and their humanitarian implications
Order No. 536 (1997) on the enlargement of the Council of Europe: the budgetary and administrative powers.
APPENDIX 2
Texts adopted by the Committee of Ministers
1. Final communiqué of the 101st Session of the Committee of Ministers
(Strasbourg, 5-6 November 1997)
The Committee of Ministers of the Council of Europe held its 101st session on 6 November 1997, under the chairmanship of Mr Pierre Moscovici, Minister responsible for European Affairs at the Ministry for Foreign Affairs (France).
The Ministers held an exchange of views on the Second Summit of Heads of State and Government of the Council of Europe, which took place in Strasbourg on 10 and 11 October 1997, and drew the main conclusions. They paid tribute to France, the country hosting the Council of Europe and organiser of the Summit. They also expressed their appreciation for the contribution of the City of Strasbourg.
The Ministers noted that the Summit had brought together for the first time the Heads of State and Government of forty member countries and the four applicant countries, as well as representatives of the four observers. They concentrated on the decisions taken by the Summit, contained in the Final Declaration and Action Plan.
In conformity with the tasks entrusted to them by the Heads of State and Government concerning the Action Plan, the Ministers adopted:
an additional Protocol to the Oviedo Convention on Human Rights and Biomedicine prohibiting the cloning of human beings, which will be opened for signature on 12 January 1998 in Paris;
the guiding principles to be applied in national legislations for the fight against corruption.
The Ministers gave policy guidelines to their Deputies on each of the Summit's main themes: democracy and human rights, social cohesion, security of citizens, democratic values and cultural diversity. They also gave policy guidelines to their Deputies concerning structural reforms for the Council of Europe and decided to create for this purpose a Committee of wise persons, with limited membership, which should report to their 103rd session (November 1998).
They stressed the importance, for the implementation of the results of the Summit, of co-operation with European and other international organisations, notably the European Union and the Organisation for Security and Co-operation in Europe (OSCE).
The Ministers decided to keep follow-up to the Summit on the agenda for their forthcoming sessions and instructed their Deputies to report at their 102nd session, which they decided to hold on 5 May 1998.
The Ministers accepted the invitation of Hungary to hold their 104th session in Budapest (May, 1999) on the occasion of the Organisation's 50th Anniversary.
At an informal meeting on 5 November, the Ministers discussed national minority questions, on the basis of a presentation by Mr Max van der Stoel, High Commissioner on national minorities of the OSCE.
The ministerial meeting was preceded by the opening for signature of the European Convention on Nationality.
The Committee of Ministers adopted the following texts:
2. Conventions
Additional Protocol to the Convention for the protection of human rights and dignity with regard to the application of biology and medicine and the prohibition of cloning human beings (ETS 168)
3. Recommendations to member states
Recommendation No. R (97) 14 on the establishment of independent national institutions for the promotion and protection of human rights
Recommendation No. R (97) 15 on xenotransplantation
Recommendation No. R (97) 16 on liver transplantation from living related donors
Recommendation No. R (97) 17 on the development and implementation of quality improvement systems (QIS) in health care
Recommendation No. R (97) 18 concerning the protection of personal data collected and processed for statistical purposes
Recommendation No. R (97) 19 on the portrayal of violence in the electronic media
Recommendation No. R (97) 20 on "Hate Speech"
Recommendation No. R (97) 21 on the media and the promotion of a culture of tolerance
Recommendation No. R (97) 22 containing guidelines on the application of the safe third country concept
Recommendation No. R (98) 1 on family mediation
4. Resolutions
Resolution (97) 11 on co-operation between member states' national institutions for the promotion and protection of human rights, and between them and the Council of Europe
Resolution (97) 12 on the renewal of the European Diploma awarded to the Krimml Waterfalls Nature Site (Austria)
Resolution (97) 13 on the renewal of the European Diploma awarded to the Lunebourg Heath Nature Reserve (Germany)
Resolution (97) 14 on the renewal of the European Diploma awarded to the Muddus National Park (Sweden)
Resolution (97) 15 on the renewal of the European Diploma awarded to the Sarek and Padjelanta National Parks (Sweden)
Resolution (97) 16 on the renewal of the European Diploma awarded to the Swiss National Park (Switzerland)
Resolution (97) 17 on the renewal of the European Diploma awarded to the Abruzzi National Park (Italy)
Resolution (97) 18 on the renewal of the European Diploma awarded to the Maremma Nature Park (Italy)
Resolution (97) 19 on the renewal of the European Diploma awarded to the Selvagens Islands Nature Reserve (Portugal)
Resolution (97) 20 on the award of the European Diploma to the BialowieŸa National Park (Poland)
Resolution (97) 21 on the award of the European Diploma to the Carpathian Biosphere Reserve (Ukraine)
Resolution (97) 22 on the award of the European Diploma to Port-Cros National Park (France)
Resolution (97) 23 on the award of the European Diploma to the Belovezhskaya Pushcha National Park (Republic of Belarus)
Resolution (97) 24 on the twenty guiding principles for the fight against corruption
Final Resolution DH (97) 479 Application No. 21944/93 - Rudofsky against Austria
Resolution DH (97) 480 Application No. 18121/91 - J-P. V.C. against France
Resolution DH (97) 481 Application No. 16157/90 - Picaud against France
Resolution DH (97) 482 Application No. 22135/93 - A. B. against France
Resolution DH (97) 483 Application No. 19168/92 - Ledrut Madeleine I against France
Resolution DH (97) 484 Application No. 19169/92 - Ledrut Madeleine II against France
Final Resolution DH (97) 485 Application No. 27480/95 - Di Trapani against Italy
Final Resolution DH (97) 486 Application No. 25569/94 - Celea against Italy
Final Resolution DH (97) 487 Application No. 19719/92 - Collura against Italy
Final Resolution DH (97) 488 Application No. 18300/91 - Moreschi against Italy
Resolution DH (97) 489 Application No. 15489/89 - Ortombina against Italy
Final Resolution DH (97) 490 Application No. 19933/92 - Salvatore against Italy
Final Resolution DH (97) 491 Application No. 20361/92 - V.S. against Italy
Resolution DH (97) 492 Application No. 15647/89 - R.B. and P.S. against Italy
Resolution DH (97) 493 Application No. 23581/94 - Rossi Amelia against Italy
Final Resolution DH (97) 494 Application No. 26435/95 - Bisirri and others against Italy
Final Resolution DH (97) 495 Application No. 26882/95 - Lucarelli Da Constantino against Italy
Final Resolution DH (97) 496 Application No. 22866/93 - Puzzuoli against Italy
Final Resolution DH (97) 497 Application No. 24217/94 - Rocha De Gouveia I against Portugal
Final Resolution DH (97) 498 Application No. 14451/88 - Persson against Sweden
Final Resolution DH (97) 499 Application No. 22686/93 - Walter Stürm I against Switzerland
Resolution DH (97) 500 concerning the judgment of the European Court of Human Rights of 22 February 1996 in the case of Bulut against Austria
Resolution DH (97) 501 concerning the judgment of the European Court of Human Rights of 23 October 1995 in the case of Gradinger against Austria
Resolution DH (97) 502 concerning the judgment of the European Court of Human Rights of 7 August 1996 in the case of Ferrantelli and Santangelo against Italy
Resolution DH (97) 503 concerning the judgment of the European Court of Human Rights of 28 September 1995 in the case of Scollo against Italy
Resolution DH (97) 504 concerning the judgment of the European Court of Human Rights of 4 December 1995 in the case of Terranova against Italy
Resolution DH (97) 505 concerning the judgment of the European Court of Human Rights of 7 August 1996 in the case of Johansen against Norway
Resolution DH (97) 506 concerning the judgment of the European Court of Human Rights of 10 June 1996 in the case of Benham against the United Kingdom
Resolution DH (97) 507 concerning the judgment of the European Court of Human Rights of 27 March 1996 in the case of Goodwin against the United Kingdom
Resolution DH (97) 508 concerning the judgment of the European Court of Human Rights of 24 February 1995 in the case of McMichael against the United Kingdom
Interim Resolution DH (97) 509 Application No. 26363/95 - S.P.R.L. Anca and others against Belgium
Interim Resolution DH (97) 510 Application No. 23555/94 - Maurel-Février against France
Interim Resolution DH (97) 511 Application No. 23132/93 - Alcade and Pedrosa against France
Interim Resolution DH (97) 512 Application No. 23293/94 - Carrara, Antosanti and Pietrotti against France
Interim Resolution DH (97) 513 Application No. 23312/94 - G.B. II against France
Interim Resolution DH (97) 514 Application No. 25018/94 - S.M. against France
Interim Resolution DH (97) 515 Application No. 21967/93 - Sárközy against Hungary
Resolution DH (97) 516 Application No. 14031/88 - Esposition Maria against Italy
Interim Resolution DH (97) 517 Application No. 23857/94 - Plumey against Switzerland
Interim Resolution DH (97) 518 Application No. 19740/92 - Basta against Austria
Resolution DH (97) 519 Application No. 23666/94 - Duclos IV against France
Interim Resolution DH (97) 520 Application No. 26488/95 - Gautier against France
Interim Resolution DH (97) 521 Application No. 26223/95 - Monneret against France
Interim Resolution DH (97) 522 Application No. 26222/95 - Mugler-Bentoumi against France
Interim Resolution DH (97) 523 Application No. 26726/95 - SASS against France
Interim Resolution DH (97) 524 Application No. 27189/95 - Bevilacqua against Italy
Interim Resolution DH (97) 525 Application No. 30600/96 - G. D.P. against Italy
Interim Resolution DH (97) 526 Application No. 29662/96 - Bartolucci against Italy
Interim Resolution DH (97) 527 Application No. 30593/96 - Berardini against Italy
Interim Resolution DH (97) 528 Application No. 30587/96 - C. M. against Italy
Interim Resolution DH (97) 529 Application No. 30582/96 - C.M.R. L.C. against Italy
Interim Resolution DH (97) 530 Application No. 30583/96 - Capulli against Italy
Interim Resolution DH (97) 531 Application No. 30577/96 - F., A.M., M.G. and P.P.S. against Italy
Interim Resolution DH (97) 532 Application No. 30597/96 - F.R. against Italy
Interim Resolution DH (97) 533 Application No. 30598/96 - G.G. III against Italy
Interim Resolution DH (97) 534 Application No. 30585/96 - G.L. against Italy
Interim Resolution DH (97) 535 Application No. 23300/94 - G.R. and S.D. against Italy
Interim Resolution DH (97) 536 Application No. 30590/96 - Ghirardi against Italy
Interim Resolution DH (97) 537 Application No. 30580/96 - Ianni against Italy
Interim Resolution DH (97) 538 Application No. 30576/96 - L.P. against Italy
Interim Resolution DH (97) 539 Application No. 30578/96 - Merlanti against Italy
Interim Resolution DH (97) 540 Application No. 30579/96 - Panella against Italy
Interim Resolution DH (97) 541 Application No. 30592/96 - Pezzilli against Italy
Interim Resolution DH (97) 542 Application No. 30584/96 - Porfilio against Italy
Interim Resolution DH (97) 543 Application No. 30588/96 - Santella against Italy
Interim Resolution DH (97) 544 Application No. 30591/96 - Sasso against Italy
Interim Resolution DH (97) 545 Application No. 30581/96 - Simoni against Italy
Interim Resolution DH (97) 546 Application No. 30589/96 - Tessadri against Italy
Interim Resolution DH (97) 547 Application No. 29720/96 - Arlistico against Italy
Interim Resolution DH (97) 548 Application No. 29663/96 - Maffeo and Papa against Italy
Interim Resolution DH (97) 549 Application No. 30596/96 - Mostacciulo against Italy
Interim Resolution DH (97) 550 Application No. 30107/96 - Scagnoli against Italy
Interim Resolution DH (97) 551 Application No. 30595/96 - Soriano against Italy
Interim Resolution DH (97) 552 Application No. 30093/96 - G. D.Z. against Italy
Interim Resolution DH (97) 553 Application No. 29123/95 - Mascia against Italy
Interim Resolution DH (97) 554 Application No. 25541/94 - Bortolussi against Italy
Interim Resolution DH (97) 555 Application No. 28721/95 - Lelli G., and L. against Italy
Interim Resolution DH (97) 556 Application No. 27673/95 - Fernandes Martins and Martins Completo against Portugal
Interim Resolution DH (97) 557 Application No. 27850/95 - Damery-Vetter-Weil against France
Interim Resolution DH (97) 558 Application No. 27081/95 - Giorsetti against France
Interim Resolution DH (97) 559 Application No. 23588/94 - A.C. III against Italy
Final Resolution DH (97) 560 Application No. 24913/94 - Ferreira De Jesus against Portugal
Resolution DH (97) 561 Application No. 23435/94 - G.K. against France
Resolution DH (97) 562 Application No. 21533/93 - Rossi against France
Resolution DH (97) 563 Application No. 19862/92 - Delgado against France
Final Resolution DH (97) 564 Application No. 17656/91 - A. M. II against Italy
Final Resolution DH (97) 565 Applications Nos. 16387/90, 16388/90, 19999/92 and 22102/93 – Al Maradni, Gamba, Pugliese and Jasparro against Italy
Final Resolution DH (97) 566 Application No. 18668/91 - Calcaterra and De Pasquale against Italy
Final Resolution DH (97) 567 Application No. 22706/93 - Caruso Antonio against Italy
Final Resolution DH (97) 568 Application No. 229789/93 - Isnardi against Italy
Final Resolution DH (97) 569 Application No. 21612/93 - Nasponi against Italy
Final Resolution DH (97) 570 Application No. 22421/93 - Palermiti against Italy
Final Resolution DH (97) 571 Application No. 17991/91 - Scotti Marcello against Italy
Resolution DH (97) 572 Application No. 17502/90 - Villani Simona against Italy
Final Resolution DH (97) 573 Application No. 26885/95 - Basile against Italy
Final Resolution DH (97) 574 Application No. 19508/92 - J.D. against the Netherlands
Resolution DH (97) 575 concerning the judgment of the European Court of Human Rights of 22 March 1995 in the case of Quinn against France
Resolution DH (97) 576 concerning the judgment of the European Court of Human Rights of 25 May 1993 in the case of Kokkinakis against Greece
Resolution DH (97) 577 concerning the judgment of the European Court of Human Rights of 9 December 1994 and 1 September 1997 in the case of The Holy Monasteries against Greece
Interim Resolution DH (97) 578 Application No. 20064/92 - Auracher against Austria
Interim Resolution DH (97) 579 Application No. 20445/92 - Erdogan against Austria
Interim Resolution DH (97) 580 Application No. 21481/93 - Erdogdu against Austria
Interim Resolution DH (97) 581 Applications Nos. 21089/92, 21443/93, 22476/93 - G.M. and U.B. against Austria
Interim Resolution DH (97) 582 Application No. 23394/94 - Gmeiner against Austria
Interim Resolution DH (97) 583 Application No. 21361/93 - Gönengil against Austria
Interim Resolution DH (97) 584 Application No. 20676/92 - Haller against Austria
Interim Resolution DH (97) 585 Application No. 18724/91 - Proksch against Austria
Interim Resolution DH (97) 586 Application No. 21585/93 - Resch against Austria
Interim Resolution DH (97) 587 Application No. 19915/92 - Schmid Karl I against Austria
Interim Resolution DH (97) 588 Application No. 19543/92 - Schmid Karl II against Austria
Interim Resolution DH (97) 589 Application No. 20065/92 - Schmid Karl III against Austria
Interim Resolution DH (97) 590 Application No. 21213/93 - T.H. against Austria
Interim Resolution DH (97) 591 Application No. 20642/92 - Unlü against Austria
Interim Resolution DH (97) 592 Application No. 24883/94 - Salzmann against Austria
Interim Resolution DH (97) 593 Application No. 22961/93 - Ilhan against Austria
Interim Resolution DH (97) 594 Application No. 23445/94 - Chamard-Bois against France
Interim Resolution DH (97) 595 Application No. 21669/93 - J.Z. against France
Interim Resolution DH (97) 596 Application No. 24082/94 - Manoutcheri and S.K.G. against France
Interim Resolution DH (97) 597 Application No. 22579/93 - Veriter against France
Interim Resolution DH (97) 598 Application No. 20264/92 - Lechesne against France
Interim Resolution DH (97) 599 Application No. 26426/95 - S.B.F. S.P.A. against Italy
Interim Resolution DH (97) 600 Application No. 21451/93 - Gerrard against the United Kingdom
Interim Resolution DH (97) 601 Application No. 23019/93 - E.L. against Austria
Interim Resolution DH (97) 602 Application No. 24929/94 - J.M.G.C. and L.H.J. against Belgium
Interim Resolution DH (97) 603 Application No. 23660/94 - Duclos V against France
Interim Resolution DH (97) 604 Application No. 24352/94 - Eyoum-Priso against France
Interim Resolution DH (97) 605 Application No. 25879/94 - L.P. against France
Interim Resolution DH (97) 606 Application No. 24262/94 - Barandta against France
Interim Resolution DH (97) 607 Application No. 232553/94 - Lagarde against France
Interim Resolution DH (97) 608 Application No. 23667/94 - Duclos VI against France
Resolution DH (97) 609 Application No. 25545/94 - Peltier against France
Interim Resolution DH (97) 610 Application No. 26496/95 - Société Fruehauf France against France
Interim Resolution DH (97) 611 Application No. 31643/96 - A., G., C. and M.B. against Italy
Interim Resolution DH (97) 612 Application No. 31640/96 - A.M. A. against Italy
Interim Resolution DH (97) 613 Application No. 31352/96 - A.M. L. against Italy
Interim Resolution DH (97) 614 Application No. 31635/96 - Anfosso against Italy
Interim Resolution DH (97) 615 Application No. 31347/96 - Bordogna against Italy
Interim Resolution DH (97) 616 Application No. 31358/96 - Borselli against Italy
Interim Resolution DH (97) 617 Application No. 31330/96 - C.I.P.D.I. S.r.l. against Italy
Interim Resolution DH (97) 618 Application No. 31641/96 - C.R.A.D.C.C. S.r.l. against Italy
Interim Resolution DH (97) 619 Application No. 31334/96 - Cairo against Italy
Interim Resolution DH (97) 620 Application No. 31339/96 - Carcassi against Italy
Interim Resolution DH (97) 621 Application No. 31335/96 - Casilli against Italy
Interim Resolution DH (97) 622 Application No. 31333/96 - Ciliberti against Italy
Interim Resolution DH (97) 623 Application No. 31343/96 - Cimadoro against Italy
Interim Resolution DH (97) 624 Application No. 31336/96 - Cimenti against Italy
Interim Resolution DH (97) 625 Application No. 31346/96 - CIMS against Italy
Interim Resolution DH (97) 626 Application No. 31344/96 - Coccia against Italy
Interim Resolution DH (97) 627 Application No. 31356/96 - G. S.r.l. against Italy
Interim Resolution DH (97) 628 - Human Rights - G. and I.B. against Italy
Interim Resolution DH (97) 629 Application No. 31645/96 - G.F. II against Italy
Interim Resolution DH (97) 630 Application No. 31351/96 - G.M. VI against Italy
Interim Resolution DH (97) 631 Application No. 31357/96 - G.P. and F.C. against Italy
Interim Resolution DH (97) 632 Applications Nos. 27956/95 and 30599/96 - Garberi P., E. and M. against Italy
Interim Resolution DH (97) 633 Application No. 31646/96 - Gasperoni against Italy
Interim Resolution DH (97) 634 Application No. 31639/96 - Gurciullo and Cappello against Italy
Interim Resolution DH (97) 635 Application No. 31354/96 - L.L., C.S. and S.M. against Italy
Interim Resolution DH (97) 636 Application No. 31329/96 - L.R. B. against Italy
Interim Resolution DH (97) 637 Application No. 31341/96 - Lazzari and Scagnoli against Italy
Interim Resolution DH (97) 638 Application No. 31327/96 - Lilloni against Italy
Interim Resolution DH (97) 639 Application No. 31647/96 - M.L. D.R. against Italy
Interim Resolution DH (97) 640 Application No. 31353/96 - M.M. II against Italy
Interim Resolution DH (97) 641 Application No. 31636/96 - Manca Marisa against Italy
Interim Resolution DH (97) 642 Application No. 31350/96 - Manotti against Italy
Interim Resolution DH (97) 643 Application No. 31328/96 - Mazziotti against Italy
Interim Resolution DH (97) 644 Application No. 31349/96 - Panella against Italy
Interim Resolution DH (97) 645 Application No. 28056/95 - Pasquino against Italy
Interim Resolution DH (97) 646 Application No. 31337/96 - Peresson against Italy
Interim Resolution DH (97) 647 Application No. 31644/96 - Pia against Italy
Interim Resolution DH (97) 648 Application No. 31642/96 - Pierfederici and others against Italy
Interim Resolution DH (97) 649 Application No. 31345/96 - Rocchi against Italy
Interim Resolution DH (97) 650 Application No. 31340/96 - Sambati against Italy
Interim Resolution DH (97) 651 Application No. 30586/96 - Stacchiotti against Italy
Interim Resolution DH (97) 652 Application No. 31342/96 - V.I. against Italy
Interim Resolution DH (97) 653 Application No. 30216/96 - V.N. against Italy
Interim Resolution DH (97) 654 Application No. 31622/96 - G.O. II against Italy
Interim Resolution DH (97) 655 Application No. 31625/96 - Santoro against Italy
Interim Resolution DH (97) 656 Application No. 31620/96 - U.P. against Italy
Interim Resolution DH (97) 657 Application No. 31638/96 - Sciarra against Italy
Interim Resolution DH (97) 658 Application No. 24908/94 - Fortini against Italy
Interim Resolution DH (97) 659 Application No. 28963/95 - Isnardi Giuseppe II against Italy
Interim Resolution DH (97) 660 Application No. 24904/94 - Maggiani against Italy
Interim Resolution DH (97) 661 Application No. 23306/94 - Milioni Guerriero and Mansueti against Italy
Interim Resolution DH (97) 662 Applications Nos. 25124/94, 25499/94, 25743/94, 25744/94, 27746/94 and 25813/94 - Nativi, Loriga, Pittalis, Orecchioni, Meliau and Prunas against Italy
Interim Resolution DH (97) 663 Application No. 22531/93 - Mantel and Mantel Holland Beheer B.V. against the Netherlands
Interim Resolution DH (97) 664 Application No. 27621/95 - Morais Sarmento against Portugal
Interim Resolution DH (97) 665 Application No. 27291/95 - Ribeiro Morgado against Portugal
Interim Resolution DH (97) 666 Application No. 30095/96 - Patelli and Pesenti against Italy
Interim Resolution DH (97) 667 Application No. 24765/94 - Posterino against Italy
Resolution DH (97) 668 - Election of two members of the European Committee for the Prevention of Torture and Inhuman or Degrading Treatment or Punishment
Resolution AP (97) 1 - Ion exchange and adsorbent resins used in the processing of foodstuffs
Resolution AP (97) 2 - Development of the function of pharmacists and the adaptation of their initial training
Resolution CSS (97) 1 on the application of the European Code of Social Security and the protocol thereto by Belgium (period from 1 July 1995 to 30 June 1996)
Resolution CSS (97) 2 on the application of the European Code of Social Security by Cyprus (period from 1 July 1995 to 30 June 1996)
Resolution CSS (97) 3 on the application of the European Code of Social Security by Denmark (period from 1 July 1995 to 30 June 1996)
Resolution CSS (97) 4 on the application of the European Code of Social Security by France (period from 1 July 1995 to 30 June 1996)
Resolution CSS (97) 5 on the application of the European Code of Social Security and its protocol by the Federal Republic of Germany (period from 1 July 1995 to 30 June 1996)
Resolution CSS (97) 6 on the application of the European Code of Social Security by Greece (period from 1 July 1995 to 30 June 1996)
Resolution CSS (97) 7 on the application of the European Code of Social Security by Italy (period from 1 July 1995 to 30 June 1996)
Resolution CSS (97) 8 on the application of the European Code of Social Security and the protocol thereto by Luxembourg (period from 1 July 1995 to 30 June 1996)
Resolution CSS (97) 9 on the application of the European Code of Social Security and the protocol thereto by the Netherlands (period from 1 July 1995 to 30 June 1996)
Resolution CSS (97) 10 on the application of the European Code of Social Security and the protocol thereto by Norway (period from 1 July 1995 to 30 June 1996)
Resolution CSS (97) 11 on the application of the European Code of Social Security and the protocol thereto by Portugal (period from 1 July 1995 to 30 June 1996)
Resolution CSS (97) 12 on the application of the European Code of Social Security and the protocol thereto by Sweden (period from 1 July 1995 to 30 June 1996)
Resolution CSS (97) 13 on the application of the European Code of Social Security by Switzerland (period from 1 July 1995 to 30 June 1996)
Resolution CSS (97) 14 on the application of the European Code of Social Security by Turkey (period from 1 July 1995 to 30 June 1996)
Resolution CSS (97) 15 on the application of the European Code of Social Security by the United Kingdom (period from 1 July 1995 to 30 June 1996)
APPENDIX 3
Chart of signatures and ratifications of European Treaties
(covering the period from 19 September 1997 to 22 January 1998)
| TREATY | STATE |
DATE OF
SIGNATURE |
DATE OF
RATIFICATION |
DATE OF ENTRY
INTO FORCE |
| General Agreement on privileges and immunities of the Council of Europe (ETS 2) | Croatia | Accession | 11 October 1997 | 11 October 1997 |
| Latvia | Accession | 15 January 1998 | 15 January 1998 | |
| Moldova | Accession | 2 October 1997 | 2 October 1997 | |
| Convention for the protection of human rights and fundamental freedoms (ETS 5) | Croatia | 6 November 1996 | 5 November 1997 | 5 November 1997 |
| Protocol to the Convention for the protection of human rights and fundamental freedoms (ETS 9) | Croatia | 6 November 1996 | 5 November 1997 | 5 November 1997 |
| Protocol to the General Agreement on privileges and immunities of the Council of Europe (ETS 10) | Croatia | Accession | 11 October 1997 | 11 October 1997 |
| Latvia | Accession | 15 January 1998 | 15 January 1998 | |
| Moldova | Accession | 2 October 1997 | 2 October 1997 | |
| European interim agreement on social security schemes relating to old age, invalidity and survivors (ETS 12) | Lithuania | 19 November 1997 | ||
| Protocol to the European interim agreement on social security schemes relating to old age, invalidity and survivors (ETS 12A) | Lithuania | 19 November 1997 | ||
| European interim agreement on social security other than schemes for old age, invalidity and survivors (ETS 13) | Lithuania | 19 November 1997 | ||
| Protocol to the European interim agreement on social security other than schemes for old age, invalidity and survivors (ETS 13A) | Lithuania | 19 November 1997 | ||
| Second Protocol to the General Agreement on privileges and immunities of the Council of Europe (ETS 22) | Croatia | 11 October 1997 | 11 October 1997 | 11 October 1997 |
| Latvia | 15 January 1998 | 15 January 1998 | 15 January 1998 | |
| European Convention on extradition (ETS 24) | Moldova | 2 May 1996 | 2 October 1997 | 31 December 1997 |
| Third Protocol to the General Agreement on privileges and immunities of the Council of Europe (ETS 28) | Croatia | Accession | 11 October 1997 | 11 October 1997 |
| European Social Charter (ETS 35)) | Slovenia | 11 October 1997 |
| Fourth Protocol to the General Agreement on privileges and immunities of the Council of Europe (ETS 36) | Croatia | 11 October 1997 | 11 October 1997 | 11 October 1997 |
| Latvia | 15 January 1998 | 15 January 1998 | 15 January 1998 | |
| Protocol No. 2 to the Convention for the protection of human rights and fundamental freedoms, conferring upon the European Court of Human Rights competence to give advisory opinions (ETS 44) | Croatia | 6 November 1996 | 5 November 1997 | 5 November 1997 |
| Protocol No. 3 to the Convention for the protection of human rights and fundamental freedoms, amending Articles 29, 30 and 34 of the Convention (ETS 45) | Croatia | 6 November 1996 | 5 November 1997 | 5 November 1997 |
| Protocol No. 4 to the Convention for the protection of human rights and fundamental freedoms, securing certain rights and freedoms other than those included in the Convention and in Protocol No. 1 (ETS 46) | Croatia | 6 November 1996 | 5 November 1997 | 5 November 1997 |
| Protocol No. 5 to the Convention for the protection of human rights and fundamental freedoms, amending Articles 22 and 40 of the Convention (ETS 55) | Croatia | 6 November 1996 | 5 November 1997 | 5 November 1997 |
| European Convention on information on foreign law (ETS 62) | Latvia | 29 October 1997 | ||
| European Convention on the abolition of legalisation of documents executed by diplomatic agents or consular officers (ETS 63) | Czech Republic | 4 November 1997 | ||
| European Convention on the international validity of criminal judgments (ETS 70) | Romania | 20 November 1997 | ||
| European Convention on the transfer of proceedings in criminal matters (ETS 73) | Romania | 20 November 1997 | ||
| European Convention on the non-application of statutory limitation to crimes against humanity and war crimes (ETS 82) | Romania | 20 November 1997 | ||
| Additional Protocol to the European Convention on extradition (ETS 86) | Belgium | 18 November 1997 | 18 November 1997 | 16 February 1998 |
| Additional Protocol to the European Convention on information on foreign law (ETS 97) | Latvia | 29 October 1997 | ||
| Second additional Protocol to the European Convention on extradition (ETS 98) | Belgium | 18 November 1997 | 18 November 1997 | 16 February 1998 |
| Convention on the conservation of European wildlife and natural habitats (ETS 104) | Czech Republic | 8 October 1997 | ||
| European Convention on recognition of decisions concerning custody of children and on restoration on custody of children (ETS 105) | Turkey | 20 October 1997 |
| Convention for the protection of individuals with regard to automatic processing of personal data (ETS 108) | Hungary | 13 May 1993 | 8 October 1997 | 1 February 1998 |
| Switzerland | 2 October 1997 | 2 October 1997 | 1 February 1998 | |
| Convention on the transfer of sentenced persons (ETS 112 | Liechtenstein | 3 May 1983 | 14 January 1998 | 1 May 1998 |
| Georgia | Accession | 21 October 1997 | 1 February 1998 | |
| Israel | Accession | 24 September 1997 | 1 January 1998 | |
| Protocol No. 6 to the Convention for the protection of human rights and fundamental freedoms concerning the abolition of the death penalty (ETS 114) | Croatia | 6 November 1996 | 5 November 1997 | 1 December 1997 |
| Protocol No. 7 to the Convention for the protection of human rights and fundamental freedoms (ETS 117) | Croatia | 6 November 1996 | 5 November 1997 | 1 February 1998 |
| Protocol No. 8 to the Convention for the protection of human rights and fundamental freedoms (ETS 118) | Croatia | 6 November 1996 | 5 November 1997 | 5 November 1997 |
| Convention for the protection of the architectural heritage of Europe (ETS 121) | Romania | 22 July 1996 | 20 November 1997 | 1 March 1998 |
| European Charter of local self-government (ETS 122) | Croatia | 11 October 1997 | 11 October 1997 | 1 February 1998 |
| Ireland | 7 October 1997 | |||
| Moldova | 2 May 1996 | 2 October 1997 | 1 February 1998 | |
| European Convention for the protection of pet animals (ETS 125) | Austria | 2 October 1997 | ||
| European Convention for the prevention of torture and inhuman or degrading treatment or punishment (ETS 126) | Croatia | 6 November 1996 | 11 October 1997 | 1 February 1998 |
| Moldova | 2 May 1996 | 2 October 1997 | 1 February 1998 | |
| Additional Protocol to the European Social Charter (ETS 128) | Slovenia | 11 October 1997 | ||
| European Convention on transfrontier television (ETS 132) | Latvia | 28 November 1997 | ||
| Anti-doping Convention (ETS 135) | Estonia | 14 May 1993 | 20 November 1997 | 1 January 1998 |
| Fifth Protocol to the general agreement on privileges and immunities of the Council of Europe (ETS 137) | Croatia | 11 October 1997 | 11 October 1997 | 1 February 1998 |
| Latvia | 15 January 1998 | 15 January 1998 | 1 March 1998 | |
| Convention on laundering, search, seizure and confiscation of the proceeds from crime (ETS 141) | Croatia | 6 November 1996 | 11 October 1997 | 1 February 1998 |
| Hungary | 6 November 1997 | |||
| Iceland | 8 November 1990 | 21 October 1997 | 1 February 1998 | |
| Protocol amending the European Social Charter (ETS 142) | Slovenia | 11 October 1997 | ||
| European Convention on the protection of the archaeological heritage (revised) (ETS 143) | Romania | 22 July 1996 | 20 November 1997 | 21 May 1998 |
| European Charter for regional or minority languages (ETS 148) | Croatia | 5 November 1997 | 5 November 1997 | 1 March 1998 |
| Liechtenstein | 5 November 1992 | 18 November 1997 | 1 March 1998 | |
| Switzerland | 8 October 1993 | 23 December 1997 | 1 April 1998 |
| Protocol No. 1 to the European Convention for the prevention of torture and inhuman or degrading treatment or punishment (ETS 151) | Bulgaria | 4 March 1997 | 27 October 1997 | |
| Moldova | 2 October 1997 | 2 October 1997 | ||
| Protocol No. 2 to the European Convention for the prevention of torture and inhuman or degrading treatment or punishment (ETS 152) | Bulgaria | 4 March 1997 | 27 October 1997 | |
| Moldova | 2 October 1997 | 2 October 1997 | ||
| Protocol No. 11 to the Convention for the protection of human rights and fundamental freedoms, restructuring the control machinery established thereby (ETS 155) | Croatia | 6 November 1996 | 5 November 1997 | 1 November 1998 |
| Italy | 21 December 1994 | 1 October 1997 | 1 November 1998 | |
| Framework Convention for the protection of national minorities (ETS 157) | Bulgaria | 9 October 1997 | ||
| Croatia | 6 November 1996 | 11 October 1997 | 1 February 1998 | |
| Czech Republic | 28 April 1995 | 18 December 1997 | 1 April 1998 | |
| Denmark | 1 February 1995 | 22 September 1997 | 1 February 1998 | |
| Finland | 1 February 1995 | 3 October 1997 | 1 February 1998 | |
| Greece | 22 September 1997 | |||
| Italy | 1 February 1995 | 3 November 1997 | 1 March 1998 | |
| Liechtenstein | 1 February 1995 | 18 November 1997 | 1 March 1998 | |
| United Kingdom | 1 February 1995 | 15 January 1998 | 1 May 1998 | |
| Additional Protocol to the European Social Charter providing for a system of collective complaints (ETS 158) | Italy | 9 November 1995 | 3 November 1997 | |
| Slovenia | 11 October 1997 | |||
| European Convention on the exercise of children's rights (ETS 160) | Poland | 25 May 1997 | 28 November 1997 | |
| Spain | 5 December 1997 | |||
| European Agreement relating to persons participating in proceedings of the European Court of Human Rights (ETS 161) | Czech Republic | 10 October 1997 | ||
| Sixth Protocol to the General Agreement on privileges and immunities of the Council of Europe (ETS 162) | Croatia | 11 October 1997 | 11 October 1997 | 1 November 1998 |
| Czech Republic | 10 October 1997 | |||
| Italy | 5 March 1996 | 3 November 1997 | 1 November 1998 | |
| Latvia | 15 January 1998 | 15 January 1998 | 1 November 1998 | |
| Spain | 5 December 1997 | |||
| European Social Charter (revised) (ETS 163) | Slovenia | 11 October 1997 | ||
| United Kingdom | 7 November 1997 | |||
| Convention for the protection of human rights and dignity of the human being with regard to the application of biology and medicine: Convention on human rights and biomedicine (ETS 164) | Slovak Republic | 4 April 1997 | 15 January 1998 | |
| Convention on the recognition of qualifications concerning higher education in the European region (ETS 165) | United Kingdom | 7 November 1997 | ||
| Canada | 4 November 1997 | |||
| Israel | 24 November 1997 | |||
| European Convention on nationality (ETS 166) | Austria | 6 November 1997 | ||
| Bulgaria | 15 January 1998 | |||
| Denmark | 6 November 1997 | |||
| Finland | 6 November 1997 | |||
| Greece | 6 November 1997 | |||
| Hungary | 6 November 1997 | |||
| Iceland | 6 November 1997 | |||
| Italy | 6 November 1997 | |||
| Netherlands | 6 November 1997 | |||
| Norway | 6 November 1997 | |||
| Portugal | 6 November 1997 | |||
| Romania | 6 November 1997 | |||
| Russian Federation | 6 November 1997 | |||
| Slovak Republic | 6 November 1997 | |||
| Sweden | 6 November 1997 | |||
| "The former Yugoslav Republic of Macedonia" | 6 November 1997 | |||
| Additional Protocol to the Convention on the transfer of sentenced persons (ETS 167) | Denmark | 18 December 1997 | ||
| Germany | 18 December 1997 | |||
| Iceland | 18 December 1997 | |||
| Netherlands | 18 December 1997 | |||
| Sweden | 18 December 1997 |
| Additional Protocol to the Convention for the protection of human rights and dignity of the human being with regard to the application of biology and medicine, on the prohibition of cloning human beings (ETS 168)) | Denmark | 12 January 1998 | ||
| Estonia | 12 January 1998 | |||
| Finland | 12 January 1998 | |||
| France | 12 January 1998 | |||
| Greece | 12 January 1998 | |||
| Iceland | 12 January 1998 | |||
| Italy | 12 January 1998 | |||
| Latvia | 12 January 1998 | |||
| Luxembourg | 12 January 1998 | |||
| Moldova | 12 January 1998 | |||
| Norway | 12 January 1998 | |||
| Portugal | 12 January 1998 | |||
| Romania | 12 January 1998 | |||
| San Marino | 12 January 1998 | |||
| Slovenia | 12 January 1998 | |||
| Spain | 12 January 1998 | |||
| Sweden | 12 January 1998 | |||
| "The former Yugoslav Republic of Macedonia" | 12 January 1998 | |||
| Turkey | 12 January 1998 |