The Council of Europe at a glance

Established in 1949, the Council of Europe (CoE) today frames an alliance of 47 sovereign states, 28 of which are also members of the European Union. Membership of the Council of Europe requires that the states sign up to the European Convention on Human Rights (ECHR).

Article 1 of the Council of Europe states its aim as follows: "The aim of the Council of Europe is to achieve a greater unity between its members for the purpose of safeguarding and realising the ideals and principles which are their common heritage and facilitating their economic and social progress".

The Council is led by the Secretary General, who is elected for a term of four years. The current Secretary General is Mr Thorbjørn Jagland, former Prime Minister and Foreign Minister of Norway. The Council of Europe has its headquarters in Strasbourg, France and employs 2,200 people.