Council of Europe

The Council of Europe is an international organization of 46 member states. It was established in 1949 to unite member states and to safeguard and realize ideals and principles. 

A member of the Council of Europe can be a European country that recognizes the rule of law and guarantees human rights and freedoms. 

Moscow was expelled from the Council of Europe on March 16, 2022, because of Russia's war against Ukraine. 

The Council of Europe has a Secretary General and a Deputy Secretary General, as well as: 

• the Committee of Ministers – the organization's governing body, which determines policy and approves the budget and program of activities;
• the Parliamentary Assembly of the Council of Europe (PACE) – one of the organization's two statutory bodies. It considers current issues concerning democracy, the rule of law and the protection of human rights.