Eighty-one years after the end of the Second World War, the Council of Europe remains one of the continent’s central pillars for protecting human rights, promoting democracy, and safeguarding the rule of law. As the founding and hosting country, France plays a particularly important role within this institution. During a recent meeting with the Ambassador of France to the Council of Europe, several key themes emerged regarding the mission of the French Representation and the challenges facing Europe today.
A Mission Rooted in Diplomacy and Democratic Values
The Permanent Representation of France acts on behalf of the French Ministry of Foreign Affairs. Its core mission is to participate in the daily work of the Council of Europe’s bodies especially the Committee of Ministers ensuring that France’s positions and values are reflected in decisions, recommendations, and monitoring procedures.
The Ambassador emphasized a simple but fundamental truth:
“Defending human rights is politics.”
Without strong institutions, education, and political commitment, democratic systems can collapse.
Diplomacy, he stressed, remains the most important tool to prevent conflict. It is not merely protocol it is a mechanism for understanding, negotiation, and ultimately, peace. In his words, diplomacy is “a way of doing things” and of protecting democratic societies from drifting into violence.
Current Challenges: Russia, Ukraine, and the Fragility of Democracy
Today’s geopolitical context dramatically shapes the work of the Council of Europe. Since Russia’s full-scale invasion of Ukraine and its subsequent expulsion from the Council the institution faces unprecedented pressure. The war has highlighted the fragility of democratic systems in the region and the urgency of defending the core values the Council was created to uphold.
The Ambassador noted that countries such as Russia, Georgia, Azerbaijan, and Türkiye present ongoing human-rights concerns. Some democracies in the region are under threat from internal erosion, external pressure, disinformation, massive cyberattacks, and political interference. “We cannot send the army,” he emphasized; instead, the Council relies on diplomacy, legal tools, and political engagement to protect human rights and democratic principles.
The European Court of Human Rights: Compliance and Challenges
The European Court of Human Rights (ECHR) remains one of the Council’s most powerful institutions. However, its effectiveness depends on member states’ willingness to implement judgments.
Some states do not fully comply. For example:
- Thousands of judgments involving Russia remain unenforced.
- Türkiye faces ongoing concerns, including cases related to political prisoners and the implementation of key rulings:
- Osman Kavala, a Turkish philanthropist and civil-society leader, has been imprisoned since 2017 despite two binding ECHR rulings ordering his release. His case illustrates the challenges of enforcing human-rights decisions and the broader risks posed to civil society when judicial independence is compromised.
- Yalçınkaya, a Turkish judge dismissed in the post-2016 purges, had his case reviewed by the ECHR, which found his dismissal unlawful. The case highlights structural issues in Türkiye’s judiciary and the difficulties of ensuring compliance with Strasbourg judgments.
- Osman Kavala, a Turkish philanthropist and civil-society leader, has been imprisoned since 2017 despite two binding ECHR rulings ordering his release. His case illustrates the challenges of enforcing human-rights decisions and the broader risks posed to civil society when judicial independence is compromised.
- Cyprus-related cases also continue to raise political and legal questions, including the release of prisoners and the enforcement of Court judgments, highlighting ongoing challenges in ensuring compliance across member states.
- Azerbaijan faces criticism over political persecution and attacks on civil society.
The Ambassador highlighted how the Council of Europe must manage these difficult situations while still maintaining diplomatic engagement.
Internal Pressure within the EU
France also holds a unique responsibility because the Council of Europe and the European Union are deeply interconnected. Yet tensions exist. Certain EU member states such as Hungary regularly challenge EU positions, creating pressure and complicating consensus within the Committee of Ministers, where one representative acts on behalf of all EU states.
Sanctions and the Red Line with Russia
The Ambassador made clear that Russia’s actions crossed a historical red line. The Council’s decision to suspend and then expel Russia marked a significant moment one of the most consequential in the organization’s history. This decision reflects a broader understanding that violations of human rights and international law cannot be tolerated.
Education: The Foundation of Democratic Resilience
A notable message from the Ambassador was the importance of education. According to him, education is the main long-term solution for building democratic resilience. Without educated citizens who understand their rights, responsibilities, and the importance of democratic institutions, “everything collapses.”
Conclusion
France’s Permanent Representation to the Council of Europe plays a crucial role in navigating complex political realities while upholding the values that have guided the institution since its creation. In a world marked by conflicts, disinformation, democratic backsliding, and geopolitical tensions, the Council of Europe remains more essential than ever.
Through diplomacy, law, and political engagement, France works to preserve Europe’s democratic fabric, ensure that human rights remain at the core of European identity, and advocate for the enforcement of critical ECHR judgments including those concerning Osman Kavala and Yalçınkaya that symbolize the ongoing struggle for justice and rule of law in member states.