ABSTRACT
The parliaments of Jordan, Kyrgyzstan, Morocco and the Palestinian National Council hold ‘Partner for Democracy’ status, which aims to provide democracy-building support to national legislatures in regions neighbouring the Council of Europe area. From 1989 the Council undertook to increase engagement with all countries of the former Eastern bloc and to facilitate their accession to the organization. Heads of state or of government of member countries convened for the first time in October 1993, in Vienna, Austria. The protection of human rights is one of the Council of Europe’s basic goals, to be achieved in four main areas: the effective supervision and protection of fundamental rights and freedoms; the identification of new threats to human rights and human dignity; the development of public awareness of the importance of human rights; and the promotion of human rights education and professional training. The Council of Europe promotes democratic governance and focuses on fostering sustainable democratic societies.
