Call on Civil Society to disseminate the recommendation of the Council of Europe on the need to strengthen the protection and promotion of civil society space in Europe.

The Committee of Ministers of the Council of Europe has adopted a recommendation to member States to take effective measures to protect and promote civil society space. Civil society organizations are invited to bring this recommendation to the attention of national authorities, ask for its translation into the national language and monitor its implementation by their governments.

Adopted by the Committee of Ministers at the 1330th meeting of the Ministers’ Deputies, on 28 November 2018, the recommendation calls on member states to ensure an enabling legal framework and a conducive political and public environment for civil society organisations, human rights defenders, individuals, groups, and national institutions for the protection and promotion of human rights (NHRIs) to freely carry out activities, on a legal basis, consistent with international law and standards, to strive for the protection and promotion of all human rights and fundamental freedoms. 

Governments of member States are asked to ensure that the principles set out in the Recommendation are complied with in relevant national legislation and practice, to monitor and evaluate the effectiveness of the measures taken and to examine, within the Committee of Ministers, the implementation of this Recommendation in five years’ time.

Member States are also called to ensure a wide dissemination of this Recommendation among competent authorities and stakeholders, including the translation in the National language, where appropriate.