Resolution CONF/PLE(2019)RES1 adopted by the Conference of INGOs on Friday 12 April 2019. ‘’The future of the Council of Europe: Civil Society’s commitment.’’

RENATE is privileged to have a seat at the Conference of INGOs (Council of Europe) where we are represented by RENATE member Marie Hélène Halligon, olcgs.

Following many months of consultations and reflections, the Conference of INGOs have arrived at the following seven resolutions, all of which directly and indirectly reflect a commitment to ensuring the safeguarding of democratic institutions in order to protect citizen’s human rights. Inherent in these resolutions will be the opportunity to promote and support the combatting of human trafficking and the protection of the dignity of the human person.

‘’The Conference of INGOs of the Council of Europe:

1. Supports the Secretary General´s position that the member States must guarantee an adequate and sustainable financial basis for the Council of Europe to undertake its tasks and live up to its responsibilities;
2. Recalls that Civil Society already contributes in a very significant way to various monitoring mechanisms, its input should be further explored to guarantee a greater efficiency and effectiveness of these mechanisms;
3. Stresses that Democracy, Human Rights and the Rule of Law are interdependent, and one cannot exist without the other. The Conference of INGOs fears that undermining one of these pillars will have a negative impact on all of them;
4. Emphasises the continued need to safeguard and achieve genuine democracy and strengthen public trust in democratic institutions. Inclusive societies require well established tools for meaningful participation in the democratic decision-making process, which can empower citizens and NGOs and help young people to be confident in a common European future;
5. Considers pro-active education for democratic culture and human rights as essential to sustaining adherence to democratic values, principles and practices;
6. Underlines that reinforced interaction with civil society through a space for substantial, formal, honest and open debates on the strategic orientations of the Organization represents a real opportunity and strength for the Council of Europe;
7. Commits itself to create an open environment for constructive dialogue within organised civil society as well as between civil society and public authorities to help establishing a new sense of cohesion in democratic society and to bring this Resolution to the attention of its members. 12/04/2019.

For more on the CoE: https://www.coe.int/en/web/ingo/home?desktop=true

Prepared by Anne Kelleher, RENATE Communications.