Recommendation 2086 (2016)

How can inappropriate restrictions on NGO activities in Europe be prevented?

Author(s): Parliamentary Assembly

Origin - Assembly debate on 28 January 2016 (8th Sitting) (see Doc. 13940, report of the Committee on Legal Affairs and Human Rights, rapporteur: Mr Yves Cruchten). Text adopted by the Assembly on 28 January 2016 (8th Sitting).

1. Referring to its Resolution 2096 (2016) “How can inappropriate restrictions on NGO activities in Europe be prevented?”, the Assembly recommends that the Committee of Ministers:

1.1. call on member States of the Council of Europe to implement its Recommendation CM/Rec(2007)14 on the legal status of non-governmental organisations in Europe and prepare a study taking stock of progress made;

1.2. consider revising Recommendation CM/Rec(2007)14 in order to adapt it to new threats to the functioning of independent civil society;

1.3. continue its thematic debate on the role and functioning of NGOs in the Council of Europe in order to follow, on a regular basis, the state of civil society and of the freedoms of association, assembly and expression in the member States;

1.4. increase the number of exchanges of views with civil society representatives and provide a fixed framework for such a dialogue;

1.5. consider creating a platform for the exchange of experience and good practices in the area of freedom of association between the member States.