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Doc. 8550
29 September 1999
Implementation of Committee of Ministers Resolution (93) 38 on relations between the Council of Europe and international non-governmental organisations
Communication of the
Secretary General
1. In accordance with the revised rules for consultative status as set out in Committee of Ministers Resolution (93) 38 1, the Secretary General has the honour to communicate to the Committee of Ministers and the Parliamentary Assembly the names of the international non-governmental organisations to which he has decided to grant consultative status.
They are as follows:
- Association of InterBalkan Women's Co-operation Societies (AIWCS);
- CIVICUS World Alliance for Citizen Participation;
- Council of European Professional Informatics Societies (CEPIS);
- EUROPAN;
- European Association of Archaeologists (EAA);
- European Association of Psychotherapy (EPA);
- European Committee of Training Centres (FESET);
- European Council for Classical Homeopathy (ECCH);
- European Disability Forum (EDF);
- European Foundation Antonio Bana "IL NIBBIO" for Ornithological Research into Migrations and Natural Habitats Conservation (EFIN);
- European Law Students' Association (ELSA);
- European Migrants Forum (EMF);
- European Prison Education Association (EPEA);
- European Public Health Association (EPHA);
- European Ramblers' Association (ERA);
- Green Cross International (GCI);
- International Council for Philosophy and Humanistic Studies (CIPSH);
- International Federation Terre des Hommes (FITDH);
- International Human Rights Organisations for the Right to Feed Oneself (FIAN);
- International Rehabilitation Council for Torture Victims (IRCT).
2. The particulars of each of these organisations needed to assess each case and to understand the Secretary General's decision to add their names to the list of NGOs enjoying consultative status with the Council of Europe are appended.
In the absence of any objection founded on the conditions set out in paragraph 9 of the appendix to Resolution (93) 38 2, the above organisations will be added to the list of those enjoying consultative status at the end of a period of three months following the date of this document.
3. Since the last communication of 26 March 1999 to the Committee of Ministers and the Parliamentary Assembly on consultative status to be granted to international non-governmental organisations (CM(99)46/Doc 8354) under the revised rules governing consultative status (Resolution (93) 38 of the Committee of Ministers), the Secretary General has given thorough consideration to the files of some 30 or so non-governmental organisations seeking consultative status with the Council of Europe.
4. In deciding to grant consultative status to the NGOs listed in paragraph 1 above, the Secretary General took account of the following reports and regulations:
- the provisions of the revised rules for consultative status as set out in paragraphs 2, 5, 7 and 8 of the appendix to Committee of Ministers Resolution (93) 38;
- the fact that the great majority of the organisations interested in having consultative status have already established, on an ad hoc basis, productive working relations with different Council of Europe departments. Moreover, both the quality of these working relations and the review of these NGOs' files show that the latter are in a position to make a useful contribution, through their activities, to the work of the Council of Europe in particularly important and topical areas;
- on the other hand, the Secretary General took account of the fact that at their 593rd meeting of 27-28 March 1997, the Ministers' Deputies called upon him "to apply scrupulously Committee of Ministers Resolution 93 (38) on relations between the Council of Europe and international NGOs in order that the Council may take greater advantage of its relations with NGOs in the pursuit of its aims".
5. As for the NGOs to which the Secretary General decided not to grant consultative status:
i. The Secretary General rejected ex officio the applications for consultative status from some eight NGOs which did not meet the conditions set out in paragraph 2 of the appendix to Committee of Ministers Resolution (93) 38.
They are as follows:
- Associazione per Ricerca e Insegnamenio di Filosofia e Storia;
- Free Youth Association Romania;
- Instituto INFORAV;
- Legal and Information Centre for NGOs;
- Survival for the Lepers, Poor and Needy People Society of Tanzania (SLENOT);
- The Voluntary Euthanasia Society;
- VRAI International;
- Zdorovie Public Charity Foundation for Health.
ii. Furthermore, the Secretary General considered it appropriate to postpone examining the files of three NGOs seeking consultative status for a period of two years.
They are as follows:
- European Folk Culture Organisation;
- Movement for the Abolition of Prostitution and Pornography;
- Society for Threatened Peoples International.
Although these NGOs do not fully meet the requirements for consultative status at the present time, they nevertheless appear to be in a position to contribute to certain Council of Europe activities. Consequently, these NGOs have been invited to establish initial contacts with the operational directorates concerned on an ad hoc, pragmatic basis. Arrangements for possible fruitful future co-operation with these NGOs might be determined, in years to come, on the basis of the results of those contacts.
iii. A number of NGOs have been invited to complete their files in conformity with the provisions of Committee of Ministers Resolution (93) 38.
6. Moreover, a large number of NGOs have sought details of the procedure for the granting of consultative status and have already given the Secretary General an initial overview of their activities. They have not yet submitted a formal application for consultative status in conformity with Resolution (93) 38, paragraph 7, of the appendix.
8. The Secretary General has been informed that the following NGOs enjoying consultative status have ceased their activities:
- Council of European National Youth Committees (CENYC)
- European Union of Local Authority Staffs (EULAS);
- International Catholic Union of Social Service (UCISS).
International non-governmental organisations
which could be added to
the list of NGOs enjoying consultative status
with the Council of Europe
Association of Interbalkan Women's Co-operation Societies
(AIWCS)
Application for consultative status:
15 February 1999
Founded:
1993
Headquarters:
30, Ploutonos – G Papandreou St, GR – 54655 THESSALONIKI
Tel: (30) 31 422 270/423 152, fax: (30) 31 422 271, e-mail: [email protected]
Aims:
The Association is a zonal network of women's NGOs targeted at:
- cultivating and developing better understanding among the women and generally among people in the Balkan countries;
- promoting co-operation among the member National Societies and stimulating the development of their respective countries;
- disseminating in the Balkan countries the culture of peace, thus creating a defence against fear, violence, destruction, against having innocent victims, and securing peace and respect of human rights and freedom in the area;
- supporting women's advancement, promoting ethnic and cultural identities, enhancing the protection of children and families.
Structures:
Organs:
General Assembly: eleven representatives from each of the seven member societies and meets every two years. It is the policy-making body, deciding on the guidelines for new strategies and activities, approving the budget submitted by the Executive Board. It amends the statutes, appoints ad-hoc work groups, supervises the Executive Board, determines the annual contribution of each member society.
Executive Board: responsible to the General Assembly in its capacity of policy-maker. It is composed of 2 regular members and one alternate member from each society member. It meets at least twice yearly. It proposes the programmes of activity and the budget, submits activity and financial reports, implements the work programme.
Secretariat: works in close co-operation with the Executive Board, undertaking day-to-day administrative and financial management.
Activities:
- organisation of congresses, conferences, meetings dealing with women's involvement in the issues of peace, human rights, better understanding and sustained development;
- conducting projects, research programmes and adult educational activities aimed at promoting women's advancement, their increased participation in the social, economic and cultural development of their countries, at stimulating their creativity, at encouraging the intercultural dialogue
- participating in and representing its National Society Members in the activities relevant to its objectives of the Council of Europe and the United Nations, using to this purpose the expertise and professional knowledge of its members;
- elaboration, printing and dissemination to interested national and international bodies information documents, statistics and analyses on critical issues related to women's condition in Balkan countries;
- sustained dissemination of the current strategies and legal regulations of the Council of Europe in its field of competence.
Representation:
The constitutive bodies of the Association are the Societies for Interbalkan Women's Co-operation registered as legal persons under this name in the countries of the Balkan area. Seven societies are registered in Albania, Bulgaria, Cyprus, Greece, Romania, Turkey, and the Federal Republic of Yugoslavia.
Personalities:
Head: Mrs Maria Ekatherini PAPACHRISTOPOULOU-TZITZIKOSTA, 3 Dimocratias Square, GR – 54630 THESSALONIKI
Funding:
Resources are derived from membership dues; intergovernmental organisations; other sources, mainly private sponsorship and non governmental bodies. The Association accepts contributions in cash and kind, provided they do not imply any restrictions on independence.
Opinion of the Secretary General:
The general objectives and the past, present and future activities are wholly in keeping with the Council of Europe’s programmes relating to human rights, confidence building and measures to promote inter-community relations based on dialogue and respect for diversity. In a particular regional political and social context, this NGO emphasises the role of women in the development of (Balkan) societies. Political pluralism is very much to the fore in this NGO.
There are sufficient positive factors to support the application; the Secretary General is therefore in favour of granting the organisation consultative status.
World Alliance for Citizen Participation
(CIVICUS)
Application for consultative status:
22 December 1997
Founded:
1993
Headquarters:
919 18th Street, NW, 3rd floor, WASHINGTON DC 20006, USA
Tel: (1) 202 331 8518, fax: (1) 202 331 8774
Aims:
CIVICUS is an international alliance of non-profit/non-governmental organisations, private foundations, corporate giving programmes, academic programmes, and individuals dedicated to strengthening citizen action and civil society around the world.
Structures:
Organs:
Board of Directors: manages the affairs of the corporation.
Executive committee: consists of 6 co-chairpersons and the executive director of the corporation. It possesses and exercises all the powers of the Board of Directors in the management and control of the business and affairs of the corporation during the intervals between the meetings of the Board of Directors.
Membership committee: members are elected by the Board of Directors. It makes recommendations on all applications for membership.
Activities:
- promote the international principles for law and regulations for NGOs, highlighting the principles underlying citizen participation and identifying legal issues all countries must face in regulating and facilitating the development of its civic sector. In general, CIVICUS works as a body to advocate the freedom of association in all countries, acting as a unified voice on behalf of all NGOs.
- increase the visibility and understanding of the non-profit, non-governmental sector. In this way, CIVICUS provides useful information to its members, but more importantly, educates government and business about the important role NGOs (or civil society organisations) play in every society.
- mobilise resources, drawing together successful, practical strategies for sustainable funding of NGOs.
- CIVICUS has had the opportunity, through its members, to engage some European governments on the issue of the freedom of association.
- several publications on a variety of topics of interest to its members.
Representation:
Voting membership: non-profit/non-governmental organisations, foundations and corporate giving offices that represent or advocate the interests of the non-profit sector/citizen participation in their country or region. Associate membership: any organisation that is connected with the United Nations and that takes an interest in the affairs of the non-profit sector.
CIVICUS has member organisations in most of the member states of the Council of Europe, as well as in Africa, Asia-Pacific, Latin America, the middle east and north America.
Personalities:
Executive Director: Mr Miklós MARSCHALL.
Funding:
Annual membership fees.
Opinion of the Secretary General:
A very important world-wide organisation, CIVICUS already contributes at different levels to the activities of the Council of Europe and would be a very important tool for the Council of Europe to disseminate the Council's principles with the help of this organisation.
The Secretary General is therefore in favour of granting consultative status to this organisation.
Council of European Professional Informatics Societies
(CEPIS)
Application for consultative status:
23 June 1998
Founded:
1991
Headquarters:
7 Mansfield Mews, GB – LONDON W1M 9FJ
Tel/fax: (44) 171 637 5607, e-mail: [email protected], http://www.cepis.org
Aims:
CEPIS is a non-profit organisation established to provide a co-ordinated voice for the views of European informatics professionals on major issues to European institutions. Recognising the potential of information and communication technologies to generate employment, to improve the competitiveness of business and the quality of life of all citizens, it aims to achieve high levels of standards of informatics education; competence and ethical behaviour among European informatics professionals; user skills in the workforce, awareness among all Europeans.
Structures:
Organs:
Council: consists of delegates of full members.
Executive Committee: consists of the president, the immediate past president and president-elect, at least one vice-president, a secretary and a treasurer. It is responsible for governing CEPIS.
Activities:
Its Member Societies Forum aims to increase benefits to members from technical co-operation, to facilitate co-ordination of Special Interest Networks and to encourage co-operation between societies; to keep under review publishing activities.
CEPIS aims to be an important review body for ICT political issues.
Task forces have been set up on key issues: for professional qualifications and development; for the study of computer misuse; for technical co-operation; for social issues.
Representation:
Twenty-four informatics societies from 20 countries participate in the work of CEPIS, giving a total membership of around 200,000 individual informatics professionals.
Personalities:
President: Dr Roger JOHNSON.
Administrative head: Peta WALMISLEY.
Funding:
Through subscription.
Opinion of the Secretary General:
The Council of Europe is increasingly working with problems of data protection in the information age. CEPIS is a very active organisation with access to a wide ranging network of technical and managerial expertise operating in the informatics industry. It will be able to offer useful support to the Council's activities.
The Secretary General is, therefore, in favour of granting it consultative status.
EUROPAN
Application for consultative status:
9 September 1998
Founded:
1988
Headquarters:
La Grande Arche, Paroi nord, F – 92044 PARIS-LA-DEFENSE
Tel: (33) 1 40 81 24 50, fax: (33) 1 40 81 24 58, e-mail: [email protected]
Aims:
EUROPAN aims to deepen knowledge and thinking in the field of housing and urbanisation, and to promote exchanges within this sphere between different European countries. Its goal is to help young European architects to develop and make known their ideas on a European and international stage; to aid towns and developers who put forward competition sites to uncover innovative urban and architectural responses; to promote the implementation of experimental operations concerned with housing and the setting up of innovative planning processes.
Structures:
Organs:
Executive Committee: formed by a maximum of one representative from each active member and the president. Its role is to orient the Association's activities by preparing the programme of activities and the budget.
Research Committee: consulted by the Executive Committee to make proposals on the basis of themes of work and studies that fall within the Association's objects.
Activities:
EUROPAN organises architectural calls for ideas, followed by experimental implementation of these ideas which are generated in the context of given themes that embody questions linked to new urban lifestyles, to housing, to architecture and to urban planning. These calls for ideas are made in the context of sites put forward by 70 European towns. They are addressed at young architects and professional designers under the age of 40.
Representation:
The Association is made up of active members, associate members and honorary members. Active members are the EUROPAN national structures. Associate members are either individuals or representatives of organisations from European countries. The Association has members in 20 member states of the Council of Europe, and in one candidate country.
Personalities:
President: Enrico VINCI.
Secretary General: Didier REBOIS.
Funding:
Subscription fees, funds received from sponsorship, donations, subsidies and any other income authorised by law.
Opinion of the Secretary General:
EUROPAN is a professional non-profit association, managed by national statutory bodies. Its primary objective is to work for a high-quality built environment and encourage creativity among young people. The Council of Europe shares this objective fully and has come out in favour of the training of architects and engineers, for example through a recommendation.
Practical commitment by local authorities to creating a quality environment corresponds to one of the CLRAE's objectives. The integration of modern architecture into the existing context, the promotion of vocational training and job-creation in this field are among the objectives set out in the Convention for the Protection of the Architectural Heritage of Europe, signed in Granada in 1985, and other Council of Europe texts.
The Association seeks to ensure a knock-on effect, as a guarantee of continuity in its work, commitment to existing towns, a forward-looking attitude and the dissemination of specific proposals corresponding to the work programme of the Cultural Heritage Committee
(CC-PAT) and the Cultural Heritage Division. Encouragement of a development culture that is rooted in the past but open to employment, housing and economic considerations is one of the priorities in the Division's work programme for the year 2000.
The Secretary General is thus in favour of granting consultative status to the EUROPAN association.
European Association of Archaeologists
(EAA)
Application for consultative status:
10 February 1999
Founded:
1994
Headquarters:
c/o MOLAS, 87, Queen Victoria Street, GB – LONDON, EC4V 4AB
Tel: (44) 171 410 2200, fax: (44) 171 410 2221, e-mail: [email protected]
Aims:
- to promote the development of archaeological research and the exchange of archaeological information in Europe;
- to promote the management and interpretation of the European archaeological heritage;
- to promote ethical and scientific standards for archaeological work;
- to promote the interests of professional archaeologists in Europe;
- to co-operate with organisations with similar aims.
Structures:
Organs:
Executive Board: the governing body which supervises, controls and directs the affairs of the association, its committees and publications. It consists of 3 officers: president, treasurer and secretary.
Activities:
In order to promote its aims, the association:
- publishes a journal called the European Journal of Archaeology;
- maintains an information service for its members;
- organises an annual business meeting and conference and other conferences and seminars relevant to its aims;
- functions as a monitoring and advisory body on issues relating to the archaeology of Europe.
Representation:
Full membership is open to professional archaeologists, associate membership to archaeological institutions, students and non-professionals. The association is represented in most of the member states of the Council of Europe.
Personalities:
President: Prof Dr Willem J H WILLEMS, Pieter Bothlaan 10, NL – 3818 CB AMERSFOORT.
Funding:
Annual subscription fees.
Opinion of the Secretary General:
This association's goals correspond to the principles set out in the European Convention on the Protection of the Archaeological Heritage (revised). Much of the Cultural Heritage Committee's (CC-PAT) work in the area of archaeology is managed by EAA members. There is close co-operation between the Association and the Council of Europe, and the CC-PAT and the Cultural Heritage Division are reliant on the expertise of EEA members and the support of the EAA's organs for their future work.
The Secretary General is therefore very much in favour of granting consultative status to the European Association of Archaeologists.
European Association for Psychotherapy
(EAP)
Application for consultative status:
10 February 1999
Founded:
1990
Headquarters:
Rosenbursenstraße 8/3/8, A – 1010 VIENNA
Tel: (43) 1 513 17 29, fax: (43) 1 512 26 04, e-mail: [email protected]
Aims:
The EAP is a non-profit organisation that aims to unite into a common association psychotherapy organisations and individual psychotherapists of different orientations in Europe on the basis of the Strasbourg Declaration of Psychotherapy 1990. It endeavours to influence the development and regulation of psychotherapy standards in European countries and to make available information and documentation to political organisations and government departments. It especially promotes high standards of ethics, training and education for the benefit of clients/patients of its members. It seeks to promote the relief of the scourge of mental illness or disorder through the development of the profession of psychotherapy. The EAP promotes collaboration and exchange of ideas among different psychotherapy organisations, encourages contact with related services and supports practical and relevant research.
Structures:
Organs:
Governing Board: made up of the president, 2 vice-presidents, the treasurer, the chief executive, one delegate from each country's national organisation, each European organisation. It carries out the decisions and policies of the EAP as agreed in the general meeting.
Executive Committee: consists of the president, 2 vice-presidents, the treasurer, the chief executive, the external relations officer and 2 ordinary members of the Governing Board.
Activities:
- organisation of representative umbrella organisations for psychotherapy in 36 European countries;
- development of European quality standards in psychotherapeutic training: the European Certificate of Psychotherapy (ECP);
- establishment of a European Register of Psychotherapists;
- foundation of a working group for Ethics in Psychotherapy;
- development of ethical guidelines;
- establishment of working groups on different topics in psychotherapy;
- expertise for different official institutions;
- co-operation with the European Commission since 1993;
- support of training programmes in eastern Europe.
Representation:
Member organisations shall be national umbrella psychotherapy organisations, European psychotherapy organisations, psychotherapy organisations from within European countries. EAP is represented in 34 of the Council of Europe member states.
Personalities:
President: Prof Willy SZAFRAN, Dienstoofd Psychiatrie AZ-VUB, Laarbeeklaan 101, B – 1090 BRUSSELS.
Funding:
Annual membership fees, donations and interest.
Opinion of the Secretary General:
This association has an excellent infrastructure, is representative on a geographic scale, and is run by very motivated people. It will be in a position not only to work with the Directorate of Social and Economic Affairs, but also with the Social, Health and Family Affairs Committee of the Parliamentary Assembly which is increasingly enhancing co-operation with NGOs.
The Secretary General is therefore in favour of granting consultative status to this association.
European Committee of Training Centres
(FESET)
Application for consultative status:
11 February 1998
Founded:
1991
Headquarters:
Sletterhagevej 27, DK – 8240 RISSKOV
Tel: (45) 86 17 88 94, fax: 45 86 17 73 98, e-mail: [email protected]
Aims:
FESET is a European association of training centres for socio-educational care work.
The aims of FESET are, whilst respecting the complete autonomy of the affiliated training centres:
- to promote education and training for socio-education purposes;
- to participate in programmes of different European bodies;
- to ensure the training centres are represented at the institutions of the European Union, the Council of Europe, as well as other international organisations;
- to encourage exchanges and understanding between training centres in the members states of the EU, in the members states of the Council of Europe, and in other European states;
- to promote terms of mutual recognition of diplomas.
Structures:
Membership:
Education and training organisations can become active members of FESET through:
either the preparation for a socio-educational position through post-secondary education and training of a least three years' duration awarded with a diploma, a certificate or other equivalent qualification, issued by a competent authority;
or the preparation for a socio-educational position through post-secondary education and training of a least two years' duration awarded with a diploma, a certificate or other equivalent qualification, issued by a competent authority.
Organs:
General Assembly: consists of no more than three individuals from each member organisation, designated for this purpose.
Board: ensures that the decisions and policies adopted by the General Assembly are executed. It has a maximum of 24 members elected for 2 years from the members of the General Assembly.
Executive Committee: co-ordinates the activities of the association and takes every opportunity to ensure that the Board's decisions are carried out. It sets out the work programme, prepares the agenda for the Assemblies and ensures that the work is undertaken. It consists of one president, two vice-presidents, one secretary general, one treasurer and three members.
Activities:
- organisation, every 2 years, of a congress on a theme which is of current interest to the members, including lectures, speeches, workshops, group and plenary discussions;
- FESET has set up a commission which works on the problems concerning the academic and professional recognition of diplomas/qualifications for social care work;
- the organisation has formed a consortium to launch a 3 year project on "Social professions for a social Europe". It aims to discover and develop a common framework and models for European orientation of training in social professions.
Representation:
FESET has member organisations in Austria, Belgium, Denmark, Finland, France, Germany, Greece, Iceland, Ireland, Italy, Netherlands, Norway, Poland, Portugal, Spain, Sweden, Switzerland and United Kingdom.
Personalities:
President: Paul Weber, Institut d'études sociales, 28, rue Prévost-Martin, case postale 265,
CH – 1211 GENEVA 4.
Funding:
The association's resources include: members' contributions and annual subscriptions; subsidies and grants from European or international or national bodies; remunerations collected for services rendered as well as all authorised resources and gifts.
Opinion of the Secretary General:
The work carried out by FESET is highly relevant to the training of professionals involved in Social Cohesion activities. The Secretary General is in favour of granting consultative status to FESET.
European Council for Classical Homeopathy
(ECCH)
Application for consultative status:
13 February 1999
Founded:
1990
Headquarters:
School House, Market Place, KENNINGHALL, Norfolk, NR14 2AH, Great Britain
Tel/fax: (44) 1953 888 163, e-mail: [email protected], http://www.gn.apc.org/ecch.icch
Aims:
- to encourage the highest standards of professional practice of classical homeopathy to restore and improve the health of patients;
- to establish and maintain a forum for determining standards of education, training, qualification, ethics and discipline for professional homeopaths, for the development of the profession, and for the development of homeopathy;
- to establish and maintain a register of qualified classical homeopaths;
- to promote and maintain the right to practise classical homeopathy, and to seek official recognition of the profession;
- to act as an international advisory body to governmental, scientific, academic and other relevant institutions;
- to promote and protect the definition of homeopathy;
- to form a profile of the professional homeopath and define their role in the health care of modern society;
- to promote and support research into all aspects of the art and science of homeopathy.
Structures:
Organs:
Executive Committee: comprises the chairperson, the vice-chairperson, the treasurer and the secretary general who meet at regular intervals to conduct the business and ensure policies are formulated.
Activities:
The Council disseminates a list of their member associations to enable members of the public in each country to seek the best homeopathic treatment from competent, well trained homeopaths. The Council meets three times a year. It publishes a number of policy documents on subjects such as education, provings, public health, research, and acts as an advisory body on homeopathic matters to national and international governmental institutions.
Representation:
Membership is made up of established associations and teaching institutions of professional classical homeopaths. Professional membership is open to established associations of professional homeopaths which maintain for the use of the public a register of trained and regulated homeopaths; which set stringent educational and training standards for entry to their registers; which maintain a code of ethics and practice to which their members are accountable; and which agree to support the aims, objectives and activities of the Council.
The Council has member organisations in 15 of the member states of the Council of Europe, as well as in Australia and the USA.
Personalities:
General Secretary: Stephen GORDON.
Funding:
Membership fees.
Opinion of the Secretary General:
The European Council for Classical Homeopathy will be able to make a contribution to the Council of Europe's work in the field of healthcare. Additionally, the Parliamentary Assembly is currently working on a report on alternative medicines and work on non-conventional type medicines may follow, and the expertise of NGOs competent in this field will be sought. The Secretary General is, therefore, in favour of granting consultative status to this organisation.
European Disability Forum
(EDF)
Application for consultative status:
26 June 1998
Founded:
1996
Headquarters:
Square Abmiorix 32, Box 2/A, B – 1000 BRUSSELS
Tel: (32) 2 282 46 00, fax: (32) 282 46 09, e-mail: [email protected], http://www.edf.unicall.be
Aims:
To advance disabled people's human rights and to promote equal opportunities in all relevant European institutions, international organisations and agencies in accordance with the principles of non-discrimination.
Structures:
Organs:
Board of Directors: is composed of an elected representative of the national Council of disabled people in each of the member states; an elected representative from each sector of the European non-governmental organisations; and the president. Disabled people and parents of disabled people who are unable to represent themselves must form the majority on the Board of Directors. The mandate of members is four years, renewable, except for the president whose mandate is renewable every 2 years. The Board of Directors will agree on the structure and membership fee level, the working arrangements of the association and eligibility conditions concerning members of the Board of Directors.
Executive Committee: consists of a president elected by the General Assembly, and 10 members elected by the members of the Board of Directors, of whom one vice-president, one secretary and one treasurer.
General Assembly: held once a year in one of the member states of the European Union, it can only deliberate validly if at least two-thirds of the members are present or represented. It is fully empowered to realise the Association's objectives.
Activities:
- policy work at EU level promoting the human rights of disabled people;
- awareness-raising work across the EU;
- dissemination of information on EU issues;
- extensive work on issues related to non discrimination, biotechnology.
Representation:
The European Disability Forum is currently composed of 66 representative European non-governmental organisations in the disability field and National Councils of Disabled People from each of the member states of the European Union. It also has member organisations in Iceland and Norway.
Personalities:
Chair: Johan WESEMANN
Director: Nicola BEDLINGTON.
Funding:
Finances include the membership fees as well as all donations, grants, subsidies and legacies awarded to support either the general aims, or a specific goal, which does not run counter to the Association's code of ethics.
Opinion of the Secretary General:
The EDF is a very active organisation in its field of competence. It has actively co-operated on a regular basis since 1996 in a variety of ways (participation in hearings and written consultation procedures) with the Council of Europe's Partial Agreement in the Social and Public Health Field in general and with subordinate bodies to the Committee on the Rehabilitation and Integration of People with Disabilities (CD-P-RR) in particular. It has been making valuable contributions to their work. The Secretary General is, therefore, in favour of granting consultative status to this organisation.
European Foundation Antonio Bana "IL NIBBIO" for ornithological research
into migrations and natural habitats conservation
(EFIN)
Application for consultative status:
6 March 1998
Founded:
1988
Headquarters:
Santa Caterina 61, I – 24100 BERGAMO
Tel: (39) 35 24 38 25, fax: (39) 35 23 69 25
Aims:
- contributing to the conservation of fauna and natural habitats in the most suitable manner and in conformity with the constitutive aims;
- helping to set up a systematic monitoring programme of migratory birds.
Structures:
Organs:
Board of Directors: meets at least once a year and consists of 9 members elected for a term of 3 years: 3 life-time members (the founders); one representative from the Italian Ministry of Agriculture and Forestry; one representative from the Italian Institute of Wildlife Biology; 4 members nominated by the founders and selected from personalities from Italy and Europe operating within the specific sector involved in scientific, legal and financial aspects.
Executive Committee: consists of a chairperson, a vice-chairperson, a secretary and a treasurer.
Activities:
- to promote initiatives in collaboration with other organisations having the same objectives;
- to co-ordinate all actions to make it possible to achieve the goals indicated above;
- to help, by various means such as subsidies or grants, persons and the offices which perform in the specific sector;
- to take part in the organisation of public events, exhibitions, courses of apprenticeship in research, to make known the real problems of the pollution of the natural environment, as well as ways and remedies for its restoration;
- to contribute to the setting up of public training centres, and to publicise the initiatives which already exist in this field;
- to encourage any new agricultural methodology to manage generally biotopes and the environment correctly, with the aim of ensuring all of the most suitable development of avicolous fauna;
- to place at the disposal of public and private organisations studies undertaken to harmonise legislation in the sector of hunting and of the conservation of the fauna.
Representation:
The Foundation is represented in Belgium, Cyprus, Croatia, Denmark, France, Germany, Greece, Malta, Russian Federation, Spain, Switzerland and the United Kingdom, as well as in Africa.
Personalities:
President: Mr Giovanni BANA, Sant Antonio 11, I – 20122 MILAN, tel: (39) 02 58 30 49 02, fax: (39) 02 58 30 50 05.
Funding:
The capital consists of a sum invested by the founders. Annual income is from interest on its assets, from public and private grants, income from services provided or from generous acts from which the Foundation is authorised to benefit.
Opinion of the Secretary General:
The aims of this organisation are in line with the objectives of the Bern Convention. It has already co-operated fruitfully in Council of Europe activities, and it has carried out many important works and studies in member states. The Secretary General has no hesitation in supporting this organisation's application for consultative status.
European Law Students' Association
(ELSA)
Application for consultative status:
1 September 1998
Founded:
1981
Headquarters:
239, boulevard Général Jacques, B – 1050 BRUSSELS
Tel: (32) 2 646 26 26, fax: (32) 2 646 29 23, e-mail: [email protected]
Aims:
ELSA is an international, independent, non-profit, non-political, student-managed education association. It has been increasing international understanding and co-operation since its foundation. ELSA develops cultural understanding and professional skills in students and provides a select core of leadership potential to the legal community.
ELSA works to:
- create opportunities for exposure and interaction between young people of different cultures and nations;
- complements students' theoretical education with practical professional experience; and
- makes the legal profession and law students more conscious and responsive to the economic, social and environmental development in their societies.
Structures:
Membership:
An international law student network of more than 25,000 members. It operates primarily through the local groups located in 180 universities in 41 European countries.
Organs:
Local groups: responsible for carrying out projects and the main activities.
National groups: are responsible for co-ordination and information within the country.
International board: is the supreme executive body. Members are elected for a one-year period. It is responsible for the overall co-ordination of the organisation. There are seven members: president, secretary general; treasurer, and four vice presidents.
Activities:
ELSA provides young, active individuals with the skills, experience and perspective necessary to lead effectively in tomorrow's legal and business world. It provides direct experience in foreign law firms, enterprises and cultures, hosts seminars and offers practical experience through the management of local groups. It runs a student trainee exchange programme, and organises conferences and seminars to complement the formal university curriculum.
Representation:
ELSA is represented in most of the member states of the Council of Europe, as well as in Armenia, Bosnia and Herzegovina and Asia.
Personalities:
President: Simen STRAND (Norway).
Vice-presidents: Anne KOLFLAATH (Norway), Johan ALMER (Sweden), Thomas FRAISS (Austria), Pedro BARROS (Portugal).
Secretary General: Sofia AMARAL (Portugal).
Opinion of the Secretary General:
ELSA is a very active organisation, well organised and representative as far as European law students are concerned. The Secretary General is therefore in favour of granting consultative status to the European Law Students' Association.
European Union Migrants Forum
Application for consultative status:
4 August 1998
Founded:
1991
Headquarters:
23a, rue de la Loi, B - 104 BRUSSELS
Tel: (32) 2 502 49 49, fax: (32) 2 502 78 76, e-mail: [email protected]
Aims:
The main aim of the Migrants Forum is to represent the associations of migrants and ethnic minorities that make up its membership in dealings with all the European institutions (the European Parliament's Committee on Civil Liberties and Internal Affairs and Committee on Employment and Social Affairs, opinions and written submissions to the European Commission and the various bodies of the Council), while maintaining an outward-looking approach and a willingness to reach out to all communities and minorities. It carries out this mission firstly by taking a stand on questions related to asylum and immigration policy and, more specifically, on the entry, residence, legal status and living and working conditions of migrants. It presents the claims of migrants and ethnic minorities to the Union's decision-making bodies. At the same time, it represents a genuine forum for dialogue and co-operation between migrants in the European Union in support of a new European citizenship and the right to vote in local elections, equality of rights and opportunities, social equality and a policy of full employment and against exclusion and racism.
In addition, the Forum seeks to mobilise public opinion against racism and exclusion.
Structures:
Members:
Membership is open to national and transnational non-governmental organisations of migrants from states not members of the EU that are working to promote the interests of migrants and refugees as their principal long-term activity.
Organs:
General Assembly: brings together delegates representing full and associate members and observers. It decides policy and the main thrust of the organisation's activities.
Administrative Council: this is composed of 32 members, including a president and 4 vice-presidents, a secretary general and a treasurer. It implements the programme adopted by the General Assembly.
Executive committee: this is composed of 7 members, including the president and 4 vice-presidents, as well as the secretary general and treasurer. It prepares an annual progress report, carries out the decisions of the Administrative Council, and is responsible for on-going financial and administrative management.
Activities:
The Forum facilitates dialogue and information exchange between the institutions of the European Union and population groups with an immigration background and encourages improvement in intercultural, community and inter-ethnic relations in Europe. Working to bring about a democratic society founded on the rule of law, it promotes social justice and pluralism, the distinctive identities and interests of migrants and of refugees from countries not members of the EU, and fights against all forms of exclusion, racism, xenophobia and fundamentalism.
The Forum has made it a priority to decentralise its activities and seeks to set up support groups (one per member state and one per regional group), in the light of cultural attitudes. Support groups composed of associations of migrants have existed in all the EU member states since 1995.
The Forum has already prepared a number of reports, not least in connection with the revision of the Maastricht Treaty, on the fight against racism, etc. The Forum is behind two on-going research projects: the first concerns migrant women and the media, while the second focuses on migrant women and the economy in several countries of the European economic area.
Representation:
The Forum represents more than 60 nationalities, grouped together within 180 federations and associations in the 15 countries of the European Union. It speaks on behalf of more than 15 million migrants.
Personalities:
President: Charchira SAĎD.
Funding:
The Forum is funded from an appropriation in the general budget of the European Communities (Commission section), private or public gifts and grants, and the resources raised through its own activities.
Opinion of the Secretary General:
This umbrella organisation, established with the support of the European Commission and of the European Parliament, has a genuine pan-European character, and is able to represent the values of the Council of Europe.
The European Committee on Migration (CDMG) has had regular contact with this NGO. The European Migrants Forum has proved to be a valuable organisation in mobilising public and parliamentary opinion in defence of the interests of migrants and ethnic minorities.
The Secretary General is, therefore, in favour of granting consultative status to this organisation.
European Prison Education Association
(EPEA)
Application for consultative status:
27 January 1999
Founded:
1993
Headquarters:
Department of Foundations in Education, Faculty of Education, MISDA MSD 06, Malta
Tel: (356) 32 90 29 43, fax: (356) 31 79 38, e-mail: [email protected]
Aims:
- exchange of information and sharing of professional practices concerning education in a prison environment;
- promoting Recommendation R (89)12;
- organising meetings for professionals and publishing reports;
- establishing networks of persons working in the prison education field.
Structures:
Organs:
General Council: consists of 2 liaison persons from each affiliated country together with the officers of the Association. It is convened at least once every 2 years, and determines the policy of the Association in accordance with the constitution.
Steering Committee: consists of officers elected by a postal ballot of members and members elected by Regional Sections: chairperson, secretary and treasurer and membership secretary. The Steering Committee administers the Association in line with policies determined by the General Council.
Activities:
- promoting education in prisons in accordance with Recommendation R(89)12 of the Committee of Ministers of the Council of Europe;
- support by means of European co-operation to in-service training for prison education staff;
- supporting research in this field;
- co-operating with organisations pursuing similar goals.
Representation:
EPEA has member organisations in the following countries: Denmark, Finland, France, Germany, Hungary, Ireland, Italy, Lithuania, Luxembourg, Malta, Netherlands, Norway, Romania, Slovenia, Sweden, United Kingdom; as well as associate members in Australia, Canada and USA.
Personalities:
Chair: Janine DUPREY KENNEDY, 19, rue E Delacroix, BP 16,
F – 67035 STRASBOURG, Cedex 2
Funding:
Monies raised by or on behalf of the Association to further its aims.
Opinion of the Secretary General:
EPEA is a particularly active and competent body, which advocates sound professional practice in the area of education and vocational training of prisoners. It also pays attention to the training of staff involved in the education of prisoners. It is probably the main international promoter of Recommendation R(89)12 on education in prison. It keeps the Division of Crime Problems of the Secretariat permanently informed about its activities; contributions are being publicised within the framework of the penological work of the Division. The aims pursued by EPEA are of relevance to one of the fundamental objectives of the Council of Europe, namely to humanise prisons, to improve the conditions of detention and thus to facilitate the return of prisoners to the community.
The Secretary General is therefore in favour of granting consultative status to this organisation.
European Public Health Association
(EUPHA)
Application for consultative status:
28 January 1999
Founded:
1992
Headquarters:
Admiraal Helfrichlaan 1, NL – 3527 KV UTRECHT
Tel/fax: (31) 70 30 300 45, e-mail: [email protected]
Aims:
- to encourage and further effective European joint research, educational policies and other activities in the field of public health;
- to encourage and further the use of knowledge in the field of public health in order to improve the relative situation in Europe.
Structures:
Organs:
Governing Council: all members are represented.
Executive Council: consists of the president, president-elect, past president, treasurer and secretary. It is charged with the management of the association.
Activities:
- European Journal of Public Health, the official organ of EUPHA. It publishes papers in the fields of epidemiology, health services research, management, ethics and law, health economics, social sciences and environmental health. The journal also provides a forum for discussion and debate of current international public health issues with a focus on the European region.
- annual conference.
- EUPHA encourages the creation of sections for specific public health themes. The goal is to bring together researchers and public health professionals working in the same field for the exchange of information and the setting up of joint policies and research.
- EUPHA collaborates in a number of European projects such as: Europe against cancer; professionalisation and training of public health workforce in Europe; nutrition.
Representation:
Member organisations must be national scientific organisations for public health in Europe, as defined by the World Health Organisation. EUPHA currently has member organisations in Albania, Belgium, Czech Republic, Denmark, Finland, France, Germany, Hungary, Italy, Netherlands, Norway, Poland, Portugal, Russian Federation, Spain, Sweden, Switzerland, United Kingdom. "The former Yugoslav Republic of Macedonia" has applied for membership.
Personalities:
President: Prof Dr Alena PETRAKOVA, u Homolky 13/126, 150 00 PRAGUE 5, Czech Republic, tel: (420) 2 55 84 33, e-mail: [email protected]
Funding:
Annual membership fees, annual conference, subsidies (eg Ministry of Health of the Netherlands).
Opinion of the Secretary General:
This is a relatively new association, similar to others in scope and purpose. It is however an indication of the increased interest in health throughout Europe and particularly in exchanging information and working together in research and other ventures. The membership is truly European and includes major Council of Europe and Community states. It is a serious association, the Secretary General is, therefore, in favour of granting consultative status.
European Ramblers' Association
(ERA)
Application for consultative status:
10 October 1996
Founded:
1969
Headquarters:
Reichstrasse 4, D – 6600 SAARBRÜCKEN
Tel: (49) 681 39 00 70, fax: (49) 681 39 04 650
Aims:
- to encourage and promote walking and mountaineering activities;
- to help to protect the environment;
- to facilitate frontier crossings for is members;
- to encourage and improve friendship and understanding between the peoples of Europe by walking and mountaineering together.
Structures:
Organs:
Members meeting: is the highest authority of the association, it is called at least once a year.
Executive: consists of the president, 3 vice-presidents and the treasurer. Election takes place every 3 years. It is responsible for all the affairs of the Association.
Activities:
The ERA is responsible for 11 European Long Distance Footpaths which cross national borders and have a total length of some 35,000 km. It organises international walks for exchanges between rambling groups in Europe. It also distributes information about walking and mountaineering in the member countries.
Representation:
Some 60 walking organisations are members of the ERA in 28 European countries.
Personalities:
Secretary General: Mr Walter SITTIG.
Funding:
Annual membership fees.
Opinion of the Secretary General:
These activities would appear to make a tangible contribution to raising awareness of and providing information about the environment. The association's programme is therefore in line with the Council of Europe's activities in the area of the natural and cultural heritage, landscape management, tourism and youth.
Its high degree of representation at European level, its experience and its resources would enable the ERA to contribute to the above-mentioned activities and to bring the Council of Europe's work to a wider public.
For these reasons, the Secretary General is in favour of granting consultative status to the European Ramblers' Association.
Green Cross International
(GCI)
Application for consultative status:
8 December 1998
Founded:
1993
Headquarters:
160a, route de Florissant, CH – 1231 CONCHES-GENEVA
Tel: (41) 22 789 16 62, fax: (41) 22 789 16 95, e-mail: [email protected]
Aims:
GCI exists to protect the natural environment and to ensure a sustainable future for all humanity and all living things. It promotes global value change, through co-operation and not confrontation, in order to help humanity adapt its relationship towards nature and so sustain the basis of life on earth. It seeks to reconcile the protection of the environment with basic needs and the improvement in the quality of life of human beings. GCI is organised exclusively for charitable, educational and scientific purposes.
Structures:
Membership:
Members are the established and recognised Green Cross National Organisations, represented by their president.
Organs:
General Assembly: members are the national organisations' presidents, the presidency members, and the executive director. It is the supreme body of GCI which sets the general directions and priorities of the association and of the Green Cross Organisation.
Presidency: president, vice presidents and the treasurer, elected by the General Assembly for a period of 2 years. The Presidency works to assure the success of the organisation with particular concern for the funding.
Managing Committee: the executive body of GCI, it is composed of all the voting members of the Presidency, the executive director and six members of GCI and meets at least twice a year. It adopts internal rules fixing the manner in which its decisions are made, defines programmes, decides on membership applications, elects and nominates members of work groups.
Executive Director: appointed by the Presidency, s/he is responsible for the day-to-day management of GCI and for the implementation of the decisions taken by the decision-making bodies.
Activities:
GCI undertakes actions to influence legislation, co-operate with institutions and organisations having the same purpose. It is actively working to have the Earth Charter endorsed by the UN, and has programmes on the environmental legacy of wars, water and desertification, and energy and resource efficiency. GCI works through the media, organising public campaigns, conferences and workshops.
Representation:
GCI has member organisations in Argentina, Bolivia, Burkina Faso, Ivory Coast, Czech Republic, Estonia, France, Germany, Hungary, Italy, Japan, South Korea, Netherlands, Poland, Russian Federation, Swaziland, Sweden, Switzerland, United Kingdom, United States and Venezuela.
Personalities:
President: Mikhail GORBACHEV.
Vice President: Alexander LIKHOTAL.
Funding:
GCI is financed through: contributions and donations from its members; contributions and donations from international agencies, national governments, foundations, industries and individuals.
Opinion of the Secretary General:
GCI has already had contact with the Committee on the Environment, Regional Planning and Local Authorities of the Parliamentary Assembly. GCI's overall approach to the relationship between the individual, society and the environment is fully in line with the attitudes expressed by the Committee and confirmed in several texts adopted by the Parliamentary Assembly. GCI's publications and studies reveal a serious approach and a remarkable level of expertise.
This organisation is particularly representative in the field of environment conservation at European level, and could contribute to the Council of Europe's activities in making know its work.
As environmental issues are fundamental to human rights, solving important problems of society and closely related to democracy, the Secretary General is in favour of granting consultative status to this organisation.
International Council for Philosophy and Humanistic Studies
(CIPSH)
Application for consultative status:
24 June 1998
Founded:
1949
Headquarters:
1, rue Miollis, F – 75732 PARIS Cedex 15
Tel: (33) (0)1 45 68 26 85/6/7/8, fax: (33) (0)1 40 65 94 80, e-mail: [email protected]
Aims:
The International Council for Philosophy and Humanistic Studies:
- supports and co-ordinates the dissemination of information in the fields of philosophy, human sciences and related disciplines, and of any other information likely to be of use in research;
- fosters international events: conferences, meetings or committees of experts;
- facilitates broad international co-operation and exchanges between researchers.
Structures:
Membership:
Specialised international non-governmental organisations and the International Academic Union.
Organs:
General Assembly: has the power of decision on all matters concerning the functioning of the Council and the accomplishment of its mission. It consists of delegates from the International Academic Union and from the other member organisations. It meets every two years in ordinary session.
Board: exercises the functions of directing body of the Council between sessions of the General Assembly. It takes its decisions within the framework of the directives formulated by the Assembly. It meets at least once a year.
Activities:
In-depth comparative study of civilisations in order to highlight the wealth and dignity of every nation's culture.
Representation:
The International Council for Philosophy and Humanistic Studies is represented in almost all the Council of Europe's member states.
Personalities:
President: Prof Julio LASBASTIDA MARTIN DEL CAMPO.
Secretary General: Prof Jean BINGEN.
Funding:
Each member organisation contributes each year a minimum sum determined by the Board.
Opinion of the Secretary General:
The International Council for Philosophy and Humanistic Studies is a serious organisation, active in its field. It is sufficiently representative at the European level and its activities may contribute to the work of the Council of Europe. For these reasons, the Secretary General is in favour of granting consultative status to the International Council for Philosophy and Humanistic Studies.
International Federation terre des hommes
(IFTDH)
Application for consultative status:
29 October 1998
Founded:
1966
Headquarters:
31, chemin Frank-Thomas, CH – 1208 GENEVA
Tel: (41) 22 736 33 72, fax: (41) 22 736 15 10, e-mail: [email protected]
Aims:
The mission of the Terre des Hommes movements is to act in favour of equitable development and the rights of the child, without any discrimination based on race, religion, political opinions, culture or gender. To do so, they support development projects designed to improve the living conditions of disadvantaged children, their families and their communities.
In their own country and region, the TDH movements raise funds to achieve their objectives. They also raise public awareness on the causes of underdevelopment and on the rights of the child. They act to mobilise political will and advocate for appropriate governmental policies.
At international level, IFTDH works in collaboration with relevant intergovernmental organisations to promote and implement the rights of the child and to advocate for people-centred development.
Structures:
Membership:
An organisation which is autonomous, non-governmental, non-profit, which operates without regard to race, colour, creed or political parties, which is formally-constituted may be eligible for full or associate membership.
Organs:
General Assembly: the central body for all questions concerning the work of the IFTDH. It is composed of the full and associate member organisations, represented by their delegates.
Executive Committee: consists of 4 to 7 member organisations, responsible for the proposal of and follow-up to policy and the annual work plan. The president is elected among the executive committee.
Activities:
- research: to identify the main fields where specific action could be relevant;
- project work, in collaboration with partners working in favour of an equitable and sustainable development of children's rights;
- information: to address the general public to raise awareness;
- advocacy: to exert pressure within decision making processes of relevant bodies at national and international levels;
- promote the exchange of knowledge and experience, mutual support and close co-operation between member organisations;
- work around Recommendation R(91)11 concerning sexual exploitation of children and young adults.
Representation:
IFTDH is composed of 9 member organisations in Belgium, Canada, Denmark, France, Germany, Luxembourg, Netherlands, Switzerland and Syria.
Personalities:
President: Brigitte EHRET.
Funding:
The annual income is from fees of member organisations, possible donations, and other sources of funding.
Opinion of the Secretary General:
IFTDH is very active in the field of childhood policies and children's rights. The quality of their work is highly regarded. This is an important area of work for the European Committee on Social Cohesion. It is therefore considered that this NGO would be in a position to make useful and practical contributions to the Council of Europe's work in the social cohesion field. The Secretary General is in favour of granting consultative status to this organisation.
International Human Rights Organisation for the Right to Feed Oneself
(FIAN)
Application for consultative status:
21 January 1999
Founded:
1986
Headquarters:
Im Schumachergewann 141, PO Box 102243, D – 69012 HEIDELBERG
Tel: (49) 6221 83 06 20, fax: (49) 6221 83 05 45, e-mail: [email protected]
Aims:
To contribute to the implementation of the International Bill of Human Rights by working for the protection of the human right to food and, above all, the right to feed oneself of persons or groups threatened by or suffering from hunger and malnutrition.
Structures:
Membership:
The main members of FIAN are its national sections, and national co-ordination and individual members.
Organs:
International Council: members of the International Council and representatives of the national sections are eligible to participate.
International Executive Committee: consists of the treasurer and two to eight regular members, elected biennially by FIAN International Council.
International secretariat: a network secretary responsible for the conduct of current affairs, working under the direction of the IEC.
Advisory Board: members are appointed by the IEC for three years, they need not be members of the FIAN.
Activities:
- interventions through global letter campaigns in specific violations of the right to food;
- long term case work by voluntary FIAN groups on violations of this right;
- international campaigns to promote the international implementation of the right to food in particular with respect to the right to petition (optional Protocol), Code of Conduct of the 1996 World Food Summit, Food Aid, Trade;
- consultative work for the UN, parallel reports under the Social Covenant, numerous substantial inputs and submissions to UN system;
- human rights education with NGOs and grassroots groups in all parts of the world.
Representation:
FIAN has national sections in Austria, Belgium, France, Germany, Norway, Sweden, Switzerland and United Kingdom, and also in Africa, Asia and America. There are 6 national co-ordinators and members in over 50 countries.
Personalities:
President: Lisa FREDRIKSSON.
Funding:
FIAN finances its work essentially by donations, by the society's assets and by membership fees. It receives funds from individual and institutional donors including the European Union, governments and churches.
Opinion of the Secretary General:
FIAN has being working with the Directorate of Human Rights for many years. It takes part in many meetings and has also actively helped to promote the European Social Charter by publishing the German version of the brochure "Securing social rights across Europe – How NGOs can make use of the European Social Charter".
FIAN would like to step up its participation in the supervisory works set up under the European Social Charter, in particular by taking part in the procedure established under the additional Protocol of 1995 allowing for a system of collective complaints.
Considering the competence and experience of this organisation and the useful contribution it has already made to the work of the Council of Europe, the Secretary General is in favour of granting consultative status to this organisation.
International Rehabilitation Council for Torture Victims
(IRCT)
Application for consultative status:
25 May 1998
Founded:
1985
Headquarters:
Borgergade 13, PO Box 2107, DK – 1014 COPENHAGEN K
Tel: (45) 33 76 06 00, fax: (45) 33 76 05 00, e-mail: [email protected]
Aims:
Founded upon health science research and experience, the IRCT seeks to promote the provision of appropriate treatment and rehabilitation services for primary and secondary victims of torture, and to contribute to the prevention of torture globally.
Structures:
Membership:
IRCT is an independent network of centres without formal membership, although revision of the statute is underway to create formal membership.
Organs:
Council: consists of a maximum of thirty persons, including a president, international vice president, a number of regional vice presidents, and a number of members representing, as far as possible, the different regions of the world. Members are preferably medical and other health professionals with specialist knowledge of the nature and treatment of consequences of torture, lawyers with specialist knowledge of and experience in the protection and promotion of human rights, and others with experience from work with prevention of torture or rehabilitation of torture survivors.
Executive Committee: consists of the president and the international vice president of the Council, and two further members of the Council. It supervises the administrative and financial operation of the IRCT, appoints the secretary general and the deputy secretary general of the secretariat.
Secretariat: is advised and supervised by the Executive Committee.
Activities:
Through the experience gained in the field of rehabilitation of victims of torture, the IRCT helps and supports the establishment of rehabilitation centres for victims of torture. It teaches, educates and raises awareness about torture, thereby aiding in the prevention of torture. The IRCT works on an international basis:
- to develop and maintain an advocacy programme which accumulates, processes and disseminates information about the practice of torture, the consequences of torture and the possibility of preventing torture and of rehabilitating persons who have been torture;
- to operate a documentation centre which accumulates, classifies and provides information about torture and related topics;
- to promote education and training of health professionals and other relevant professionals in the medical, social, legal and ethnical aspects of torture;
- to encourage the establishment and maintenance of rehabilitation services for torture victims and their families wherever the need and opportunity arise;
- to build up an international consortium with a view to raising increased multilateral and bilateral funds, in part for the work to help victims of torture and in part for the prevention of torture;
- to establish and expand international institutional relations with IGOs and NGOs for collaborative purposes in the international effort to abolish the practice of torture.
IRCT participated in the conference on "Issues and mechanisms for preventing torture and ill-treatment in northern Europe" organised by the Association for the Prevention of Torture (APT) and the British Institute of Human Rights (BIHR) to review and make proposals for the CPT development in September 1997.
IRCT has established contacts with the Council of Europe with a view to interpreting national human rights aspects of torture in training of law enforcement personnel.
Representation:
The International Rehabilitation Council for Torture Victims is represented in 11 member states of the Council of Europe, as well as in Africa, Australia, Asia and America.
Personalities:
Director: Mrs Görel THURDIN.
Funding:
The IRCT is funded by grants, gifts, legacies, donations and other financial contributions from foundations, organisations, institutions, public authorities, private persons, etc.
Opinion of the Secretary General:
The IRCT is a well known and highly regarded organisation in the fields of rehabilitation and torture victims and education about torture. It has established excellent working contacts with the relevant services of the Council of Europe. The Secretary General is in favour of granting consultative status to this organisation.
1 Paragraph 8 of the appendix to Resolution (93) 38:
"The decision to grant an organisation consultative status shall be taken by the Secretary General of the Council of Europe in accordance with the above rules. The Secretary General may also take into consideration the main priorities of the Council of Europe programme of activities and possible proliferation of organisations in a given sector of activity.
However this decision will be submitted for tacit approval to the Committee of Ministers and to the Parliamentary Assembly. To this end the Secretary General shall inform the Committee of Ministers and the Parliamentary Assembly at least once a year of the names of the organisations concerned, together with those items from the relevant files which are necessary for the assessment of each case and his or her reasons for suggesting that they be added to the list. In the absence of any objection founded on the conditions set out in paragraph 9 below, the said organisations will be added three months later to the list of those enjoying consultative status."
2 Paragraph 9 of the appendix to Resolution (93) 38:
"During the three-month period, a member of the Committee of Ministers or three members of the Assembly of different nationalities may request that an examination be made of the file of any applicant organisation. In the former case, the examination shall be made and the decision to add the name to the list shall be taken by the Committee of Ministers. In the latter case, the Committee of Ministers shall defer its decision until it has received a recommendation from the Assembly acting on a report from its competent committee."