Council of Europe

The Council of Europe, a key European human rights organization, is currently facing significant challenges. Recent news highlights two major developments. First, the establishment of the International Claims Commission for Ukraine, designed to assess and process reparations claims against Russia for damages caused by the war, demonstrates the Council's involvement in addressing the conflict's aftermath. Second, a push by 27 member states to reform the European Convention on Human Rights (ECHR) to address migration concerns has sparked controversy. Critics, including Amnesty International, view this proposed reform as a "moral retreat" that could weaken fundamental human rights protections. This debate underscores the tension between national sovereignty, migration management, and the Council's core mission of upholding human rights across Europe, making its role and future direction a subject of intense scrutiny.