Press Release

Published 18.11.2009 Author: FSPC Communication

Swiss presidency of the Council of Europe: priority human rights

The FSPC welcomes the commitment of the Swiss presidency of the Council of Europe, which begins today, to strengthening the European Court of Human Rights.

The Council of Europe comprises 47 democratic European states. Its aim is the promotion of democracy and the preservation of human rights and law and order in Europe. Every member state takes it in turn for six months to hold the presidency of the Committee of Ministers, the decision-making organ of the Council of Europe. From today, 18 November, Switzerland holds the presidency.

The Federation of Swiss Protestant Churches welcomes the involvement of the Confederation in the Council of Europe. The Council performs indispensable tasks in the diverse Europe of 47 states and 800 million inhabitants. Thus as an organ linked to the Council, the European Court of Human Rights watches over the observance of the European Convention of Human Rights in the various countries. The Federation of Swiss Protestant Churches particularly welcomes the fact that during the term of its presidency Switzerland is attaching top priority to the strengthening of the Court and thus human rights.

Through the “Conference of Nongovernmental Organizations” the Council of Europe also involves the churches and religious communities in its work. In this way the Protestant churches can make the Christian contribution to a social consensus on values. In addition the Church Federation takes part in the work of the conference through the Conference of European Churches CEC. The FSPC thinks the inclusion of civil society an important presupposition for a transparent dialogue. It expects that during their presidency the Swiss representatives will be concerned for the active participation of the Swiss nongovernmental organizations.

The FSPC pays particular attention to the commitment of the Council of Europe to intercultural dialogue. Here as a decentralized state Switzerland has great competence, with a long tradition of the involvement of regional and cultural factors. With their principle of unity in reconciled diversity the Protestant churches have played a part in shaping this culture. The Church Federation encourages the Swiss representatives in the Council of Europe to make use of this competence during the period of its presidency. Through its collaborator with the CEC in Strasbourg the FSPC is contributing to strengthening the role of the religions.

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