A leading figure in the world of justice, Judge Tulkens left a lasting mark on the history of the European Court of Human Rights where she served for 14 years (1998-2012).
Throughout her term of office, she devoted tremendous amounts of time and effort to the cause of human rights, making her voice heard through courageous and far-sighted separate opinions.
In 2005, she instigated the “Dialogue between judges” seminar that is traditionally held to mark the opening of the judicial year at the Court, and was the driving force behind events to celebrate the Court's 50th anniversary and the 60th anniversary of the European Convention on Human Rights. She also helped to develop synergies with the Council of Europe's specialised monitoring bodies, in particular the European Committee for the Prevention of Torture and Inhuman or Degrading Treatment or Punishment.
No doubt, too, the schoolchildren who, in 2008, were fortunate enough to be invited to plant a “human rights tree” with her in the grounds of the European Court of Human Rights still cherish the memory of that day.
On leaving office, Françoise continued to travel back and forth between Brussels and Strasbourg. In 2016, she helped draft the Committee of Ministers' flagship recommendation on the protection of journalism and safety of journalists.
Tireless in her commitment to human rights, her contributions - speeches and publications - on a wide range of issues central to the Council of Europe's concerns - the rights of women, children, prisoners, migrants, Roma, the right to non-discrimination, social rights, etc. - have left their imprint on the history of the Organisation.
The project “75 women in 75 years of Council of Europe history” is organised by the Delegation of the European Union to the Council of Europe with the Council of Europe and the Permanent Representations of the Kingdom of the Netherlands and the United Kingdom.
