The European Commission for Democracy through Law - better known as the Venice Commission - is the Council of Europe’s advisory body on constitutional matters. It is an enlarged agreement, counting 61 members: the 46 Council of Europe member States, plus 15 others.

The Commission assembles, develops and disseminates the constitutional and legal experience of its member States, contributing to a common constitutional heritage.

The role of the Venice Commission is to provide legal advice to its member states and, in particular, to help states wishing to bring their legal and institutional structures into line with European and international standards in the fields of democracy, human rights and the rule of law. 

The Commission’s solid reputation of independence and objectiveness, coupled with its unique working methods based on inclusive dialogue with the authorities and all the stakeholders in the country, puts it in a privileged position to facilitate dialogue, including in contexts of democratic transition and in emergency situations or conflicts.

In 2023 the Heads of State and Government, through the Reykjavik Declaration, undertook to strengthen the Venice Commission and raise its profile.

The Commission’s Secretariat is located in Strasbourg, France, at the headquarters of the Council of Europe. Its plenary sessions are held in Venice, Italy, at the Scuola Grande di San Giovanni Evangelista, four times a year (March, June, October and December).

 

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