Catherine Lalumière played a leading role in promoting human rights and in the work of the Council of Europe. As the first woman to head the Organisation, from 1989 to 1994, she worked actively to strengthen standards in human rights, the rule of law and democracy in the member countries.
Catherine Lalumière oversaw the establishment of several human rights protection mechanisms at the Council of Europe, such as the full-time European Court of Human Rights and the Commissioner for Human Rights. She also played a central part in the implementation of the European Convention on Human Rights and the drafting of additional protocols to extend its scope.
During her term, she promoted the establishment of a network of Council of Europe Schools of Political Studies, with the aim of training young political leaders from the emerging democracies of the former Eastern Bloc. She inaugurated the new European Court of Human Rights building in Strasbourg.
She also worked to promote co-operation between Council of Europe member States to ensure respect for human rights and democratic values. Her commitment to intercultural dialogue and mutual understanding helped to enhance cohesion within the pan-European Organisation.
With her enlightened leadership and relentless commitment, Catherine Lalumière left an indelible mark on the Council of Europe’s work and helped to promote the fundamental values of democracy, justice and respect for human rights throughout Europe.
On 1 June 1989, Catherine Lalumière became the first woman Secretary General of the Council of Europe. She played a major role in the European integration of the former Central and Eastern European states. In this video, she explains her commitment at a key period for 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.
