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Back “Our rights, our future”

Secretary General 2024 report on democracy, human rights, and rule of law in Europe

“Our rights do not apply only at one moment in time, or to a specific situation. Instead, they are built to apply over the decades, and in whatever circumstances we find ourselves”, stated Secretary General Marija Pejčinović Burić in the introduction to the 2024 report on democracy, human rights, and rule of law in Europe, entitled “Our rights, our future”, published today.

“Our rights are not an end point or a destination, but rather a moral compass for our journey through life. The Reykjavik Declaration was an important milestone at a moment of profound concern for our continent, but we have found our direction. Now, the journey must continue”, emphasised Marija Pejčinović Burić.

The annual report focuses on the Organisation’s follow-up to the 4th Summit of Heads of State and Government, held in Iceland in May 2023. In the “Reykjavik Declaration” European leaders expressed their commitment to addressing democratic backsliding in many parts of the continent.

The Summit’s main priority was to signal unwavering support for Ukraine and to ensure accountability for the Russian Federation’s ongoing war of aggression.

The report highlights the progress made in creating and setting up the Register of Damage, which now comprises 43 states plus the European Union, with staff and offices in the Hague and Kyiv.

Another priority was the need for member states to fully execute final judgments of the European Court of Human Rights. Progress has also been made in this area.

Finally, future challenges were also addressed at Reykjavik, with a strong focus on the draft Framework Convention on Artificial Intelligence, Human Rights, Democracy and the Rule of Law, and enhanced work on the environment and human rights and tackling migrant smuggling.

“As we celebrate 75 years of the Council of Europe, we should be confident in ourselves and our capacity to address these challenges, harnessing the opportunities provided by multilateralism. We have faced terrible circumstances before, and we have overcome them. We can do that again”, wrote the Secretary General.

SECRETARY GENERAL STRASBOURG 30 APRIL 2024

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The capacity-building meeting made it possible for medical practitioners from university clinics to acquire the knowledge and skills to promote the work of Ethics Committee for healthcare professionals in Armenia.

Balancing professional obligations with moral considerations Ethics Committee strengthens public trust in healthcare system

Ethics committees play a pivotal role in protecting patients' rights, providing equitable care, and fostering an environment where compassion and integrity prevail is essential to build public trust towards healthcare systems. They serve as the moral compass of medical institutions, ensuring that patient care is administered with utmost respect for human dignity and rights.

In a landmark effort to bolster ethical standards in healthcare, the Council of Europe has partnered with the Yerevan State Medical University and Ethics Committee for healthcare professionals to conduct a comprehensive capacity-building program on the functioning of the ethics committees for clinical specialists from university clinics. This initiative is designed to equip healthcare professionals with the latest skills and knowledge necessary to navigate complex ethical dilemmas in clinical practice.

The event organized on 4-5 July for around 45 medical practitioners aimed at discussing ethical rules for healthcare professionals and the functioning of the Ethics Committee for Healthcare Professionals in Armenia based on national and European standards in the fields of ethical rules and ethics committees, as well as on public debates in the field of healthcare.

The opening remarks were delivered by Laurence Lwoff, Head of Human Rights and Biomedicine Division of the Council of Europe, Izabel Abgaryan, Chair of the Ethics Committee for Healthcare Professionals and Mary Ter- Stepanyan, Head of the National Scientific Research Centre of Health Programs of YSMU. Ms Laurence Lwoff emphasized the significance of this collaboration, stating, “In an era where medical advancements and ethical dilemmas often intersect, the importance of steadfast ethical guidelines cannot be overstated”.

As a part of a larger effort to promote ethical practices in healthcare in Armenia, the Council of Europe, the Ethics Committee for healthcare professionals and the Yerevan State Medical University are setting new benchmarks in medical ethics, fostering an environment where medical practice and ethical integrity coexist harmoniously.

The Ethics Committee for Healthcare Professionals (Ethics Committee) is an independent body which reviews cases of possible violations of professional ethical rules by healthcare professionals and consists of seven members, including healthcare professionals, lawyers, and psychologists who work on a voluntary basis. The cases under the review of the Ethics Committee fall under the framework of the relationships of healthcare professionals vis-à-vis patients, other healthcare professionals, third parties and public health in general. Within a year of the functioning, the Ethics Committee for healthcare professionals examined six cases of alleged violations of the ethical rules․

The capacity-building training was organised by the Council of Europe Project on “Protection of Human Rights in Biomedicine II” implemented within the Council of Europe Action Plan for Armenia 2023-2026.

YEREVAN, ARMENIA 4-5 JULY 2023