Designed to protect human dignity, human rights and individual freedoms with regard to the applications of biology and medicine, this strategic action plan on human rights and technologies in biomedicine ( 2020-2025) places particular emphasis on responding to the main challenges raised by technological developments and the evolution of biomedical practices.

This action plan is based on the Council of Europe Convention on Human Rights and Biomedicine (Oviedo Convention), which since 1997 has been the only legally binding instrument dedicated to human rights in biomedicine.


Mid-term report of the strategic action plan on human rights and technologies in biomedicine (2020-2025)


Strategic action plan on human rights and technologies in biomedicine (2020-2025)

Governance of technologies

 Embedding human rights in the development of technologies which have an application in the field of biomedicine

 Fostering public dialogue to promote democratic governance and transparency in the field of biomedicine

Physical and mental integrity

 Strengthening children’s participation in the decision-making process on matters regarding their health

 Safeguarding children’s rights in relation to medical practices which have future or long-term implications for them

Equity in healthcare

 Combating health disparities created by social and demographic changes in Council of Europe member States

 Promoting equitable and timely access to appropriate innovative treatments and technologies in healthcare

 Ensuring equitable access to healthcare resources in a context of scarcity 

Co-operation and communication

Marija Pejčinović Burić
Secretary General of the Council of Europe

Varvitsiotis Miltiadis
Alternate minister of foreign Affairs (Greece)

Rik Daems
President of the Parliamentary Assembly