Human Rights at local and regional levels

The Congress of Local and Regional Authorities has a long-standing commitment to human rights’ promotion and protection in the territories, by supporting local and regional elected officials to shape environments where the citizens can enjoy their human rights every day. Rooting human rights at the local level further reinforces good governance, creates stronger relationships with the community, and helps building trust in political and public institutions.

In 2023, the Reykjavik Summit marked a pivotal moment where member states explicitly recognised the Congress’s unique role in human rights’ promotion and protection at local level, and called on national authorities for a better sharing of responsibilities in defending human rights in the territories.

Since, the Congress adopted a new Human Rights Strategy to:

promote a culture of human rights at local and regional levels,
mainstream and address human rights in all Congress work,
facilitate stronger political dialogue and cooperation between local, regional, national and international authorities.

The Congress appointed a Standing Rapporteur and two deputy Rapporteurs on human rights to secure the implementation of its human rights strategy.

“Human Rights are not theoretical: we need better justice to fight injustice, real equality to respond to discrimination, good quality education and access to culture to build resilience to populism. As local and regional elected representatives, we bear a fundamental responsibility to protect human dignity in the face of hatred, defend freedom of expression and of association against authoritarian tendencies, protect nature to secure our future on earth. Human rights promotion and protection is an obligation which does not accept derogations.”

Gudrun Mosler-Törnström, Austria (R, SOC/G/PD), Standing Rapporteur on Human Rights

Biography

"In our capacity as local and regional authorities, our actions have a direct impact on the lives of our citizens. As a result, each of our decisions can potentially have a positive or negative impact on their rights, including human rights. On the ground, in our communities and here in Congress, it is therefore crucial that we embed a human rights dimension in all our activities."

Mélanie Lepoultier, France (L, ILDG)

Biography

"More and more nations are overwhelmed by the rise of populism, which leads to fear and hatred, but this discourse is born first at the local level. That is why we, as local and regional politicians, must take action to strengthen the human rights framework and discourse in our communities and use human rights as a strong basis for peer-to-peer cooperation".

Peter Drenth, Netherlands (R, EPP/CCE)

Biography

The Congress has developed a series "Human rights handbooks for local and regional authorities" to highlight the practical implementation of human rights at local and regional levels and to facilitate the exchange of experience between local and regional elected representatives. These tools contain inspirational practices and initiatives implemented by communities in their territories, as well as concrete guidance for local and regional elected representatives, and the staff of territorial administrations.

Fight against discrimination

Human Rights Handbook - Vol.1

The first volume focuses on the right to non-discrimination across three categories requiring special attention: refugees, asylum seekers, migrants and internally displaced persons (IDPs); Roma and Travellers; LGBTI+ persons.

Download the first volume of the Human Rights Handbook (Pdf): English - French - Georgian

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Social rights

Human Rights Handbook - Vol.2

The second volume focuses on social rights. It features issues with regards to health, education, work, housing, social security, protection, inclusion and integration, with a particular focus on the impact of the Covid-19 pandemic.

Download the second volume of the Human Rights Handbook (Pdf): English - French

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Environment and sustainable development

Human Rights Handbook - Vol.3

The third volume is dedicated to the environment and sustainable development. It addresses issues of transport, housing, sustainable economy, education, public procurement, and local strategies for sustainable development.

Download the third volume of the Human Rights Handbook (Pdf): English - French

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Congress texts on Human Rights

Congress’ Human Rights Strategy 2023
Delivering on the Reykjavik Summit: revised Congress priorities, working procedures and structures - Resolution 493 (2023)
A fundamental right to the environment: a matter for local and regional authorities - Towards a green reading of the European Charter of Local Self-Government - Report (2022)43-15 - Resolution 489 (2022) - Recommendation 484 (2022)
Smart cities and regions – prospects for a human rights-based governance approach - Resolution 486 (2022), Recommendation 480 (2022)
Hate speech and fake news: the impact on working conditions of local and regional elected representatives - Resolution 485 (2022), Recommendation 478 (2022)
Congress resolution to endorse the Principles on the Protection and Promotion of the Ombudsman Institution (“The Venice Principles”) - Resolution 451 (2019)
Promoting human rights at local and regional level - Report CG34(2018)10 - Resolution 427 (2018)
Revised Charter of European Political Parties for a Non-Racist Society - Report CG32(2017)17 - Resolution 415 (2017)
First Congress Human Rights Action Plan 2016-2017 - Action plan - Human Rights at local and regional level
Developing indicators to raise awareness of human rights at local and regional level - Report CG(21)10 - Resolution 334 (2011)

Other relevant Congress’ texts

Local and Regional Authorities as Actors and Guarantors of the Rule of Law – Recommendation 502 (2024)
Ageing communities – ensuring access to quality social care for older persons - Recommendation 517 (2024)
The UN Pact for the Future: The essential role of local and regional authorities in global sustainable development – Resolution 511 (2024)
Localisation of the Sustainable Development Goals – Recommendation 493 (2023)
European Urban Charter III (2023): Urban living in the era of transformations - Report
Potsdam Declaration: shared commitment to a clean, healthy and sustainable environment – CG/MON(2023)
Reception of women and children refugees in Europe’s cities and regions – Resolution 487 & recommendation 481 (2022)
Culture without borders: cultural heritage management as a tool for local and regional development – Recommendation 462 (2021)
Protecting LGBTI people in the context of rising anti-LGBTI hate speech and discrimination: the role and responsibilities of local and regional authorities - Report CG(2021)40-18 – Resolution 470 (2021)
Report, CG-FORUM(2020)01-05, Local and regional elections in major crisis situations, Recommendation 444(2020), Resolution 455(2020)
Fighting sexist violence against women in politics at local and regional levels – Report CG-FORUM (2020) 02-04 - Resolution 459 (2020)
The role of local and regional authorities in protecting internally displaced persons (IDPs) – Recommendation 437 (2019)

Case Law of the European Court of Human Rights concerning local and regional authorities

Thematic Activities

The publication “Thematic Activities” presents the Congress’s reference texts in the light of the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) of the United Nations Agenda 2030. Indeed, local and regional authorities contribute a significant share to the efforts of national governments to fulfil the SDGs and can build on the reports, recommendations and handbooks made available by the Congress.

The thematic activities on which the work of the Congress is based include human rights at local and regional levels, gender equality, children's rights and inclusive societies (rights of refugees and migrants, Roma and travellers, LGBTI+ persons).

Publication "Thematic Activities"

Children's Rights

Migration and Integration

Roma and Travellers

LGBTI rights