Council of Europe – Directorate of Culture and Cultural and Natural Heritage

The Council of Europe is the continent's leading human rights organisation. It includes 46 member states, 28 of which are members of the European Union. All Council of Europe member states have signed up to the European Convention on Human Rights, a treaty designed to protect human rights, democracy and the rule of law.

The Directorate of Culture and Cultural and Natural Heritage has two complementary aims: to serve the Council of Europe's mandate as it relates to the sectors of culture, cultural heritage and natural heritage; and to promote the enabling power of culture and heritage as a force for democracy in European societies.

The Council of Europe advocates freedom of expression and of the media, freedom of assembly, equality, and the protection of minorities. It has launched campaigns on issues such as child protection, online hate speech, and the rights of the Roma, Europe's largest minority. The Council of Europe helps member states fight corruption and terrorism and undertake necessary judicial reforms. Its group of constitutional experts, known as the Venice Commission, offers legal advice to countries throughout the world.

The Council of Europe promotes human rights through international conventions, such as the Convention on Preventing and Combating Violence against Women and Domestic Violence and the Convention on Cybercrime. It monitors member states' progress in these areas and makes recommendations through independent expert monitoring bodies. Council of Europe member states no longer apply the death penalty.