Greece has been called upon to chair the Council of Europe’s Committee of Ministers for a six-month period, from May to November 2020.
Assuming the chairmanship of the Council of Europe’s Committee of Ministers offers our country the opportunity to highlight the fundamental principles and values of democracy, the rule of law and the protection of human rights, which have been at the heart of the Council of Europe’s work since its founding in 1949.
The semester of the Greek Chairmanship coincide with the anniversary of an important historic event: the 70th anniversary of the signing of the European Convention on Human Rights in Rome on 4 November 1950.
This is an excellent opportunity to record the implementation of the Convention so far and the extent to which its provisions meet the expectations of the peoples of Europe and, particularly the younger generations. At the same time, it will trigger a creative dialogue on the perspectives of its implementation in the near and distant future. A future in which the further development of digital technologies and artificial intelligence should be taken for granted, as well as the risks that this entails, especially for young people.
The groundbreaking developments in the public health sector due to the Covid-19 pandemic, with dramatic effects on human life and public health and the serious impact on all forms of individual and public activity, have created a completely different reality, which cannot be overlooked by the country that takes over the helm of the Council of Europe’s Committee of Ministers.
The effects of Covid-19 on human rights, democracy and the rule of law will be at the forefront of the Greek Chairmanship’s actions. The aim is to highlight the aspects of the pandemic crisis that are affecting the lives of European citizens through restrictions on human rights and fundamental freedoms.
The first place in this constructive quest is dedicated to young people, but also vulnerable social groups, such as children, unaccompanied minors, women, people with disabilities and other people suffering the consequences of the pandemic from a less favored and more sensitive position.
