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EU politics: the soft centre at the heart of darkness   Wednesday 6 February 2013 Yesterday's vote on gay marriage brings to light to the knowledgeable (which excludes the majority of MPs) the extraordinary role of that little-known institution, the Council of Europe (CoE), and the role of a scarcely known mechanism known generically as "soft law". Looking briefly at the CoE, this is based in Strasbourg, and even to visitors it often attracts little attention. Apart from the fact that it has a better staff restaurant – and some useful overspill facilities - we didn't take a great deal of notice of it when we were in Strasbourg. Even though it was connected to the European Parliament by a bridge, and we often passed through it on the way to our offices, it was just "there", a relic of the past, of little importance. To look at it in that way was and is a mistake. The Council of Europe, bearing the same ring of stars which was later stolen by the European Union, is a powerful institution in its own right. Its problem is that it is entirely under the shadow of the EU, but it should not be underestimated. It acts in a very different and much more subtle (i.e., less visible) way. For a start, the Council of Europe, itself a treaty organisation, is a treaty factory, having brokered 214 treaties including its founding statute which came into force on 3 August 1949. What might surprise people, as well as the sheer number, is the breadth of these treaties. In additional to the Convention for the Protection of Human Rights and Fundamental Freedoms – to give it its full title - (and its various protocols) we have such things as the European Convention on Social and Medical Assistance and the European Agreement on the Abolition of Visas for Refugees. We also have the European Social Charter, the European Convention on the Control of the Acquisition and Possession of Firearms by Individuals, the European Convention for the Protection of Animals for Slaughter, and even the European Agreement on the Restriction of the Use of certain Detergents in Washing and Cleaning Products. More recently, we have the Council of Europe Convention on Laundering, Search, Seizure and Confiscation of the Proceeds from Crime and on the Financing of Terrorism, the Council of Europe Convention on preventing and combating violence against women and domestic violence, the Council of Europe Convention on the counterfeiting of medical products and similar crimes involving threats to public health, and the European Landscape Convention. Careful study of the list, and an examination of the recitals of many EU directives, indicates that much of the EU law about which we and our politicians complain owes its origin to Council of Europe treaties and their protocols. Perversely, even if we left the EU, we would still be bound by provisions which cause friction, unless we also abrogated many of the CoE treaties. But, to cast the reach of the CoE (or the EU for that matter) simply in terms of its treaties and (in the case of the EU) its formal laws, is entirely to miscast the way the international system works. What is emerging as the system matures and become more complex is a phenomenon well known to international lawyers as "soft law", which is increasingly dominating our lives. The EU agency Eurofound defines soft law as is "the term applied to EU measures, such as guidelines, declarations and opinions, which, in contrast to directives, regulations and decisions, are not binding on those to whom they are addressed". Despite that lack of legally binding effect, says Eurofound, soft law may impact on policy development and practice precisely by reason of its lack of legal effect – rather, because it exercises an informal "soft" influence. Member States and other actors may undertake voluntarily to do what they are less willing to do if legally obligated. Soft law, therefore, is sometimes presented as a more flexible instrument in achieving policy objectives. In the CoE context, it was Recommendation CM/Rec(2010)5 which has cast as "soft law" by the European Parliament Directorate-General for Internal Policies, which nevertheless called it "a significant soft law commitment on rights of LGBT persons". The EU Agency for Fundamental Rights(FRA) thought the recommendation provided "useful guidance" to EU Member States for improving the respect, protection and promotion of LGBT rights. While soft law may not be legally binding, it often creates powerful political pressure, to the extent that it can become politically binding, in a sense. To read through the background to Recommendation CM/Rec(2010)5 tells its own story, giving a strong impression of this being the tip of the spear, with a huge momentum behind it. As to its effect on Mr Cameron, I am warming to the view that the Recommendation was indeed pivotal in bringing the gay marriage to Parliament yesterday. Looking at the sequence of events, we have already established that there was no intent to introduce homosexual marriage in the coalition work programme of June 2010 and we can see from the media record that, as late as September 2010, Cameron was in talks with his deputy prime minister (pictured below), having refused to consider same-sex marriages. Then, in December 2010, we see new that gay rights campaigners planning to file a case with the European Court of Human Rights as part of an "Equal Love campaign", arguing that they are being discriminated against because of their sexual orientation. Then, strengthening the effect of Recommendation CM/Rec(2010), we start seeing numerous instances throughout Europe where it is being considered an exemplar or amplifier of Article 8 of the ECHR (right to a family life). Politically, this placed Mr Cameron in an incredibly weak position, as he had committed in opposition to scrapping the Human Rights Act. Now, potentially, he was facing an dangerous challenge from the ECHR which could force him to overturn his policy on gay marriage.  The political effects of that could have been devastating. Thus we see, in March 2011 the government for the first time giving a commitment to implementing Recommendation CM/Rec(2010)5, the outcome of which meant that Cameron had to introduce homosexual marriage. Making a virtue out of a necessity, he thus made implementing the Recommendation the centrepiece of the British Chairmanship of the Committee of Ministers, at the Council of Europe. And the rest, as they say, is history. In all this of course, no one can put their hand on a law or other directive, which forced Mr Cameron to introduce homosexual marriage. But the sequence of events, and the circumstances, provide powerful evidence that the "soft law" of Recommendation CM/Rec(2010)5 was indeed the "tip of the spear" which backed him into a corner, driving him to put his signature on a new Bill. Soft law indeed it may be, the soft centre at the heart of darkness, but just because it is "soft" doesn't mean it doesn't work. A smothering pillow is soft, especially when compared with the casing of a bullet, but it can be just as deadly. COMMENT: "GAY MARRIAGE" THREAD Richard North 06/02/2013

UK politics: a contrast in priorities   Wednesday 6 February 2013 Last month's debate on "Europe", led by William Hague, seen addressing the opposition benches. Last night's debate on "gays" ... the difference being, of course, that there was a vote.  MPs are allowed (nay, encouraged) to vote on whether homosexuals can call themselves married, but not on who governs us - even the idea of a debate being actively discouraged for causing "uncertainty".  Little did they know it though, the MPs were actually voting to implement Council of Europe  Recommendation CM/Rec(2010)5, to fulfil a commitment made by HM Government last year, while holding the Chairmanship of the Committee of Ministers. Completely unaware of the real reason for their presence, they were led by the nose, oblivious to the fact that the same "debates" have been taking place all over Europe, to exactly the same agenda. EN FRDEITRU Complete list of the Council of Europe's treaties No.  Title  Opening of the treaty  Entry into force  E. N. U. 001   Statute of the Council of Europe   5/5/1949   3/8/1949         002   General Agreement on Privileges and Immunities of the Council of Europe   2/9/1949   10/9/1952         005   Convention for the Protection of Human Rights and Fundamental Freedoms   4/11/1950   3/9/1953       X 009   Protocol to the Convention for the Protection of Human Rights and Fundamental Freedoms   20/3/1952   18/5/1954         010   Protocol to the General Agreement on Privileges and Immunities of the Council of Europe   6/11/1952   11/7/1956         012   European Interim Agreement on Social Security Schemes Relating to Old Age, Invalidity and Survivors   11/12/1953   1/7/1954   X X   012A   Protocol to the European Interim Agreement on Social Security Schemes Relating to Old Age, Invalidity and Survivors   11/12/1953   1/10/1954   X X   013   European Interim Agreement on Social Security other than Schemes for Old Age, Invalidity and Survivors   11/12/1953   1/7/1954   X X   013A   Protocol to the European Interim Agreement on Social Security other than Schemes for Old Age, Invalidity and Survivors   11/12/1953   1/10/1954   X X   014   European Convention on Social and Medical Assistance   11/12/1953   1/7/1954   X X   014A   Protocol to the European Convention on Social and Medical Assistance   11/12/1953   1/7/1954   X X   015   European Convention on the Equivalence of Diplomas leading to Admission to Universities   11/12/1953   20/4/1954   X X   016   European Convention relating to the Formalities required for Patent Applications   11/12/1953   1/6/1955   X X   017   European Convention on the International Classification of Patents for Inventions   19/12/1954   1/8/1955   X X   018   European Cultural Convention   19/12/1954   5/5/1955   X     019   European Convention on Establishment   13/12/1955   23/2/1965         020   Agreement on the Exchange of War Cripples between Member Countries of the Council of Europe with a view to Medical Treatment   13/12/1955   1/1/1956   X X   021   European Convention on the Equivalence of Periods of University Study   15/12/1956   18/9/1957   X X   022   Second Protocol to the General Agreement on Privileges and Immunities of the Council of Europe   15/12/1956   15/12/1956         023   European Convention for the Peaceful Settlement of Disputes   29/4/1957   30/4/1958   X X   024   European Convention on Extradition   13/12/1957   18/4/1960   X X   025   European Agreement on Regulations governing the Movement of Persons between Member States of the Council of Europe   13/12/1957   1/1/1958   X X   026   European Agreement on the Exchange of Therapeutic Substances of Human Origin   15/12/1958   1/1/1959   X X X 027   European Agreement concerning Programme Exchanges by means of Television Films   15/12/1958   1/7/1961   X X   028   Third Protocol to the General Agreement on Privileges and Immunities of the Council of Europe   6/3/1959   15/3/1963         029   European Convention on Compulsory Insurance against Civil Liability in respect of Motor Vehicles   20/4/1959   22/9/1969   X X   030   European Convention on Mutual Assistance in Criminal Matters   20/4/1959   12/6/1962   X X   031   European Agreement on the Abolition of Visas for Refugees   20/4/1959   4/9/1960   X X   032   European Convention on the Academic Recognition of University Qualifications   14/12/1959   27/11/1961   X X   033   Agreement on the Temporary Importation, free of duty, of Medical, Surgical and Laboratory Equipment for use on free loan in Hospitals and other Medical Institutions for purposes of Diagnosis or Treatment   28/4/1960   29/7/1960   X X X 034   European Agreement on the Protection of Television Broadcasts   22/6/1960   1/7/1961         035   European Social Charter   18/10/1961   26/2/1965         036   Fourth Protocol to the General Agreement on Privileges and Immunities of the Council of Europe   16/12/1961   16/12/1961         037   European Agreement on Travel by Young Persons on Collective Passports between the Member Countries of the Council of Europe   16/12/1961   17/1/1962   X X   038   European Agreement on Mutual Assistance in the matter of Special Medical Treatments and Climatic Facilities   14/5/1962   15/6/1962   X X   039   European Agreement on the Exchanges of Blood-Grouping Reagents   14/5/1962   14/10/1962   X X X 040   Agreement between the Member States of the Council of Europe on the issue to Military and Civilian War-Disabled of an International Book of Vouchers for the repair of Prosthetic and Orthopaedic Appliances   17/12/1962   27/12/1963   X X   041   Convention on the Liability of Hotel-keepers concerning the Property of their Guests   17/12/1962   15/2/1967   X X   042   Agreement relating to Application of the European Convention on International Commercial Arbitration   17/12/1962   25/1/1965   X X   043   Convention on the Reduction of Cases of Multiple Nationality and on Military Obligations in Cases of Multiple Nationality   6/5/1963   28/3/1968   X X   044   Protocol No. 2 to the Convention for the Protection of Human Rights and Fundamental Freedoms, conferring upon the European Court of Human Rights competence to give advisory opinions   6/5/1963   21/9/1970         045   Protocol No. 3 to the Convention for the Protection of Human Rights and Fundamental Freedoms, amending Articles 29, 30 and 34 of the Convention   6/5/1963   21/9/1970         046   Protocol No. 4 to the Convention for the Protection of Human Rights and Fundamental Freedoms, securing certain rights and freedoms other than those already included in the Convention and in the first Protocol thereto   16/9/1963   2/5/1968         047   Convention on the Unification of Certain Points of Substantive Law on Patents for Invention   27/11/1963   1/8/1980   X X   048   European Code of Social Security   16/4/1964   17/3/1968   X X   048A   Protocol to the European Code of Social Security   16/4/1964   17/3/1968   X X   049   Protocol to the European Convention on the Equivalence of Diplomas leading to Admission to Universities   3/6/1964   4/7/1964   X X   050   Convention on the Elaboration of a European Pharmacopoeia   22/7/1964   8/5/1974   X   X 051   European Convention on the Supervision of Conditionally Sentenced or Conditionally Released Offenders   30/11/1964   22/8/1975   X X   052   European Convention on the Punishment of Road Traffic Offences   30/11/1964   18/7/1972   X X   053   European Agreement for the Prevention of Broadcasts transmitted from Stations outside National Territories   22/1/1965   19/10/1967   X X   054   Protocol to the European Agreement on the Protection of Television Broadcasts   22/1/1965   24/3/1965   X X   055   Protocol No. 5 to the Convention for the Protection of Human Rights and Fundamental Freedoms, amending Articles 22 and 40 of the Convention   20/1/1966   20/12/1971         056   European Convention providing a Uniform Law on Arbitration   20/1/1966     X X   057   European Convention on Establishment of Companies   20/1/1966           058   European Convention on the Adoption of Children   24/4/1967   26/4/1968   X X   059   European Agreement on the Instruction and Education of Nurses   25/10/1967   7/8/1969   X X   060   European Convention on Foreign Money Liabilities   11/12/1967     X X   061   European Convention on Consular Functions   11/12/1967   9/6/2011   X     061A   Protocol to the European Convention on Consular Functions concerning the Protection of Refugees   11/12/1967     X     061B   Protocol to the European Convention on Consular Functions relating to Consular Functions in respect of Civil Aircraft   11/12/1967     X     062   European Convention on Information on Foreign Law   7/6/1968   17/12/1969   X X   063   European Convention on the Abolition of Legalisation of Documents executed by Diplomatic Agents or Consular Officers   7/6/1968   14/8/1970   X X   064   European Agreement on the Restriction of the Use of certain Detergents in Washing and Cleaning Products   16/9/1968   16/2/1971   X X   065   European Convention for the Protection of Animals during International Transport   13/12/1968   20/2/1971   X X X 066   European Convention on the Protection of the Archaeological Heritage   6/5/1969   20/11/1970   X X   067   European Agreement relating to Persons participating in Proceedings of the European Commission and Court of Human Rights   6/5/1969   17/4/1971         068   European Agreement on Au Pair Placement   24/11/1969   30/5/1971   X X   069   European Agreement on continued Payment of Scholarships to students studying abroad   12/12/1969   2/10/1971   X X   070   European Convention on the International Validity of Criminal Judgments   28/5/1970   26/7/1974   X X   071   European Convention on the Repatriation of Minors   28/5/1970     X X   072   Convention relating to Stops on Bearer Securities in International Circulation   28/5/1970   11/2/1979   X X   073   European Convention on the Transfer of Proceedings in Criminal Matters   15/5/1972   30/3/1978   X X   074   European Convention on State Immunity   16/5/1972   11/6/1976   X X   074A   Additional Protocol to the European Convention on State Immunity   16/5/1972   22/5/1985   X X   075   European Convention on the Place of Payment of Money Liabilities   16/5/1972     X X   076   European Convention on the Calculation of Time-Limits   16/5/1972   28/4/1983   X X   077   Convention on the Establishment of a Scheme of Registration of Wills   16/5/1972   20/3/1976   X X   078   European Convention on Social Security   14/12/1972   1/3/1977   X X   078A   Supplementary Agreement for the Application of the European Convention on Social Security   14/12/1972   1/3/1977   X X   079   European Convention on Civil Liability for Damage caused by Motor Vehicles   14/5/1973     X X   080   Agreement on the Transfer of Corpses   26/10/1973   11/11/1975   X X   081   Additional Protocol to the Protocol to the European Agreement on the Protection of Television Broadcasts   14/1/1974   31/12/1974   X X   082   European Convention on the Non-Applicability of Statutory Limitation to Crimes against Humanity and War Crimes   25/1/1974   27/6/2003   X X   083   European Convention on the Social Protection of Farmers   6/5/1974   17/6/1977   X X   084   European Agreement on the Exchange of Tissue-Typing Reagents   17/9/1974   23/4/1977   X X X 085   European Convention on the Legal Status of Children born out of Wedlock   15/10/1975   11/8/1978   X X   086   Additional Protocol to the European Convention on Extradition   15/10/1975   20/8/1979   X X   087   European Convention for the Protection of Animals kept for Farming Purposes   10/3/1976   10/9/1978   X X X 088   European Convention on the International Effects of Deprivation of the Right to Drive a Motor Vehicle   3/6/1976   28/4/1983   X X   089   Additional Protocol to the European Agreement on the Exchange of Tissue-Typing Reagents   24/6/1976   23/4/1977   X X X 090   European Convention on the Suppression of Terrorism   27/1/1977   4/8/1978         091   European Convention on Products Liability in regard to Personal Injury and Death   27/1/1977     X X   092   European Agreement on the Transmission of Applications for Legal Aid   27/1/1977   28/2/1977   X X   093   European Convention on the Legal Status of Migrant Workers   24/11/1977   1/5/1983         094   European Convention on the Service Abroad of Documents relating to Administrative Matters   24/11/1977   1/11/1982   X X   095   Protocol amending the Convention on the Reduction of Cases of Multiple Nationality and Military Obligations in Cases of Multiple Nationality   24/11/1977   8/9/1978   X X   096   Additional Protocol to the Convention on the Reduction of Cases of Multiple Nationality and Military Obligations in Cases of Multiple Nationality   24/11/1977   17/10/1983   X X   097   Additional Protocol to the European Convention on Information on Foreign Law   15/3/1978   31/8/1979   X X   098   Second Additional Protocol to the European Convention on Extradition   17/3/1978   5/6/1983   X X   099   Additional Protocol to the European Convention on Mutual Assistance in Criminal Matters   17/3/1978   12/4/1982   X X   100   European Convention on the Obtaining Abroad of Information and Evidence in Administrative Matters   15/3/1978   1/1/1983   X X   101   European Convention on the Control of the Acquisition and Possession of Firearms by Individuals   28/6/1978   1/7/1982   X X   102   European Convention for the Protection of Animals for Slaughter   10/5/1979   11/6/1982   X X X 103   Additional Protocol to the European Convention for the Protection of Animals during International Transport   10/5/1979   7/11/1989   X X X 104   Convention on the Conservation of European Wildlife and Natural Habitats   19/9/1979   1/6/1982   X X X 105   European Convention on Recognition and Enforcement of Decisions concerning Custody of Children and on Restoration of Custody of Children   20/5/1980   1/9/1983   X X   106   European Outline Convention on Transfrontier Co-operation between Territorial Communities or Authorities   21/5/1980   22/12/1981   X     107   European Agreement on Transfer of Responsibility for Refugees   16/10/1980   1/12/1980   X X   108   Convention for the Protection of Individuals with regard to Automatic Processing of Personal Data   28/1/1981   1/10/1985   X X   109   Additional Protocol to the European Agreement on the Exchange of Therapeutic Substances of Human Origin   1/1/1983   1/1/1985   X X   110   Additional Protocol to the Agreement on the Temporary Importation, free of duty, of Medical, Surgical and Laboratory Equipment for Use on free loan in Hospitals and other Medical Institutions for Purposes of Diagnosis or Treatment   1/1/1983   1/1/1985   X X   111   Additional Protocol to the European Agreement on the Exchanges of Blood-Grouping Reagents   1/1/1983   1/1/1985   X X   112   Convention on the Transfer of Sentenced Persons   21/3/1983   1/7/1985   X X   113   Additional Protocol to the Protocol to the European Agreement on the Protection of Television Broadcasts   21/3/1983   1/1/1985   X X   114   Protocol No. 6 to the Convention for the Protection of Human Rights and Fundamental Freedoms concerning the Abolition of the Death Penalty   28/4/1983   1/3/1985         115   Protocol amending the European Agreement on the Restriction of the Use of certain Detergents in Washing and Cleaning Products   25/10/1983   1/11/1984   X X   116   European Convention on the Compensation of Victims of Violent Crimes   24/11/1983   1/2/1988   X X   117   Protocol No. 7 to the Convention for the Protection of Human Rights and Fundamental Freedoms   22/11/1984   1/11/1988         118   Protocol No. 8 to the Convention for the Protection of Human Rights and Fundamental Freedoms   19/3/1985   1/1/1990         119   European Convention on Offences relating to Cultural Property   23/6/1985     X X   120   European Convention on Spectator Violence and Misbehaviour at Sports Events and in particular at Football Matches   19/8/1985   1/11/1985   X X   121   Convention for the Protection of the Architectural Heritage of Europe   3/10/1985   1/12/1987   X X X 122   European Charter of Local Self-Government   15/10/1985   1/9/1988         123   European Convention for the Protection of Vertebrate Animals used for Experimental and other Scientific Purposes   18/3/1986   1/1/1991   X X X 124   European Convention on the Recognition of the Legal Personality of International Non-Governmental Organisations  24/4/1986   1/1/1991   X X   125   European Convention for the Protection of Pet Animals   13/11/1987   1/5/1992   X X   126   European Convention for the Prevention of Torture and Inhuman or Degrading Treatment or Punishment   26/11/1987   1/2/1989   X X   127   Convention on Mutual Administrative Assistance in Tax Matters   25/1/1988   1/4/1995   X X   128   Additional Protocol to the European Social Charter   5/5/1988   4/9/1992         129   Arrangement for the Application of the European Agreement of 17 October 1980 concerning the Provision of Medical Care to Persons during Temporary Residence   26/5/1988     X     130   Convention on Insider Trading   20/4/1989   1/10/1991   X X X 131   Third Additional Protocol to the Protocol to the European Agreement on the Protection of Television Broadcasts   20/4/1989     X X   132   European Convention on Transfrontier Television   5/5/1989   1/5/1993   X X X 133   Protocol to the Convention on Insider Trading   11/9/1989   1/10/1991         134   Protocol to the Convention on the Elaboration of a European Pharmacopoeia   16/11/1989   1/11/1992   X   X 135   Anti-Doping Convention   16/11/1989   1/3/1990   X X   136   European Convention on Certain International Aspects of Bankruptcy   5/6/1990     X X   137   Fifth Protocol to the General Agreement on Privileges and Immunities of the Council of Europe   18/6/1990   1/11/1991         138   European Convention on the General Equivalence of Periods of University Study   6/11/1990   1/1/1991   X X X 139   European Code of Social Security (Revised)   6/11/1990     X X X 140   Protocol No. 9 to the Convention for the Protection of Human Rights and Fundamental Freedoms   6/11/1990   1/10/1994         141   Convention on Laundering, Search, Seizure and Confiscation of the Proceeds from Crime   8/11/1990   1/9/1993   X X   142   Protocol amending the European Social Charter   21/10/1991           143   European Convention on the Protection of the Archaeological Heritage (Revised)   16/1/1992   25/5/1995   X X X 144   Convention on the Participation of Foreigners in Public Life at Local Level   5/2/1992   1/5/1997   X X   145   Protocol of Amendment to the European Convention for the Protection of Animals kept for Farming Purposes   6/2/1992     X X X 146   Protocol No. 10 to the Convention for the Protection of Human Rights and Fundamental Freedoms   25/3/1992           147   European Convention on Cinematographic Co-Production   2/10/1992   1/4/1994   X   X 148   European Charter for Regional or Minority Languages   5/11/1992   1/3/1998   X X   149   Second Protocol amending the Convention on the Reduction of Cases of Multiple Nationality and Military Obligations in Cases of Multiple Nationality   2/2/1993   24/3/1995   X X   150   Convention on Civil Liability for Damage resulting from Activities Dangerous to the Environment   21/6/1993     X X X 151   Protocol No. 1 to the European Convention for the Prevention of Torture and Inhuman or Degrading Treatment or Punishment   4/11/1993   1/3/2002         152   Protocol No. 2 to the European Convention for the Prevention of Torture and Inhuman or Degrading Treatment or Punishment   4/11/1993   1/3/2002         153   European Convention relating to questions on Copyright Law and Neighbouring Rights in the Framework of Transfrontier Broadcasting by Satellite   11/5/1994     X   X 154   Protocol to the European Convention on Social Security   11/5/1994     X X   155   Protocol No. 11 to the Convention for the Protection of Human Rights and Fundamental Freedoms, restructuring the control machinery established thereby   11/5/1994   1/11/1998         156   Agreement on Illicit Traffic by Sea, implementing Article 17 of the United Nations Convention against Illicit Traffic in Narcotic Drugs and Psychotropic Substances   31/1/1995   1/5/2000   X X   157   Framework Convention for the Protection of National Minorities   1/2/1995   1/2/1998   X X   158   Additional Protocol to the European Social Charter Providing for a System of Collective Complaints   9/11/1995   1/7/1998         159   Additional Protocol to the European Outline Convention on Transfrontier Co-operation between Territorial Communities or Authorities   9/11/1995   1/12/1998   X     160   European Convention on the Exercise of Children's Rights   25/1/1996   1/7/2000   X X X 161   European Agreement relating to persons participating in proceedings of the European Court of Human Rights   5/3/1996   1/1/1999         162   Sixth Protocol to the General Agreement on Privileges and Immunities of the Council of Europe   5/3/1996   1/11/1998         163   European Social Charter (revised)   3/5/1996   1/7/1999         164   Convention for the protection of Human Rights and Dignity of the Human Being with regard to the Application of Biology and Medicine: Convention on Human Rights and Biomedicine   4/4/1997   1/12/1999   X X X 165   Convention on the Recognition of Qualifications concerning Higher Education in the European Region   11/4/1997   1/2/1999   X X X 166   European Convention on Nationality   6/11/1997   1/3/2000   X X   167   Additional Protocol to the Convention on the Transfer of Sentenced Persons   18/12/1997   1/6/2000   X X   168   Additional Protocol to the Convention for the Protection of Human Rights and Dignity of the Human Being with regard to the Application of Biology and Medicine, on the Prohibition of Cloning Human Beings   12/1/1998   1/3/2001   X X X 169   Protocol No. 2 to the European Outline Convention on Transfrontier Co-operation between Territorial Communities or Authorities concerning interterritorial co-operation   5/5/1998   1/2/2001   X     170   Protocol of Amendment to the European Convention for the Protection of Vertebrate Animals used for Experimental and other Scientific Purposes   22/6/1998   2/12/2005   X X X 171   Protocol amending the European Convention on Transfrontier Television   1/10/1998   1/3/2002   X X X 172   Convention on the Protection of Environment through Criminal Law   4/11/1998     X X   173   Criminal Law Convention on Corruption   27/1/1999   1/7/2002   X X X 174   Civil Law Convention on Corruption   4/11/1999   1/11/2003   X X X 175   European Convention on the Promotion of a Transnational Long-Term Voluntary Service for Young People   11/5/2000     X     176   European Landscape Convention   20/10/2000   1/3/2004   X     177   Protocol No. 12 to the Convention for the Protection of Human Rights and Fundamental Freedoms   4/11/2000   1/4/2005         178   European Convention on the Legal Protection of Services based on, or consisting of, Conditional Access   24/1/2001   1/7/2003   X X X 179   Additional Protocol to the European Agreement on the Transmission of Applications for Legal Aid   4/10/2001   1/9/2002   X X   180   Convention on Information and Legal Co-operation concerning "Information Society Services"   4/10/2001     X X X 181   Additional Protocol to the Convention for the Protection of Individuals with regard to Automatic Processing of Personal Data, regarding supervisory authorities and transborder data flows   8/11/2001   1/7/2004   X X X 182   Second Additional Protocol to the European Convention on Mutual Assistance in Criminal Matters   8/11/2001   1/2/2004   X X   183   European Convention for the Protection of the Audiovisual Heritage   8/11/2001   1/1/2008   X X X 184   Protocol to the European Convention for the Protection of the Audiovisual Heritage, on the Protection of Television Productions   8/11/2001     X X X 185   Convention on Cybercrime   23/11/2001   1/7/2004   X X   186   Additional Protocol to the Convention on Human Rights and Biomedicine concerning Transplantation of Organs and Tissues of Human Origin   24/1/2002   1/5/2006   X X X 187   Protocol No. 13 to the Convention for the Protection of Human Rights and Fundamental Freedoms, concerning the abolition of the death penalty in all circumstances   3/5/2002   1/7/2003         188   Additional Protocol to the Anti-Doping Convention   12/9/2002   1/4/2004   X X   189   Additional Protocol to the Convention on Cybercrime, concerning the criminalisation of acts of a racist and xenophobic nature committed through computer systems   28/1/2003   1/3/2006   X X   190   Protocol amending the European Convention on the Suppression of Terrorism   15/5/2003           191   Additional Protocol to the Criminal Law Convention on Corruption   15/5/2003   1/2/2005   X X X 192   Convention on Contact concerning Children   15/5/2003   1/9/2005   X X X 193   European Convention for the Protection of Animals during International Transport (Revised)   6/11/2003   14/3/2006   X X X 194   Protocol No. 14 to the Convention for the Protection of Human Rights and Fundamental Freedoms, amending the control system of the Convention   13/5/2004   1/6/2010         195   Additional Protocol to the Convention on Human Rights and Biomedicine, concerning Biomedical Research   25/1/2005   1/9/2007   X X X 196   Council of Europe Convention on the Prevention of Terrorism   16/5/2005   1/6/2007   X X X 197   Council of Europe Convention on Action against Trafficking in Human Beings   16/5/2005   1/2/2008   X X X 198   Council of Europe Convention on Laundering, Search, Seizure and Confiscation of the Proceeds from Crime and on the Financing of Terrorism   16/5/2005   1/5/2008   X X X 199   Council of Europe Framework Convention on the Value of Cultural Heritage for Society   27/10/2005   1/6/2011   X X X 200   Council of Europe Convention on the avoidance of statelessness in relation to State succession   19/5/2006   1/5/2009   X X   201   Council of Europe Convention on the Protection of Children against Sexual Exploitation and Sexual Abuse   25/10/2007   1/7/2010   X X X 202   European Convention on the Adoption of Children (Revised)   27/11/2008   1/9/2011   X X   203   Additional Protocol to the Convention on Human Rights and Biomedicine concerning Genetic Testing for Health Purposes   27/11/2008     X X X 204   Protocol No. 14bis to the Convention for the Protection of Human Rights and Fundamental Freedoms   27/5/2009   1/10/2009         205   Council of Europe Convention on Access to Official Documents   18/6/2009     X X X 206   Protocol No. 3 to the European Outline Convention on Transfrontier Co-operation between Territorial Communities or Authorities concerning Euroregional Co-operation Groupings (ECGs)   16/11/2009   1/3/2013   X     207   Additional Protocol to the European Charter of Local Self-Government on the right to participate in the affairs of a local authority   16/11/2009   1/6/2012         208   Protocol amending the Convention on Mutual Administrative Assistance in Tax Matters   27/5/2010   1/6/2011   X X   209   Third Additional Protocol to the European Convention on Extradition   10/11/2010   1/5/2012   X X   210   Council of Europe Convention on preventing and combating violence against women and domestic violence   11/5/2011     X X X 211   Council of Europe Convention on the counterfeiting of medical products and similar crimes involving threats to public health   28/10/2011     X X X 212   Fourth Additional Protocol to the European Convention on Extradition   20/9/2012     X X   214 treaty(ies) found Notes:  Convention(s) and Agreement(s) opened to the member States of the Council of Europe and, where appropriate, to the : E. : European non-member States – N. :Non-European non-member States – U. : European Union. See the final provisions of each treaty. Source : Treaty Office on http://conventions.coe.int