50TH ANNIVERSARY OF THE COUNCIL OF EUROPE

That this House notes that the Council of Europe was founded in 1949 to unite the peoples of Europe around the values of pluralist democracy, human rights, the rule of law and a culture of tolerance; notes that it is today not only Europe's oldest international organisation - from the Atlantic to the Urals - since it comprises 40 member states, with the applications of four more under consideration; welcomes the Action Plan agreed by its Heads of State and Government meeting at its Second Summit last October which includes the establishment of a new Single European Court of Human Rights on 1st November this year, the creation of an office of Commissioner for Human Rights, and the strengthening of machinery ensuring the compliance of member States' commitments; congratulates the Council of Europe on its 50th Anniversary next year; notes with appreciation its accomplishments in the advancement of democracy and particularly in the new democracies following the fall of Communism in Europe; and calls on the Government to help ensure that it maintains its pre-eminent role in the future architecture of Europe.