The Council of Europe's mission is primarily one of human rights, touching the lives of people in Europe in many ways. Its main instruments are the European Convention on Human Rights and the European Social Charter. Further protection for human rights is provided by the European Convention for the Prevention of Torture and Inhuman or Degrading Treatment or Punishment and the Framework Convention for the Protection of National Minorities. Directly or indirectly the Council of Europe's work on human rights affects many millions of people throughout Europe.

For further information see
the Home Page of the Council of Europe
at http://www.coe.fr