Meeting by videoconference on Wednesday, the Foreign Ministers of the 47 member states of the Council of Europe all reaffirmed their commitment to unity and solidarity in Europe.
In a declaration made by the Greek Presidency and supported by all other Member States – with the exception of Azerbaijan, Hungary and Turkey – (https://bit.ly/2I3Flv2 ), participants noted that the red lines set out in the European Convention on Human Rights cannot be crossed, even in the event of a serious public health crisis. They stressed the right to health for all, as well as other social and economic rights such as the right to social protection, education, and safe and healthy working conditions based on inclusion, non-discrimination and gender equality.
These are obligations that must be met by “ exceptional” measures related to states of emergency. These must be “strictly necessary”, proportionate, time-limited and must be “kept under constant review”, explains the declaration.
Ministers also emphasised the importance of solidarity between nations and called for better levels of preparedness for all future emergencies, including natural and technological disasters.
“We also bear in mind that life and well-being on our planet is contingent on humanity’s collective capacity to guarantee both human rights and a healthy environment to future generations and recognise that the role of the Council of Europe in this respect has become more important than ever”, they concluded.
This Conference was held on the day that the Council of Europe celebrated the 70th anniversary of the European Convention on Human Rights with a discretion imposed by the exceptional health situation. (Original version in French by Véronique Leblanc)