09/12/2021 (Agence Europe) – On the eve of International Human Rights Day, the Secretary General of the Council of Europe reaffirms the importance of the European Convention on Human Rights at a time when, in the face of difficult situations (pandemic, illegal migration, religious intolerance, racism, discrimination and violence against women), States may be tempted to relax the protection of these rights. “The opposite should happen”, says Marija Pejčinović Burić: “When times get tough is when we most need to stand up for, and abide by, the unique system of values that we have built up over the last 70 years”. Recalling the more than 20,000 judgments delivered by the European Court of Human Rights and their beneficial impact on society as a whole, the Secretary General refers to an updated website illustrating this impact. Link to the website: https://bit.ly/3dwUwcm (VL)