The Council of Europe was founded as long ago as 1949, and the first legal instrument it adopted, in 1950, was the European Convention for the Protection of Human Rights and Fundamental Freedoms.
The aim of the Council of Europe is to achieve a greater unity between its members for the purpose of safeguarding and realising the ideals and principles which are their common heritage and facilitating their economic and social progress.
The seat of the Council of Europe is at the City of Strasbourg, France. The official languages are English and French. By 2021 the Council has 47 member states from across the world. In addition to full membership, states may also participate as observers, candidates, special guests and partners for democracy.
The Council encourages cooperation among all states which seek European integration, accept the principle of the rule of law and are able to guarantee respect for democracy, fundamental human rights and freedoms.
The Convention for the Protection of Individuals with regard to Automatic Processing of Personal Data (Convention No 108) was signed on 28 January 1981. In 2018 the Council proposed a Protocol amending the Council of Europe Convention for the Protection of Individuals with regard to Automatic Processing of Personal Data (ETS No 108), authorising the member states of the Council to ratify the modernised Convention 108 in the interest of the European Union.
Convention 108 establishes a Consultative Committee to the Convention for the Protection of Individuals with regard to Automatic Processing of Personal Data. It is composed of representatives of Parties to the Convention complemented by observers from other States, international organisations and non-governmental organisations. The Committee is responsible for interpreting the provisions of the Convention and ensures to facilitate and improve its implementation. It also prepares reports and guidelines on current topics related to the scope of Convention 108.The Committee meets in plenary session twice a year in Strasbourg, its Bureau meets three times a year.
Information on the Consultative Committee to the Convention for the Protection of Individuals with regards to automatic processing of personal data can be found HERE
19.08.2022
