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Democracy, Human Rights, the Rule of Law – 75 Years of Germany in the Council of Europe
Johann Wadephul (CDU), Bundesaussenminister, Begruessung des Generalsekretaers des Europarats, Herrn Alain Berset Veranstaltung zur Feier von 75 Jahren Mitgliedschaft im Europarat Berlin, 08.07.2025. / Fotografiert im Auftrag des Auswaertigen Amtes. © Photothek Media Lab
On 13 July 2025, Germany will have been a member of the Council of Europe for 75 years. Read on for more information about this organisation and why it is still so important.
Since it was established on 5 May 1949, the Council of Europe has underpinned the protection of human rights, the promotion of democracy and the rule of law, and cooperation throughout Europe. It is above all in times of crisis and when faced with challenges that the free Europe must work yet more closely together – in order to strengthen our shared values and in the interests of economic and social progress.
The Council of Europe: a guarantor of democracy, human rights and the rule of law
The Council of Europe has played a trailblazing role in creating a binding pan‑European legal framework for the protection of democracy, human rights and the rule of law. To date, there are well over 200 Council of Europe conventions and protocols. These include basic legal instruments such as the European Convention for the Protection of Human Rights and Fundamental Freedoms (ECHR), the European Convention for the Prevention of Torture, the European Social Charter, the Istanbul Convention (on preventing and combating violence against women and domestic violence), and the Framework Convention on Artificial Intelligence and Human Rights.
On 25 June 2025, a bilateral agreement between Ukraine and the Council of Europe concerning a Special Tribunal for the Crime of Aggression against Ukraine was signed in Strasbourg – another milestone. The establishment of the Special Tribunal is intended to ensure that Russia’s leadership will be legally held to account for planning and carrying out the illegal war of aggression against Ukraine. More information can be found here.
75 Years of Germany in the Council of Europe
In 2025, Germany is celebrating 75 years as a member of the Council of Europe. The Council of Europe was the first international organisation to admit Germany as a member after the Second World War. This special occasion was marked by the Council of Europe Anniversary Conference in the Federal Foreign Office in Berlin on 8 July 2025, hosted by the Council of Europe and the Federal Foreign Office, with the support of the European Movement Germany e.V.
The event started with a welcome by the President of the European Movement Germany and the Secretary General of the Council of Europe, and opening remarks by Foreign Minister Johann Wadephul. Click here to read the Foreign Minister’s full statement.
The more than 400 participants from the worlds of politics, science, public administration, justice and society then convened for various panel discussions. The topics were supporting Ukraine through the Council of Europe, democracy under pressure and potential responses by the Council of Europe, as well as future challenges to the Council of Europe.