Council of Europe

The Council of Europe seeks to develop common and democratic principles based on the European Convention on Human Rights. Its work includes promoting gender equality and more recently lesbian, gay, bisexual and transgender (LGB&T;) equality.

Gender Equality Commission (GEC)

Following reform of the internal structure of the Council of Europe, the GEC will be established from 2012.

Under the supervision of the Steering Committee for Human Rights (CDDH), the GEC will conduct the intergovernmental work in the field of gender equality assigned to it by the Committee of Ministers. The terms of reference are agreed and elections took place in early February.  We await the Commission's work plan.  More information will follow shortly.

UK Chairmanship

The United Kingdom assumed the Chairmanship of the Committee of Ministers of the Council of Europe for six months from 7 November 2011 to 14 May 2012.

More information about the UK's Chairmanship

One of our six priorities for our Chairmanship is to maintain the momentum generated by the Council of Europe Recommendation on ‘measures to combat discrimination on grounds of sexual orientation or gender identity to progress LGB&T equality, including consideration of implementation and appropriate mechanisms for monitoring’.  More information will follow shortly.

Text of the Council of Europe Recommendation