Thomas Hammarberg from Sweden was 5 October 2005 elected new Council of Europe Commissioner for Human Rights to succeed the serving Spanish HR-Commissioner Alvaro Gil-Robles. Mr. Hammarberg is elected for a non-renewable term of office for six years, and takes over the position as Commissioner for Human Rights on 1 April 2006.
10/12/2007 ::
The newly elected Commissioner said in a press conference just after the election results were known, that he in his work with human rights particularly will draw attention to islamophobia and anti-Semitism, rights of the child, women’s rights and gender equality, respect for the rights of persons suffering from mental disorders and the rights of minorities. Thomas Hammarberg has also reasserted his confidence in the European Convention for Protection of Human Rights and Fundamental Freedoms, and has pointed out that there is no need to amend it in order to fight terrorism.
The newly elected HR-Commissioner has a long experience in working with human rights issues. He has previously served various posts in the UN, and is also a former Secretary General of Amnesty International and the Swedish Save the Children.
The Office of the Council of Europe Commissioner for Human Rights is an independent, non-judicial institution within the Council of Europe whose task is to promote human rights awareness, support national human rights structures, identify shortcomings in human rights law and practice and promote the full enjoyment of human rights in all 46 of the Council of Europe’s member states. At the Warsaw Summit in May, the Heads of State and Government expressed their desire to strengthen the institution of the Commissioner for Human Rights, particularly in the light of the entry into force of Protocol No.14 to the European Convention on Human Rights (reinforcing the effectiveness of the system).
The Commissioner undertakes regular visits to member states for dialogue with governments and civil society and prepares reports on subjects falling within his mandate.