Parliamentary Assembly debate on the situation of human rights and democracy in Europe
(Strasbourg, 18 April 2007)

Speech by Halvdan Skard, President of the Congress of Local and Regional Authorities

Mr President,

Excellencies,

Ladies and Gentlemen,

It is a great honour for me to participate in this debate which I welcome wholeheartedly. It is useful that we look at our roles in defending and developing human rights and democracy, at who does what – governments, parliaments, local and regional authorities, civil society and NGOs.

The concept of human rights has been constantly evolving. Today, we are talking about access to social rights, rights to housing, health, education, healthy environment, minority rights, rights of migrants, rights of children. We are going deeper in our understanding of the needs and expectations of our citizens, in our understanding of the problems which we are facing, as trafficking in human beings, domestic violence, racial attitudes, drug abuse, urban safety, street children, lack of gender equality, to name but a few. 

Local and regional authorities are and must be at the forefront in dealing with these problems, being the first to be affected by their consequences, being the first to treat the victims of human rights abuses and take preventive measures. It is even more so as decentralisation processes and the devolution of power towards territorial communities, coupled with the transfer of competences from central governments, is increasingly making local and regional authorities the first line of defense of human rights and development of democracy.

The Council of Europe Congress of Local and Regional Authorities has a clear mission of bringing the local and regional dimension to human rights protection and to the development of democracy, mounting action at the grassroots level, which is the very foundation of the democratic edifice of our societies. We certainty agree that the local and regional level is the basis for democracy, the starting point of any activity that we envisage, and is essential when we debate democracy and human rights. I have read today’s report with great interest, and I look forward to next year’s report which, I am sure, will pay even more attention to the local and regional aspect of the situation of human rights and democracy in Europe.

The Congress, which represents more than 200,000 territorial communities, is the only body tasked with monitoring the development of local and regional democracy in all our  member states, not least by ensuring the implementation of the European Charter of Local Self-Government, this cornerstone treaty that we see as our most important contribution to the human rights protection systemand to the development of local democracy. Our monitoring activities show that, in most member states, there is still a lot to be done.

Local and regional authorities are best placed to take action within their communities, at the level closest to the citizen, be it by mobilising community leaders to ease ethnic tensions, by setting up shelters for battered women, by organising local police to take action against human trafficking, by engaging young people in public life and improving the situation in disadvantaged neighborhoods. And not to forget our role in the filed of education

Real prospects for improvement lie also in addressing the root causes of problems.  To give a few examples: Public apathy towards democratic processes may be due to disenchantment with our democratic institutions and loss of trust in politicians. Domestic violence and human trafficking are linked to a great extent to the economic situation. Interethnic tension and urban riots may be linked to perceived discrimination, or at least lack of attention, with regard to certain ethnic or minority groups.

One of the answers lies in greater inclusion and participation of all groups of society. This starts at grassroots level. The local economy is becoming increasingly important for education  for creating jobs and improving people’s economic situation. Local police are perceived as more friendly in the eyes of communities. Empowerment of women must be achieved at local level. Such issues, the questions of human rights and citizens’ participation, will also be discussed in June at the Council’s Forum for the Future of Democracy, organised in Sweden, in which local authorities will take an active part.

I would like to conclude by stressing once again that empowering communities, enhancing citizens’ participation, giving people the genuine feeling of belonging and involving them in the decision-making will make Europe an even better place for our fellow citizens.

Thank you.