17th Session of Conference of European Ministers responsible for Local and Regional Government

Friday 4 November, 9.00 - 10.45 - Human rights at local level

Speech by Lars O. Molin, President of the Monitoring Committee Rapporteur on Human Rights Congress of Local and Regional Authorities

Ministers,

Ladies and Gentlemen,

It is a great privilege for me to take part in these discussions today in my capacity as Congress Rapporteur on Human Rights.

I would like our discussions to go beyond mere procedural questions on how to approach human rights activities at local and regional level within the Council of Europe, and take a wider perspective, namely on the fundamental political issue at stake.

The general trend toward decentralisation of power in member States and neighbouring countries, has led to a situation where local authorities have more and more responsibilities and, subsequently, they are increasingly involved  with citizens’ fundamental rights and liberties. 

This is why, as local decision makers, they must have respect for human rights, not in theory but in practice,   everyday and in everything they do - just as you do, Ministers, at national level.

A human rights culture - I mean a constant awareness of human rights - should govern the acts of all those who serve the public, from the municipal police and civil servants to the Mayor and the President of the Regional Council.

This is the philosophy on which we build the political action of the Congress, with the full support of the Commissioner of Human Rights of the Council of Europe. This is why, in 2010, the Congress adopted a recommendation and resolution on the role of local and regional authorities in human rights implementation.

The diversity of human rights involving political, civil, social, economic, cultural and religious rights, minority rights, women’s rights, children’s rights – calls for shared responsibility: While governments and national parliaments ratify international treaties on behalf of the state, the day-to-day work of implementing human rights standards often rests on the shoulders of local and regional authorities.

There is no doubt for national politicians that they are responsible for human rights. The challenge for us now is to make sure that all local politicians understand that human rights are their job as well.

Without referring to any particular situation, let me give you a few examples of what is at stake for local authorities: When city authorities ban a demonstration, they are directly involved in the exercise of the freedom of assembly.

When they ban posters from being placed in the city because of their contents, this may be an infringement on the freedom of expression even if public order requires it and if brutal action by the municipal police is brought before the European Court of Human Rights, this is clearly a matter of concern for local authorities.

Ministers,

Ladies and Gentlemen,

I have emphasised the need to raise awareness among local authorities and this is very encouraging that many cities and regions have already taken up the idea.

Many municipalities have joined an initiative called Human Rights Cities – such as Barcelona – and some others have already deputy mayors responsible for the protection and promotion of human rights, or have established local ombudsmen or developed strategies in this respect, such as Paris, Salzburg, Utrecht, Namur, Helsinki, Portsmouth, Oslo….

I know that there are many other examples in Europe, forgive me for not citing them all here.

I would like to give you an example from my own town, the city of Örebro - where I am the chair of the City Council. We are planning to set up a committee to oversee the human rights situation in the city. A deputy mayor has a special responsibility for the promotion of human rights.

At its March 2010 session, the Congress adopted a Resolution and a Recommendation. These texts were updated last month.

We recommend setting up appropriate structures and developing procedures at local and regional levels to assess and improve human rights situations, in particular in providing public services.

We recommend to associate local and regional authorities in the drafting of national human rights strategies and policies. We also propose establishing independent complaints mechanisms at grassroots level, and enforcing guarantees of equal access to public services, as well as a system of their quality control.

In our last Resolution that we adopted two weeks ago, we proposed our specific methodology, which is based on the United Nations indicators, and selected rights – political, social or collective rights - which are relevant to the local authorities.  This is putting in motion our political commitment to better implement human rights at local level.

You will find all these elements in your conference file.

Ministers, Ladies and Gentleman,

It was important to me to deliver this message to you here today, because I believe this is how we can serve from our different political levels the common commitment our countries have made as members of the Council of Europe by ratifying its key Conventions.

Thank you for your attention.