Jean-Claude Frécon: “Securing human rights at local level demands specific action”

The new president of the Chamber of Local Authorities of the Congress, Jean-Claude Frécon, outlines the priorities of his mandate, notably strengthening the monitoring of the European Charter of Local Self-Government which remains a thread of its action. He also draws attention to the crucial importance of the implementation of human rights at local level especially in the context of the economic and financial crisis. He will also focus on the Congress' contribution to the reform process of the Council of Europe.

Question: Following your election as president of the Congress’s Chamber of Local Authorities, what are the priorities of your term of office?

Jean-Claude Frécon: Our monitoring of the European Charter of Local Self-Government will of course remain our main activity and lies at the very heart of our work.  45 of our 47 member states have now signed it, although some have made reservations.  I think we should see whether these reservations are still relevant in those countries and encourage them, if possible, to remove those they may no longer need.

Question: The Council of Europe is in the midst of a major reform process and the Congress is also affected by the changes taking place.  What contribution can the Chamber of Local Authorities make to this reform?

Jean-Claude Frécon: Obviously, we are fully behind this reform.  We have reduced the number of our committees from four to three so that we can work in a more effective and focused way, concentrating on our priority activities.

Question: The Chamber of Local Authorities is there to express the major concerns of European local authorities.  What, in your view, are their main concerns today?

Jean-Claude Frécon: Without a doubt, the financial crisis is the prime concern of local authorities, such is the extent of its impact on their financial capabilities, obliging them to make choices which can often be very difficult.  But I wouldn’t like the economic problems to overshadow the major priorities of our Congress, and in particular the implementation of human rights at local level.  It is not a question of promoting general grand principles, but of putting these rights into practice every day, in our policies, in our relations with citizens, and in showing respect for others, including our immediate neighbours, and for their differences.