Against all forms of violence

Countering all forms of violence against children (“since slaps easily evolve into abuses”); working for true gender equality (“it’s time to put an end to domestic violence and to human trafficking”) and promoting intercultural dialogue (“needed more than ever”). Theses are a few of the priorities of intervention indicated by Maud de Boer Buquicchio, vice Secretary of the Council of Europe since 2002. Born in 1944 in Hoensbroek, in The Netherlands, married, two children, madam De Boer completed her academic studies in languages, literature and law. After her first post within the CoE in 1969, she was charged with assignments at the European Court for the Rights of Man. In her interview with Gianni Borsa for SIR Europe she explained the role of the organisation seated in Strasbourg that celebrates the 60th anniversary since its foundation, sanctioned with the Treaty of London on May 5 1949. The Council of Europe was established 60 years ago as the first supra-national organisation with a continental bearing. Which were the underlying reasons for this choice? “This organisation was created on the ashes of World War II. Its purpose was to rebuild Europe on the bases of democracy, human rights and the rule of the law. The slogan was ‘Never again’, in order to erect a continent marked by prosperity, solidarity, and never taking for granted the fundamental rights, starting from peace. For these reasons today’s commitments, as those of the past, focus on the young and the next generations. I believe this will be the CoE’s commitment for the coming sixty years”.Europe’s historical, political and cultural context has undergone radical changes since the post-war period. Would you say that the CoE contributed to these developments? “I do indeed. In 1949 the Council represented ten founding States, all from Western Europe. Today it represents 47 States, and Belarus is the only Member State that is not included. A remarkably inharmonious absence! All Member States ratified the European Convention on fundamental rights enacted by the Council in 1950 that launched activity in the area of the protection of fundamental rights and freedoms. It is a real and true civilization conquest that we owe to the CoE”. Protection of individual and social rights, promotion of democracy and of the rule of the law. Which of these challenges is the Palais de l’Europe currently focussing on?“I believe that all of these areas ought to be addressed simultaneously. In fact, there can be no democracy without rights and vice versa”.Xenophobia, terrorism, cybercrime, trafficking of women and minors, multiculturality, inter-religious dialogue: these are among the fields of action of the Council. Are there shared forms of promotion of the rights and respect of human dignity at continental level?“A series of binding treaties for the Member States of the Council of Europe were adopted in these areas. It is necessary to act within these areas on the basis of three principles: prevention, offence prosecution and the protection of the victims. I wish to point out that all world Countries have the possibility of signing CoE treaties, precisely because rights, democracy and human dignity have no borders. These are global themes that require global responses”.Could you tell us about recent successes? In other terms, what is the efficacy of the Council of Europe’s intervention?“The Council of Europe has specific fields of action, that are different from the broader and more concrete ones of the European Union. At the CoE we focus upon values, rights, culture, and therefore ours is a long-term commitment. The significance of these elements is perceived when they are lacking, as in the case of individual freedoms or the respect of minorities. Having said this, I want to point out a series of pillars erected also thanks to the CoE: the end of capital punishment across Europe, acknowledging the rights of the child, increased gender equality – although in this field a lot of work still needs to be done. The CoE acts for the improvement of detention conditions in prisons … I have often said that if the CoE didn’t exist it would have to be invented”. A question regarding relations with the European Union: has a steady form of cooperation been reached? “Today EU27 addresses issues that used to lie within the responsibilities of the Council of Europe. This is also why in an agreement Memorandum was signed in 2007, which I hope will boost relations. It is crucial that the EU endorses the Convention on the Rights of Man, that currently binds the Member States, since the EU is ever more present in the international arena with its own subjectivity”.