It will be up to Spain to organise the celebrations for the 60th anniversary of the Council of Europe (CoE), the first international and democratic organisation to be established on the Old Continent for the promotion of peace, human rights, rule of law and intercultural dialogue. The government of Madrid has taken over the six-month rotating presidency of the Committee of Ministers of the CoE until May 2009. In that month, some initiatives will be held to bring back "the historical meaning" of the Council creation. Miguel Angel Moratinos, Spanish Minister for Foreign Affaires, will assume the chairmanship of the Committee, CoE main decision-making body (with 47 countries represented), with some priorities on the agenda. As for fundamental values, priority will be given to "underscore the value of the Committee for the Prevention of Torture and Inhuman or Degrading Treatment or Punishment" that are still taking place in a number of countries. The same attention will be given to "the fight against death penalty," said Mr Martinos "to gender discrimination, to the protection of the rights of people with disabilities and to human trafficking." Next spring, an international meeting on the prevention of terrorism will be organised. (continued)” “
