The implementation of the Reykjavík Declaration adopted at the fourth summit of the Council of Europe is a momentous opportunity for the Council of Europe (CoE) to counter the backsliding of human rights in Europe, to ensure accountability for Russia’s war of aggression and to respond to the climate emergency by protecting the right to a healthy and clean environment. To address the challenges noted in the Declaration, clear measures are required to tackle shrinking civic space, counter the gender backlash, protect and strengthen independent and impartial judiciaries, and ensure the authority of the European Court of Human Rights (ECtHR). Importantly, member states need to strengthen the existing toolkit available under the CoE Statute and the European Convention on Human Rights (ECHR) with strong resolve to implement infringement proceedings, ensure the respect of article 52 ECHR inquiries, and guarantee the monitoring of human rights violations by CoE bodies.
