Commissioner for Human Rights (Council of Europe)

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Not to be confused with United Nations High Commissioner for Human Rights.

The Commissioner for Human Rights is an independent institution within the Strasbourg-based Council of Europe, mandated to promote the awareness of and respect for human rights in member states. The current Commissioner is Thomas Hammarberg, from Sweden, who was elected for six years in 2005, and began his mandate on April 1, 2006 (succeeding Álvaro Gil-Robles).

Elected by the Parliamentary Assembly of the Council of Europe, the Commissioner seeks to engage in permanent dialogue with Council of Europe member states, continually raising awareness about human rights issues, and promoting the development of national human rights structures. The Commissioner is mandated to conduct official assessment missions to each member state for a comprehensive evaluation of the human rights situation, and to issue reports, opinions and recommendations to governments.

The Commissioner also co-operates with a broad range of partners, including the European Union, the United Nations and its specialised offices, as well as leading human rights NGOs, universities and think tanks.