The Council of Europe is viewed as an important platform for advancing the principles of democracy, the rule of law, and respect for human rights that form the foundation of Danish society.
Denmark is represented in the Committee of Ministers by the Minister for Foreign Affairs. Most recently, Denmark held the Chairmanship of the Committee of Ministers from November 2017 to May 2018.
Denmark’s Permanent Representative (Ambassador) to the Council of Europe participates in the weekly meetings of the Ministers’ Deputies. The Permanent Representation follows the work of the Committee of Ministers and its subordinate bodies closely, serving as a link between the Council of Europe and its 46 member states on the one hand, and the Danish Ministry of Foreign Affairs and other Danish ministries and agencies engaged in Council of Europe cooperation on the other.
The Danish delegation to the Parliamentary Assembly of the Council of Europe (PACE) consists of ten members of the Danish Parliament, including five representatives and five substitutes. The delegation participates actively in the Assembly’s political groups and specialised committees.
An equivalent number of Danish representatives from regional and local authorities take part in the Congress of Local and Regional Authorities.
Denmark is also represented by a judge at the European Court of Human Rights, while Danish experts serve on many of the Council of Europe’s independent monitoring bodies and committees.
A number of Danish nationals are employed as international civil servants within the Secretariat of the Council of Europe. Staffing is intended to reflect a reasonable balance among member states in proportion to their contribution to the Organisation’s budget, although Denmark, like several other member states, is somewhat underrepresented. Danish experts are also regularly seconded to temporary positions and specialised functions within the Organisation.
Denmark has ratified the majority of Council of Europe conventions. Updated overviews of member states’ ratifications and any reservations or declarations are maintained on an ongoing basis.
As a rule, the Danish Parliament holds an annual debate on the work of the Council of Europe and Denmark’s participation in the Organisation, based on a written report submitted by the Government. The latest report is available in the document library.
