"Council of Europe Highlights 2016 provides a comprehensive overview of the Organisation’s work to promote human rights, democracy and the rule of law. Some of our activities generate substantial public and media attention, while others can best be described as “quiet diplomacy”. But all of our work is aimed at protecting the individual rights enshrined in the European Convention on Human Rights. The welfare of human beings lies at the heart of our mission.

In 2016 more challenges to human rights arose, including discrimination, threats to freedom of expression and risks to justice.

This publication shows how we are addressing those challenges – and why this work is essential for the future of our continent."

Foreword by Thorbjørn Jagland, Secretary General of the Council of Europe