C
ouncil of Europe, created in 1949, aims at a closer union between its members, functionally oriented to preserve the ideas and principles that benefit the social-economic progress of its members, based on the ideal of democracy.
Currently, the Council of Europe has 47 participating countries and seek to promote human rights, the rule of law and democracy, enhance European security through combating terrorism, organized crime and trafficking in human beings and develop cooperation with other international and European organizations.
Portugal has been a member of the Council of Europe since September 22, 1976, and has signed and ratified a few dozen Conventions and Agreements in this domain.
European Committee for the Prevention of Torture and Inhuman or Degrading Treatment or Punishment (CPT)
The purpose of the CPT is to establish an active, non-legislative mechanism, acting in parallel with the judicial mechanism of the European Court of Human Rights, based on the protection of human rights, by conducting monitoring visits to member States, which give rise to reports with a set of recommendations.
Group of Experts on Action against Trafficking in Human Beings (GRETA)
GRETA is responsible for monitoring the implementation of the Council of Europe Convention on Action against Trafficking in Human Beings by the Parties. GRETA carries out visits and draws up and publishes country reports, as happened already with Portugal, evaluating legislative and other measures taken by Parties to give effect to the provisions of the Convention.
European Commission against Racism and Intolerance (ECRI)
ECRI is a human rights body of the Council of Europe, composed of independent experts, which monitors problems of racism, xenophobia, antisemitism, intolerance and discrimination on as the basis of “race”, national or ethnic origin, colour, citizenship, religion and language (racial discrimination); it prepares reports and issues recommendations to member States.