The event will bring a year of celebrations to an end, which had its key event in the month of April when H.M. the King visited the headquarters of the Council of Europe in Strasbourg.
The Council of Europe is an organisation that fundamentally seeks to defend and protect democracy, the rule of law and human rights. Made up of 47 States, this is the oldest pan-European institution. It was founded in 1949 and its most visible body is the European Court of Human Rights.
The day will comprise a series of events and Q&A sessions which will address issues of political, legal and institutional interest. This is an opportunity to reiterate the inseparable unity of the rule of law and democracy, and to remember that the European acquis of human rights inspired Spanish democracy from the outset.
Politicians, academics and jurists will address the political and historical circumstances of Spain's membership of the Council of Europe, the protection of human rights and the diversity of European legal culture, the threats and strengths of representative democracy in Europe and discussions will be held on Europe under the rule of law.
The Minister for Foreign Affairs and Cooperation, the President of the Constitutional Court and the Secretary General of the Council of Europe, Thorbjorn Jagland, will take part in the inaugural event. Other sessions will involve the participation of leading personalities such as the President of the Supreme Court, the Minister for Justice and the President of the Venice Commission - the European body engaged in promoting respect for the law in democracies.
Spain enjoys, due to its commitment to human rights both in Spain and beyond our borders, a wonderful collaborative relationship with the Council of Europe. This can be seen through the fact that it is one of the countries with the lowest conviction rate per inhabitant from the Court of Human Rights.
This event will serve to celebrate this collaboration and represents further European support for the rule of law in our country.
Non official translation
Ministerio de Asuntos Exteriores y de Cooperación