Senior CoE officials call for commitment on human rights

CoE Secretary General Marija Pejcinovic Buric told the opening of the 46th session of the Congress of Local and Regional Authorities that the organization has to remain committed to protecting fundamental rights. "We must remain united in our commitment to the protection of fundamental rights and the promotion of democracy at all levels of governance. The rule of law is our compass, guiding our actions and decisions for a future based on justice and equality”, she said.

Pejcinovic Buric said that violence against locally elected officials cannot be tolerated or go unpunished under any circumstances.

CoE Human Rights Commissioner Dunja Mijatovic told the gathering that problems with transitional justice in the former Yugoslavia are often at local level. According to her, working with local officials is crucial across the former Yugoslavia. "The Congress can play a role by bringing them under its umbrella," she said.

She said the Congress should work with local and international human rights defenders, adding that its recommendations would give more weight and bring more pressure to bear in achieving human rights.

The opening of the Congress began with a group of young Ukrainian musicians playing the European and Ukrainian anthems.