How can inappropriate restrictions on NGO activities in Europe be prevented?

Recommendation 2086 (2016)

Author(s):

Parliamentary Assembly

Origin

Assembly debate on 28 January 2016 (8th Sitting) (see Doc. 13940, report of the Committee on Legal Affairs and Human Rights, rapporteur: Mr Yves Cruchten). Text adopted by the Assembly on 28 January 2016 (8th Sitting).

1 Referring to its Resolution 2096 (2016) “How can inappropriate restrictions on NGO activities in Europe be prevented?”, the Assembly recommends that the Committee of Ministers:

1.1 call on member States of the Council of Europe to implement its Recommendation CM/Rec(2007)14 on the legal status of non-governmental organisations in Europe and prepare a study taking stock of progress made;

1.2 consider revising Recommendation CM/Rec(2007)14 in order to adapt it to new threats to the functioning of independent civil society;

1.3 continue its thematic debate on the role and functioning of NGOs in the Council of Europe in order to follow, on a regular basis, the state of civil society and of the freedoms of association, assembly and expression in the member States;

1.4 increase the number of exchanges of views with civil society representatives and provide a fixed framework for such a dialogue;

1.5 consider creating a platform for the exchange of experience and good practices in the area of freedom of association between the member States.