Defending human rights is one of the major objectives, set up by the Council of Europe. The organization searches for solutions to social issues, including minorities' rights, racism, intolerance, environment, bioethics, AIDS, drugs, etc. and pays special attention to dealing with legal affairs, including the implementation of defending and preventive policies, establishing the requisite structures and providing resources for informing, training and raising the awareness of the concerned bodies and general public.

The European Commission against Racism and Intolerance (ECRI) was set up after the decision was made at the first Summit of Heads of State and Government of the member States of the Council of Europe, held in Vienna in October 1993, and strengthened by a decision of the second Summit, held in Strasbourg in October 1997. The ECRI's task is to combat racism, xenophobia, anti-Semitism and intolerance at the level of greater Europe and from the perspective of the protection of human rights.

At their Second Council of Europe Summit Meeting, held in Strasbourg on October, 10-11, 1997, the Heads of State and Government of the member States announced that the promotion of human rights and the strengthening of pluralist democracy both contribute to peace and stability in Europe. The members of the Summit also asserted their determination to enhance the cooperation in respect of the protection of all persons, belonging to national minorities.

In the Budapest Declaration, adopted on May, 7, 1999, on the 50th anniversary of the Council of Europe, the Foreign Ministers of the Council of Europe expressed their resolution to continue in the 21st century, to contribute to building the democratic stability and cooperation in Europe through combating racism and xenophobia, intolerance and discrimination against minorities.

Three important projects were implemented under the Stability Pact for South-Eastern Europe in 2003. The projects include a non-discrimination review, aimed at finding out discriminatory items in the legislation, policies and practices of the countries of the region and recommending action to bring legislation and practice into line with European standards.

The second project deals with the acceptance and implementation of existing standards. This project is designed to encourage the countries in the region to sign and ratify all relevant international standards and ensure that these standards are fully implemented in practice at a national local level.

The third project concerns bilateral cooperation agreements, aimed at strengthening and developing the bilateral cooperation in the field of minorities in accordance with existing multilateral standards, and in particular with the standards, envisaged by the Framework Convention for the Protection of National Minorities.

The theme of defending and promoting human rights is widely discussed at the Council of Europe's summits and conferences, where many ideas are suggested and vital accords are signed. A great number of publications are issued on human rights' theme; all are available for sale on www.coe.int.