Commissioner for Human Rights
May 7, 1999
In May 1999, the Committee of Ministers decided to set up the office of Commissioner for Human Rights. Its task is to advocate for the protection of human rights in the 47 member states and the public awareness of this issue. He also advises on the protection of human rights and draws attention to any existing deficits.
Current Commissioner for Human Rights is Nils Muižnieks (since 1 April 2012). He succeeds Thomas Hammarberg and Alvaro Gil- Robles in office. The term of office is six years, re-election is not possible.
The Commissioner is independent and impartial and forms together with the European Court of Human Rights one of the pillars on which the human rights work of the oldest organization of states of the continent rests.