The Council of Europe began in Strasbourg on May 5, 1949, to protect human rights. Some of the founding fathers included Winston Churchill, Konrad Adenauer, Robert Schuman, Paul-Henri Speak, Alcide de Gasperi, and Ernest Bevin. Currently, all European countries belong to the Council of Europe, except Belarus, who does not have a democratic form of government. One of the first major pieces of legislation that they enacted was the creation of the European Court of Human Rights which acts to protect human rights throughout Europe. Other important legislation they have passed includes university studies and diplomas, protection of minority languages, protection of money, and laws governing internet crime.
The Council of Europe currently has four major objectives. They are:
The protection of human rights, democracy, and the law
To promote cultural identity and diversity
To find answers to problems affecting all of Europe
To promote stability