Experience of the Council of

Europe

Laurence LwoffHead of Bioethics Division

Council of Europehttp://www.coe.int/bioethics

Global Challenges, Global OpportunitiesInstitutions of international policy and governanceThe Tarrytown MeetingJuly 25-27, 2011

Council of Europe

Intergovernmental organisations, 1949 47 member states Objectives:

Protection of human rights, democracy and rule of law

Bioethics activities since late 70’s Objective: protection of fundamental rights in the

field of biomedicine 1997: Convention on Human Rights and

Biomedicine (Oviedo Convention)

Oviedo Convention First international legally binding instrument Framework convention: provisions apply to daily medical

practice and specific fields Reference value at national as well at international levels

Re-examination in 2005: no need for changes

Difficulties encountered: Legal standards and evolving field Cultural differences: autonomy vs. social norms Sensitive issues:

research on persons not able to consent, embryo

But agreement on the need for legally binding instrument

Complemented by additional protocols: Prohibition of cloning of human beings - Transplantation - Biomedical research – Genetic Testing for Health Purposes

A regional instrument but…

Oviedo ConventionEuropean agreement

Addressed issues faced by countries outside Europe Takes into account international dimension Based on values recognised and shared outside 47

member states

Cooperation mechanism within Council of Europe : privileged framework

Possible basis for initiative at global level?

Cooperation: essentialCooperation outside Europe Integral part of working method Australia, Canada, Israel, Japan, Mexico, USA

Active participation in CoE activities The example of biobank

○ International dimension ○ Common concerns

Cooperation with civil society Integral part of CoE working method Promotion of civil society participation in decision at

national and international level Conference of NGO’s

Particular emphasis in the field of bioethics Issues addressed concern all citizens

○ Hearing, public consultation○ Promotion of public debate, in particular young people

Council of Europe and bioethics

Human rights perspective Reference work not intended to be restricted

to European countries Importance of cooperation with: ○ non member states – other intergovernmental

organisations○ civil society partnership

To address challenges faced by our societies