For exactly half a century the Council of Europe, the political pan-European organisation based in Strasbourg, has been working to build a united continent founded on the upholding of freedom, democratic pluralism, human rights and states governed by the rule of law. Since its establishment in 1949 the Council has been an association of European states united in the aim of preserving and furthering democracy in the continent and has demonstrated its dedication to the spiritual and moral values which are the common heritage of its peoples. At present comprising forty-one member states, the Council of Europe has become in the...