Marija Pejčinović Burić Secretary General of the Council of Europe
The Secretary General has the overall responsibility for the strategic management of the Council of Europe. Ms Pejčinović Burić was elected in June 2019. The Secretary General is elected by the Parliamentary Assembly for a five-year term. She is responsible for the strategic planning and direction of the Council’s work programme and budget. She leads and represents the Organisation.
Rik Daems President of the Parliamentary Assembly
Rik Daems Member of the Belgian delegation to PACE, appointed Chairperson of the delegation in 2015. Designated as leader of the Alliance of Liberals and Democrats for Europe (ALDE) at PACE in 2017.
He is a Belgian painter and politician, currently the President of the Parliamentary Assembly of the Council of Europe.
Robert Spano Presidency of the Court
Robert Spano was elected Judge of the European Court of Human Rights on 25 June 2013, he began his nine year mandate the same year. He served as President of Section (2017-2019) and as Vice-President of the Court (2019-2020). He has been President of the Court since 18 May 2020.
Dunja Mijatović Commissioner for Human Rights
Dunja Mijatović was elected Commissioner for Human Rights in January 2018 by the Council of Europe Parliamentary Assembly and took up her position on 1 April 2018. She is the fourth Commissioner, succeeding Nils Muižnieks (2012-2018).
She has been working to promote and protect human rights for the past two decades, thus acquiring extensive knowledge in the field of international monitoring, in particular as regards freedom of expression.