European Human Rights Grey Zones
The Council of Europe and Areas of Conflict

Forde examines the effectiveness of the human rights system of the Council of Europe (CoE) in conflict-affected regions and advances a novel approach to understanding how the European Convention on Human Rights can better serve the 10+ million rights-holders living in so-called human rights 'grey zones'. Building on the premise that nowhere in Europe should be deprived of access to Europe's human rights architecture, Forde argues that areas of conflict give rise to a collective public order imperative on Member States to seek maximal effectiveness of the CoE human rights system. Despite Kosovo's sui generis status, much of the CoE's experience of engagement with Kosovo could inspire more proactive efforts in relation to other areas of conflict. This book advocates a judicious engagement of the CoE's unique assets and acquis in affected regions based on the collective responsibility of Member States and the normative will of the Secretary General.

1. Introduction; 2. Understanding the Council of Europe System and Territorial 'Grey Zones'; 3. Collective Responsibility for European Public Order; 4. Jurisdiction and the Applicability of the European Convention on Human Rights; 5. Council of Europe and Kosovo–A Model of Functional Engagement?; 6. Towards a judicious rapprochement; 7. Conclusion; Bibliography; Index.

Andrew Forde is Adjunct Lecturer at the Irish Centre for Human Rights and Commissioner on the Irish Human Rights and Equality Commission. He worked for more than ten years with the CoE and Organization for Security and Co-operation in Europe (OSCE) inter alia as a human rights advisor and political advisor, with a focus on human rights protection in conflict and post-conflict regions in Europe.