Walter Schwimmer - a visionary for European unity in the face of multiple challenges and steadfast defender of our human rights values - passed away yesterday. We extend our heartfelt condolences to his family and loved ones.
We will never forget his forthright calls for European unity when challenges arose - and his tenure as Secretary General saw many. The Council of Europe sent observers to the Chechen-Russian conflict to ensure human rights and freedoms in the Chechen Republic. The world was shaken by the devastating terror attacks on 11 September 2001 against the United States.
Walter Schwimmer sought cooperative agreements to prevent conflict and to promote human rights, democracy and the rule of law. He was the first Council of Europe Secretary General to address the UN General Assembly in New York in 2000, calling for recognition of the Council of Europe as a regional organisation within the meaning of the UN Charter. He stressed common goals, including upholding human rights and fighting racism, xenophobia and intolerance.
During his tenure, the Council of Europe grew with four new member states (Armenia and Azerbaijan in 2001, Bosnia and Herzegovina in 2002 and Serbia-Montenegro in 2003). Important Council of Europe treaties entered into force, including the Council of Europe Convention against Cybercrime (2004) and the Council of Europe Landscape Convention (2004). Protocol No. 13 to the Convention for the Protection of Human Rights and Fundamental Freedoms - concerning the abolition of the death penalty in all circumstances - entered into force in 2003.
In a 2003 speech, he called for closer partnership with the European Union (EU) as a 'political necessity'. As early as 2000, Walter Schwimmer proposed that the EU accede to the European Convention on Human Rights.
Before becoming Secretary General, he had served for 28 years as a member of the Austrian Parliament (National Council). During that time, he was a member of the Council of Europe Parliamentary Assembly. In his retirement, he was an active member of the International Association of Former Council of Europe Staff Members (AIACE). As president of the European association of former members of parliament of the member states of the Council of Europe, he celebrated the 75th anniversary of the Council of Europe in Graz last year.
