The tasks of the Commissioner for Human Rights require that he promotes education in and the awareness of human rights in the CoE member states; that he identifies possible short-comings in the law and practice of member states and, lastly, that he helps promote the effective observance and the full enjoyment of human rights, as embodied in the various CoE instruments.
By visiting CoE member states, the Commissioner examines issues or areas of particular concern. Thereafter, he writes a report on how the respect for human rights might be improved in certain areas. This report is later submitted to the Committee of Ministers and the Parliamentary Assembly, and subsequently made available to the public.
In April 2004, the CoE’s Commissioner Alvaro Gil-Robles visited Sweden (see his report on the Commissioner’s web-page; link to the right)