Irene Kitsou-Milonas (Greece), had been appointed as the Special Representative of the Secretary General on antisemitism, anti-Muslim hatred and all forms of religious intolerance, assuming her duties on 1 December.
"I am pleased to see Irene Kitsou-Milonas begin her mandate as my Special Representative on antisemitism, anti-Muslim hatred, and all forms of religious intolerance," stated Secretary General Alain Berset. "From the Middle East to our own societies, these forces of hate weaken democracy and divide communities.
Combating antisemitism, anti-Muslim hatred and all forms of religious intolerance has been one of the priorities of the 46-member Council of Europe, the continent's leading organisation for the protection of human rights, democracy and the rule of law. According to Alain Berset, "this work is fundamental to safeguarding the peace project embodied by the Council of Europe, as envisioned by its founding fathers in the aftermath of the Second World War".
Irene Kitsou-Milonas said:
"I am committed to defining robust actions and effective strategies to counter antisemitism, anti-Muslim hatred, and all forms of religious intolerance, to strengthening synergies with my national and international counterparts, and to building bridges. Dialogue between religious leaders and the memory of the Holocaust are also priorities for my office. These issues are essential for 'living together', which lies at the heart of the Council of Europe's process towards the New Democratic Pact for Europe."
The Special Representative is entrusted by the Secretary General to:
- raise awareness by actively communicating the organisation's activities and the Secretary General's priorities to member states, observer states, relevant international organisations, religious leaders and communities, influencers, civil society and the general public, and enhance the Council of Europe's regular dialogue with these stakeholders;
- ensure coordination of all major relevant administrative entities of the Council of Europe concerning all activities related to antisemitism, anti-Muslim hatred and all forms of religious intolerance, and cooperate closely with the institutions, bodies and mechanisms of the organisation, including the Steering Committee on anti-discrimination, diversity and inclusion (CDADI) and the European Commission against racism and intolerance (ECRI);
- consolidate and enhance the Council of Europe's activities on interreligious dialogue between religious
- leaders and Holocaust remembrance;
- prepare discussion papers, opinion editorials and strategic documents, including proposals for action to be undertaken by the Council of Europe and represent the Secretary General in all relevant national and international fora and platforms (including the European Union and the Organization for Security and Co-operation in Europe) and in dialogue with national authorities.
Irene Kitsou-Milonas was previously Deputy Director in the Private Office of the Secretary General of the Council of Europe, in charge of the portfolio on the fight against antisemitism, anti-Muslim hatred and all forms of religious intolerance since 2017. Since 2022, she coordinated the launch of the Council of Europe interreligious dialogue among religious leaders.
During her 23-year career in the Council of Europe, she has led the work of the intergovernmental Committee of experts on the system of the European Convention on Human Rights, was Head of Section in the Department of execution of ECHR judgments and Legal Advisor of the Council of Europe Commissioner for Human Rights.
As part of her academic engagement, she has conducted seminars on constitutional and international human-rights law at European universities, and authored publications on the ECHR case-law, with focus on the freedom of expression and freedom of religion or belief.
ECRI General Policy Recommendation No.5 on Preventing and combating anti-Muslim racism and discrimination (revised in 2021)
ECRI General policy Recommendation No. 9 on preventing and combating Antisemitism (revised in 2021).
