The Council of Europe: Life in the UK test revision

The Council of Europe is a much bigger club than the EU. It has 47 member countries, and the UK is one of them. Brexit made no difference here, because the Council of Europe is a separate organisation. If a question asks about 47 members, think human rights and the Council of Europe, not the EU.

Test Trap. the Council of Europe (47 members) is often confused with the European Union (27 members). The UK is still a member of the Council of Europe even though it has left the EU.

Why it matters: Test Trap: 47 (Council of Europe) is regularly confused with 27 (EU).

Memory hook: Forty-seven for freedom: the Council of Europe protects rights in 47 countries.

Official handbook: Chapter 5, section 5.7, page 92

Despite the similar name, the Council of Europe is not part of the EU. It exists to protect and promote human rights across its 47 member countries. It does this by drawing up agreements that members sign up to. The EU, by contrast, is mainly about economics, trade and law-making between its members.

Test Trap. the Council of Europe is often confused with the European Union. They are separate organisations; the Council of Europe focuses on human rights and the UK remains a member.

Why it matters: Test Trap: the Council of Europe's name makes many people think it is an EU institution.

Memory hook: Council of Europe cares about rights; the EU deals with trade and laws.

Official handbook: Chapter 5, section 5.7, page 92

The Council of Europe cannot pass laws that bind its members. Instead it writes conventions and charters, which are agreements that countries choose to adopt. Its most famous one is the European Convention on Human Rights. Compare this with the EU, which does make laws called directives, regulations and framework decisions.

Test Trap. the Council of Europe cannot make laws; it only draws up conventions and charters. The EU is the body that makes European laws (directives, regulations, framework decisions).

Why it matters: Test Trap: EU law-making versus Council of Europe conventions is a favourite confusion.

Memory hook: No law-making power, so it writes charters instead: Council drafts, EU legislates.

Official handbook: Chapter 5, section 5.7, page 92

The Council of Europe's most famous piece of work is the European Convention on Human Rights and Fundamental Freedoms. Almost everyone shortens it to the European Convention on Human Rights. Because the Council of Europe is separate from the EU, this convention is not an EU document, and the UK's Brexit did not affect it.

Test Trap. the European Convention on Human Rights was drawn up by the Council of Europe, not the European Union. The two bodies are separate.

Why it matters: Test Trap: candidates often wrongly credit the EU with the Convention.

Memory hook: Convention from the Council: both start with C, and neither is the EU.

Official handbook: Chapter 5, section 5.7, page 92