The European Commission for Democracy through Law was established by the Representatives on the Committee of Ministers of the Council of Europe, which adopted the relative partial agreement with Resolution (90)6, confirmed by the decision taken at the 484bis meeting of the Ministers’ Deputies in December 1992.

The Commission was entrusted with the function of providing legal advice to its Member States¹ in view of help­ing to ensure the dissemination and consolidation of a common constitutional heritage. Today, the areas of its main concern are: (i) the constitutional, legislative and administrative principles and techniques that serve the efficiency of the democracy and strengthen the rule of law; (ii) fundamental rights and freedoms; and (iii) local and regional self-government. It is better known as the Venice Commission, as it meets in Venice, while the permanent secretariat is located in Strasbourg at the headquarters of the Council of Europe.

I.