The Committee of Ministers is the Council of Europe’s intergovernmental cooperation body and the highest decision-making body. It met twice a year until 2005, in May and November, normally at the Council of Europe’s headquarters in Strasbourg; today it meets once a year, in May. The Committee adopts substantive and procedural decisions regarding the activities within the scope of the Organization, budget and commitments of member states, as well as debating measures to be taken on the basis of recommendations of the Parliamentary Assembly and the Congress of Local and Regional Authorities of Europe. The Committee is chaired by a representative of the chairing country – a foreign minister or ambassador (rotating on a semi-annual basis in alphabetical order). Slovakia chairs the Committee from November to May 2008; Slovenia will chair from May to November 2009. The US, Canada, Japan, Mexico and the Holy See enjoy observer status in the Council of Europe’s intergovernmental bodies.

The Parliamentary Assembly (PACE) is a consultative body composed of representatives of the national parliaments of 47 member states. PACE independently formulates the programme of its sessions and debates on the Council of Europe’s activities and topical international issues, as well as adopting recommendations addressed to the Committee of Ministers or member states. The President is elected from among PACE representatives for a period of three sessions (three years). René van der Linden, a member of the European People's Party, has been President of PACE since January 2005.

The number of representatives in PACE depends on the size of a country. France, Germany, the Russian Federation, Italy and the UK have the largest number of representatives (18) in PACE, whereas Andorra and Liechtenstein have the smallest number of representatives (2). Slovenia’s delegation comprises three members and their substitutes. Izrael, Canada and Mexico have observer status in PACE. The number of representatives of the various political parties in the delegation of each country must provide a balanced reflection of the political forces represented in the national parliament. A Parliamentary Assembly session consists of four plenary sessions. Each of them usually lasts a week, and they are held at the end of January, April, June and September respectively.

The Congress of Local and Regional Authorities is a consultative body representing local and regional authorities of member states. The work of the Congress is focused mainly on promoting local and regional democracy, as well as strengthening cross-border cooperation. Halvdan Skard from Norway has been its President since May 2006.

The Secretary General is the highest function in the Council of Europe’s Secretariat, which is divided into six Directorates General: Political Affairs; Legal Affairs; Human Rights; Social Cohesion; Education, Culture and Heritage, Youth and Sport; and Administration and Logistics. PACE elects the Secretary General for a period of five years. Terry Davis (UK) took over the function of Secretary General of the Council of Europe on 1 September 2004 from Walter Schwimmer (Austria). Maud de Boer-Buquicchio (the Netherlands) is the Deputy Secretary General; she was re-elected at the beginning of 2007.

The European Court of Human Rights (ECHR) operates under the European Convention on Human Rights, in force since 1953 (signed in 1950), and its protocols. ECHR was established in 1959; petitions against signatory parties for violations can be brought before the Court either by state parties who believe that another state party violated the rights under the Convention, or by individuals with a legal interest. The judgements are final and binding on the respondent state. Jean-Paul Costa (France) was elected new President of ECHR on 29 November 2006 for a period of three years.

The Commissioner for Human Rights of the Council of Europe is a political body independent from ECHR and other bodies of the Organization. The institute of the Commissioner was established in 1999 and ensures the respect and application of human rights in the member states. The Commissioner deals with groups of persons in discriminatory situations (Roma, aliens, etc.). He or she is elected by PACE. In the current term of office, this post is occupied by Thomas Hammarberg (Sweden), who was elected on 5 October 2005.