Established on 5 May 1949, the Council of Europe (CoE) is the main human rights organisation in the continent. Italy participates in the work of the CoE through the Permanent Representation of Italy to the Council of Europe, based in Strasbourg, headed by an ambassador. 

Italy, like France, Germany and the United Kingdom, has the rank of "major contributor" financing 12.5% of the CoE’s annual regular budget for a total of more than 30 million euros. Since 2011, Italy has hosted an external CoE office in the city of Venice. The activities of this office focus on the integration of minorities, gender equality, participation of citizens in democratic processes, the role of women in the Euro-Mediterranean context, the integration of roma, intercultural dialogue and the right to cultural participation. The Office is involved in a number of projects with local academic institutions. It hosts training courses on human rights and democracy, with special reference to the countries of the southern shores of the Mediterranean.

The following pages describe the activities of CoE bodies which, in line with their mandate, regularly consider aspects related to the human rights situation in Italy. 

The main issues addressed, from which relevant observations and recommendations emerged, are the situation of migrants, refugees and asylum seekers, with particular reference to questions relating to resettlement (Parliamentary Assembly) and detention (Committee of Ministers); the duration of legal proceedings (Committee of Ministers); the situation of Roma and Sinti (European Committee of Social Rights); the right to health; also in relation to the availability of services for access to voluntary termination of pregnancy (European Committee of Social Rights); the situation of journalists (Commissioner for Human Rights); and corruption against parliamentarians and magistrates (GRECO). From a perspective that takes into account the 2030 Agenda for Sustainable Development, these issues concern primarily Goal 3 (ensuring healthy lives and well-being for all at all ages), Goal 5 (achieving gender equality and empowering all women and girls), in particular Target 5.6 (ensuring universal access to sexual and reproductive health and rights), Objective 10 (reducing inequality within and among countries), in particular Goals 10.2 (enhancing and promoting the social, economic and political inclusion of all, regardless of age, gender, disability, race, ethnicity, origin, religion, economic status or other) and 10.7 (making migration and mobility of people more disciplined, safe, regular and responsible, including through the implementation of well-planned and managed migration policies) and Goal 16 (peace, justice and strong institutions), with particular reference to Goal 16.5 (significantly reduce corruption and abuse of power in all its forms).