Madrid - The Council of Europe will speed up the functioning of the European Court of Human Rights in Strasbourg, Spanish Foreign Minister Miguel Angel Moratinos announced Tuesday. Moratinos was speaking at a meeting of foreign ministers or representatives from the 47 Council of Europe countries who gathered in Madrid to mark the 60th anniversary of one of the oldest political organizations in Europe.
The ministers were expected to adopt measures to increase the court's ability to process applications, according to diplomatic sources in Spain, which was to pass the council chair to Slovenia at the Madrid meeting.
About 100,000 applications are waiting to be dealt with by the European Court of Human Rights. A quarter of them concern Russia.
A single judge will be able to decide whether to admit a complaint, down from three judges to date, the sources explained.
The measure was described as a temporary alternative to a wider reform opposed by Russia.
Council of Europe Secretary General Terry Davis said its mission - democracy, human rights and the rule of law - remained as necessary as 60 years ago.
Spain's Crown Prince Felipe said the council had contributed to stability and security in Europe, urging it to focus on "big evils" like terrorism.
The ministers were due to approve a Madrid Declaration adding the equality of the sexes to the list of rights promoted by the Council of Europe, and to propose two candidates to succeed Davis as secretary-general.
