What is the primary role of the Council of Europe?

The primary role of the Council of Europe is to promote human rights, democracy, and the rule of law across its member states, and a central component of this mandate is the enforcement of the European Convention on Human Rights. This convention is a key treaty which outlines the civil and political rights that individuals can expect to be protected by member states. The Council of Europe supervises the implementation of this convention, ensuring that its member countries adhere to the obligations and standards set forth for human rights protection.

While the Council does engage in efforts to foster cooperation among European nations, its main focus is not primarily economic cooperation but rather the promotion and protection of human rights and democratic principles. The option suggesting that the Council serves as a military alliance for member states is not aligned with its purpose, as it is distinctly not a military organization. Similarly, the notion of uniting Europe under a single government does not reflect the Council's function; it operates as a separate entity from the European Union, emphasizing cooperation while respecting the sovereignty of individual nations.