Abstract
By comparatively reviewing the monitoring procedures of the Advisory Committee on the Framework Convention for the Protection of National Minorities, the European Commission against Racism and Intolerance, the European Committee for the Prevention of Torture and Inhuman and Degrading Treatment or Punishment, and the European Committee of Social Rights, this article identifies common deficits and achievements in the working methods of human rights monitoring bodies established within the framework of the Council of Europe. It is argued that limitations remain with regard to, first, the information available to the monitoring bodies, second, the extended intervals in between the monitoring cycles, third, the human resources, and fourth, publicity and transparency of the supervisory systems. By describing the initiatives taken to counter these deficits it will be shown that the core achievement of the four monitoring mechanisms is their flexibility to adapt their procedures within the restrictions given by their respective legal frameworks. However, certain limitations remain. This contribution, thus, concludes with proposals for reform that could enable the Council of Europe to better meet current challenges of monitoring human rights in Europe.