THE EUROPEAN CAPITAL
Located in Strasbourg, the European Parliament represents all the citizens of the member countries, and votes the propositions of the European Commission. Strasbourg has been designated as headquarter of the European parliament, because of the Franco-German reunification, but also because it used to welcome others European institutions. The Parliament is open one week in a month, the rest of its activity is divided between Brussels and Luxembourg.
Created in 1949, the Council of Europe is an international organization, with headquarters in Strasbourg. Its aim is to ensure the defense and the extension of the human rights, but also to improve the living conditions. The two organs of the Council of Europe are the committee of ministers (governments), and the parliamentary assembly.
The Human Rights Building is the headquarter of the European Court of Human Rights. From the front, the building is composed of three cylinders, supposed to represent a scale, symbol of justice. The rest of the building refers to a boat.