Council of Europe Framework Convention on Artificial Intelligence and Human Rights, Democracy and the Rule of Law

The European Parliament adopted by 455 votes to 101, with 74 abstentions, a legislative resolution on the draft Council decision on the conclusion, on behalf of the European Union, of the Council of Europe Framework Convention on Artificial Intelligence and Human Rights, Democracy and the Rule of Law.

Parliament gave its consent to the conclusion of the Convention.

As a reminder, the purpose of the draft Council decision is to launch the process for the conclusion of the Convention on behalf of the Union under the terms set out in Council Decision 2024/2218 authorising its signature.

The Convention itself aims to address potential risks and harms to human rights by ensuring that activities within the lifecycle of AI systems align with the principles of respect for human rights, democracy and the rule of law, while also recognising the potential of AI to protect and facilitate the exercise of those rights in the digital environment and to improve societal and environmental well-being and technological progress.

More specifically, the Convention contributes to safeguarding free and healthy development of children, who are among the groups most exposed to the rapid expansion of AI-driven tools. This particularly relates to conversational systems and AI-powered applications targeted at minors, whose psychological, cognitive and emotional vulnerability requires robust safeguards. The implementation of the Convention in the Union reflects a strong commitment to preventing manipulative design, undue influence and unsafe AI interactions involving children.