The protection of human rights lies at the very core of European integration. But considering the multitude of activities by the European Union, the Council of Europe and the Organization for Security and Cooperation in Europe as well as the important role of civil society, it is often hard to keep track. In-depth analysis by human rights experts is important for understanding changing paradigms and assessing emerging trends. For this purpose, the first edition of the new European Yearbook on Human Rights, which is edited jointly by representatives of four major European human rights research, teaching and training institutions brings together 20 contributions by renowned European human rights experts. The Yearbook’s innovative structure allows for quick orientation and direct access to the many facets of Europe’s culture of human rights. Opening with three articles on the topical issues of the year, the Yearbook contains extensive sections on the developments of the three most important European organizations charged with securing human rights: EU, Council of Europe and OSCE. A further chapter looks at the role of civil society and cross-cutting issues in human rights protection. Multidisciplinary and eminently readable, the European Yearbook on Human Rights 2009 provides its readers with a comprehensive overview of the human rights situation in Europe in 2008. Uniting an impressive array of authors, it is thus essential reading for human rights scholars and practitioners interested in human rights. The Yearbook also enables the reader to identify the human rights challenges of the years to come – for Europe and for the world.