Vladimir Putin signed a relevant decree, the Kremlin press service said.
Ella Pamfilova was appointed chairperson of the new council.
The President approved the statement on the council and appointed its staff.
Formerly, there were ten commissions under the Russian President, including the human rights commission, and eight councils - for the fight against corruption, culture and art, improvement of justice, codification and improvement of civil legislation, science, technologies and education, cooperation with religious associations, physical culture and sports and the heraldic council.
The human rights commission comprised 30 people including the chairman. Ella Pamfilova has headed the commission since July 2002.
According to the Russian Constitution, the President is a guarantor of rights and freedoms of people and citizens. Implementing his authorities on the protection of rights and freedoms, the head of state cooperates with the government, federal courts, the prosecutor's office, law enforcement bodies and public organizations.
