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This article examines the role of the Council of Europe in promoting human rights in twenty-one former Soviet bloc countries. Using three cases, the author argues that constructivist approaches best inform the process of norm diffusion in countries of high compliance (Latvia), while neoliberal and neorealist approaches better explain why norm diffusion is less successful in medium (Croatia) and low-compliance (Russia) countries. She concludes that the Council decided it is more effective to persuade new entrants to conform to European human rights standards as members than to wait years until they have reached a high level of compliance before rewarding them with membership. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]