The progress of the Assembly’s monitoring procedure (June 2010 – May 2011)
- Author(s):
- Parliamentary Assembly
- Origin
- Assembly debate
on 24 June 2011 (27th Sitting) (see Doc. 12634, report of the Committee
on the Honouring of Obligations and Commitments by Member States
of the Council of Europe (Monitoring Committee), rapporteur: Mr
Marty). Text adopted by the Assembly on 24 June 2011 (27th Sitting).
- Thesaurus
1. The Parliamentary Assembly acknowledges
the work carried out by its Committee on the Honouring of Obligations
and Commitments by Member States of the Council of Europe (Monitoring
Committee) in accompanying the 10 countries currently under monitoring
(Albania, Armenia, Azerbaijan, Bosnia and Herzegovina, Georgia,
Republic of Moldova, Montenegro, the Russian Federation, Serbia
and Ukraine) and the four countries engaged in a post-monitoring
dialogue (Bulgaria, Monaco, “the former Yugoslav Republic of Macedonia”
and Turkey) in their efforts to ensure full respect for democracy,
the rule of law and protection of human rights.
2. During the reporting period (June 2010-May 2011), the committee
produced a full monitoring report on Georgia and assessments of
the functioning of democratic institutions in Azerbaijan and Ukraine.
The respective rapporteurs carried out visits to Armenia, Azerbaijan,
Georgia, Republic of Moldova, Monaco, Montenegro, the Russian Federation,
Serbia, Turkey and Ukraine, and submitted information notes on their findings
to the committee for discussion.
3. Moreover, in accordance with the practice established since
2006, the committee has prepared a periodic report on the third
(and final) group of 11 Council of Europe member states among those
members which are not subject to a monitoring procedure stricto sensu or involved in a post-monitoring
dialogue; this report is based on the findings of other Council
of Europe monitoring mechanisms, thus completing two full cycles
of reports for each country in this category.
4. The Assembly is satisfied with the way that the committee
has decided to pursue its work on the consequences of the war between
Georgia and Russia. Furthermore, it notes the follow-up given by
the committee to the Bureau of the Assembly’s request for a written
opinion on the motion for a resolution on the “Serious setbacks
in the fields of the rule of law and human rights in Hungary”.
5. During the reporting period, the committee has been engaged
in the implementation of a number of procedural modifications regarding
the term of office of co-rapporteurs on monitoring, and its composition following
the adoption of
Resolution
1699 (2009) on procedural implications of Parliamentary
Assembly
Resolution 1600 (2008)
on the Council of Europe and its observer states – the current situation
and a way forward, and related Assembly texts, and
Resolution 1710 (2010)
on the term of office of co-rapporteurs of the Monitoring Committee.
In particular, it proceeded with an important renewal of rapporteurships,
which resulted,
inter alia,
in an increased percentage of women (approximately 30%). While this
should be considered only as a first step, the committee should
nonetheless be commended for its efforts to comply with the Assembly’s gender
equality policy. This could serve as a good example for other parliamentary
bodies, both in the Assembly and in those national parliaments with
a low percentage of women.
6. Furthermore, in view of its forthcoming 15th anniversary,
and in the context of the ongoing reform of the Assembly, the committee
has initiated a discussion on possible ways and means of rendering
the monitoring procedure more effective, and of ensuring improved
compliance of all its member states with their statutory obligations.
7. The Assembly is concerned that the two-year deadline for the
presentation of a report for each country under monitoring has not
been systematically respected. In one case, that of the Russian
Federation, six years have elapsed since the last report was debated
in the Assembly.
8. Furthermore, in some countries, quasi-permanent political
crises have hindered the proper evaluation of the progress achieved:
full monitoring reports had to be replaced on a number of occasions
by reports on the functioning of democratic institutions, which
were designed to enable the Assembly to react quickly to political developments
of concern.
9. Free and fair elections constitute a precondition for democracy.
Regrettably, in a number of countries under a monitoring procedure,
serious shortcomings in the electoral process continue to be observed.
The legal framework in some countries still does not fully comply
with Council of Europe standards, and insufficient political pluralism,
unfair electoral campaigns, violation of the right to freedom of
expression and assembly, as well as shortcomings during the registration
of candidates or the vote, do not always provide for an inclusive political
environment.
10. Electoral reform is under way in Armenia, Georgia and Montenegro.
In Bosnia and Herzegovina there is an urgent need to remove ethnicity-based
limitations on the right to stand for elections. The Albanian authorities have
been invited by the Assembly to improve the legislative framework
and enhance the capabilities of the electoral administration in
a number of areas. Azerbaijan has not addressed all outstanding
concerns expressed by the European Commission for Democracy through
Law (Venice Commission) as regards its electoral code. The parliamentary
elections held in November 2010 revealed that some of the conditions necessary
for genuinely competitive elections were still lacking. In the Russian
Federation, a number of amendments to the electoral code were adopted
in 2009-2010. However, limited political pluralism and a restrictive
political environment remain serious matters of concern and a number
of issues, such as restrictions on party registrations or the high
threshold, still need to be addressed. The inconsistencies in the
legal framework for elections in Ukraine, and its manipulation by
all contestants, underscore the need for a unified electoral code,
as has been repeatedly recommended by the Assembly. In “the former
Yugoslav Republic of Macedonia”, the electoral code was amended
in April 2011, with all opposition parties boycotting the vote on the
amendments, only two months before the elections scheduled for June
2011. Electoral legislation must be further improved in the Republic
of Moldova, in particular as regards access to the electoral process
for Moldovan citizens living abroad and the introduction of an electronic
electoral register.
11. Shortcomings in the electoral process have as an immediate
consequence weak presence or even absence of any real opposition
in the parliament, and, as a result, the lack of parliamentary dialogue
with the opposition. Regrettably, in a number of countries under
a monitoring procedure, parliamentary representation is monopolised
by a limited number of political forces. Furthermore, the absence
of a parliamentary opposition is often accompanied by a restrictive
climate for the activities of the extra-parliamentary opposition,
including violations of basic freedoms, such as freedom of assembly,
freedom of expression or freedom of the press.
12. In Armenia, Azerbaijan and the Russian Federation, some important
opposition forces remain outside parliament, and no political dialogue
with extra-parliamentary opposition has been initiated. In Georgia,
efforts made by the authorities have resulted in the establishment
of a dialogue between the government and a significant part of the
opposition. In Albania, the inability of the ruling party and the
opposition to co-operate following the parliamentary elections of
June 2009 triggered an ongoing crisis and led to the tragic events
of January 2011. In Bosnia and Herzegovina, the inability of the
main political parties to reach a consensus triggered a serious
political crisis, with no government formed at state level since
the October 2010 elections. In the Republic of Moldova the lack
of consensus between the opposition and the majority coalition has
led to an institutional deadlock over the election by parliament
of the President of the country.
13. On the other hand, the abuse of boycott strategies by opposition
parties, for example in Albania, or their refusal to participate
in elections, does not facilitate the democratic process.
14. The inability of some parliaments to serve as a platform for
political dialogue is directly linked to another persisting concern
in some countries under a monitoring procedure, namely constitutional
problems which are often both the origin and the result of the lack
of representativeness of elected bodies. The main symptoms of these
problems are the weakness of parliament vis-à-vis executive authorities,
the lack of independence of the judiciary and, more generally, an
unsatisfactory system of checks and balances.
15. Parliamentary oversight of the activities of the executive
and the strengthening of the capacity of parliament are still needed
in Armenia, Azerbaijan, Republic of Moldova, Montenegro, the Russian
Federation, Serbia and Ukraine.
16. As regards the honouring of statutory obligations by the countries
which are not subject to the monitoring procedure stricto sensu, the Assembly refers
to the findings of relevant (selected) Council of Europe monitoring mechanisms.
Regrettably, despite repeated calls, at the end of the second cycle
of periodic reports, a number of important treaties have not been
signed or ratified by the countries from this group. As a result,
they are not subject to any monitoring mechanisms in some core areas.
17. Furthermore, in certain countries from this group, the monitoring
mechanisms of the core conventions have given rise to some specific
concerns. For example, as regards the effective implementation of
judgments of the European Court of Human Rights, worrying delays
have arisen in Greece, Italy, Poland and Romania. In some cases,
they reveal major structural problems which lead to repeated violations
of the European Convention on Human Rights.
18. The Assembly consequently urges:
18.1 with respect to elections and political pluralism:
18.1.1 the Parliament of Albania to introduce an improved legislative
framework for the electoral process and enhance the capabilities
of the electoral administration as regards the electoral register,
for the regulation of media coverage and funding of campaigns, the
rules of transparency relating to media ownership, the composition
of electoral commissions and lists of candidates;
18.1.2 the Parliament of Armenia to pursue the process aimed
at the implementation of comprehensive electoral reform, with a
view to ensuring fair and equal conditions for all candidates and
increasing public confidence in the electoral process, including
the appeals and complaints procedure, in time for the May 2012 elections;
18.1.3 the Parliament of Azerbaijan to revise the electoral code
as amended in 2010, with a view to addressing the outstanding recommendations
from the Venice Commission and the Office for Democratic Institutions
and Human Rights of the Organization for Security and Co-operation
in Europe (OSCE/ODIHR), in particular those relating to the composition
of the election commissions, candidate eligibility and the complaints
and appeals process;
18.1.4 the Parliament of Bosnia and Herzegovina to revise the
Constitution and electoral legislation with a view to eliminating
ethnicity-based limitations on the right to stand for office in order
to comply with the standards of the European Convention on Human
Rights;
18.1.5 the Parliament of Georgia to pursue its efforts to introduce
a new election code based on a consensus among the different political
forces in time for the next parliamentary elections;
18.1.6 the Parliament of the Republic of Moldova to further improve
its electoral legislation with regard to the access to the electoral
process of Moldovan citizens residing abroad and the development
and introduction of an electronic electoral register;
18.1.7 the Parliament of Montenegro to pursue its work with a
view to harmonising the legislation governing parliamentary elections
with the new Constitution;
18.1.8 the Parliament of the Russian Federation to address outstanding
concerns with regard to the electoral legislation including the
elimination of restrictive provisions for party and candidate registration,
and to further lower the threshold to enter parliament;
18.1.9 the Parliament of Ukraine to adopt, without further delay,
a unified electoral code in accordance with the political commitment
undertaken by the authorities, and the President to enact it;
18.2 with respect to parliamentary co-operation with the opposition:
18.2.1 the main opposition party in Albania (Socialist Party)
to terminate its boycott of the work of the parliament and enter
into a constructive political dialogue with other political forces;
18.2.2 the Armenian and Georgian authorities and the respective
opposition forces to pursue political dialogue with the opposition;
18.2.3 the Azerbaijani and Russian authorities to establish a
genuine dialogue with the opposition, including extra-parliamentary
opposition;
18.2.4 the political forces of Bosnia and Herzegovina and of
the Republic of Moldova to engage in a constructive dialogue with
a view to overcoming the political and institutional crises in both countries;
18.3 with respect to the constitutional framework:
18.3.1 the
Parliaments of Azerbaijan, the Russian Federation and Ukraine to
review their constitution with a view to strengthening the role
of parliamentary oversight over the activities of the executive;
18.3.2 the Parliaments of Armenia and Georgia to pursue their
efforts with a view to carrying out constitutional changes;
18.3.3 the Parliament of Bosnia and Herzegovina to pursue its
efforts with a view to carrying out constitutional changes, while
recalling the special responsibility of the international community
and notably of the High Representative;
18.3.4 the Parliament of the Republic of Moldova to continue
its efforts in order to unlock the institutional crisis linked to
the non-election of the President of the Republic and to avoid repeated early
parliamentary elections, while recalling the opinions of the Venice
Commission;
18.4 with respect to the capacities of the parliament:
18.4.1 the Parliaments of the Republic of Moldova, Montenegro
and Serbia to increase their resources and strengthen their administrative
capacities;
18.5 with respect to the honouring of obligations by the states
which are not subject to the monitoring procedure
stricto sensu:
18.5.1 Andorra,
Belgium, Estonia, Greece, Ireland, Latvia, Lithuania, Portugal and
San Marino to sign and ratify, and France, Italy, Iceland and Malta
to ratify the European Charter for Regional or Minority Languages
(ETS No. 148);
18.5.2 Andorra and France to sign and ratify, and Belgium, Greece,
Iceland and Luxembourg to ratify the Framework Convention for the
Protection of National Minorities (ETS No. 157);
18.5.3 the Czech Republic and Liechtenstein to sign and ratify,
and Estonia, Finland, Germany, Greece, Hungary, Iceland, Ireland,
Lithuania and Switzerland to ratify the Convention on Action against
Trafficking in Human Beings (CETS No. 197);
18.5.4 Denmark, France, Lithuania, Malta, Poland, Sweden, Switzerland
and the United Kingdom to sign and ratify, and Austria, Belgium,
the Czech Republic, Germany, Greece, Hungary, Iceland, Ireland,
Italy, Latvia, Liechtenstein, Norway, Portugal, the Slovak Republic
and Slovenia to ratify Protocol No. 12 to the Convention for the
Protection of Human Rights and Fundamental Freedoms (ETS No. 177)
concerning the fight against discrimination;
18.5.5 Switzerland to ratify Protocol No. 1 to the Convention
for the Protection of Human Rights and Fundamental Freedoms (ETS
No. 9) adding the right to peaceful enjoyment of property, the right
to education and the right to free elections by secret ballot to
fundamental rights protected by the Convention;
18.5.6 Liechtenstein and Switzerland to sign and ratify, and
Austria, the Czech Republic, Denmark, Germany, Greece, Iceland,
Latvia, Luxembourg, Poland, San Marino, Spain and the United Kingdom
to ratify the European Social Charter (revised) (ETS No. 163);
18.5.7 Andorra, Estonia, Germany, Iceland, Latvia, Liechtenstein,
Lithuania, Luxembourg, Malta, Poland, Romania, San Marino, Spain,
Switzerland and the United Kingdom to sign and ratify, and Austria,
the Czech Republic, Denmark, Hungary, the Slovak Republic and Slovenia
to ratify the Additional Protocol to the European Social Charter
Providing for a System of Collective Complaints (ETS No. 158);
18.5.8 Liechtenstein, Portugal, San Marino and Switzerland to
sign and ratify, and Andorra, Denmark, Germany, Iceland, Ireland,
Italy and Luxembourg to ratify the Civil Law Convention on Corruption
(ETS No. 174);
18.5.9 Austria, Germany, Italy, Liechtenstein and San Marino
to ratify the Criminal Law Convention on Corruption (ETS No. 173);
18.5.10 Andorra, the Czech Republic, Denmark, Estonia, Germany,
Ireland, Liechtenstein, Lithuania, Norway and Switzerland to sign
and ratify, and Austria, Finland, France, Iceland, Italy and Sweden
to ratify the Convention on Laundering, Search, Seizure and Confiscation
of the Proceeds from Crime and on the Financing of Terrorism (CETS
No. 198);
18.5.11 the national Parliaments of Greece, Italy, Poland and
Romania to promote the progress in the implementation of judgments
of the European Court of Human Rights, and to initiate legislative
changes aimed at eliminating structural problems leading to repetitive
violations of the European Convention on Human Rights;
18.5.12 the national parliaments of all the member states not
subject to the monitoring procedure strictosensu to use periodic reports as
the basis for a debate on their country’s state of honouring of
obligations as members of the Council of Europe and to promote compliance
with recommendations made by specific Council of Europe monitoring
bodies.
19. The Assembly stresses the importance it attaches to the full
independence of rapporteurs on monitoring of obligations and commitments
in accomplishing their work and calls on the authorities of all
countries concerned to refrain from any pressure to influence their
judgment.
20. The Assembly reiterates its dedication to gender equality
as one of the preconditions for developing democracies, and encourages
the rapporteurs to take this aspect into account in a more comprehensive
way in the countries under a monitoring procedure.
21. The Assembly commends the remarkable work carried out by the
Council of Europe monitoring mechanisms, and the acquis they have
established over the years.
22. The Assembly resolves to pursue a more general reflection
on ways to enhance the efficiency and the impact of the Assembly
monitoring procedures with regard to all Council of Europe member
states.
