Progress report of the Bureau of the Assembly and of the Standing Committee (5 October 2007-17 December 2007)
Progress report
| Doc. 11490 Part. I
| 19 January 2008
- Author(s):
- Bureau of the Assembly
- Rapporteur :
- Mr René van der LINDEN,
Netherlands, EPP/CD
- Origin
- [Instantiation] 2008 - First part-session
1 Introduction
1. The Bureau met on 5 October in Strasbourg, on 22
November in Bratislava and on 17 December in Paris. The Standing
Committee met on 23 November in Bratislava.
2 Functioning of the Assembly
2.1 Progress report of the Bureau of the Assembly
and of the Standing Committee (5 October 2007 to 21 January 2008)
2. On 5 October, the Bureau appointed Mr van der Linden
(Netherlands, EPP/CD) as rapporteur.
2.2 Fourth part of the 2007 Ordinary Session (Strasbourg,
1-5 October 2007)
2.2.1 Follow-up to the texts adopted
3. On 5 October, the Bureau was informed by the Secretary
General of the Assembly about the follow-up to be given to the texts
adopted during the part-session.
2.2.2 Current affairs debate on “The looming crisis
facing the European Court of Human Rights: urgent action needed”
4. On 5 October, in accordance with Rule 52.5 of the
Rules of Procedure of the Assembly, the Bureau decided to refer
this matter to the Committee on Legal Affairs and Human Rights for report.
2.3 First part of the 2008 Ordinary Session (Strasbourg,
21-25 January 2008)
5. On 5 October, the Bureau took note of a preliminary
draft agenda and a provisional list of guest speakers.
6. On 22 November, the Bureau:
- adopted
the draft agenda;
- drew up a preliminary draft order of business;
- following a proposal by the Political Affairs Committee,
agreed to invite Mr Bouteflika, President of the Algerian Republic,
to address the Assembly.
7. On 17 December, the Bureau:
- updated
the draft agenda and the draft order of business;
- agreed to invite Mr Frans Timmermans, Minister for European
Affairs for the Netherlands, to address the Assembly.
2.4 Standing Committee (Bratislava, 23 November 2007)
8. On 5 October, the Bureau took note of a draft agenda
and a draft programme.
9. On 22 November, the Bureau updated the draft agenda.
10. On 23 November, the Standing Committee:
- adopted a declaration on “Involvement of men – a crucial
factor for change to combat violence against women”, in the framework
of the International Day for the Elimination of Violence against
Women (25 November 2007) (see the Assembly website);
- heard a welcome address by Mr Pavol Paška, Speaker of
the National Council of the Slovak Republic;
- held an exchange of views with Mr Ján Kubiš, Minister
for Foreign Affairs of the Slovak Republic, Chairperson of the Committee
of Ministers;
- ratified the credentials of new members of the Assembly
submitted by the delegations of Belgium, Greece, Ireland and the
Netherlands;
- ratified the changes in the composition of general Assembly
committees in respect of the delegations of Belgium, Greece and
Ireland;
- ratified the references and modifications of references
proposed by the Bureau.
2.5 Follow-up to the Standing Committee (Bratislava,
23 November 2007)
11. On 17 December, the Bureau:
- agreed to modify the “Additional provisions relating to
Assembly debates” (pages 88-99 in the Rules of Procedure of the
Assembly, 2006 Edition) following the adoption of Resolution 1583 (2007) on
improving the participation of members in Assembly plenary sessions
and committee meetings and Resolution 1584
(2007) on application and amendment of various provisions
of the Assembly’s Rules of Procedure;
- took note of the follow-up as proposed by the Secretary
General of the Assembly to Resolution
1589 (2007) on co-operation between the Assembly and
the Conference of INGOs and to Resolution 1593 (2007) in favour
of a Parliamentary Assembly “Gender Equality Prize”.
2.6 Adopted texts
12. On 23 November, the Standing Committee adopted, on
behalf of the Parliamentary Assembly, the following texts:
2.7 Follow-up to paragraph 14 of the Resolution 1535 (2007) on
threats to the lives and freedom of expression of journalists
13. On 22 November, the Bureau noted that the Committee
on Culture, Science and Education has appointed Mr McIntosh (United
Kingdom, SOC) to follow this subject.
2.8 Follow-up to Assembly Recommendation 1599 (2003) on the
cultural situation in the South Caucasus
14. On 17 December, the Bureau took note of a statement
by Mr Legendre, Chairperson of the Committee on Culture, Science
and Education, on the unaccomplished study visit by Mr O’Hara to
the region.
2.9 Requests for debate under urgent procedure: criteria
for selection
15. On 5 October, the Bureau approved the proposals contained
in a memorandum prepared by the secretariat on this matter.
2.10 References and transmissions to committees
16. On 5 October, the Bureau approved the following references
and modifications of references which were ratified by the Assembly
later that day:
2.10.1 references to committees
Motion for a resolution presented by Mrs Ojuland and others,
The situation of Aung San Suu Kyi, to the Committee on Legal Affairs
and Human Rights, for information
Motion for a resolution presented by Mr Ateş and others, Need
for a Council of Europe Neighbourhood policy, to the Political Affairs
Committee, for report
[Parliamentary Assembly of the
Council of Europe priority: Promoting common fundamental values:
human rights, rule of law and democracy; Promoting fundamental European
values in neighbouring areas]
c. Current affairs debate
on “The looming crisis facing the European Court of Human Rights:
urgent action needed”: according to Rule 52.5 of the Rules of Procedure
of the Assembly, to the Committee on Legal Affairs and Human Rights, for report
2.10.2 reply after consultation
Motion for a resolution presented by Ms Muttonen and others,
Cultural education: the promotion of cultural knowledge, creativity
and intercultural understanding through education, to the Committee
on Culture, Science and Education, for
report
[Parliamentary Assembly of the
Council of Europe priority: Developing intercultural and inter-religious
dialogue]
2.10.3 extension of a reference
Motion for a resolution presented by Mr Van den Brande and
others, Precarious situation of national minorities in the Voivodina
province of Serbia and Montenegro
Reference No. 3147 of 25 November 2005 – Validity: 25 November
2007, extension until 31 January 2008
17. On 23 November, the Standing Committee ratified the
following references and modifications of references proposed by
the Bureau:
2.10.4 references to committees
a. Doc. 11399 (Reference
No. 3381)
Motion for a resolution presented by Mrs Cliveti and others,
Centenary of the birth of Simone de Beauvoir (2008): VIPs committed
to promoting equality between women and men, to the Committee on
Equal Opportunities for Women and Men, for
information
b. Doc. 11400 (Reference
No. 3382)
Motion for a resolution presented by Mrs Pernaska and others,
For a Europe-wide sex offenders register, to the Committee on Legal
Affairs and Human Rights, for report,
and to the Social, Health and Family Affairs Committee, for opinion
c. Doc. 11401 (Reference
No. 3383)
Motion for a resolution presented by Mrs Vermot-Mangold and
others, The role of parliamentarians in promoting the rapid entry
into force of the Council of Europe Convention on Action against
Trafficking in Human Beings and its ratification by as many states
as possible, to the Committee on Legal Affairs and Human Rights, for report at the Standing Committee meeting
on 14 March 2008, and to the Committee on Equal Opportunities for
Women and Men, for opinion
d. Doc. 11402 (Reference
No. 3384)
Motion for a resolution presented by Mr Sasi and others, The
role and relevance of the world economic institutions in an era
of globalisation, to the Committee on Economic Affairs and Development, for report
e. Doc. 11404 (Reference
No. 3385)
Motion for a resolution presented by Mrs Bemelmans-Videc and
others, Allegations of politically-motivated abuses of the criminal
justice system in Council of Europe member states, to the Committee
on Legal Affairs and Human Rights, for
report, and to the Committee on Economic Affairs and
Development, for opinion
f. Doc. 11172 (Reference
No. 3329)
Motion for a resolution presented by Mr Gross and others,
Request for an investigation to clarify the allegedly suspicious
death of former President Boris Trajkovski of “the former Yugoslav
Republic of Macedonia”, to the Committee on Legal Affairs and Human
Rights, for report
2.10.5 extension of references
Motion for a recommendation presented by Mrs Cortajarena and
others, Immigration from Sub-Saharan Africa
Reference No. 3148 of 25 November 2005 – validity: 25 November
2007, extension until 30 May 2008
Motion for a resolution presented by Mr Torosyan and others,
Imvros and Tenedos
Reference No. 3171 of 27 January 2006 – validity: 27 January
2008, extension until 30 June 2008
Letter by Mr Mercan, Riots in European Cities: lessons and
Council of Europe response
Reference No. 3166 of 23 January 2006 – validity: 23 January
2008, extension until 30 June 2008
Motion for a recommendation presented by Mr Jurgens and others,
Legal recognition of same-sex partnerships in Europe
Reference No. 3134 of 1 September 2005 – validity: 31 December
2007 (extended on 25 June 2007), extension until 31 March 2008
Motion for a resolution presented by Mr Pourgourides and others,
Freedom of religion and other human rights for non-Muslim minorities
in Turkey
Motion for a resolution presented by Mr Mercan and others,
The plight of the Turkish Muslim minorities in Western Thrace, Greece
Reference No. 3203 of 17 March 2006 – validity: 31 March 2008,
extension until 31 December 2008.
2.11 Annual debate on the “State of human rights and
democracy in Europe”
18. On 5 October, the Bureau:
- endorsed the conclusions reached at the meeting held during
the part-session between the president and the chairpersons of the
Political Affairs Committee, the Committee on Legal Affairs and
Human Rights and the Monitoring Committee;
- agreed to return to this matter at its next meeting in
order to fix the main focus of next year’s report and debate and
in particular the possibility of observing a yearly alternation
between the themes of democracy and human rights.
19. On 22 November, the Bureau asked the chairpersons of the Political
Affairs Committee and the Committee on Legal Affairs and Human Rights
to propose specific themes for the 2008 debate so as to enable the
Bureau to take a decision at its next meeting on 17 December 2007.
20. On 17 December, the Bureau:
- agreed,
as part of an annual alternation between the themes of “Democracy”
and “Human Rights”, to devote its June 2008 debate to the “State
of democracy in Europe”, and more specifically to the themes of
“Political aspects of migration” and “Assessment of the quality
of democracy” as proposed by the Political Affairs Committee;
- agreed that the 2009 debate would take up the issue of
the “State of human rights in Europe”, with specific themes to be
proposed in due course by the Committee on Legal Affairs and Human
Rights.
2.12 “Council of Europe Parliamentary Assembly Human
Rights Prize”
21. On 22 November, the Bureau held a preliminary discussion
and agreed to return to the matter at its next meeting.
22. On 17 December, the Bureau approved the revised draft regulations
for the prize.
2.13 Follow-up to the 3rd Summit
2.13.1 Draft co-operation agreement between the Assembly
and the European Parliament:
23. On 22 November, the Bureau:
- agreed to the draft co-operation agreement as amended
by the Conference of Presidents of the European Parliament;
- noted that the president would sign the agreement together
with the President of the European Parliament on 28 November 2007.
2.13.2 Forum for the Future of Democracy
24. On 22 November, the Bureau took note of the summary
and conclusions of the meeting of the Advisory Board on the Forum
on the Future of Democracy which took place on 5 October as well
as the revised guidelines.
2.14 Ad hoc committee on the implementation of Resolution 1416 (2005) on
the conflict over the Nagorno-Karabakh region dealt with by the
OSCE Minsk Conference
25. On 5 October, the Bureau:
- was informed by Lord Russell-Johnston, chairman of the
ad hoc committee, that the visit to Nagorno-Karabakh by the ad hoc
committee, which had been scheduled for 8-12 October 2007, had been cancelled;
and that it was the intention of the ad hoc committee to organise
interparliamentary conferences in Baku and Yerevan on parliamentary
co-operation between the two countries;
- within the framework of the preparation of the above-mentioned
conference, authorised Lord Russell-Johnston to visit Baku and Yerevan.
2.15 Ad hoc sub-committee on the election of judges
to the European Court of Human Rights
26. On 5 October, the Bureau:
- authorised the establishment of a sub-committee on the
election of judges to the European Court of Human Rights as a fourth
standing sub-committee of the Committee on Legal Affairs and Human
Rights;
- authorised a derogation from the rule on multiple memberships
of sub-committees for members of the above-mentioned sub-committee.
2.16 Motion for a resolution on the request for an
investigation to clarify the allegedly suspicious death of former
President Trajkovski of the “the former Yugoslav Republic of Macedonia”
27. On 22 November, the Bureau:
- took note of an information note on this matter prepared
by Mr Gross on behalf of the Committee on Legal Affairs and Human
Rights, and decided to declassify it;
- following a proposal contained in the above-mentioned
information note, invited the delegation of “the former Yugoslav
Republic of Macedonia” to propose to the Macedonian Parliament the
setting up of a committee of inquiry into the death of former President
Trajkovski;
- referred the motion for a resolution to the Committee
on Legal Affairs and Human Rights for a report.
2.17 Vote on the appointment of a rapporteur of the
Political Affairs Committee on developments as regards the future
status of Kosovo
28. On 5 October, the Bureau:
- agreed to set up an ad hoc committee of five members (to
be appointed by each political group among members of the Committee
on Legal Affairs and Human Rights) to investigate this matter;
- was informed that the president would send a letter to
the chairpersons of all Assembly Committees asking them to follow
the procedure to be proposed by the tellers of the Political Affairs
Committee for the conduct of future votes by secret ballot.
29. On 22 November, the Bureau:
- agreed
that the ad hoc committee should be composed as follows: Mr Prescott
(United Kingdom, SOC); Mr Mota Amaral (Portugal, EPP/CD); Ms Lavtižar-Bebler
(Slovenia, ALDE); Mr Malins (United Kingdom, EDG); and Mr Laakso
(Finland, UEL);
- recommended that the ad hoc committee meet before the
end of 2007 under the chairmanship of Mr Mota Amaral.
30. On 17 December, the Bureau took note of the intention of the
ad hoc committee set up to investigate this matter to meet during
the January 2008 part-session of the Assembly.
2.18 Conferences
2.18.1 Joint conference in 2008 of the Commonwealth of
Independent States (CIS) Parliamentary Assembly and the Parliamentary
Assembly of the Council of Europe (St Petersburg, 4 April 2008)
31. On 5 October, the Bureau took note of the preparations
for the Conference; agreed that its general theme should be that
of migration and agreed that it takes place on 4 April in St Petersburg.
2.18.2 European Conference of Presidents of Parliaments
(Strasbourg, 22-23 May 2008)
32. On 22 November, the Bureau approved the draft programme
of the conference.
2.19 Composition of the Monitoring Committee
33. On 5 October, the Bureau approved new members as
proposed by political groups for ratification by the Assembly: Mr Harutyunyan
(Armenia, EDG); Mr Laakso (Finland, UEL); and Mr Mooney (Ireland,
ALDE).
2.20 Assembly Representatives for official activities
2.20.1 Appointment of Assembly Representatives for official
activities
34. On 5 October, in reply to formal invitations, the
Bureau nominated the following Representatives:
a Mr Biberaj (Albania, EPP/CD): International Forum of Civil
Society, Paris, 25 October 2007;
b Mr Dačić (Serbia, SOC): 67th Rose-Roth Seminar “Serbia
and Europe: Together or Apart”, Belgrade (Serbia), 25-27 October
2007;
c Mr Bokeria (Georgia, ALDE): Tbilisi Summit 2007 “Building
Europe’s East and fact-finding trip”, Tbilisi (Georgia), 1-4 November
2007;
d Mrs Staponkienė (Lithuania, EDG): 30th Plenary Session
of the Parliamentary Assembly of the Black Sea Economic Co-operation
(PABSEC), Tbilisi (Georgia), 20-21 November 2007;
e Ms Banović (Serbia, EPP/CD): Opening Ceremony of the Third
Plenary Assembly of the European Roma and Travellers Forum, Strasbourg,
26 November 2007;
35. On 22 November, in reply to formal invitations, the Bureau
nominated the following Representatives:
a Mr Azzolini (Italy, EPP/CD): Second session of the Parliamentary
Assembly of the Mediterranean, Malta, 22-24 November 2007;
b Mr Ateş (Turkey, EPP/CD): 4th parliamentary meeting on
the future of Europe, Brussels (Belgium), 3-4 December 2007;
c Mrs Lavtižar-Bebler (Slovenia, ALDE): Second seminar for
Members of Parliamentary Committees on the Status of Women and other
Committees dealing with Gender Equality, Geneva (Switzerland), 6-8 December
2007;
d Committee on the Environment, Agriculture, and Local and
Regional Authorities to appoint a Representative: 7th Conference
of Ministers of Agriculture, Zaragoza (Spain), 3-6 February 2008;
e Mr Gardetto (Monaco, EPP/CD): 2007 winter meeting of the
OSCE Parliamentary Assembly, Vienna (Austria), 21-22 February 2008.
36. On 17 December, in reply to formal invitations, appointed
the following Assembly members:
a Mr Mota
Amaral (Portugal, EPP/CD), Fifth Session of the Conference of the
Parliamentary Union of the OIC Member States (PUIC), Cairo (Egypt),
30-31 January 2008;
b Mr Bodewig (Germany, SOC), Mr Herrmann (Germany, EPP/CD),
Mr Branger (France, EPP/CD) and Mr MacShane (United Kingdom, SOC),
spring session of the NATO Parliamentary Assembly, Berlin (Germany),
23-27 May 2008.
2.20.2 Reports by Assembly Representatives on their participation
at official activities:
37. On 5 October, the Bureau took note of the reports
from the following Representatives and decided to refer them to
the competent committees:
- Mr Rigoni
(Italy, ALDE) and Mr Holovaty (Ukraine, ALDE), who participated
in the 16th Annual Session of the OSCE Parliamentary Assembly, Kyiv
(Ukraine), 5-9 July 2007;
- Mr Dorić (Croatia, ALDE) who participated in the OSCE
Parliamentary Assembly 2007 autumn meeting, Portorož (Slovenia),
29 September to 2 October 2007.
38. On 22 November, the Bureau took note of the reports from the
following Representatives and decided to refer them to the competent
committees:
- Ms Lilliehöök (Sweden,
EPP/CD), who participated in the Parliamentary Conference on “Security through
co-operation in south-eastern Europe: the role of Parliamentarians”,
Portorož (Slovenia), 29-30 September 2007;
- Mr Bjørnstad (Norway, SOC), who participated in the session
of the Nordic Council, Oslo (Norway), 30 October to 1 November 2007.
39. On 17 December, the Bureau took note of a report by Mr Azzolini
(Italy, EPP/CD), who participated in the Second Plenary Session
of the Parliamentary Assembly of the Mediterranean, St Julian’s
(Malta), 22-24 November 2007 and decided to refer this report to
the competent committees.
2.21 Meetings elsewhere than in Strasbourg and Paris
40. On 5 October, the Bureau authorised the following
meetings:
- Committee on Culture,
Science and Education: Rome (Italy), 14 November 2007;
- Sub-Committee on International Economic Relations (of
the Committee on Economic Affairs and Development): Brussels (Belgium),
19-20 November 2007;
- Sub-Committee on Trafficking in Human Beings (of the Committee
on Equal Opportunities for Women and Men): Brussels (Belgium), 20
November 2007;
- Committee on Economic Affairs and Development: Brussels
(Belgium), 21 November 2007;
- Sub-Committee on Crime Problems and the Fight against
Terrorism; and Sub-Committee on Rights of Minorities and Sub-Committee
on Rights of Minorities (of the Committee on Legal Affairs and Human Rights):
Bratislava (Slovakia), 22 November 2007;
- Social, Health and Family Affairs Committee: Florence
(Italy), 7 December 2007.
41. On 17 December, the Bureau authorised the following meeting:
Committee on Equal Opportunities for Women and Men, Vienna (Austria),
end of April 2008 (dates to be indicated).
2.22 Visits by rapporteurs
42. On 5 October, the Bureau:
- authorised Mrs Durrieu, chairperson of the ad hoc committee,
to visit Israel and the Palestinian territories with a view to preparing
a tripartite forum, to extend this visit also to include Jordan;
- authorised Mrs Durrieu, rapporteur on “Strengthening co-operation
with the Maghreb countries”, to carry out a fact-finding visit to
the Arab League in Cairo on 26 November 2007 for a meeting with
its Secretary General, Mr Amr Moussa, for the purposes of her report.
43. On 17 December, the Bureau postponed its decision on the authorisation
of Mr Iwiński (Poland, SOC), Rapporteur of the Political Affairs
Committee on “request by the Parliament of Kazakhstan for observer
status with the Parliamentary Assembly”, to visit Kazakhstan in
autumn 2007 for the purposes of his report until the receipt of
the annual report to be presented to the Bureau by the Kazakhstan
Parliament in March 2008 regarding the progress achieved in the
promotion of principles of parliamentary democracy, the rule of
law and respect for human rights as well as fundamental freedoms.
3 Relations with other bodies of the Council of
Europe
3.1 Committee of Ministers
3.1.1 Meeting of the Joint Committee (Thursday, 24 January
2008 at 6.30 p.m.)
44. On 17 December, the Bureau agreed to include the
following items in the draft agenda:
a State
of ratification by Council of Europe member states of leading Council
of Europe conventions;
b The European Court of Human Rights: current and future
developments;
c Role of the Parliamentary Assembly at Council of Europe
ministerial conferences;
d Proposal for a CM-Assembly working group to assist the
Joint Committee in its work.
3.1.2 Role of the Parliamentary Assembly at Council
of Europe ministerial conferences
45. On 17 December, the Bureau took note of a letter
by Mr Schmied, Chairperson of the Committee on the Environment,
Agriculture and Local and Regional Affairs, on the role of the Parliamentary
Assembly at Council of Europe ministerial conferences and agreed
to raise this subject at the next Joint Committee meeting to be held
on 24 January 2008 (see above).
3.2 Election of judges to the European Court of Human
Rights
46. On 5 October, the Bureau took note of the timetable
foreseen for the term of office of judges to be elected at the January
2008 part-session.
47. On 22 November, the Bureau, following the withdrawal of the
last candidate submitted by the authorities of Ukraine – and in
accordance with Article 22, paragraph 1, of the European Convention
on Human Rights and paragraph 2 of the appendix to
Resolution 1432 (2005) –
decided to ask the Ukrainian authorities to complete the list of
candidates.
48. On 17 December, the Bureau:
- election
in respect of Luxembourg: agreed to propose to the Assembly to invite
the Luxembourg authorities to submit a new list of candidates;
- election in respect of Ukraine: agreed to reiterate its
invitation to the Ukrainian authorities to complete the list of
candidates already submitted, which was now incomplete following
the withdrawal of one candidate.
3.3 European Committee for the Prevention of Torture
and Inhuman or Degrading Treatment or Punishment (CPT)
49. On 5 October, the Bureau:
a. drew up lists of
candidates on the basis of the order of preference recommended by
the Sub-Committee on Human Rights and endorsed by the Committee
on Legal Affairs and Human Rights, with regard to the following countries:
- with regard to Andorra: Mr Joan-Miquel
Rascagneres Llagostera, Mr Joan Cabeza Gimenez, Ms Maria Neus Vives
Armengol
- with regard to Finland: Mrs Veronika Pimenoff, Mrs Sonja
Kurten-Vartio, Mr Jari Pirjola
- with regard to Romania: Mr Dan Dermengiu, Mrs Camelia
Doru, Mrs Alessandra Giusepina Greceanu
- with regard to the Russian Federation: Mrs Elena V. Sereda,
Mr Mikhail P. Fomichenko, Mr Alexander B. Shatilov
b. with regard to Armenia
and Poland, asked the two delegations to present new lists;
c. instructed the Secretary
General of the Assembly to return lists deemed not to be in fulfilment
of the criteria set out in Recommendation
1323 (1997).
50. On 22 November, the Bureau:
a. drew up lists of
candidates on the basis of the order of preference recommended by
the Sub-Committee on Human Rights and endorsed by the Committee
on Legal Affairs and Human Rights, with regard to the following countries:
- with regard to Malta: Mr Mario
Felice, Mr Ian Spiteri Bailey, Ms Mary Anne Agius
- with regard to San Marino: Mrs Maria Rita Morganti, Mr Lino
Zonzini, Mr Emanuele d’Amelio
- with regard to Latvia: Mrs Ilvija Pūce, Mrs Jolanta Vamze,
Mr Vitolds Zahars
- with regard to the Czech Republic: Mrs Anna Šabatová,
Mr František Valeš, Mr Jiri Kopal
b. with regard to Cyprus,
decided to ask the Cypriot delegation to present a new list.
51. On 17 December, the Bureau:
a. drew up lists of
candidates on the basis of the order of preference recommended by
the Sub-Committee on Human Rights and as endorsed by the Committee
on Legal Affairs and Human Rights, with regard to the following
countries:
- with regard to Armenia:
Mr Arman Vardanyan, Mrs Haykanush Parsamyan, Mr Ara Ustyan
- with regard to Greece: Mrs Haritini Dipla, Mrs Christina
Papadopoulou, Mr Athanasios Theodoridis
- with regard to Iceland: Mr Pétur Hauksson, Mrs Gudrun
Dogg Gudmundsdóttir, Mrs Gudbjorg Sveinsdóttir
- with regard to “the former Yugoslav Republic of Macedonia”:
Mr Vladimir Ortakov, Mr Gordan Kalajdziev, Mrs Zoja Katju
b. with regard to Albania,
decided to postpone consideration of the candidatures pending their
formal transmission by the Albanian delegation of the Parliamentary
Assembly of the Council of Europe;
c. with regard to Poland,
decided to invite the Polish delegation to present a new list of
candidates.
3.4 The European Commission for Democracy through
Law (Venice Commission)
52. On 5 October, on the proposal of the president, the
Bureau appointed Mr Ateş to succeed Mr Mota Amaral as representative
of the Assembly until the end of 2007.
4 Elections
4.1 Parliamentary elections in Ukraine (30 September
2007)
53. On 5 October, the Bureau:
- took note of a memorandum on the pre-electoral mission
undertaken from 4 to 6 September 2007;
- heard a report by Mrs Severinsen (Denmark, ALDE), chairperson
of the ad hoc committee which had observed these elections;
- decided to return to this matter at its next meeting.
54. On 22 November, the Bureau approved the report of the ad hoc
committee which had observed these elections (rapporteur: Mrs Severinsen
(Denmark, ALDE)).
55. On 23 November, the Standing Committee held an exchange of
views on the observation of the pre-term parliamentary elections
in Ukraine (30 September 2007), on the basis of the report of the
Bureau ad hoc committee.
4.2 Parliamentary elections in the Russian Federation
(2 December 2007)
56. On 5 October, the Bureau:
- approved the composition of the ad hoc committee that
would, subject to the receipt of an invitation, observe the elections;
appointed Mr Van den Brande (Belgium, EPP/CD) as its chairperson;
- approved the composition of the pre-electoral mission,
which would take place on 8 and 9 November 2007.
57. On 22 November, the Bureau:
- took
note of a report on a pre-electoral mission carried out on 8 and
9 November 2007;
- took note of an invitation letter from Mr Boris Gryzlov,
Chairman of the State Duma of the Russian Federation, to observe
these elections;
- confirmed its decision to observe these elections and
invited the chairpersons of the political groups to encourage members
to participate in the observation, with a view to the dispatch of
a delegation consisting of 55 members.
58. On 17 December, the Bureau approved the report of the ad hoc
committee which had observed these elections (rapporteur: Mr Van
den Brande, Belgium, EPP/CD) and decided to declassify it.
4.3 Presidential election in Georgia (5 January 2008)
59. On 22 November, the Bureau:
- took note of an invitation letter from Mrs Nino Burjanadze,
Chairperson of the Parliament of Georgia, to observe these elections;
- decided to observe these elections;
- agreed to set up an ad hoc committee to observe the elections
composed of 30 members, in accordance with the “D’Hondt system”
and appointed Mr Eörsi (Hungary, ALDE) as its chairperson;
- authorised a pre-electoral mission consisting of five
members – one from each political group who were also members of
the ad hoc committee – to be carried out from 5 to 7 December 2007;
and authorised the president to decide on the composition of the
pre-election mission, since it would be carried out prior to the
next meeting of the Bureau on 17 December 2007.
60. On 17 December, the Bureau:
- took
note of a report on a pre-electoral mission carried out from 5 to
7 December 2007;
- approved the composition of the ad hoc committee to observe
these elections.
4.4 Presidential election in Serbia (20 January 2008)
61. On 22 November, the Bureau:
- decided to observe these elections subject to the receipt
of an invitation;
- agreed to set up an ad hoc committee to observe these
elections composed of 30 members in accordance with the “D’Hondt
system”;
- authorised a pre-electoral mission consisting of five
members – one from each political group who were also members of
the ad hoc committee – on the understanding that it should take
place approximately one month ahead of the elections.
62. On 17 December, the Bureau:
- agreed
to observe these elections subject to the receipt of an invitation;
- agreed to establish for this purpose an ad hoc committee
consisting of 10 members – two from each political group – and invited
the political groups to make a proposal for the chairmanship of
the ad hoc committee, as the election would be held prior to the
next meeting of the Bureau (21 January 2008).
4.5 Parliamentary elections in Monaco (3 February
2008)
63. On 22 November, the Bureau:
- took note of an invitation letter from Mr Jean-Paul Proust,
Minister of State of Monaco, to observe these elections;
- decided to observe these elections;
- agreed to set up an ad hoc committee to observe the elections
composed of five members, one from each political group.
64. On 17 December, the Bureau agreed that the ad hoc committee
to observe these elections would be composed as follows: Mr Slutsky
(Russian Federation; SOC); Mr Vareikis (Lithuania; EPP/CD); Mr Marty (Switzerland;
ALDE); Mr Hunault (France; EDG) and Mr Laakso (Finland; UEL); and
appointed the latter as chairperson.
4.6 Presidential election in Armenia (19 February
2008)
65. On 22 November, the Bureau:
- decided to observe these elections subject to the receipt
of an invitation;
- agreed to set up an ad hoc committee to observe these
elections composed of 30 members, in accordance with the “D’Hondt
system”;
- authorised a pre-electoral mission consisting of five
members – one from each political group who were also members of
the ad hoc committee – on the understanding that it should take
place approximately one month ahead of the elections.
66. On 17 December, the Bureau approved the composition of the
ad hoc committee to observe these elections and appointed Mr Prescott
(United Kingdom; SOC) as its chairperson.
4.7 Presidential election in the Russian Federation
(2 March 2008)
67. On 17 December, the Bureau:
- decided to observe these elections, subject to the receipt
of an invitation;
- agreed to set up an ad hoc committee to observe the elections
composed of 30 members, in accordance with the “D’Hondt system”;
- authorised a pre-electoral mission consisting of five
members – one from each political group who were also members of
the ad hoc committee – on the understanding that it should take
place approximately one month ahead of the elections.
5 Other matters
5.1 Communications
68. On 22 November, the Bureau:
- took note of communications by the Secretary General and
the Deputy Secretary General of the Council of Europe;
- held an exchange of views on the medium-term strategy
of the Council of Europe and decided to return to this question
in the light of future developments;
- took note of a communication by the Secretary General
of the Parliamentary Assembly.
69. On 17 December, the Bureau took note of communications by
the Secretary General and the Deputy Secretary General of the Council
of Europe and the Secretary General of the Parliamentary Assembly.
Appendix 1
Monopolisation of the electronic media
and possible abuse of power in Italy
1. On 5 October, the Bureau:
- took note of a draft opinion by the Monitoring Committee
and declassified it;
- agreed to return to this matter at its next meeting.
2. On 22 November, the Bureau agreed to propose to the Assembly
that a monitoring procedure concerning the monopolisation of the
electronic media and the possible abuse of power in Italy should
not be opened at this stage, but that legislative developments in
that country should instead be followed in the Monitoring Committee’s
periodic reports, assisted, where necessary, by the Committee on
Culture, Science and Education and the Committee on Legal Affairs
and Human Rights.
3. According to paragraph 3 of the terms of reference of the
Monitoring Committee contained in
Resolution 1115 (1997) as modified
by
Resolution 1431 (2005),
in case both the Monitoring Committee and the Bureau consider that
there is no need to open a monitoring procedure, the Assembly shall
confirm this decision by a vote during the discussion of the progress
report of the Bureau. However, during that discussion the Assembly may
decide by a majority vote following a request by at least 10 members
that a debate be held during the next partsession on the written
opinion of the Monitoring Committee which then shall be transformed
into a report containing a draft resolution.
Appendix 2
References and transmissions to committees
On 17 December, the Bureau approved the following references
and modifications of references, subject to ratification by the
Assembly:
references to committees
Motion for a recommendation presented by Mrs Papadopoulos
and others, The underground economy in the wider Europe, consultation
of the Committee on Economic Affairs and Development on the possible follow-up, taking into account
the discussion of the Bureau
Motion for a resolution presented by Mr de Puig and others,
The eradication of discrimination based on the principle of “collective
guilt” in Europe, to the Committee on Legal Affairs and Human Rights, for report
[Parliamentary Assembly of the
Council of Europe priority: Strengthening democracy, good governance
and the rule of law in member states (fighting against discrimination)]
Motion for a recommendation presented by Mr Kaikkonen and
others, Changing the name of the Council of Europe, consultation
of the Political Affairs Committee and the Committee on Rules of
Procedure and Immunities on the possible
follow-up
Motion for a recommendation presented by Mr Chope and others,
Threat to human rights from the situation in Zimbabwe, to the Political
Affairs Committee, for information
Motion for a recommendation presented by Mr de Puig and others,
Electronic democracy, to the Political Affairs Committee, for report,
and to the Committee on Rules of Procedure and Immunities, for opinion,
taking into account the current work of the Council for Democratic
Elections of the Venice Commission and the preparation of the next
Forum for the Future of Democracy in Spain in 2008
[Parliamentary Assembly of the
Council of Europe priority: Strengthening democracy, good governance
and the rule of law in member states]
Motion for a recommendation presented by Mrs Durrieu and others,
Stepping up co-operation with Libya and Mauritania, to the Political
Affairs Committee to be taken into account in the preparation of
the report on “Strengthening co-operation with the Maghreb countries”
Motion for a recommendation presented by Mr Melčák and others,
Economic impact of the current waste-related legislation, to the
Committee on Economic Affairs and Development and to the Committee
on the Environment, Agriculture and Local and Regional Affairs, for information
Motion for a resolution presented by Mr Rochebloine and others,
Violation of obligations undertaken by Azerbaijan in respect of
the protection of the rights of national minorities, to the Committee
on the Honouring of Obligations and Commitments by Member States
of the Council of Europe (Monitoring Committee), for information
Motion for a recommendation presented by Mr Keskin and others,
Making multiple nationality an important component of modern integration
policy throughout Europe, to the Committee on Legal Affairs and
Human Rights, for information
Motion for a recommendation presented by Mr Jurgens and others,
Discrimination on the basis of sexual orientation and gender identity,
to the Committee on Legal Affairs and Human Rights, for report, and to the Committee
on Equal Opportunities for Women and Men, for
opinion
[Parliamentary Assembly of the
Council of Europe priority: Building a more humane and inclusive
Europe; strengthening the fight against racism, xenophobia and intolerance]
Motion for a resolution presented by Mrs Beck and others Right
to a fair trial for Yukos executives, to the Committee on Legal
Affairs and Human Rights, for information
Motion for a recommendation presented by Mr Prescott and others,
For a greater commitment of member states concerning the efficiency
and implementation of the Council of Europe Treaty Law, to the Committee
on Legal Affairs and Human Rights, for
report
[Parliamentary Assembly of the
Council of Europe priority: Promoting common fundamental values:
human rights, rule of law and democracy; Ensuring compliance with
the obligations and commitments entered into by member states]
Motion for a recommendation presented by Mrs Jonker and others,
Housing, land and property considerations as part of durable solutions
for refugees and displaced persons, consultation of the Committee
on Migration, Refugees and Population on
the possible follow-up, to take into account other motions tabled
on related subjects
Motion for a resolution presented by Mr Mendes Bota and others,
Involving men to achieve gender equality, to the Committee on Equal
Opportunities for Women and Men, for
report at the Standing Committee
[Parliamentary Assembly of the
Council of Europe priority: Reinforcing and expanding the protection
of human rights; Responding to common threats to Europeans (violence
against women)]
Motion for a resolution presented by Mr Lotman and others,
The situation of human rights in China and Tibet, to the Committee
on Legal Affairs and Human Rights, for
report
[Parliamentary Assembly of the
Council of Europe priority: Promoting common fundamental values:
human rights, rule of law and democracy]
Motion for a resolution presented by Mr Evans and others Growing
food or fuel?, to the Committee on the Environment, Agriculture
and Local and Regional Affairs, for report
at the Standing Committee
[Parliamentary Assembly of the
Council of Europe priority: Promoting sustainable development (climate,
water, energy, pollution)]
Motion for a resolution presented by Mr Huss and others Noise
pollution and the environment, to the Committee on the Environment,
Agriculture and Local and Regional Affairs, for
information
Motion for a recommendation presented by Mr Platvoet and others,
A study of history teaching in Bosnia and Herzegovina, to the Committee
on Culture, Science and Education, for
a report on history teaching of recent conflicts
[Parliamentary Assembly of the
Council of Europe priority: Developing intercultural and inter-religious
dialogue, protecting cultural diversity and strengthening the fight
against racism, xenophobia and intolerance]
request to extend a reference
Motion for a recommendation presented by Mr Bernard Marquet
and others, Child and teenage suicide in Europe: a serious public
health issue
Reference No. 3164 of 23 January 2006 – Validity: 23 January
2008, extension until 23 April 2008
request to modify a reference
Motion for a resolution presented by Mrs Vermot-Mangold and
others, The role of parliamentarians in promoting the rapid entry
into force of the Council of Europe Convention on Action against
Trafficking in Human Beings and its ratification by as many states
as possible, to the Committee on Equal Opportunities for Women and
Men, for report, and to the
Committee on Legal Affairs and Human Rights, for
opinion
[Parliamentary Assembly of the
Council of Europe priority: Responding to common threats to Europeans (trafficking
in human beings)]
