Challenge on procedural grounds of the still unratified credentials of the parliamentary delegation of the Slovak Republic

1On 23 January 2017, at the opening of the Parliamentary Assembly session, the still unratified credentials of the parliamentary delegation of the Slovak Republic were challenged on procedural grounds, in accordance with Rule 7.1 of the Assembly’s Rules of Procedure, on the ground that the delegation comprised no female representative in violation of Rule 6.2.a of the Rules of Procedure.

2The Parliamentary Assembly reiterates its commitment to promoting the balanced representation of women and men in political and public decision making and to applying the principle of gender equality in its internal structures, in particular by encouraging a balanced representation of women and men in national delegations.

3The Assembly notes that the composition of the Slovak delegation does not fulfil the conditions laid down in Rule 6.2.a of the Rules of Procedure and that its credentials have been legitimately challenged. It notes that the delegation has stated that it undertakes to ensure full compliance with the condition laid down by the Rules of Procedure at the earliest opportunity.

4Accordingly, the Assembly decides to ratify the credentials of the Slovak parliamentary delegation, but to suspend the voting rights of its members in the Assembly and its bodies in accordance with Rule 10.1.c of the Rules of Procedure, with effect from the beginning of the Assembly’s April 2017 part-session, if the composition of the delegation has not been brought into conformity with Rule 6.2.a of the Rules of Procedure insofar as it relates to the appointment in the delegation of, at a very minimum, one member of the under-represented sex as a representative.