The Bureau took note of the report drawn up by the Committee on the Election of Judges which has assessed the qualifications of the three candidates to the post of judge to the Court in respect of Albania and recommended that the list be rejected (Doc. 14289 Addendum 2).
On the basis of a proposal by the EC Group, the Bureau nominated Ms Ingebjørg Godskesen (Norway).
The Bureau approved the revised terms of reference of a general rapporteur on the rights of LGBTIs people (Appendix 1) and the terms of reference of a general rapporteur on conditions of reception of refugees and migrants (Appendix 2).
The Assembly is invited to ratify the above proposals made by the Bureau.
The Bureau decided to propose to the Assembly not to hold a debate under urgent procedure on Political consequences of the new Israeli Settlement Regulation Law and that, should the Assembly decide to hold such a debate, the matter be referred to the Committee on Political Affairs and Democracy for report.
The Bureau decided to propose to the Assembly to hold a debate under urgent procedure on the Draft Council of Europe Convention on Offences relating to Cultural Property (Request for an Opinion from the Committee of Ministers (CM (2017) 32)),and to refer the matter to the Committee on Culture, Science, Education and Media for report.
The Bureau decided to propose to the Assembly to hold a debate under urgent procedure on Alarming developments in Hungary: new NGO law restricting civil society and closure of international university and to refer the matter to the Committee on Political Affairs and Democracy for report.
The Bureau decided to propose to the Assembly not to hold a debate under urgent procedure on Introducing an impeachment procedure for Members holding elected office in the Parliamentary Assembly and that, should the Assembly decide to hold such a debate, the matter be referred to the Committee on Rules of Procedure, Immunities and Institutional Affairs for report.
The Bureau decided to propose to the Assembly to hold a current affairs debate on European values under threat: addressing rising xenophobia, antisemitism and islamophobia in Europe and designated Mr Talip Küçükcan (Turkey, EC) as the first speaker.
The Bureau updated the draft agenda.
The Bureau approved the report of the ad hoc committee.
The Bureau heard a statement by the President of the Assembly (including explanations provided in reply to questions on his trip to Syria in his personal capacity) and decided to continue the discussion on this item.
The Bureau authorised Mr Attila Korodi (Romania, EPP/CD), rapporteur on Libya’s future between the threats of terrorism and a democratic prospect, to carry out a fact-finding visit to Tunisia in 2017, in the framework of the preparation of his report.
It also authorised Mr Alain Destexhe (Belgium, ALDE), rapporteur on The evaluation of the partnership for democracy in respect of the Parliament of the Kyrgyz Republic, to carry out fact-finding visits to Kyrgyzstan and Uzbekistan in 2017, in the framework of the preparation of his report.
The Bureau authorised Mr Duarte Marques (Portugal, EPP/CD), rapporteur on A comprehensive humanitarian and political response to the migration crisis in Europe, to carry out a fact-finding visit to Morocco, in the framework of the preparation of his report.
The Bureau took note of the decision of the Committee on Social Affairs, Health and Sustainable Development to abolish the general rapporteurship on children.
New denomination: General rapporteur on the rights of lesbian, gay, bisexual, transgender and intersex people (LGBTIs).
Term of office: one year renewable, subject to a maximum of two years.
Subject: it is the duty of the general rapporteur on LGBTI rights to intervene in the area of the protection and the promotion of the rights of LGBTI people, particularly on issues related to discrimination on grounds of sexual orientation and gender identity. He or she shall report periodically to the committee on the information collected and the action taken.
Responsibilities: The role of the general rapporteur is to:
Denomination: General Rapporteur on Conditions of Reception of Refugees and Migrants
Term of office: one year renewable, subject to a maximum of two years
Subject: the General Rapporteur on Conditions of Reception of Refugees and Migrants is mandated to examine the conditions of reception of refugees and migrants in Council of Europe member States.
Responsibilities: the General Rapporteur shall contribute to raising awareness in Council of Europe member States of concerns relating to conditions in reception facilities for refugees and migrants. S/he will promote good practice and implementation of international standards in this area. S/he shall act as an early warning mechanism in relation to new or evolving situations of concern, making representations to national authorities, as appropriate, alerting the Committee on Migration, Refugees and Displaced Persons to such situations, and where necessary proposing further action at Committee level.
In addition, the role of the General Rapporteur on conditions of reception of refugees and migrants is to: