Activities of the Assembly’s Bureau and Standing Committee (22 June 2026)

Progress report | Doc. 16430 Add. 1 | 22 June 2026

Author(s):: Bureau of the Assembly

1 Decisions of the Bureau of 22 June 2026 requiring ratification by the Assembly

1.1 References and transmissions to committees

The Bureau considered and approved the following references:

Empowering youth in the digital age: towards creative, democratic and competence-based approaches to online participation, Doc. 16384, motion for a resolution: reference to the Committee on Culture, Science, Education and Media for report;
Hate crimes against Christians in Europe, Doc. 16388, motion for a resolution: transmission to the Committee on Equality and Non-Discrimination for information;
Addressing the issue of drug facilitated sexual violence and the online platforms used by perpetrators, Doc. 16390, motion for a resolution: transmission to the Committee on Equality and Non-Discrimination for information;
Council of Europe action to protect the human rights of migrants, asylum-seekers and refugees, Doc. 16387, motion for a resolution, and The Parliamentary Assembly has to play an active role in the process launched by the Secretary General concerning migration, human rights and security, Doc. 16391, motion for a resolution: reference to the Committee on Migration, International Protection and Economic Co-operation for a single report, and to the Committee on Legal Affairs and Human Rights for opinion;
The Venice Biennale and a framework for Russia's participation in international cultural events, Doc. 16392, motion for a resolution: reference to the Committee on Culture, Science, Education and Media for report;
Brain drain and demographic challenges in the Western Balkans, Doc. 16393, motion for a resolution: reference to the Committee on Migration, International Protection and Economic Co-operation for report and to the Committee on Culture, Science, Education and Media for opinion;
Human rights challenges in the North Caucasus, Doc. 16395, motion for a resolution: reference to the Committee on Legal Affairs and Human Rights for report;
Reported cases of political prisoners in Europe, Doc. 16405, motion for a resolution: reference to the Committee on Legal Affairs and Human Rights for report;
Migration and Europe’s colonial past: towards historical justice and democratic resilience, Doc. 16407, motion for a resolution: reference to the Committee on Migration, International Protection and Economic Co-operation for report.

1.2 Modification of a reference

The Bureau approved the following modification of reference:

Mainstreaming remembrance: preserving the historical memory of Roma and Travellers to counter Antigypsyism, Doc. 16300, reference 4930 of 26 January 2026 – validity: 26 January 2028, motion for a resolution: reference to the Committee on Equality and Non-Discrimination for report and to the Committee on Culture, Science, Education and Media for opinion

1.3 Follow-up to the Standing Committee meeting (Monaco, 22 May 2026)

The Bureau heard a presentation by the Secretary General of the Assembly and decided to refer to the Committee on Rules, Ethics and Immunities the follow-up to Resolution 2656 (2026) “Restructuring and streamlining of the Assembly’s Rules of Procedure” (modalities concerning guests of the Assembly) to be taken into account in the preparation of the report Applying ethical standards to the members of all delegations participating in the work of the Parliamentary Assembly.

1.4 Composition of the Honouring of Obligations and Commitments by Member States of the Council of Europe (Monitoring Committee)

On the basis of a proposal by the ECPA Group, the Bureau nominated Mr Lőrinc NACSA (Hungary) as member.

The Assembly is invited to ratify these Bureau decisions.

2 Other decisions by the Bureau

2.1 Third part-session of 2026 (Strasbourg, 22-26 June)

2.1.1 Request for a debate under urgent procedure

The Bureau took note of the request presented by the Committee on Equality and Non-Discrimination Women’s access to justice: decided to recommend to the Assembly to hold this debate, and to refer the matter to the Committee on Equality and Non-Discrimination for report.

2.1.2 Requests for current affairs debates

The Bureau took note:

of the request tabled by the Committee on Migration, International Protection and Economic Co-operation Follow-up to the Chişinău Declaration – Council of Europe action in the field of migration: decided to modify the title into Migration to Europe, to recommend to the Assembly to hold this debate, and appointed Ms Sandra Zampa (Italy, SOC) as first speaker;
of the request tabled by Ms Kearns and 21 members of the Assembly Jimmy Lai: decided to recommend to the Assembly not to hold this debate;
of the request tabled by the Socialists, Democrats and Greens Group The functioning of the judicial system and the crackdown on the opposition in Türkiye: decided to recommend to the Assembly to hold this debate, and appointed Lord David Blencathra (United Kingdom, ECPA) as first speaker;
of the request tabled by Ms Göka and 19 members of the Assembly Protecting the right to education in Gaza: decided to recommend to the Assembly not to hold this debate.

2.1.3 Draft agenda

The Bureau updated the agenda of the part-session and decided to limit the speaking time to two minutes on Tuesday, Wednesday and Thursday.

2.1.4 Joint Committee

The Bureau prepared the meeting of the Joint Committee.

2.2 Progress report of the Bureau of the Assembly and of the Standing Committee (25 April – 22 June 2026)

The Bureau approved the Progress report (Doc. 16430).

2.3 Election observation

2.3.1 Hungary: parliamentary elections (12 April 2026)

The Bureau approved the observation report of the parliamentary elections.

2.3.2 Bulgaria: early parliamentary elections (19 April 2026)

The Bureau approved the observation report of the early parliamentary elections.

2.3.3 Armenia: parliamentary elections (7 June 2026)

The Bureau took note of the statement of the observation mission.

2.3.4 Assembly of KosovoNote: early elections (7 June 2026)

The Bureau took note of the statement of the observation mission.

2.3.5 Kazakhstan: early parliamentary elections (August 2026, date tbc)

The Bureau decided to increase the size of the delegation to 20 members (SOC: 7; EPP/CD: 5; ECPA: 4; ALDE: 3; UEL:1) and approved the revised list of members of the ad hoc committee to observe these elections (Appendix 1).

2.3.6 Morocco: parliamentary elections (23 September 2026)

The Bureau approved the list of members of the ad hoc committee to observe these elections (Appendix 2) and appointed Ms Elisabetta Gardini (Italy, ECPA) as its chairperson and Mr George Loucaides (Cyprus, UEL) as its vice-chairperson.

2.3.7 Bosnia and Herzegovina: general elections (4 October 2026)

The Bureau approved the revised list of members of the ad hoc committee to observe these elections (Appendix 3) and declassified the memorandum prepared by the Secretary General of the Assembly on “Proposal for testing the feasibility of observing out-of-country voting in the context of the general elections in Bosnia and Herzegovina (4 October 2026)“.

2.4 Platform for dialogue between the Assembly and Russian democratic forces

The Bureau took note of the declaration which Platform members will be asked to sign, explicitly acknowledging their commitment to the principles and values of the Council of Europe, including respect for diversity and equality (Appendix 4).

2.5 Václav Havel Human Rights Prize

The Bureau took note of the memorandum prepared by the Secretary General of the Assembly and decided to re-appoint Ms Liliane Maury Pasquier as member of the Selection Panel.

2.6 European Holocaust Memorial Day for Roma and Sinti, Auschwitz-Birkenau, Poland, 2 August 2026

The Bureau decided to set up an ad hoc committee of the Bureau to participate in this event and invited the committees to designate members.

2.7 Communications

The Bureau took note of the communication by the President of the Assembly and held an exchange of views with the Secretary General of the Council of Europe.

The Bureau also thanked the Deputy Secretary General of the Council of Europe, Mr Bjørn Berge, for all his work for the Organisation.

Appendix 1 – Revised list of members of the ad hoc committee for the observation of the early parliamentary elections of Kazakhstan (August 2026, date tbc)

Chairperson / Présidente: Ms / Mme Sevilay ÇELENK, Türkiye

Vice-Chairperson / Vice-présidente: Ms / Mme Boriana ÅBERG, Sweden / Suède

Socialists, Democrats and Greens Group / Groupe des socialistes, démocrates et verts (SOC)

Substitutes / Suppléant·es

Ms / Mme Aysu BANKOGLU,Türkiye
Mr / M. Yunus EMRE, Türkiye
Ms / Mme Edite ESTRELA, Portugal
Ms / Mme Camilla FABRICIUS, Denmark / Danemark
Ms / Mme Aurora FLORIDIA, Italy / Italie
Mr / M. Gerardo GIOVAGNOLI, San Marino / Saint-Marin
Ms / Mme Annick LAMBRECHT, Belgium / Belgique
Ms / Mme Iris LUARASI, Albania / Albanie
Ms / Mme Luz MARTINEZ SEIJO, Spain / Espagne
Mr / M. Fabian MOLINA, Switzerland / Suisse
Ms / Mme Wanda NOWICKA, Poland / Pologne
Mr / M. Ivan RACAN, Croatia / Croatie
Mr / M. Roberto SPERANZA, Italy / Italie

Group of the European People’s Party (EPP/CD) / Groupe du Parti populaire européen (PPE/DC)

Ms / Mme Boriana ÅBERG, Sweden / Suède**
ZZ
ZZ

Substitutes / Suppléant·es

Mr / M. Garret AHEARN, Ireland / Irlande**
Ms / Mme Elvira KOVÁCS, Serbia / Serbie**
Ms / Mme Nađa LAKOVIĆ, Montenegro / Monténégro **
Mr / M. Cristian-Augustin NICULESCU-ȚÂGÂRLAȘ, Romania / Roumanie
Mr / M. Joseph O'REILLY, Ireland / Irlande
Mr / M. Tekke PANMAN, Netherlands / Pays Bas**
Mr / M. Georgios STAMATIS, Greece / Grèce**

European Conservatives, Patriots & Affiliates (ECPA) / Conservateurs européens, Patriotes et Affiliés (CEPA)

Lord David BLENCATHRA, United Kingdom / Royaume-Uni
Mr / M. Zsolt NÉMETH, Hungary / Hongrie

Substitutes / Suppléant·es

Mr / M. Axel KASSEGGER, Austria / Autriche
Mr / M. Malte KAUFMANN, Germany / Allemagne
Mr / M. José María SÁNCHEZ GARCÍA, Spain / Espagne
Ms / Mme Victoria TIBLOM, Sweden / Suède

Alliance of Liberals and Democrats for Europe (ALDE) / Alliance des démocrates et des libéraux pour l’Europe (ADLE)

Mr / M. Mehmet AKALIN, Türkiye
Mr / M. Claude KERN, France

Substitutes / Suppléant·es

Mr / M. Damien COTTIER, Switzerland / Suisse
Mr / M. Manu DIERICX, Belgium / Belgique
Ms / Mme Valentina GRIPPO, Italy / Italie
Mr / M. Andries GRYFFROY, Belgium / Belgique
Mr / M. Arminas LYDEKA, Lithuania / Lituanie
Ms / Mme Tamila TASHEVA, Ukraine

Group of the Unified European Left (UEL) / Groupe pour la gauche unitaire européenne (GUE)

Ms / Mme Sevilay ÇELENK, Türkiye

Substitutes / Suppléant·es

Ms / Mme Semra ÇAĞLAR GÖKALP, Türkiye
Mr / M. Arnaldo LOMUTI, Italy / Italie

Accompanying person / Personne accompagnatrice

Lady Tara BLENCATHRA, accompanying Lord David BLENCATHRA

** subject to receiving the declaration of interest / sous réserve de recevoir la déclaration d’intérêts

Appendix 2 – List of members of the ad hoc committee for the observation of the parliamentary elections of Morocco (23 September 2026)

Chairperson / Président·e: ZZ

Vice-Chairperson / Vice-président·e: ZZ

Socialists, Democrats and Greens Group / Groupe des socialistes, démocrates et verts (SOC)

Mr / M. Titus CORLATEAN, Romania / Roumanie
Ms / Mme Edite ESTRELA, Portugal
Mr / M. Antonio GUTIERREZ-LIMONES, Spain / Espagne
Ms / Mme Saskia KLUIT, Netherlands / Pays-Bas **
Ms / Mme Annick LAMBRECHT, Belgium / Belgique
Mr / M. Francesco VERDUCCI, Italy / Italie *
Ms / Mme Sandra ZAMPA, Italy / Italie

Substitutes / Suppléant·es

Mr / M. Yunus EMRE, Türkiye
Mr / M. Julian JOSWIG, Germany / Allemagne
Mr / M. Ivan RACAN, Croatia / Croatie
Mr / M. Roverto SPERANZA, Italy / Italie

Group of the European People’s Party (EPP/CD) / Groupe du Parti populaire européen (PPE/DC)

Substitutes / Suppléant·es

Mr / M. Pablo HISPÁN, Spain / Espagne**
Mr / M. Cristian-Augustin NICULESCU-ȚÂGÂRLAȘ, Romania / Roumanie
Mr / M. Georgios STAMATIS, Greece / Grèce
Ms / Mme Albana VOKSHI, Albania / Albanie

European Conservatives, Patriots & Affiliates (ECPA) / Conservateurs européens, Patriotes et Affiliés (CEPA)

Ms / Mme Elisabetta GARDINI, Italy / Italie
Ms / Mme Victoria TIBLOM, Sweden / Suède
Baroness Thérèse COFFEY, United Kingdom / Royaume-Uni **
Mr / M. Oleksii GONCHARENKO, Ukraine

Substitutes / Suppléant·es

Mr / M. Malte KAUFMANN, Germany / Allemagne
Mr / M. Fabio PIETRELLA, Italy / Italie
Mr / M. Markus WIECHEL, Sweden / Suède

Alliance of Liberals and Democrats for Europe (ALDE) / Alliance des démocrates et des libéraux pour l’Europe (ADLE)

Ms / Mme Valentina GRIPPO, Italy / Italie *
Mr / M. Claude KERN, France
Mr / M. Oleksandr MEREZHKO, Ukraine

Substitutes / Suppléant·es

Mr / M. Mehmet AKALIN, Türkiye
Mr / M. Arminas LYDEKA, Lithuania / Lituanie
Ms / Mme Yuliia OVCHYNNYKOVA, Ukraine
Ms / Mme Marijana PULJAK, Croatia / Croatie
Ms / Mme Liliana TANGUY, France
Ms / Mme Tamila TASHEVA, Ukraine

Group of the Unified European Left (UEL) / Groupe pour la gauche unitaire européenne (GUE)

Mr / M. George LOUCAIDES, Cyprus / Chypre* **

Substitutes / Suppléant·es

Ms / Mme Gabrielle CATHALA, France**
Ms / Mme Sevilay ÇELENK, Türkiye

* Pre-electoral mission / mission préélectorale

** subject to receiving the declaration of interest / sous réserve de recevoir la déclaration d’intérêts

Appendix 3 – List of members of the ad hoc committee for the observation of the general elections of Bosnia and Herzegovina (4 October 2026)

Chairperson / Président: Mr / M. Jone BLIKRA, Norway / Norvège

Vice-Chairperson / Vice-Présidente: Ms / Mme Yevheniia KRAVCHUK, Ukraine

Socialists, Democrats and Greens Group / Groupe des socialistes, démocrates et verts (SOC)

Mr / M. Jone BLIKRA, Norway / Norvège *
Mr / M. Piero FASSINO, Italy / Italie
Mr / M. Nuno FAZENDA, Portugal
Mr / M. Mike READER, United Kingdom / Royaume-Uni
ZZ
ZZ
ZZ

Substitutes / Suppléant·es

Ms / Mme Aysu BANKOGLU, Türkiye
Ms / Mme Bisera KOSTADINOVSKA-STOJCHEVSKA, North Macedonia / Macédoine du Nord
Mr / M. Julian JOSWIG, Germany / Allemagne
Ms / Mme Annick LAMBRECHT, Belgium / Belgique
Ms / Mme Wanda NOWICKA, Poland / Pologne
Ms / Mme Aleksandra VUKOVIĆ KUČ, Montenegro / Monténégro

Group of the European People’s Party (EPP/CD) / Groupe du Parti populaire européen (PPE/DC)

Substitutes / Suppléant·es

Mr / M. Garret AHEARN, Ireland / Irlande
Mr / M. Ricardo CARVALHO, Portugal
Ms / Mme Marie-Christine DALLOZ, France **
Ms / Mme Andrea EDER-GITSCHTHALER, Austria / Autriche
Ms / Mme Nađa LAKOVIĆ, Montenegro / Monténégro
Mr / M. Cristian-Augustin NICULESCU-ȚÂGÂRLAȘ, Romania / Roumanie
Mr / M. Tekke PANMAN, The Netherlands / Pays-Bas **
Mr / M. Marko PAVIĆ, Croatia / Croatie
Mr / M. Georgios STAMATIS, Greece / Grèce

European Conservatives, Patriots & Affiliates (ECPA) / Conservateurs européens, Patriotes et Affiliés (CEPA)

Ms / Mme Elisabetta GARDINI, Italy / Italie *
Mr / M. Fabio PIETRELLA, Italy / Italie
Mr / M. José María SÁNCHEZ GARCÍA, Spain / Espagne
Ms / Mme Victoria TIBLOM, Sweden / Suède

Alliance of Liberals and Democrats for Europe (ALDE) / Alliance des démocrates et des libéraux pour l’Europe (ADLE)

Mr / M. Nikolla CAMAJ, Montenegro / Monténégro
Ms / Mme Yevheniia KRAVCHUK, Ukraine
Ms / Mme Lucia PLAVÁKOVÁ, Slovak Republic / République slovaque *

Substitutes / Suppléant·es

Mr / M. Mehmet AKALIN, Türkiye
Ms / Mme Valentina GRIPPO, Italy / Italie
Mr / M. Arminas LYDEKA, Lithuania / Lituanie
Ms / Mme Yuliia OVCHYNNYKOVA, Ukraine
Ms / Mme Tamila TASHEVA, Ukraine

Group of the Unified European Left (UEL) / Groupe pour la gauche unitaire européenne (GUE)

Mr / M. George LOUCAIDES, Cyprus / Chypre * **

Co-rapporteur.es AS/MON (ex officio)

Mr / M. Pablo HISPÁN, Spain, EPP/CD / Espagne, PPE/DC *
Ms / Mme Oana MURARIU, Romania, ALDE / Roumanie, ADLE *

* Pre-electoral mission / Mission préélectorale

** Subject to receiving the declaration of interest / sous réserve de recevoir la déclaration d’intérêts

Appendix 4 – Declaration by Participants of the Platform for Dialogue with Russian democratic forces

As a participant of the Platform, I conduct myself in a manner consistent with Resolution 2621 (2025), and with the values and ethical standards of the Council of Europe.

In particular, I undertake:

to carry out my role responsibly, with integrity and honesty, and with due respect for the principles of human dignity, equality and non-discrimination;

to act in the public interest and refrain from using my participation in the Platform for personal gain or to secure undue advantage for any individual or organisation;

in situations where current or previous personal, professional or organisational affiliations or commitments could raise questions as to their compatibility with the values and ethical standards of the Council of Europe, to disclose them in writing to the secretariat of the Parliamentary Assembly;

to respect the confidentiality of information and documents received in the framework of the Platform's work;

to contribute to discussions in a respectful and constructive manner and not act in such a way as to bring the Assembly into disrepute or damage the reputation and integrity of the Assembly or its members.

Name:....................................................

Date:....................................................

Signature:................................................