Activities of the Assembly’s Bureau and Standing Committee (5 October 2012-20 January 2013)

Progress report | Doc. 13094 | 19 January 2013

Committee: Bureau of the Assembly
Rapporteur :: Mr Tiny KOX, Netherlands, UEL
Thesaurus

2Activities of the Bureau since the last part-session

3Activities of the Standing Committee (Andorra la Vella, 30 November 2012)

4Decisions of the Bureau requiring ratification by the Assembly

5Gender equality in the functioning of the Assembly

Appendix 1– Declaration by the Bureau of the Parliamentary Assembly on “The North-South Centre and the Arab countries in transition”

Appendix 2– Declaration

Appendix 3– AS/Bur (2012) 85 (18 December 2012)

Appendix 4– Tables

1 Introduction

1. At its meeting on 5 October 2012, the Bureau appointed me as rapporteur for this report. Since then, the Bureau has met twice, on 29 November 2012 in Andorra la Vella and on 17 December 2012 in Paris. The Standing Committee met on 30 November 2012 in Andorra la Vella.

2. In line with my predecessors, this progress report covers the period outside of Assembly sessions, leaving aside the decisions which have already been ratified by the Assembly. Therefore, this report presents the Bureau’s activities since the end of the 4th part-session of 2012 (1-5 October 2012) until the 1st part-session of 2013 (21-25 January 2013).

3. The Bureau will hold its next meetings in Strasbourg on Monday 21 January 2013 at 8 a.m. and Friday 25 January 2013 at 8.30 a.m. (in Strasbourg, during the 1st part-session), then on 7 March 2013 in Paris. The next meeting of the Standing Committee will also be held in Paris on 8 March 2013.

2 Activities of the Bureau since the last part-session

2.1 Follow-up to the Assembly’s Resolutions

2.1.1 Follow-up to the fourth part-session of 2012 (Strasbourg, 1-5 October 2012)

4. On 5 October 2012, the Bureau approved the following proposals made by the Secretary General of the Parliamentary Assembly:

Resolution 1897 (2012) on ensuring greater democracy in elections: the Bureau decided to convene a meeting of chairpersons of ad hoc committees to observe elections in 2008-2012 during the January 2013 part-session to discuss follow-up to paragraphs 9 and 10 of the Resolution, and to invite the Secretary General of the Assembly to prepare a memorandum for the Bureau meeting of 17 December 2012 containing proposals on this issue;
Resolution 1898 (2012) on political parties and women’s political representation: the Bureau decided to ask the leaders of political groups to take action on the recommendations stated in paragraphs 8 and 9 of the Resolution, and to ask the Committee on Equality and Non-Discrimination to organise one or more events on women’s political representation for the parliaments of member States in which women’s representation is below 10%;
Resolution 1903 (2012) on the code of conduct of members of the Parliamentary Assembly: good practice or a core duty?: the Bureau decided to invite the Secretary General of the Assembly to submit to the Bureau proposals for the revision of the existing rules on “Access to the Palais de l’Europe and use of offices” and on “Special rules on honorary association with the Parliamentary Assembly”, and to implement the provision regarding the register of gifts or similar benefits accepted by members of a value exceeding 200€ (paragraph 14 of the Code). It also invited the Secretary General of the Assembly to prepare proposals for revising the “Guidelines for the observation of elections by the Parliamentary Assembly” as regards amending the provisions concerning conflict of interest and the clarification of the declaratory requirements incumbent on members of the ad hoc Committees; the absence of conflict of interest of locally recruited staff; the modalities of drafting election observation reports; and the code of conduct during pre-electoral and election missions.

2.1.2 Follow-up to the Standing Committee meeting (Andorra la Vella, 30 November 2012)

5. On 17 December 2012, the Bureau invited the Committee on Legal Affairs and Human Rights to consider the possible follow-up regarding the establishment of a mechanism for the treatment of victims of human rights violations.

2.2 First part-session of 2013 (Strasbourg, 21-25 January 2013)

6. On 17 December 2012, the Bureau drew up the draft agenda of the part-session in question.

2.3 Election observation

2.3.1 Revised Guidelines for the observation of elections by the Parliamentary Assembly

7. On 29 November 2012, the Bureau considered the revised Guidelines, which were further amended and approved at its meeting on 17 December 2012, subject to ratification by the Assembly in the framework of this report.

2.3.2 Follow-up to Paragraphs 9 and 10 of Resolution 1897 (2012) (Report “For more democratic elections”, Doc 13021)

8. On 17 December 2012, the Bureau took note of the memorandum prepared by the Secretary General of the Assembly containing proposals for strengthening synergies and enhancing the follow-up given to recommendations made in election observation reports as advocated in paragraphs 9 and 10 of Resolution 1897 (2012), and agreed to make it available to the meeting of Chairpersons of ad hoc Committees for the observation of elections (Strasbourg, 22 January 2013).

2.3.3 Meeting of the Chairpersons of Ad Hoc Committees for the observation of elections, 22 January 2013

9. On 29 November 2012, the Bureau took note of the agenda of the meeting.

2.3.4 Schedule of elections 2013

10. On 17 December 2012, the Bureau took note of a memorandum prepared by the Secretary General of the Assembly.

2.3.5 Parliamentary elections in Georgia (1 October 2012)

11. The Bureau, on 29 November 2012, approved the report issued by the ad hoc committee.

2.3.6 Early parliamentary elections in Montenegro (14 October 2012)

12. The Bureau, on 29 November 2012, approved the report issued by the ad hoc committee.

2.3.7 Parliamentary elections in Ukraine (28 October 2012)

13. The Bureau, on 29 November 2012, approved the report issued by the ad hoc committee.

2.3.8 Parliamentary elections in Monaco (10 February 2013)

14. On 5 October 2012, the Bureau decided to observe these elections, to constitute an ad hoc committee for this purpose composed of 6 members, including one from each political group and the Rapporteur for the post-monitoring dialogue with Monaco. At its meeting on 17 December 2012, the Bureau approved the composition of the ad hoc committee and appointed Mr Piotr Wach (Poland, EPP/CD) as Chairperson.

2.3.9 Presidential election in Armenia (18 February 2013)

15. On 5 October 2012, the Bureau decided to observe this election, to constitute an ad hoc Committee for this purpose composed of 22 members: EPP/DC: 7, SOC: 6; ALDE: 3; EDG: 3; UEL: 1 and the two Co-Rapporteurs of the Monitoring Committee, and to authorise a pre-electoral mission. At its meeting on 17 December 2012, the Bureau approved the composition of the ad hoc committee and appointed Ms Karin Woldseth (Norway, EDG) as Chairperson.

2.4 Issues raised by committees

2.4.1 Joint action on the future of the North-South Centre

16. On 5 October 2012, the Bureau adopted the declaration on “The North-South Centre and the Arab countries in transition” as submitted to the Bureau jointly by the Chairpersons of the Committee on Culture, Science, Education and Media, the Committee on Political Affairs and Democracy and the Committee on Social Affairs, Health and Sustainable Development (Appendix 1).

17. On 29 November 2012, the Bureau held an exchange of views on follow-up to be given to the Bureau’s declaration of 5 October 2012. It decided that the Assembly would participate in the open-ended Ad hoc Working Party of the Committee of Ministers on the future of the European Centre for Global Interdependence and Solidarity (North-South Centre) and agreed to proceed to the nomination of members at its next meeting.

18. On 17 December 2012, the Bureau decided to appoint Ms Maryvonne Blondin (France, SOC) and Sir Roger Gale (United Kingdom, EDG) to participate in the Ad hoc Working Party.

2.4.2 Committee on Migration, Refugees and Displaced persons

19. On 5 October 2012, the Bureau decided to transfer the request by the Committee to extend its mandate to include topics dealing with population, nationality and stateless persons to the Committee on Rules of Procedure, Immunities and Institutional Affairs, to be taken into account within the revision of the Assembly’s Rules of Procedure.

2.4.3 Committee on Legal Affairs and Human Rights

20. On 29 November 2012, the Bureau took note of the Committee’s decision to merge the reports on “The European Convention on Nationality: application and solution proposals” and “Access to Nationality”, with a deadline of 3 October 2013 for the merged report.

2.5 References and transmissions to committees

2.5.1 References approved by the Bureau

21. On 5 October 2012, the Bureau approved the following references, which were ratified by the Assembly on the same day:

Doc. 12909, motion for a resolution, Refusing impunity for the killers of Sergei Magnitsky, to the Committee on Legal Affairs and Human Rights for report;
Doc. 12996, motion for a resolution, Combating eugenics and discrimination against people with disabilities, no further action
Doc. 13015, motion for a resolution, Good governance and enhanced quality in education, to the Committee on Culture, Science, Education and Media for report
Doc. 13016, motion for a resolution, Identities and diversity within intercultural societies, to the Committee on Culture, Science, Education and Media for report
Doc. 13028, motion for a resolution, The strengthening of national democracy through local European levels, to the Committee on Social Affairs, Health and Sustainable Development for information
Doc. 13041, motion for a resolution, Child poverty: a cause of continuing human rights violations and a barrier to children’s full development, to the Committee on Social Affairs, Health and Sustainable Development for report
Doc. 13042, motion for a resolution, Children’s right to physical integrity, to the Committee on Social Affairs, Health and Sustainable Development for report
Doc. 13043, motion for a resolution, Protection of the right to bargain collectively, to the Committee on Social Affairs, Health and Sustainable Development for report
Bureau decision, Corruption as a threat to the Rule of Law, to the Committee on Legal Affairs and Human Rights for report to be discussed during the debate on the State of Human Rights in Europe in June 2013
Bureau decision, Measures to prevent abusive use of the Council of Europe Convention on the Transfer of Sentenced Persons, to the Committee on Legal Affairs and Human Rights for report

22. At its meeting on 29 November 2012, the Bureau approved the following references, which were subsequently ratified by the Standing Committee:

Doc. 13014, motion for a resolution, The promotion of media content on the Internet, reference to the Committee on Culture, Science, Education and Media for taking into account in the preparation of the report on “”The right to Internet access” (Ref. 3892 of 1 October 2012)
Doc. 13046, motion for a resolution, Equality and non-discrimination in the access to justice, to the Committee on Equality and Non-Discrimination for report
Doc. 13074, motion for a resolution, Towards a new European Social Model: which social vision for Europe of tomorrow?, to the Committee on Social Affairs, Health and Sustainable Development for report
Doc. 13075, motion for a resolution, Parliaments united in combating sexual violence against children: mid-term review of the ONE in FIVE campaign, to the Committee on Social Affairs, Health and Sustainable Development for report
Bureau decision, The activities of the Organisation for Economic Co-operation and Development (OECD) in 2012-2013, to the Committee on Political Affairs and Democracy for report
Bureau decision, Young people’s access to fundamental rights, to the Committee on Culture, Science, Education and Media for report and to the Committee on Social Affairs, Health and Sustainable Development for opinion

23. The references approved by the Bureau on 17 December 2012, requiring ratification by the Assembly, are presented in Chapter 4.2.

2.5.2 Requests for modification of references

24. On 29 November 2012, the Bureau modified the following references, which were subsequently ratified by the Standing Committee:

Ref. 3877 of 25 June 2012, Tackling intolerance and discrimination in Europe with a special focus on Christianity, Doc. 12932, to the Committee on Equality and Non-Discrimination for report
Ref. 3864 of 27 April 2012, The future of the European Court of Human Rights and the Brighton Declaration, and Ref. 3880 of 29 June 2012, Need to reinforce the independence of the European Court of Human Rights, to the Committee on Legal Affairs and Human Rights for two separate reports

2.5.3 Requests for extension of references

25. On 5 October 2012, the Bureau approved the extension of the following references:

Ref. 3688 of 21 June 2010, Young Europeans: an urgent educational challenge (Doc. 12256), Committee on Culture, Education, Science and Media until 30 June 2013;
Ref. 3557 of 29 May 2009, The ethics of science (Doc. 11886), Committee on Culture, Education, Science and Media until 30 June 2013;

26. On 29 November 2012, the Bureau approved the extension of the following reference:

Ref. 3673 of 30 April 2010, Harmonisation of regulatory and para-regulatory provisions of monitoring and post-monitoring dialogue procedures, Committee on Rules of Procedure, Immunities and Institutional Affairs until 30 April 2013

2.6 Communications

27. The Bureau took note of communications by the President of the Assembly, the Secretary General and the Deputy Secretary General of the Council of Europe, as well as by the Secretary General of the Parliamentary Assembly.

2.7 Draft Declaration of the Standing Committee on the International day for the elimination of violence against women (25 November 2012):

28. On 29 November 2012, the Bureau approved the draft Declaration to be submitted for adoption by the Standing Committee (Appendix 2).

2.8 Procedure of the election of the Secretary General of the Council of Europe

29. On 17 December 2012, the Bureau invited the President to confirm to the Chair of the Committee of Ministers that this election would be held on Tuesday 24 June 2014.

2.9 Implementation of Resolution 1903 (2012) on the code of conduct of members of the Parliamentary Assembly: good practice or a core duty?

30. On 17 December 2012, the Bureau considered the memorandum prepared by the Secretariat with regard to the registration of gifts and similar benefits of value in excess of 200 Euros accepted by members in the performance of their duties, and decided to come back to this issue at its next meeting.

2.10 Assembly participation in the open-ended Ad hoc Working Party of the Committee of Ministers on the Future of the European Centre for Global Interdependence and Solidarity (North-South Centre) (GT-CNS)

31. On 17 December 2012, the Bureau decided to appoint Ms Maryvonne Blondin (France, SOC) and Sir Roger Gale (United Kingdom, EDG) to participate in the Ad hoc Working Party.

2.11 Apportionment of the allocation to political groups for 2013

32. On 17 December 2012, the Bureau approved the proposal for the apportionment of the allocation.

2.12 Expenditure of the Parliamentary Assembly for the 2013 financial year

33. On 17 December 2012, the Bureau took note of the information provided by the Secretary General of the Assembly.

2.13 Parliamentary Project Support Division: draft work plan 2013

34. On 17 December 2012, the Bureau took note of the information provided by the Secretariat.

2.14 European Committee for the Prevention of Torture and Inhuman and Degrading Treatment or Punishment (CPT)

35. On 5 October 2012, the Bureau drew up the list of candidates for the CPT in respect of “the former Yugoslav Republic of Macedonia”, which it forwarded to the Committee of Ministers.

2.15 Relations with the European Parliament

36. On 29 November 2012, the Bureau heard statements by the President and the Secretary General of the Assembly on the Joint meeting between the Presidential Committee and the Conference of Presidents of the European Parliament (Brussels, 7 November 2012) on the theme "Coordination between the Council of Europe and the European Union in respect of fundamental rights", continuing the tradition of annual meetings between the Assembly Presidential Committee and the European Parliament Conference of Presidents.

37. On 17 December 2012, the Bureau took note of the memorandum prepared by the Secretariat on relations between the European Parliament and the Parliamentary Assembly of the Council of Europe from July to December 2012 [AS/Bur (2012) 83].

2.16 Composition of the Monitoring Committee

38. On 5 October 2012, the Bureau nominated Mr Jacques Legendre (France, EPP/CD), Ms Theodora Bakoyannis (Greece, EPP/CD), Mr Pasquale Nessa (Italy, EPP/CD) and Sir Alan Meale (United Kingdom, SOC), on the basis of proposals submitted by political groups, which were subsequently ratified by the Assembly.

39. On 29 November 2012, the Bureau nominated Lord John Prescott (United Kingdom, SOC) and Mr Vyacheslav Fetisov (Russian Federation, EDG), on the basis of proposals submitted by political groups, which were subsequently ratified by the Standing Committee.

2.17 Composition of the Committee on Rules of Procedure, Immunities and Institutional Affairs

40. On 5 October 2012, the Bureau nominated Mr George Loukaides (Cyprus, UEL), on the basis of a proposal submitted by the United European Left group, which was subsequently ratified by the Assembly.

2.18 Meetings elsewhere than in Strasbourg and Paris

41. During the reference period, the Bureau authorised the following meetings:

ad hoc Sub-Committee of the Committee on Equality and Non-Discrimination to meet in Istanbul (Turkey) on 3-6 November 2012;
Committee on Migration, Refugees and Displaced Persons to meet in Geneva (Switzerland) on 26-27 November 2012;
Sub-Committee on External Relations of the Committee on Political Affairs and Democracy to meet in New York (USA) on 6-7 December 2012;
Committee on Political Affairs and Democracy to meet in Turin (Italy) on 13-14 December 2012;
Sub-Committee on the Middle East of the Committee on Political Affairs and Democracy to meet in Palestinian Territories, Israel and Jordan on dates to be confirmed.
Ad hoc Sub-Committee of the Committee on Migration, Refugees and Displaced Persons to meet in Greece (border with Turkey) on 14-16 January 2013;
Committee on Political Affairs and Democracy to meet in Rabat (Morocco) on 21-22 March 2013;
Committee on Social Affairs, Health and Sustainable Development and the 12th meeting of the network of contact parliamentarians to stop sexual violence against children to meet in Berlin on 14 and 15 March 2013.

2.19 Appointment of Assembly representatives for official activities

42. The following members were appointed during the reference period:

Sir Alan Meale (United Kingdom, SOC), 23rd Session of the Congress of Local and Regional Authorities, Strasbourg, 16-18 October 2012;
Sir Alan Meale (United Kingdom, SOC), Conference on the occasion of the International Day for the Eradication of Poverty: “Building Europe through Human Rights: Acting together against extreme poverty”, Strasbourg, 17 October 2012;
Ms de Pourbaix-Lundin (Sweden, EPP/CD), 64th Plenary Session of the Nordic Council, Helsinki, 30 October – 1 November 2012;
Mr Connarty (United Kingdom, SOC), Plenary Session of the European Youth Parliament, Amsterdam (Netherlands), 2-11 November 2012;
Mr Corsini (Italy, SOC), High Level Conference on Diversity in Europe: “Diversity in Europe: a Strength for the Future”; Tirana, 8-9 November 2012;
Mr Çavuşoğlu (Turkey, EDG), 40th Plenary Session of the PABSEC, Baku, 27-28 November 2012;
Mr Schennach (Austria, SOC), World Conference on Climate Change, Doha (Qatar) 26 November to 7 December 2012 – his participation being limited to the last three days of the conference.
Mr Chope (United Kingdom, EDG), Celebration of the 10th anniversary of the CEPEJ, Strasbourg, 6 December 2012;
Mr Marcenaro (Italy, SOC), 7th Consultative Assembly of Parliamentarians for the International Criminal Court and the Rule of Law celebrating 10 years of the Rome Statute, Rome, 10-11 December 2012 (at no cost to the Assembly);
Mr Mendes Bota (Portugal, EPP/CD), Regional Conference on the Prevention and Combat of Violence against Women, Helsinki, 17-18 January 2013.

3 Activities of the Standing Committee (Andorra la Vella, 30 November 2012)

43. The Standing Committee held a debate on current political questions, including a discussion on “The case of Malala Yousafzai and the right to education for young women”, which was introduced by Mr Luca Volontè (Italy, EPP/CD).

44. The Standing Committee heard a welcome address from Mr Vicenç Mateu Zamora, Síndic General of the Consell General of Andorra and held an exchange of views with Mr Gilbert Saboya Sunyé, Minister for Foreign Affairs of Andorra and Chairperson of the Committee of Ministers.

45. Following debates, the Standing Committee adopted the following texts on behalf of the Assembly, which are available on the Assembly website:

Resolution 1908 (2012) on Human rights and family courts
Resolution 1909 (2012) on Intercountry adoption: ensuring that the best interests of the child are upheld
Resolution 1910 (2012) NGO’s role in combating intolerance, racism and xenophobia
Resolution 1911 (2012) The status of the chairpersons of political groups in committees (Rule 18.5 of the Rules of Procedure of the Assembly)

46. The Standing Committee ratified the references as listed in chapter 2.5 of this report.

47. It ratified the credentials of new members of the Assembly submitted by the delegations of Armenia, Denmark, Georgia, Norway and Spain, and approved the changes in the composition of Assembly committees (as contained in paragraph 2.16 and 2.17).

48. The Standing Committee took note of the preliminary draft agenda of the first 2013 Part-Session of the Assembly (21-25 January 2013) as well as of the reports of the Ad hoc Committees of the Bureau on the “Observation of parliamentary elections in Georgia (1 October 2012), the “Observation of the early parliamentary elections in Montenegro (14 October 2012)” and the “Observation of the parliamentary elections in Ukraine (28 October 2012)”.

49. It adopted a declaration “Countering violence against women: the economic crisis shall not put it on hold” in the framework of the International day for the elimination of violence against women (25 November 2012) contained in Appendix 2 hereafter.

4 Decisions of the Bureau requiring ratification by the Assembly

4.1 Revised Guidelines for the observation of elections by the Parliamentary Assembly

50. On 17 December 2012, the Bureau approved the revised Guidelines.

4.2 Assembly List - consequences of the adoption by the United Nations General Assembly of the “Resolution on the status of Palestine”

51. On 17 December 2012, the Bureau decided to use the name “Palestine”.

4.3 References and transmissions to committees

52. On 17 December 2012, the Bureau approved the following references:

Doc. 13050, motion for a Resolution, Immigration detention of children, reference to the Committee on Migration, Refugees and Displaced Persons for report
Doc. 13052, motion for a Resolution, The functioning of democratic institutions in Romania, reference to the Committee on Political Affairs and Democracy for report
Doc. 13053, motion for a resolution, Greece under pressure: Europe’s front door for irregular migration, reference to the Committee on Migration, Refugees and Displaced Persons for report
Doc. 13054, motion for a resolution, The abuse by social services of member States of the Council of Europe of their authority to remove children from their parents’ custody, reference to the Committee on Social Affairs, Health and Sustainable Development report and to the Committee on Legal Affairs and Human Rights for opinion;
Doc. 13055, motion for a resolution, Ensuring children with attention problems are properly cared for, reference to the Committee on Social Affairs, Health and Sustainable Development for report
Doc. 13064, motion for a resolution, Human rights in the North Caucasus: what follow-up to Resolution 1738 (2010)?, reference to the Committee on Legal Affairs and Human Rights for report

53. The Assembly is invited to ratify these Bureau decisions.

5 Gender equality in the functioning of the AssemblyNote

5.1 Analysis of the gender breakdown in Assembly positions (2012)

54. Endorsing a proposal made by the former Committee on Equal Opportunities for Women and Men at its meeting in Strasbourg on 15 April 2011, the Bureau decided to publish figures on the gender breakdown of Assembly positions and to produce an annual report on progress in achieving gender equality in the functioning of the Assembly. The figures are annexed in Appendix 4.

55. Also in 2012, women continued to be underrepresented in all Assembly and Committee positions, even if there has been significant improvement in some areas.

56. As regards overall Assembly membership, in 2012 women represented 31% of the total. They were slightly better represented amongst Substitutes (32%) than amongst Representatives (30%). This is a modest increase of 1% compared to the previous year.

57. In 2012 all national delegations complied with the requirement set out in Rule 6.2.a of the Assembly’s Rules of Procedure, according to which ‘(…) National delegations should include members of the under-represented sex at least in the same percentage as in their parliaments and, at a very minimum, one member of the under-represented sex appointed as representative’. As a result, unlike in the previous year, in 2012 there was no challenge of credentials on this ground. In fact, in many delegations, the proportion of women was higher than in national parliaments. In one case (Norway), men were the under-represented sex (20%).

58. The majority of national delegations (30) also complied with Resolution 1585 (2007) on Gender equality principles in the Parliamentary Assembly, which urges them ‘to ensure at least a 30% representation of women’.

59. Women’s under-representation was confirmed as regards the Assembly’s main leadership positions even if a significant improvement can be seen as regards the representation of women amongst vice-presidents, which rose from 15% in 2011 to 25% in 2012. Women’s representation in the Bureau also improved (from 19% to 22%) while it remained the same in the Presidential Committee (14%).

60. There has been significant progress at Committee level. In 2012, women represented 25% of Chairpersons, compared to 20% in 2011 (two women were Committee chairpersons in both years but in 2012 the number of Committees went from 10 to 8); 39% of Committee Vice-Chairs were women, compared to 28% in 2011.

61. As regards the composition of Committees, women are slightly better represented as alternates (32%) as opposed to members (30%) in Committees, approximately like in 2011. However, the proportion of women who are Rapporteurs in Assembly debates has decreased: in 2012 women Rapporteurs for report were 34% as opposed to 37% in 2011; women Rapporteurs for opinion were 29% as opposed to 32% in 2011. The Committee on Culture, Science, Education and Media should be mentioned as a good example, as it managed to ensure a 50% share of women and men, both as rapporteurs for report and for opinion. It should be recalled that, when appointing Rapporteurs, Committees should take into account gender amongst other criteria, in accordance to Rule 49.1.

Appendix 1 – Declaration by the Bureau of the Parliamentary Assembly on “The North-South Centre and the Arab countries in transition”

1. Since the “Jasmine revolution” in Tunisia in January 2011, people in Arab countries have been seeking freedom and the conditions which would allow them to live in dignity. Recalling the Parliamentary Assembly’s Resolution 1831 (2011) on “Co-operation between the Council of Europe and the emerging democracies in the Arab world”, the Bureau of the Assembly welcomes Resolution CM/Res(2011)6 of the Committee of Ministers on the European Centre for Global Interdependence and Solidarity (North-South Centre), calling on the Centre “to promote human rights, democracy and the rule of law through intercultural dialogue and education, in particular among the youth of Europe and its neighbouring regions” and to foster “dialogue and co-operation between Europe and non-European countries in neighbouring regions”.

2. The North-South Centre offers a useful platform for structured co-operation between countries in neighbouring regions and the Council of Europe. The Centre is particularly well-placed to accompany and complement actions intended to promote the development of democratic culture and global citizenship; intercultural – and interreligious – dialogue; women and youth empowerment; social inclusion of young people; quality education; and stronger civil society.

3. Thanks to its networks and partnerships with organisations and institutions, the North-South Centre is a powerful tool to achieve synergies and encourage cross-fertilisation at regional level. The partnership with the European Union – which is contributing to the North-South Centre politically and financially – is particularly significant in this respect.

4. Therefore, the Bureau of the Assembly is concerned by the Centre’s financial fragility due to the withdrawal in recent years of some member States. To remedy this situation, recalling Recommendation 1893 (2009) on “The future of the European Centre for Global Interdependence and Solidarity (North-South Centre)”, the Bureau of the Assembly:

4.1 deems it necessary that Member States (re-)consider their accession to the partial agreement and their voluntary contributions in support of Council of Europe/North-South Centre’s projects in the Arab countries in transition (country specific or of a regional scope);

4.2 calls on national delegations to the Assembly to: raise awareness within the respective Ministries of Foreign Affairs and/or other relevant ministries on the importance of (re-)including the North-South Centre among their strategic priorities; and use their political leverage to obtain that the accession to the partial agreement be (re-)considered and that, meanwhile, decisions be taken in favour of voluntary contributions to its work.

4.3 calls on national delegations to the Assembly from member States which are stakeholders in the G-8 Deauville Partnership with Arab Countries in Transition – i.e.: France, Germany, Italy, the Russian Federation, Turkey and the United Kingdom – to encourage collaboration and synergies between the Deauville Partnership, the Council of Europe and the North-South Centre.

Appendix 2 – Declaration

International Day for the elimination of violence against women (25 November 2012)

Countering violence against women: the economic crisis shall not put it on hold

Violence against women is a human rights violation. States should not relent in their efforts to prevent it, assist its victims, and prosecute offenders, even at a time of economic crisis. This is moreover crucial at this juncture, as statistics indicate an increase in the number of cases of violence against women and domestic violence, probably linked to the higher unemployment rate and the difficult socio-economic conditions of many households.

The Parliamentary Assembly of the Council of Europe calls on member states to continue allocating adequate funding to shelters and assistance programmes for victims of violence.

In addition, the Assembly calls on member states to place more emphasis on preventive measures, including through activities and campaigns that reach out to the general public and can contribute to the evolution of mentalities. The human and financial cost of preventing violence is much less than the cost of tackling violence after it has taken place.

Finally, the Assembly reiterates its appeal to member states to demonstrate their commitment to combating violence against women also by signing, if they have not yet done so, and ratifying the Council of Europe Convention on preventing and combating violence against women and domestic violence (Istanbul Convention). Once it enters into force, the Istanbul Convention will give a tangible contribution to the protection of human rights, and help save thousands of lives.

Appendix 3 – AS/Bur (2012) 85 (18 December 2012)

Guidelines for the observation of elections by the Parliamentary Assembly

Bearing in mind the objectives and the political nature of the Parliamentary Assembly’s observation missions as well as the problems deriving from the past co-operation arrangements with other international institutions, the following Guidelines were adopted by the Bureau of the Assembly on 24 May 2004 and updated by the Bureau on 7 October 2005, 16 November 2006, 23 May 2007, 8 October 2010, 27 January 2012, 29 June 2012 and 17 December 2012.

Elections to be observed

1. For the Parliamentary Assembly of the Council of Europe, the observation of elections plays an important role in the assessment of the overall political situation of the country in question. In practical terms this entails the systematic observation of elections in any state whose parliament has requested or enjoys special guest status, partner for democracy status, which has applied for membership, or is subject to the monitoring procedure.

2. Observation of parliamentary and presidential elections as well as of referenda in an applicant State or a State under the monitoring procedure should be an inalienable right of the Assembly. A State’s lack of cooperation with the Assembly, its refusal to accept an election observation mission from the Assembly should give rise to a debate at the part-session or Standing Committee meeting following the elections in question. It may result in sanctions, such as a freezing of the application procedure or the challenge of the credentials of the national delegation concerned on the basis of Rule 8.2.b.(lack of co-operation under the Assembly’s monitoring procedure).

3. The Bureau may also decide to observe parliamentary and/or presidential elections, as well as referenda, in a State that is subject to the post-monitoring dialogue.

4. The observation of regional and local elections is the responsibility of the Congress of Local and Regional Authorities of the Council of Europe (the Congress). If the Assembly receives an invitation to observe such elections and the Bureau decides to observe them, the Assembly ad hoc committee shall cooperate with the election observation mission the Congress may deploy. A report on these elections by the Congress, sent to the President, should be referred, on a Bureau’s proposal, to the Monitoring Committee.

5. The Bureau of the Assembly may decide to observe elections in other States when exceptional circumstances have been brought to its attention.

Elections as a process

1. In conducting election observations, the Assembly shall proceed from the understanding that an election is not a one-off exercise, but rather a continuous process involving several stages, all of which need to be analysed in order to assess an election. The timeline, below, based on various Venice Commission documents, shall serve as an aid in the assessment process.

2. The process starts with the elaboration of electoral legislation. The quality of that legislation is a major, although not the unique criterion to assess an election.

3. Electoral legislation should not be subject to constant change. According to Venice Commission recommendations, “the fundamental elements of electoral law… should not be open to amendment less than one year ahead of an election, or should be written in a constitution or at a level higher than ordinary law.” In certain circumstances, exceptions to the one year rule could be accepted, namely where there is a need to rectify, through legislation, unforeseen problems or to provide redress to violations of internationally recognised rights where they had been built into the electoral law.

4. The second stage starts with the date when an election is called. That date, in normal circumstances involving regular elections, should be reasonably distant from the voting day to allow all political stakeholders to prepare for an electoral contest.

5. The third stage starts with the opening of the electoral campaign.

6. The fourth stage is the voting day proper, and the vote counting.

7. The next stage is the declaration of results of an election, followed by a complaints period stage.

Regarding observation and co-operation in the field

1. Considering the role played by OSCE/ODIHR in the field, the Assembly should stress the political objectives of its participation in the observation process: full respect of Council of Europe values and standards. This should be possible thanks to the Assembly’s comparative assets such as the high political level of its delegations and the experience of its members.

2. Practical assistance to Assembly delegations to observe the elections, particularly the organisation of the programme for the observation mission, should be provided by the national parliament, in order to supplement properly the programme for short-term observers organised by OSCE/ODIHR.

3. Co-operation with OSCE/ODIHR and other international organisations will be continuous during the observation process in order to ensure, in so far as possible, that assessments of the elections do not differ. However, if, after the election, a joint final assessment cannot be achieved in the framework of the IEOM, the Assembly’s ad hoc committee reserves itself the right, to hold -if necessary- its own press conference and issue a separate press release containing its own assessment. In this respect, it is essential that the Assembly’s ad hoc committee, when organising briefings, invites the OSCE/ODIHR. Reciprocity is expected in briefings organised by OSCE/ODIHR.

Regarding the practical organisation of the observation

1. On the basis of past experience, the following rules will be applied:

i the Assembly will observe elections mentioned in Section A above (any refusal to send an invitation will constitute an evaluation criterion in itself);

ii the Assembly observers will receive accreditation from the Central Electoral Commission; the national parliament concerned will be responsible for facilitating the issuing of this accreditation;

iii the ad hoc Committees will cover a geographical area of the country which is as wide as possible when observing elections. Members of the ad hoc Committee must be ready to accept deployment beyond the capital city of the country in which the elections are observed.

iv the membership of ad hoc committees for elections will vary between 5 and 40 members and include any already appointed rapporteurs of the Political Affairs Committee, Committee on Legal Affairs and Human Rights and the Monitoring Committee for the country concerned; in special cases the Bureau can decide to increase this number. The composition of the ad hoc committees is determined according to an appointment system taking into account the numerical size of the political groups on the understanding that each political group should be represented;

v while rapporteurs for the monitoring of, or post-monitoring dialogue with, a given country should be encouraged to join an ad hoc committee to observe an election in that country, they should not be appointed chairpersons thereof. This is to ensure a distinction between election observation as such and monitoring and post-monitoring dialogue in the context of which the findings of an ad hoc committee are followed up. Where the said rapporteurs join an ad hoc committee to observe an election, their participation in the ad hoc committee shall be ex-officio, and they shall not be included in the quota allotted to their political group within the meaning of paragraph iv;

vi the Chairmanship of the ad hoc committees shall rotate between political groups to ensure, generally, an overall political balance over a 12-month period;

vii a standard programme will be established for observation missions: three days for political meetings (organised by the national parliament), one day for the elections themselves (with cars, guides and interpreters paid for by the Assembly), one day for evaluation/assessment and the press conference;

viii where the Bureau deems it necessary, a pre-electoral and/or a post-electoral 5-member cross-party mission may be dispatched;

ix to enhance the mission’s public profile, the ad hoc committees will be referred to as “delegations” headed by a “leader of the delegation” appointed by the Bureau;

x while every effort should be made to ensure a political balance of ad hoc committees to observe elections, in the event when some political groups fail to come up with candidates while others put forward more candidacies than they are entitled to, the principle of a political equilibrium may be foregone in the interests of having a strong PACE presence during election observation. In such circumstances, a notification by the Secretary General of the Parliamentary Assembly will suffice;

xi political groups should bear it in mind that any appointment to an ad hoc committee to observe elections should aim to ensure the principle of gender balance of such a committee. Political groups should endeavour to include, in the list of representatives appointed, members of the under-represented sex in the same percentage as is present in the group;

xii political groups should bear it in mind that any appointment to an ad hoc committee should respect fair geographical representation and be based on the candidate’s express capability, language-wise, to meaningfully participate in the work of the mission, in particular, given that on the spot the Council of Europe only provides interpretation to and from English or French. It should be pointed out that English is the de facto working language of the OSCE/ODHIR election observation mission;

xiii members of an ad hoc committee are encouraged to plan their travel arrangement in a way that would allow them at least to participate in the ad hoc committee debriefing on the morning following the elections. It is understood that those members who are unable to attend the debriefing in the capital because they were deployed outside it may report their conclusions by phone;

xiv members of the ad hoc committee should be aware that as far as the funding of their participation in the work of the ad hoc committee is concerned, Article 38 of the Statute of the Council of Europe shall apply (“Each member shall bear the expenses of its own representation in the Committee of Ministers and in the Parliamentary Assembly”);

Local staff

1. Staff recruited locally by the Council of Europe for the specific purposes of a pre-electoral, electoral or post-electoral mission (eg interpreters, drivers) are expected to declare any actual or potential conflict of interest by signing a written statement and not to take any action which would cause damage to the reputation and integrity of the mission.

Conflict of interest and code of conduct of members of ad hoc committees

1. Members of ad hoc committees for the observation of elections shall abide by the provisions of the Code of Conduct for members of the Parliamentary Assembly of the Council of Europe appended to Resolution 1903 (2012).

2. In particular, members of ad hoc committees, in the accomplishment of their pre-electoral, electoral or post-electoral duties, shall avoid conflicts between any actual or potential economic, commercial, financial of other interests on a professional, personal or family level and their election observation activity in the country concerned; if a member is unable to avoid such a conflict of interest it should be disclosed.

3. Members shall not request or accept any fee, compensation or reward intended to affect his or her conduct as a member of an ad hoc committee. They shall avoid any situation that could appear to be a conflict of interest or receiving an inappropriate payment or gift.

4. All candidates for membership of an ad hoc committee, at the time of putting forward their candidacy shall make a written declaration regarding the absence or otherwise of any actual or potential conflict of interest in connection with the country concerned by an election observation. In accordance with paragraph 14 of the Code of Conduct, they shall also register with the Secretariat of the Assembly any gifts or similar benefits (such as travel, accommodation, subsistence, meals or entertainment expenses) of a value in excess of 200 euros that they have accepted in the last twenty four months from the authorities of the country concerned, either directly or indirectly.

5. The aforementioned declarations shall be made available to the Bureau when it approves the composition of an ad hoc committee. Failure to sign such declarations shall disqualify the member concerned from being appointed to the ad hoc committee in question.

6. Members of an ad hoc committee shall refrain from engaging in public statements interviews, press conferences or communications via social networks which could contradict or conflict with the final assessment made by the ad hoc committee. This applies at all stages of the process: during the pre-electoral period, including in the context of a pre-electoral mission, during and following the election day, including in the context of a post-electoral mission.

7. Members of an ad hoc committee shall abstain from engaging in public activities which could appear to interfere in the electoral process or could be considered as partisan. This applies at all stages of the process: during the pre-electoral period, including in the context of a pre-electoral mission, during and following election day, including in the context of a post-electoral mission.

8. Additionally, the provisions stipulated in the Code of Conduct for rapporteurs of the Parliamentary Assembly (Resolution 1799 (2011)) shall apply mutatis mutandis to chairpersons of ad hoc committees over and above the provisions of the Appendix to Resolution 1903 (2012).

9. Alleged breaches of paragraphs 18-21 and 23-25 above shall be dealt with in the manner prescribed in paragraphs 17 to 20 of the appendix to Resolution 1903 (2012).

Election observation reports

1. The Chairperson of an ad hoc committee shall draft a report on the election observation mission, which is submitted to the Bureau and subsequently to the Assembly as part of the progress report of the Bureau.

2. This report shall be based on the information received during the meetings held during the mission, in line with the press release and preliminary findings and conclusions of the International election observation mission (IEOM), and take into account the comments and assessments of members of the ad hoc committee regarding election day made during the ad hoc committee’s meeting on the day following the vote or in written form within a deadline fixed by the Chairperson, as well as relevant documents of the Monitoring Committee, the Venice Commission and other reliable sources. In principle, all members of the ad hoc committee shall be consulted on the draft before the report is issued.

Form of Election Observation by the Assembly

1. The observation of elections by the Assembly can take place in one of the following three forms upon decision of the Bureau.

a Election Observation Missions. These take the form of an ad hoc Committee set up for this purpose. The size may vary from 5 to 40 members, Committees are composed on the basis of proposals by the Political Groups taking into account the D’Hondt rule. The Chairperson of the ad hoc Committee is appointed by the Bureau of the Assembly. Chairmanship rotates between political groups. PACE Election Observation Missions issue a statement of their findings immediately following the elections, where applicable in the framework of an IEOM. A pre-electoral mission shall be conducted following a Bureau’s decision.

b Election Assessment Missions. These take the form of an ad hoc Committee specifically set up for this purpose. Election Assessment Missions are normally composed of five members, but never less than three members, in order to guarantee a minimum political and geographical balance of the ad hoc Committee. The Chairperson of the ad hoc Committee is appointed by the Bureau. Chairmanship rotates between political groups. The ad hoc Committee will report its findings in the form of a memorandum by its Chairperson to the Bureau. No pre-electoral mission will be conducted.

c Presence on the Occasion of Election of Assembly members during and/or just before an election without a formal observation or assessment of it. Accordingly, the Bureau does not set up an ad hoc Committee but decides on the dates of the mission. These missions are normally composed of the country rapporteur(s) of the Monitoring or Political Affairs Committee. In exceptional cases, the Bureau can appoint one of its members to participate in these missions. This mission will report their findings in the form of a memorandum to the Bureau.

2. Election Observation Missions for which less than five members are identified shall be considered as Election Assessment Missions. In the event that three members cannot be identified for an assessment mission, the mission shall be cancelled. Time allowing, the possibility of ensuring a presence could then be considered by the Bureau of the Assembly.

Appendix – Declaration on conflict of interest of candidates for election observation missions of the Parliamentary Assembly

Ad hoc committee to observe the elections in …

1. I hereby declare that I have no actual or potential economic, commercial, financial or other interests on a professional, personal or family level in connection with the country concerned by the election observation. *

I hereby declare that I have an actual or potential conflict of interest in connection with the country concerned by the election observation. *

Please specify the nature of the actual or potential conflict of interest:

……………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………

2. I also declare that I have not accepted in the last twenty four months gifts or similar benefits, of a value in excess of 200 €, from the authorities of the country concerned, either directly or indirectly. *

I also declare that I have registered with the Secretariat gifts or similar benefits, of a value in excess of 200 €, that I have accepted in the last twenty four months from the authorities of the country concerned, either directly or indirectly. *