Activities of the Assembly’s Bureau and Standing Committee (24 April 2026)
Progress report
| Doc. 16377 Add. 3
| 24 April 2026
- Author(s):
- Bureau of the Assembly
- Rapporteur :
- Mr Pablo HISPÁN,
Spain, EPP/CD
1 Decisions of
the Bureau of 24 April 2026 requiring ratification by the Assembly
1.1 References and
transmissions to committees
The Bureau considered and approved the following references:
- Children without identity in
Europe and around the world: a crucial challenge for fundamental
rights, Doc. 16205, motion for a resolution: reference to the Committee
on Social Affairs, Health and Sustainable Development for report;
- Preventing and combating vicarious
violence as a form of gender-based violence against women, Doc. 16366, motion for a resolution: reference to the Committee
on Equality and Non-Discrimination for report and
to the Committee on Social Affairs, Health and Sustainable Development for opinion;
- The impact of artificial intelligence
on the lives of older persons: opportunities, risks and policy responses, Doc. 16367, motion for a resolution: reference to the Committee
on Equality and Non-Discrimination for
report;
- Social media platforms, women
and girls: harnessing democratic potential while safeguarding fundamental
rights, Doc. 16369, motion for a resolution: reference to the Committee
on Equality and Non-Discrimination for
report;
- Democratic security in the
Western Balkans, Doc. 16376, motion for a resolution: reference to the Committee
on Political Affairs and Democracy for
report;
- Out-of-country voting, Doc. 16378, motion for a resolution: reference to the Committee
on Political Affairs and Democracy for
report;
- Bureau decision: The activities
of the Council of Europe Development Bank (CEB), motion
for a resolution: reference to
the Committee on Migration, International Protection and Economic
Co-operation for report;
- Bureau decision:
Resolution (2648) Procedure for the election
of judges to the European Court of Human Rights: reference
to the Committee on Rules, Ethics and Immunities for report on Modification of various provisions
of the Assembly’s Rules of Procedure.
1.2 Composition of
the Committee on Rules, Ethics and Immunities
On the basis of a proposal by the EPP/CD Group, the Bureau
nominated Ms Albana VOKSHI (Albania) as a member.
1.3 Elections observation
1.3.1 Kazakhstan: Early
parliamentary elections (August 2026, date to be confirmed)
The Bureau decided, subject to receiving an invitation, to
observe these elections and to set up an ad hoc committee composed
of 11 members (SOC-3; EPP/CD-3; ECPA-2; ALDE-2; UEL-1).
1.3.2 Morocco: parliamentary
elections (23 September 2026)
The Bureau decided, subject to receiving an invitation, to
observe these elections and to set up an ad hoc committee, to decide
on its composition at its next meeting, and to conduct a pre-electoral
mission.
1.3.3 Bosnia and Herzegovina:
general elections (4 October 2026)
The Bureau decided, subject to receiving an invitation, to
observe these elections and to set up an ad hoc committee composed
of 20 members (SOC-7; EPP/CD-5; ECPA-4; ALDE-3; UEL-1), as well
as the two co-rapporteurs of the monitoring committee, and to conduct
a pre-electoral mission.
1.4 9th World Congress
Against the Death Penalty (Paris, 30 June-2 July 2026)
The Bureau took note of the letter by the chairperson of the
Committee on Legal Affairs and Human Rights, decided to set up an
ad hoc committee of the Bureau
to participate in this event, which should be composed of up to
three members from each of the Assembly’s committees.
1.5 Issues raised
by committees
1.5.1 Committee on
Political Affairs and Democracy
The Bureau approved the terms of reference of the General
Rapporteur on Latin America (Appendix 1).
The Assembly is invited to ratify
these Bureau decisions.
2 Other decisions
by the Bureau
2.1 Follow-up to
the second part-session of 2026 (Strasbourg, 20-24 April)
The Bureau approved the follow-up proposals made by the Secretary
General of the Assembly:
- follow
up to Assembly Resolution 2651 (2026) “Towards
the universal abolition of the death penalty in all circumstances”:
invited the President of the Assembly to ask for an Opinion of the
Venice Commission on the Death Penalty for Terrorists Law adopted
by the Knesset on 30 March 2026, as well as on the Prosecution of
Participants in the October 7 Massacre Events Bill, 5786-2025, adopted
at its first reading by the Knesset on 13 January 2026;
- follow up to the current affairs debate on “Accountability and justice: a call to step
up efforts for the establishment of a Special Tribunal for the Crime
of Aggression against Ukraine”: reference to the Committee
on Legal Affairs and Human Rights to be
taken into account in the preparation of the report on Accountability
for the Russian Federation’s war of aggression against Ukraine;
- follow up to the current affairs debate on “The need for the respect of international
law, peace and stability in the broader Middle East”:
reference to the Committee on Political Affairs and Democracy to be taken into account in the preparation
of the report on the Situation in the Middle East.
2.2 Meeting of the
Standing Committee in Monaco (21 May 2026)
2.2.1 Request for a
debate under urgent procedure
The Bureau took note of the request to hold a debate under
the urgent procedure on Restructuring
and streamlining of the Rules of Procedure, and decided
to recommend to the Standing Committee to hold this debate and to
refer the matter to the Committee on Rules, Ethics and Immunities.
2.2.2 Draft agenda
The Bureau took note of the draft agenda of the Standing Committee.
2.2.3 Progress report
of the Bureau of the Assembly and of the Standing Committee (20
April 2026-21 June 2026)
The Bureau appointed Ms Laura Castel (Spain, UEL) as rapporteur.
2.3 Election observation
2.3.1 Bulgaria: early
parliamentary elections (19 April 2026)
The Bureau took note of the statement of the delegation.
2.3.2 Armenia: parliamentary
elections (7 June 2026)
The Bureau approved the revised list of members (Appendix
2).
2.3.3 Joint debate
co-organised by the Parliamentary Assembly, the Congress of Local
and Regional authorities and the Venice Commission on “Towards Reliable
and Inclusive Electoral Processes: The Role of Observers” (Paris,
28-29 April 2026), as a contribution to the New Democratic Pact
The Bureau approved the revised list of members of the ad
hoc Committee of the Bureau to participate in this event (Appendix
3).
2.4 Extension of
a reference
The Bureau approved the following extension of reference:
- Eliminating
gender stereotypes in the media, Doc. 15975, motion for a resolution, Reference 4812 of 24 May 2024
– validity: 24 May 2026: extension until 30 June 2026.
2.5 Black Sea Security
Forum (Odesa, 29-31 May 2026)
The Bureau approved the members list of the ad hoc committee of the Bureau to
participate in this event (Appendix 4).
2.6 Institutional
representation of the Parliamentary Assembly in 2026
The Bureau approved the proposals contained in the document.
2.7 Budgetary matters
– Analysis of the use made by the Assembly’s political groups of
their allocations for 2025
The Bureau approved the draft communication submitted by the
Committee on Rules, Ethics and Immunities.
2.8 Václav Havel
Human Rights Prize
The Bureau took note of the prolongation, until 30 June 2026,
of the deadline to submit candidatures to the 2026 edition of the
Václav Havel Human Rights Prize.
2.9 Meetings elsewhere
than Strasbourg and Paris
The Bureau approved the proposals contained in the document.
Appendix 1 – Terms of reference of the General
Rapporteur on Latin America
Denomination:
General Rapporteur on Latin America
Term of office: two
years, renewable once (Rule 50.7 of the Rules of Procedure)
Mandate: the general
rapporteur on Latin America ensures the visibility and coherence
of the Assembly’s action aimed at strengthening relations with Latin
American national parliaments and regional organisations.
Responsibilities: taking
into account Assembly Resolution 2603 (2025) and Recommendation 2296 (2025), the role of the general rapporteur is to:
- act
as a focal point for the Assembly to strengthen relations and pursue
a two-way dialogue between the Assembly and national parliaments
and regional organisations in Latin America;
- enhance the capacity of the
Assembly to identify, address and react to relevant political developments in
Latin America, particularly with regard to the state of democracy,
human rights and the rule of law in the countries of the region;
- enhance the external outreach
of the work of the Assembly relevant for Latin America, and contribute
to the visibility of the work of the Council of Europe in the region;
- work and co-ordinate actions
with the other Assembly’s general rapporteurs and rapporteurs, as appropriate;
- liaise with the Council of
Europe organs and bodies conducting work involving Latin American
countries and regional organisations, follow their relevant activities,
and represent the Assembly, as appropriate;
- follow the activities of and
maintain relations with bodies in Council of Europe member and observer States
that pursue dialogue with Latin American countries and regional
organisations;
- follow the activities of and
maintain relations with relevant bodies and agencies of the United
Nations, the European Union, the Latin American and Caribbean Parliament,
the Organization of American States, the Community of Latin American
and Caribbean States, as well as with other international governmental
and inter-parliamentary organisations;
- in appropriate cases, make
public statements, launch appeals, or propose to do so to the Committee.
The general rapporteur on Latin America periodically reports
to the Committee on Political Affairs and Democracy.
Appendix 2 – Revised list of members of
the ad hoc Committee for the observation of the parliamentary elections
in Armenia (7 June 2026)
Chairperson /
Président: Mr / M. Damien COTTIER, Switzerland / Suisse
Vice-Chairperson / Vice-président:
Lord David BLENCATHRA, United Kingdom / Royaume-Uni
Socialists, Democrats and Greens Group
/ Groupe des socialistes, démocrates et verts (SOC)
- Mr / M. Christophe CHAILLOU,
France
- Mr / M. Cerni ESCALE CABLE, Andorra / Andorre
- Ms / Mme Edite ESTRELA, Portugal
- Mr / M. Dimitrios MANTZOS, Greece / Grèce
- Ms / Mme Luz MARTINEZ SEIJO,
Spain / Espagne
- Ms / Mme Wanda NOWICKA, Poland
/ Pologne
- Mr / M. Roberto SPERANZA, Italy / Italie*
Substitutes / Suppléant·es
- Mr / M. Jone BLIKRA,
Norway / Norvège
- Mr / M. Nuno FAZENDA, Portugal
- Ms / Mme Aurora FLORIDIA, Italy
/ Italie
- Mr / M. Julien JOSWIG, Germany / Allemagne
- Ms / Mme Marietta KARAMANLI,
France
- Ms / Mme Bisera KOSTADINOVSKA-STOJCHEVSKA,
North Macedonia / Macédoine du Nord
- Ms / Mme Saskia KLUIT, Netherlands
/ Pays-Bas
- Ms / Mme Annick LAMBRECHT,
Belgium / Belgique
- Mr / M. Didier MARIE, France
- Mr / M. Yvan RACAN, Croatia / Croatie
- Mr / M. Namik TAN, Türkiye
Group of the European People’s Party (EPP/CD)
/ Groupe du Parti populaire européen (PPE/DC)
- Mr / M. Ricardo CARVALHO,
Portugal
- Ms / Mme Andrea EDER-GITSCHTHALER,
Austria / Autriche
- Mr / M. Tekke PANMAN, Netherlands / Pays-Bas
- Mr / M. Georgios STAMATIS, Greece / Grèce*
- Ms / Mme Albana VOKSHI, Albania
/ Albanie
Substitutes / Suppléant·es
- Ms / Mme Nada
LAKOVIĆ, Montenegro / Monténégro
- Mr / M. Joseph O’REILLY, Ireland / Irlande
European Conservatives, Patriots &
Affiliates (ECPA) / Conservateurs européens, Patriotes et Affiliés (CEPA)
- Lord David BLENCATHRA,
United Kingdom / Royaume-Uni
- Mr / M. Malte KAUFMANN, Germany / Allemagne*
- Mr / M. Zsolt NÉMETH, Hungary / Hongrie
- Ms / Mme Victoria TIBLOM, Sweden
/ Suède
Substitutes / Suppléant·es
- Ms / Mme Alicia
KEARNS, United Kingdom / Royaume-Uni
- Mr / M. José María SÁNCHEZ GARCÍA, Spain / Espagne
Alliance of Liberals and Democrats for
Europe (ALDE) / Alliance des démocrates et des libéraux pour l’Europe
(ADLE)
- Mr / M. Damien COTTIER,
Switzerland / Suisse*
- Ms / Mme Lesia ZABURANNA, Ukraine
- ZZ
Substitutes / Suppléant·es
- Mr / M. Olivier BITZ,
France
- Ms / Mme Valentina GRIPPO,
Italy / Italie
- Mr / M. Arminas LYDEKA, Lithuania / Lituanie
- Ms / Mme Liliana TANGUY, France
- Ms / Mme Tamila TASHEVA, Ukraine
- Ms / Mme Ryan VOGELS, Netherlands,
Pays-Bas
Group of the Unified European Left (UEL)
/ Groupe pour la gauche unitaire européenne (GUE)
- Ms / Mme Laura
CASTEL, Spain / Espagne*
Co-rapporteur.es AS/MON (ex officio)
- Ms / Mme Boriana
ÅBERG (Sweden, Suède / EPP/CD / PPE/DC)*
- Mr / M. Piero FASSINO (Italy, Italie / SOC)*
Accompanying person / Personne accompagnante
- Lady Tara BLENCATHRA,
accompanying Lord David BLENCATHRA
* Pre-electoral mission / mission préélectorale
Appendix 3 – Revised list of members of
the ad hoc Committee to participate in the joint debate co-organised
by the Parliamentary Assembly, the Congress of Local and Regional
authorities and the Venice Commission on “Towards Reliable and Inclusive
Electoral Processes: The Role of Observers” (Paris, 28-29 April
2026), as a contribution to the New Democratic Pact
Chairperson /
Présidente: Ms / Mme Petra
BAYR (Austria / Autriche, SOC)
President of the Parliamentary Assembly / Présidente de l’Assemblée
parlementaire: Ms / Mme Petra BAYR (Austria
/ Autriche, SOC)
Members of the Presidential committee
/ membres du comité présidentiel
- Mr / M. Frank SCHWABE
(Germany / Allemagne, SOC) **
- Mr / M. Pablo HISPÁN (Spain / Espagne, EPP/CD / PPE/DC)
- Mr / M. Zsolt NÉMETH (Hungary/ Hongrie, ECPA /CEPA)**
- Mr / M. Iulian BULAI (Romania / Roumanie, ALDE / ADLE)**
- Ms / Mme Laura CASTEL (Spain
/ Espagne, UEL / GUE)**
- Mr / Mr George LOUCAIDES (Cyprus / Chypre, UEL / GUE)**
Parliamentary Alliance for Free and Fair
Elections / Alliance parlementaire pour des élections libres et équitables
Bureau of the Alliance / Bureau de l’Alliance
- Chairperson / Président
Lord David BLENCATHRA (United Kingdom / Royaume-Uni, ECPA / CEPA)
- Mr / M. Didier MARIE (France, SOC)**
- Ms / Mme Catia POLIDORI (Italy
/ Italie, EPP/CD / PPE/DC)
- Mr / M. Claude KERN (France, ALDE / ADLE)
- Ms / Mme Sevilay ÇELENK (Türkiye,
UEL / GUE)
Members of the Alliance / membres de l’Alliance
- Mr / M. Christophe CHAILLOU
(France, SOC)
- Mr / M. Yunus EMRE (Türkiye, SOC)
- Mr / M. Yuriy KAMELCHUK (Ukraine, EPP/CD / PPE/DC)
- Ms / Mme Alicia KEARNS (United
Kingdom / Royaume-Uni, ECPA /CEPA)
- Mr / M. Jan Filip LIBICKI (Poland / Pologne, EPP/CD /
PPE/DC)
- Mr / M. Saša MAGAZINOVIĆ (Bosnia and Herzegovina, Bosnie-Herzégovine
/ SOC)*
- Mr / M. Chris SAID (Malta / Malte / EPP/CD / PPE/DC)*
- Mr / M. Georgio STAMATIS (Greece / Grèce / EPP/CD / PPE/DC)*
- Ms / Mme Maria SYRENGELA (Greece
/ Grèce / EPP/CD / PPE/DC)* **
- Mr / M. Francesco VERDUCCI (Italy / Italie, SOC)
- Ms / Mme Albana VOKSHI (Albania
/ Albanie, EPP/CD / PPE/DC)*
Council for Democratic Elections (CDE)
of the Council of Europe / Conseil des Elections Démocratiques (CED)
du Conseil de l’Europe
CDE Members / membres du CED
- AS/Mon: Ms / Mme Laura
CASTEL (Spain / Espagne, UEL/GUE)**
- AS/Jur: Mr / M. Pablo HISPAN (Spain / Espagne, EPP/CD
/ PPE/DC)
- AS/Pol: Ms / Mme Rian VOGELS
(Netherlands / Pays-Bas, ALDE/ALDE)
CDE Substitutes / suppléant·es du CED
- AS/Pol: Lord David BLENCATHRA
(United Kingdom / Royaume-Uni, ECPA/CEPA)
- AS/Jur: Ms / Mme Bisera KOSTADINOVSKA-STOJCHEVSKA
(North Macedonia / Macédoine du nord, SOC)
- AS/Mon: Ms / Mme Liliana TANGUY
(France, ALDE/ADLE)
Bureau of the Special Committee on the
New Democratic Pact / Bureau de la commission spéciale sur le Nouveau
Pacte Démocratique
Chairperson / Président: Mr /
M. Christopher CHOPE (United Kingdom, / Royaume-Uni, ECPA / CEPA)
Vice-Chairpersons / Président·es
- Mr/ M. George PAPANDREOU
(Greece / Grèce, SOC)
- Mr / M. Damien COTTIER (Switzerland / Suisse, ALDE / ADLE)**
- Ms / Mme Yelyzaveta YASKO (Ukraine,
EPP/CD / PPE/DC)
PACE General rapporteur on Democracy /
Rapporteur général de l’APCE sur la démocratie
- Mr / M. George PAPANDREOU
(Greece / Grèce, SOC)
PACE Rapporteur on «Elections in times
of crisis» / Rapporteur de l’APCE sur «Elections en temps de crise»
- Mr / M Damien COTTIER
(Switzerland / Suisse, ALDE / ADLE)**
PACE rapporteur on The need to protect
election observers / Rapporteure de l’APCE sur «Nécessité de protéger
les observateurs d’élections»
- Ms / Mme Rian
VOGELS (The Netherlands / Pays-Bas, ALDE / ADLE)
* A substitute member who became a full member due to a vacant
seat / Un membre suppléant devenu membre titulaire à la suite d’une
vacance de siège
**Excused / Excusé·e
Appendix 4 – List of members of the ad hoc
Committee of the Bureau to participate in the Black Sea Security
Forum, Odesa-Ukraine, 29-31 May 2026
Chairperson / Président·e: ZZ…
Committee on Political Affairs and Democracy
/ Commission des questions politiques et de la démocratie
- Ms / Mme Deborah
BERGAMINI (Italy, EPP/CD / Italie, PPE/DC)
- Ms / Mme Elisabetta GARDINI
(Italy, ECPA / Italie, CEPA)
- Mr / M. Yuriy KAMELCHUK (Ukraine, EPP/CD / PPE/DC)
Committee on Legal Affairs and Human Rights
/ Commission des questions juridiques et des droits de l'homme
- Mr / M. Titus CORLĂŢEAN
(Romania / Roumanie, SOC)
- Mr / M. Ivan RAČAN (Croatia / Croatie, SOC)
- Mr / M. Roberto SPERANZA (Italy / Italie, SOC)
Committee on Social Affairs, Health and
Sustainable Development / Commission des questions sociales, de
la santé, et du développement durable
- Mr / M. Murat Cahid
CINGI (Türkiye, NI / NR)
- ZZ…
- ZZ…
Committee on Migration, Refugees and Displaced
Persons / Commission des migrations, des réfugiés et des personnes
déplacées
- Mr / M. Marco SCURRIA
(Italy, ECPA / Italie, CEPA)
- Ms / Mme Larysa BILOZIR (Ukraine,
ALDE / ADLE)
- Mr / M. Murat Cahid CINGI (Türkiye, NR / NI)
Committee on Culture, Science, Education
and Media / Commission de la culture, de la science, de l’éducation
et des médias
Committee on Equality and Non-Discrimination
/ Commission sur l'égalité et la non-discrimination
Committee on Rules, Ethics and Immunities
/ Commission du Règlement, de l’éthique et des immunités
Special committee on the New Democratic
Pact / Commission spéciale sur le Nouveau Pacte Démocratique
