23/06/2025 | 12:28:28 Thank you, Mister speaker. One of the main conclusions in the report is that the 2025 parliamentary elections in Albania were competitive and professionally conducted but took place in a highly polarised environment and that contestants did not enjoy a level playing field. Still, candidates were generally able to campaign freely although some reported facing intimidation. The electoral administration managed the process in an inclusive and transparent manner. But it is a big concern that the... 10/04/2025 | 11:24:12 Thank you, Mister President. The strength of the Council of Europe is that we, in all contexts, in all matters, are committed to working for human rights and the rule of law through dialogue and respect for the individual member states. A lot needs to happen before the issue of excluding member states and not approving credentials becomes an issue, precisely because we believe in dialogue, and the fundamental idea that human rights must always be the basis. We are now, dear friends, in the... 08/04/2025 | 18:10:56 Thank you, Chair. The Council of Europe standards and mechanisms seek to promote and ensure respect for the human rights of every individual. These include equal rights and dignity of all human beings, of course, also LGBTI persons. The Council of Europe’s Committee of Ministers have several times asked member states to take action to combat discrimination on the grounds of sexual orientation or gender identity. It should be unnecessary to remind governments that human rights are universal... 30/01/2025 | 17:58:54 Thank you. The way we communicate with each other and how we spread messages and forward statements from others is in constant change. Without rules and regulations – we will have anarchy. The activity on social media is regulated by the content moderation rules included in social media companies’ terms and conditions. It is a challenge that these rules can be different from company to company and users are bound by them on a take-it-or-leave-it basis. Another challenge, as the rapporteur... 28/01/2025 | 19:46:24 Thank you. It should be a big concern that private military and security companies are widely used by states and businesses. Of course, we must recognise that security companies often play an important role in humanitarian missions, but that fact is no argument for not to regulate and work for a clarification of the legal consequences of their actions. The erosion of the state monopoly on the use of force is an erosion of the states’ authority, because it results in loss of democratic... 27/01/2025 | 17:35:22 Undelivered speech, Rules of Procedure Art. 31.2 The elections in Georgia were taking place at a critical juncture in Georgia’s European integration process. The big question was: Will the will of the people be respected? I was one of the observes from PACE and we observed a strong level of political polarization. When we heard statement from the ruling parti who called for banning the opposition, the level of political polarization became visible and concrete. Legislation restricting freedom... 01/10/2024 | 20:37:31 (Undelivered speech, Rules of Procedure Art. 31.2) Member States of the Council of Europe have undertaken to respect the standards of democracy. We should recall that in 2001 debate on Azerbaijan agreed to honor several specific commitments listed in the Assembly Opinion 222. As a member country we are all obligated to work for the principles of democracy and the rule og law as well as respect for human rights and fundamental freedom of all persons. After more than 20 years after joining... 24/06/2024 | 16:33:13 Thank you. The Report concerning the observations of the presidential and the parliamentary elections in North Macedonia on 24 April and 8 May is a well written, detailed and informative Report. Thank you to Mr Alfred HEER, the rapporteur and chairperson of the ad-hoc Committee, the two co-rapporteurs, the legal advisors, the representatives from the Venice Commission and all staff that made it possible to arrange this observation. And thank you to the North Macedonian authorities and to all... 16/04/2024 | 20:09:37 (Undelivered speech, Rules of Procedure Art. 31.2) Why should Kosovo be A Member of the Council of Europe? In the summary MS. Dora BAKOYANNIS answered that question in one sentence: Quote: «Membership of the Council of Europe should catalyse momentum for Kosovo to continue to make progress in stregthening human rights, democracy and the rulle of law an adresse outstanding challanges.» un quote. To work for human rights, democracy and the rule of law is the Council of Europe mission - Thats... 25/01/2024 | 16:59:24 Dear Mister President, We all see that there are deep political divisions in Belarus between President Lukashenko’s regime and large parts of the population. We are deeply concerned to see that any and all forms of opposition are being brutally cracked down on, and that the regime shows no sign of ceasing its policy of repression. Belarus has left its territory and air space at the disposal of Russia’s war of aggression against Ukraine. It has so far refrained from using its own forces, yet...