16/04/2024 | 20:08:55 (Undelivered speech, Rules of Procedure Art. 31.2) Dear colleagues, dear Rapporteur, I want to thank the Rapporteur for the detailed Report on this issue, Kosovo’s aspirations to join the Council of Europe have mostly been met with a wave of optimism, largely based on the anticipation that the prospect of accession would entice Kosovo to take further steps to bolster its democratic institutions, human rights record and the efficiency of its judiciary. The Constitutional Court’s judgement... 25/01/2024 | 18:46:03 Thank you, Chair. First of all, I would like to congratulate the rapporteur for this excellent report. The critical issue highlighted in this report, namely the increasing and pervasive use of SLAPPs across Europe, poses an imminent threat to journalism, advocacy, communication, and the broader spectrum of free speech – essential elements for the proper functioning of a democratic society. The report accurately underscores the inadequacy of the existing legal framework that does not... 23/01/2024 | 20:17:41 (Undelivered speech, Rules of Procedure Art. 31.2) Dear Colleagues, I want to thank Mr Fassino whose extensive knowledge on the Middle East is evident in this Report. The escalation of violence in the Middle East, as a result of Hamas’ terrorist attack on Israel on October 7th, is intrinsically linked to the complexity and volatility of the region. Mutually exclusive perceptions of the conflict by its main key players, as well as the failure of the international community to act as a credible... 12/10/2023 | 20:20:22 (Undelivered speech, Rules of Procedure Art. 31.2) Dear Colleagues, We condemn the aggravating life sentence handed down to Osman Kavala, a Turkish philanthropist and prominent human rights defender. The continuous unjust, unlawful and illegitimate detention of Mr. Kavala after the Council of Europe launched infringement proceedings against Turkey for refusing to implement the legally binding judgment of the European Court of Human Rights to release Mr Kavala, is outrageous. The allegations... 12/10/2023 | 20:15:35 (Undelivered speech, Rules of Procedure Art. 31.2) Dear Colleagues, I would like to thank Mr. Hajduković for a precise and informative Report. At the last session, we were discussing the need to ensure free and safe access of the Lachin corridor. Many of us had warned of impeding ethnic cleansing due to the horrific living conditions imposed on the Armenian population, including the denial of basic human rights, even to children. Four months later, here we are discussing the consequences of... 12/10/2023 | 16:19:26 Thank you, Madam Chair. First of all, let me thank Ms Lesia VASYLENKO, Mr Claude KERN, and Mr Iulian BULAI fro an excellent report. Dear Colleagues, Ever since its establishment three quarters of a century ago, the Council of Europe has been proclaiming a key role in preventing conflict and war and in promoting unity and peace. This strategic aim is based on the inherent belief that conditions of peace and security in Europe and beyond, may be achieved through the advancement of common... 11/10/2023 | 20:02:23 (Undelivered speech, Rules of Procedure Art. 31.2) Dear Colleagues, We strongly condemn the heinous attack on the state of Israel and its citizens by the terrorist organization Hamas and no one can deny Israel’s right to defend itself . An attack that is completely in line and in tune with the modus operandi of ISIS, Al Quada, the Taliban and Daesh. Let no one be mistaken. This has nothing to do with anyone’s right to self – determination. It has to do with war crimes. It has to do with the... 22/06/2023 | 18:22:31 Thank you Mister President. Dear Colleagues, First of all I would like to congratulate the rapporteur Mr Paul GAVAN, whose meticulous work, although impeded and unjustly hindered, as is explained in his report, as he was not able to travel to the Lachin corridor, has not managed to prevent him from accurately finding facts and producing this excellent report. It is inconceivable for a member state of this Organisation not to allow a rapporteur to visit its territory on a fact-finding mission... 19/06/2023 | 17:37:09 (Undelivered speech, Rules of Procedure Art. 31.2) Dear Colleagues First of all let me congratulate the Rapporteur Mr Schwabe for this excellent report and congratulations are also due to the 40 members of the ad hoc committee, the co-rapporteurs and the representative of the Venice Commission whose tireless work made it possible for us to have this comprehensive and detailed report as to the recent election process in Turkey. The report’s findings are alarming. And particularly alarming is... 12/10/2022 | 17:33:55 Chairman, Dear colleagues, I would like to thank the two co-rapporteurs, Mr George PAPANDREOU and Mr Eerik-Niiles KROSS, for this excellent report which points out with clarity the situation prevailing in Hungary today. Nobody can deny that Hungary is facing serious issues and the democratic values are backsliding. Nobody can ignore the European Parliament's adopted report, just recently, in September, underlining the deterioration of human rights, democracy, and the rule of law in the...