22/06/2022 | 11:47:48 Thank you, Madam President. First of all let me thank our colleague Ms Petra BAYR for this excellent, excellent and concise report. Dear Colleagues, Unfortunately, antisemitism is once again on the rise in Europe. Antisemitism is a grave human rights violation and should be condemned and treated as such. Preventing and combating the phenomenon should be a priority in all our member Sates. Jews do not mastermind any global plot, nor have they manipulated events to further their goals. These... 21/06/2022 | 17:53:12 Thank you, Madam Chair. Before I comment on the excellent report of my esteemed colleague, Mr Bogdan KLICH, I would like to refer just for a few seconds to a few comments made by my also esteemed colleague, Ms Zeynep YILDIZ. Let me just say that there is no Northern Cyprus. There is only an occupied Cyprus, and we don't say that. The United Nations resolutions say that. There are no embargoes. The international community refuses to trade with occupied Cyprus. Now, that might be an embargo in... 20/06/2022 | 16:23:40 Thank you, Madam Chair. First of all, let me than the rapporteurs for this excellent report we are debating today. Dear Colleagues, As we navigate the 21st century, Europe is still experiencing a steady increase in various forms of intolerance and overt discrimination against vulnerable and oppressed social groups. Although civil society and political parties are increasingly combating the reproduction of hurtful stereotypes and the expression of hate speech, discriminatory acts continue to... 22/04/2021 | 13:07:19 (Undelivered speech, Rules of Procedure Art. 31.2) Dear Colleagues, Regrettably, we find ourselves enticed, once more, to debate the functioning of democratic institutions in Turkey, a founding member of the Council of Europe. Turkey continues to fall short in honouring its international obligations and commitments. Ankara has been escalating its provocations and illegal actions in the Eastern Mediterranean and elsewhere, as part of its expansionist aims. Turkey’s persisting arrogance... 28/01/2021 | 11:14:09 Thank you, Mr Chair. Good morning, dear colleagues, The fundamental right of freedom of expression is a central pillar of a democratic society. It is safeguarded as such, through national and international instruments, at the forefront of which stands the European Convention of Human Rights. Nevertheless, the right to freedom of expression is not all-encompassing and absolute. It is delimited by obligations and responsibilities essential for the proper functioning of democratic societies... 30/01/2020 | 20:00:34 (Undelivered speech, Rules of Procedure Art. 31.2) Dear Colleagues, We could very well be standing on the verge of a very detrimental development to the security of Europe and the stability of the Mediterranean. The most worrying however development which does not seem to adequately alarm Europe is the fact that jihadi fighters have been transported to Libya for combat. Who has been exporting jihadist militias and offensive military equipment there is another matter, even though the answer is... 30/01/2020 | 17:35:43 Thank you, Mr President. Dear colleagues, I would like to thank the two rapporteurs whose reports were debating here today. In exposing these issues, that are global in nature, we can seek ways to improve the conditions in our own countries, where we are more familiar with the structures in place and remaining difficulties. Both debates deal with persons who are inherently vulnerable. It is important to bear this in mind, because vulnerable people, such as victims of trafficking and migrant... 29/01/2020 | 17:41:47 Thank you, Mister President. Dear colleagues, I would like, first, to thank the rapporteur, Mr Frank SCHWABE, for this well-written report that lays down a step-by-step process aiming at bringing in line, through the adoption of a common mechanism, a member state that has breached its statutory obligations. Without prejudice to the competences of the Secretary General, the Parliamentary Assembly, and the Council of Ministers, which all have their own code of conduct and procedure, agreeing to... 28/01/2020 | 17:37:22 Madam President, dear colleagues, I would like to congratulate Lord George FOULKES for his comprehensive work, highlighting threats to journalists and media freedom in general. We all agree that at the heart of true democracy lies an independent and pluralistic media. Freedom of speech is one of the most fundamental values of humankind. Journalists' right to work under safe conditions without harassment, intimidation or violence has long been acknowledged by international and regional... 02/10/2019 | 16:34:59 Dear colleagues, I would first like to thank the rapporteur Ms Nicole TRISSE for her well documented report. It is important to hold this debate today, as we must ensure that the Council of Europe Development Bank remains grounded to the Organisation's political and social objectives and the core values and principles it represents. Undoubtedly one cannot but feel impressed with the achievements of the bank, its sound financing policies and structures, its top ranking position and expert...