28/09/2021 | 19:06:17 Thank you, Chair. On behalf of the group of Social Democrats and Greens, I thank the rapporteur for this important report. The Council of Europe has a long tradition of fighting against violence against women and domestic violence, including other crimes, but the 2014 Istanbul Convention is an important cornerstone. As mentioned in the report, the Covid-19 pandemic has resulted in an increase in gender-based violence, including acts aimed at upholding honour. In this context, a reaffirmation... 28/09/2021 | 12:46:31 Thank you. Socio-economic inequality is one of the most pervasive issues of our time. A globalised world led to a race to the bottom in terms of labour and production prices, and in this process the rights and position of workers were diminished. Government policies allow big companies as many taxation liberties as possible while cutting down on social welfare systems and redistributive methods, all for the sake of the ever-powerful market. Recently, the Covid-19 pandemic deepened already... 23/06/2021 | 16:26:38 Thank you. On behalf of the group of socialists and greens, I very much welcome the report of Ms Eglantina GJERMENI on enhancing the participation of women from under-represented groups in political and public decision-making. For all women face high barriers to participate in politics, the barriers for women of under-represented groups are even higher, much higher I would say. As the report states, that goes for, amongst others, young women, women of colour, women with an immigration... 23/06/2021 | 13:08:15 (Undelivered speech, Rules of Procedure Art. 31.2) It is really alarming that States of the CoE are questioning and even leaving the Istanbul Convention, because of the emphasis of the Convention on the concept of gender. I want to stress that it is exactly this emphasis that makes the Convention so valuable. It is true, the concept of gender, and its importance in combating violence against women and genderbased violence, is not easy to grasp, and even less easy to act on. Also in my country... 22/06/2021 | 13:01:13 (Undelivered speech, Rules of Procedure Art. 31.2) First I want to compliment the rapporteur with this important, and well balanced report. It clearly shows the dilemma’s we are facing in all our countries. Is it discriminatory against people who are not vaccinated to allow them less freedom than people who are? Or is it a violation of human rights of people who are vaccinated to limit their freedoms more than necessary? The difficulty is that is both true. And what to think of the balance... 26/01/2021 | 11:37:32 Thank you. I also want to welcome the words that Ms Sabine LEUTHEUSSER-SCHNARRENBERGER spoke so passionately. And of course on behalf of the Socialists, Democrats and Greens Group I most welcome the report of Mr Andrea ORLANDO. The independence of judges is a crucial element of the rule of law, which is one of the core values of the Council of Europe. Democracy and human rights cannot function without it. The Venice Commission uses access to justice before an independent and impartial court...