27/05/2016 Standing Committee
“Estonia is taking over the Council of Europe Chairmanship at a very difficult time, with hostilities being renewed between some member States, and the threat of terrorism creating a sense of insecurity, lack of trust and even hatred,” said PACE President Pedro Agramunt, addressing the PACE Standing Committee in Tallinn today.
In this respect, he announced the launching of a new initiative “Terrorism: No Hate, No Fear” during the next PACE session in Strasbourg (20-24 juin), which aims at mobilising politicians, civil society actors and ordinary citizens to defend the right to live without fear and to oppose all groups which contribute to create a general feeling of suspicion in our society.
President Agramunt also congratulated Estonia on the priorities it has set for its Chairmanship: human rights and the rule of law on the internet, gender equality – including combating and preventing violence against women, as well the role of the media and their impact on gender equality – and children’s rights.
This is the second time Estonia chairs the Council of Europe Committee of Ministers.