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Statement on addressing climate change

Commitee calls on the Council of Europe to assume its role in addressing climate change and its impact on...

05/09/2025 | Social Affairs, Health and Sustainable Development

The Committee on Social Affairs, Health and Sustainable Development notes with grave concern that Europe has entered an era in which climate-related disasters are becoming structural: persistent droughts, unprecedented wildfires, and heatwaves that strike the most vulnerable and already...

Funicular accident in Lisbon
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Statement by a committee following the funicular accident in Lisbon

05/09/2025 | Social Affairs, Health and Sustainable Development

The Committee on social affairs, health and sustainable development has expressed s its profound sorrow over the tragic accident on the Elevador da Glória in Lisbon, which claimed the lives of 16 people (including foreign nationals) and left many others injured. "We extend our deepest condolences...

PACE committee calls for stronger action to guarantee the right to housing
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PACE committee calls for stronger action to guarantee the right to housing

05/09/2025 | Social Affairs, Health and Sustainable Development

“The right to adequate housing is a universal human right and a cornerstone of social justice, human development and democratic stability,” underlined the Committee on Social Affairs, Health and Sustainable Development. Yet this right “remains a broken promise” for more than 1.3 million people...

Palestinian journalists killed in Gaza
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PACE rapporteur condemns killings of Palestinian journalists and calls upon Israel to end its attacks on...

12/08/2025 | Social Affairs, Health and Sustainable Development

“I am appalled by the killings of five Al Jazeera journalists, including prominent reporter Anas al-Sharif, in a targeted Israeli strike near Gaza City's Al-Shifa Hospital last Sunday,” said Saskia Kluit (Netherlands, SOC), Rapporteur of the Parliamentary Assembly of the Council of Europe (PACE...

Clean and affordable energy 'crucial' for sustained prosperity and human rights, says PACE

PACE rapporteur concerned by US sanctions against UN rapporteur

11/07/2025 | Social Affairs, Health and Sustainable Development

Saskia Kluit (Netherlands, SOC), rapporteur of the Parliamentary Assembly of the Council of Europe (PACE) on “The absolute and urgent need to end the humanitarian crisis for women, children and the hostages in Gaza", made the following statement today: “I am deeply concerned by the recent...

70 years of the Europe Prize, a testament to the power of local democracy

06/06/2025 | Prizes

Mayors from across Europe, leading officials from the Council of Europe and parliamentarians gathered in Donostia/San Sebastián in Spain today to celebrate the 70th anniversary of the Europe Prize during a series of commemorative events. The Prize, created by the Parliamentary Assembly of the...

Gaza
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‘Gaza: acts point in the direction of ethnic cleansing and genocide,’ PACE rapporteur says

23/05/2025 | Social Affairs, Health and Sustainable Development

Saskia Kluit (Netherlands, SOC), rapporteur of the Parliamentary Assembly of the Council of Europe (PACE) on “The absolute and urgent need to end the humanitarian crisis for women, children and the hostages in Gaza" made the following statement today: “The massacre underway in Gaza is man-made...

PACE committee urges a sustainable and socially fair energy transition grounded in human rights
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PACE committee urges a sustainable and socially fair energy transition grounded in human rights

21/05/2025 | Social Affairs, Health and Sustainable Development

A PACE committee has called on member states to strengthen their national strategies for transitioning to clean, safe and affordable energy — a move seen as critical not only for environmental sustainability but also for social justice and human rights. The committee further underlined that...

Social mobilisation: committee proposed placing mediation at the heart of policing, calling for a renewed social contract
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Social mobilisation: committee proposes placing mediation at the heart of policing, calling for a renewed...

21/05/2025 | Social Affairs, Health and Sustainable Development

The Committee on Social Affairs, meeting on 16 May in Helsinki, emphasised the importance of rethinking policing strategies in the face of social mobilisation and rebuilding a lasting bond between institutions and citizens, including young people in disadvantaged neighbourhoods. Analysing several...

Conference in Helsinki on ‘Deported Ukrainian children: European action’
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'There can be no just and lasting peace without the return of deported Ukrainian children'

15/05/2025 | Social Affairs, Health and Sustainable Development

"Ukrainian children are non-negotiable. There can be no just and lasting peace without the unconditional return of all deported and forcibly transferred Ukrainian children. The safe and immediate repatriation of these children must form an integral part of any future peace agreement", today said...

Combating child poverty and social exclusion by leveraging international standards

Combating child poverty and social exclusion by leveraging international standards

03/04/2025 | Social Affairs, Health and Sustainable Development

Saskia Kluit (Netherlands, SOC), Chairperson of the PACE Committee on Social Affairs, today expressed concern at the increased risk of poverty, social exclusion and deteriorating living standards among children, pointing out that 19.9 million children currently live at risk of poverty in the EU...

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The rapporteur on the humanitarian situation in Gaza appalled by the resumption of bombardments on the...

19/03/2025 | Social Affairs, Health and Sustainable Development

“I am deeply shocked by Israel's decision to resume bombardments and not to respect the ceasefire’, said Saskia Kluit (Netherlands, SOC), rapporteur on “The absolute and urgent need to end the humanitarian crisis for women, children and the hostages in Gaza". “The press reported yesterday that at...