27/06/2012 | Session
Many Muslim women want to be involved in creating change or empowerment, and the Assembly should encourage them in their quest for equal opportunities, according to PACE. Approving a report by Athina Kyriakidou (Cyprus, SOC), the Assembly said that as well as robust anti-discrimination laws, including laws which specifically cover “multiple discrimination”, governments should encourage Muslim women’s groups and networks, ensure that all girls have access to all levels of education, and encourage diversity in the media and in public life.
27/06/2012 | Session
PACE today elected judges to the European Court of Human Rights in respect of the Czech Republic, the Netherlands, Poland and the United Kingdom. Aleš Pejchal, having obtained a relative majority of votes cast, is elected a judge of the European Court of Human Rights in respect of the Czech Republic for a term of office of 9 years starting on 1 November 2012...
27/06/2012 | Session
Croatian Prime Minister Zoran Milanović today backed action by the Council of Europe in South East Europe and pledged to work to build cohesion and reduce regional differences in South East Europe and beyond. Croatia’s entry to the EU in 2013 would not mean that its borders became a dividing line between west and east...
27/06/2012 | Session
Although the member States of the Council of Europe already have legal remedies for countering xenophobia and racist speech, the Assembly feels that a real strategy is needed for combating xenophobia, especially during election campaigns.
27/06/2012 | Session
Governments should create a safe environment for human rights defenders to play their vital role, and pursue anyone who seeks to harm them or obstruct their work, PACE has said. In a resolution based on a report by Mailis Reps (Estonia, ALDE), the Assembly also called for public recognition of their work.
26/06/2012 | Session
Iceland’s Economic Affairs Minister Steingrímur Sigfússon told Parliamentary Assembly members that there is “an end to the tunnel” in the current economic crisis, because Iceland lived through it – and not with austerity alone.
26/06/2012 | Session
PACE Committee on Political Affairs and Democracy meeting in Strasbourg, today made the following statement: “With a view to the forthcoming parliamentary elections on 23 September 2012 in Belarus, the Committee on Political Affairs and Democracy urges the Belarusian authorities to open up political space and to meet their commitments to the OSCE in terms of standards for free and fair elections, electoral reforms, media freedom and respect for human rights.
26/06/2012 | Session
“Media freedom is seriously violated in Europe,” today said William Horsley, Media Freedom Representative of the Association of European Journalists, at a hearing organised by PACE Committee on Culture, Science, Education and Media. “In a number of Council of Europe member states, patterns of violence and legal abuses directed against journalists have taken root and threaten to stifle genuinely free and independent media in favour of a climate of censorship and intimidation,” he added.
26/06/2012 | Session
Edmond Haxhinasto, Deputy Prime Minister and Minister for Foreign Affairs of Albania, Chairperson of the Committee of Ministers, recalled that one the top priorities of his country’s ongoing Chairmanship of the Committee of Ministers is, under the motto “United in Diversity”, the promotion of tolerance, dialogue and mutual understanding.
26/06/2012 | Session
The PACE today expressed concern about the consequences of austerity measures on democracy and social rights standards. The Assembly said that “budgetary cuts in social expenditure risk further deepening the crisis and undermining social rights.”
26/06/2012 | Session
Gabriella Battaini-Dragoni (Italy) was elected today by the PACE as the Deputy Secretary General of the Council of Europe by 133 votes to 117 for the other candidate, Gérard Stoudmann (Switzerland). She will take up office on 1 September 2012 for a period of three years, and replaces Maud de Boer-Buquicchio, whose term of office expires on 31 August, having performed this function since 1 September 2002.
26/06/2012 | Session
Concerned about the situation of young people, affected by unprecedented unemployment, underemployment and poverty, PACE today called on member states to pursue youth policies that will help young people integrate into society through active citizenship, social dialogue and sustainable employment opportunities.