07/10/2010 | Session
PACE today denounced the increasingly frequent use of security discourse on the national political scene. Presenting her report to the Assembly, Anne Brasseur (Luxembourg, ALDE) pointed out that this security rhetoric, which is being used by political leaders in several member States, “tends to link insecurity with ethnic communities”, as has recently been the case with Roma.
07/10/2010 | Session
The Assembly today emphasized the need to affirm the right of conscientious objection in lawful medical care. At the end of a debate on the subject during which the text presented by the Committee on Social Affairs was substantially amended, the adopted resolution states that "no person and no hospital or institution shall be coerced, held liable or discriminated against in any manner because of a refusal to perform, accommodate, assist or submit to an abortion […]". The adopted text invites member states to develop comprehensive and clear regulations that define and regulate conscientious objection with regard to health and medical services.
06/10/2010 | Session
Taking stock of the Council of Europe’s Development Bank activities over the 2007-2009 period, the Assembly today underscored a huge potential which could be better tapped if its members can show the vision and ambition to make it an even more relevant, focused, visible and significant player on the European scene. Adopting a report by Tuur Elzinga (Netherlands, UEL), the parliamentarians called on the Bank to substantially increase its capital and to further develop co-operation agreements with international partners in order to share costs, practices and competences.
06/10/2010 | Session
Parliamentarians today debated the causes and effects of the financial and economic crisis focusing on the eastern regions of Europe with specific reference to the activities of the European Bank for Reconstruction and Development last year, based on a report by Hermine Naghdalyan (Armenia, ALDE).
06/10/2010 | Session
John Greenway, Chair of the PACE Committee on Migration, Refugees and Population today publicly welcomed the timely and outspoken position taken by the Global Migration Group* on the controversial issue of human rights of migrants in irregular situation.
06/10/2010 | Session
The enlarged Assembly – extended to comprise parliamentarians from non-European OECD member countries – today voiced its concern about the sharp deterioration of public finances caused by governmental stimulus programmes and rescue packages.
06/10/2010 | Session
In his speech during today’s commemoration ceremony for the 60th anniversary of the European Convention on Human Rights, the PACE President stressed that “to this day the Convention – given shape and form during the debates in Strasbourg – remains a miracle of international legal co-operation...
06/10/2010 | Session
OECD Secretary General intervened at PACE on October 6th, emphasizing the relevance of international organizations’ co-ordination to overcome economic crisis. The former Mexican Minister of Foreign Affairs quoted four key challenges: sustaining the recovery and restoring public finances, improving jobs perspectives and skills, exploring new sources of growth, rebuilding trust and confidence.
06/10/2010 | Session
PACE has called for national laws to protect individuals from corporate abuses of rights enshrined in the European Convention on Human Rights and revised European Social Charter. Presenting a report on human rights and business, Holger Haibach (Germany, EPP/CD) said: "Businesses will only reap profits in the long term if they act ethically and responsibly."
05/10/2010 | Session
In a resolution adopted today, the PACE calls upon EU member states and institutions to take all necessary measures to avoid unnecessary duplication of the work of the Council of Europe by the EU Agency for Fundamental Rights. The Assembly members believe that such duplication could cause confusion in the interpretation of European human rights standards or even lead to the emergence of double standards.
05/10/2010 | Session
PACE, meeting this week in plenary session in Strasbourg, today elected Julia Laffranque as judge to the European Court of Human Rights with respect to Estonia.
05/10/2010 | Session
PACE, meeting this week in plenary session in Strasbourg, today elected Linos-Alexander Sicilianos as judge to the European Court of Human Rights with respect to Greece. Mr Sicilianos, having obtained an absolute majority of votes cast, is elected a judge of the European Court of Human Rights.