02/10/2009 | Session
In two inter-linked debates, PACE members today unanimously called for greater co-operation between member states in managing water issues. In the first debate, the Assembly said sharing expertise on how to combat water shortage and pollution in the Mediterranean Basin could help to promote peace. Recognising access to drinking water as a basic human right, the Assembly called for legislation on water supply and projects to limit further water stress. In a second debate on the oceans, PACE said they need to be protected from pollution, such as plastic, heavy metals and sewage, as well as over-fishing, increasing and poorly controlled coastal activities, as well as rising sea levels due to climate change. It urged European countries to endorse the maritime policies already proposed by the EU in its 2007 “Blue book”.
02/10/2009 | Session
Moldova’s new coalition government and opposition should enter into meaningful negotiations to break the deadlock over electing the President, the Parliamentary Assembly said today. Debating a monitoring report on Moldova, the Assembly also said that once the President and Prime Minister were in place, there needs to be far-reaching reform – including, where appropriate, of the Constitution – to avoid such institutional deadlock in the future.
02/10/2009 | Session
While stressing that the fight against rape needs to be stepped up, the Assembly today called on member states to ensure that the legislation on rape and sexual violence reaches "the highest possible standard". The unanimously adopted text based on the report prepared by Marlene Rupprecht (Germany, SOC) ask Member states to develop a comprehensive strategy which should comprise measures to prevent rape in the first place, as well as to ensure (securely-funded) protection of and assistance to rape victims at every step of the proceedings, including, possibly, compensation for the victims.
01/10/2009 | Session
PACE today decided to close the monitoring procedure relating to the honouring of the obligations and commitments of Monaco towards the Council of Europe. In a resolution adopted on the basis of the report by Leonid Slutsky (Russian Federation, SOC) and Pedro Agramunt (Spain, EPP/CD), the Assembly considers that Monaco has clearly demonstrated “its determination and ability” to fulfil the undertakings made upon its accession in 2004. Monaco has ratified 40 of the 250 Council of Europe conventions and signed three others.
01/10/2009 | Session
The Assembly today called on European political leaders “to show political will in order to ensure unwavering support for the Council of Europe in the performance of its statutory functions”. Aware that the Organisation’s activities must constantly be subjected to objective critical analysis, the parliamentarians asked member States to show “political courage” in censuring behaviour that is inconsistent with the Council of Europe’s principles and values. “It is necessary to resist the temptation to exploit and relativise, according to the political opportunity.
01/10/2009 | Session
The French Secretary of State for European Affairs gave an assurance of France’s attachment to the Council of Europe by stating before the Assembly today, "I know what great pride the Council can take in the work accomplished." He suggested identifying any overlaps with the European Union in order to focus on the areas where the action of the Council of Europe proves most apposite and effective.
01/10/2009 | Session
Speaking at the Parliamentary Assembly today, the President of the Republic of Slovenia said that a "Europe united around common values is still not fully realised". He stated that this aim should remain the priority of the Council of Europe, which should continue to be the "ultimate watchdog for human rights in the continent". He called on member states to respect their commitments with regard to the execution of judgments of the European Court of Human Rights, and to give the required attention to the implementation of conventions and the recommendations of the bodies that monitor torture, racism, national minorities and social rights.
01/10/2009 | Session
At the end of a debate on the reform of the United Nations, the Assembly today called on European governments to reach a common position as regards the prohibition of the recourse to the veto within the Security Council in the case of “actual or threatened serious and widespread human rights violations”. Following the proposals of the rapporteur (Andreas Gross, Switzerland, SOC), the parliamentarians also voted in favour of a transitional reform of the Security Council, based on the establishment of a new category of non-permanent seats, which could be held for a longer period of time than in the current system.
01/10/2009 | Session
PACE today decided to confirm the credentials of the Russian delegation, following a challenge submitted by 72 Assembly members. In a resolution adopted by 88 votes to 35, the parliamentarians said: “Notwithstanding the lack of compliance by Russia with most of its demands, the Assembly decides to confirm the ratification of the credentials of the Russian delegation, on the understanding that this will enable the Russian authorities to engage in a meaningful and constructive dialogue with a view to addressing all the issues mentioned in the Assembly resolutions on the consequences of the war between Georgia and Russia.”
30/09/2009 | Session
PACE today decided to ratify the credentials of the parliamentary delegation of Moldova, challenged at the opening of the session on procedural grounds. The Assembly concluded that the list of its members fairly represented political groups in the Moldovan Parliament, in compliance with Rule 6 of the Assembly’s Rules of Procedure. PACE also asked the relevant Moldovan authorities to specify urgently their intentions in regard to four vacant seats for substitutes on the Moldovan delegation.
30/09/2009 | Session
PACE today called for the “right to live in a healthy and viable environment” to be enshrined in the European Convention on Human Rights – which would make it legally enforceable in courts across Europe. In a recommendation based on a report by José Mendes Bota (Portugal, EPP/CD), the Assembly said the European Court of Human Rights, in its case-law, had already on some occasions protected such a right as a “knock-on effect” of other rights.
30/09/2009 | Session
In a resolution unanimously adopted today, PACE stressed that the independence of the judiciary is the principal line of defence against politically-motivated interference in the law. In order to ensure the success of any changes to the system, PACE advised maintaining the right balance between parties enjoying full independence (judges, defence lawyers) and the prosecution and the police. Sabine Leutheusser-Schnarrenberger (Germany, ALDE), PACE rapporteur on this subject, examined how politicians can interfere in criminal proceedings in four countries representing the principal types of criminal justice system in Europe.