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London’s Young V&A is honoured at Strasbourg ceremony

London’s Young V&A is honoured at Strasbourg ceremony

20/04/2026 | Session

The ‘most joyful museum in the world’ receives the 2026 Council of Europe Museum Prize The Young V&A in the United Kingdom was hailed as offering children “a message of hope for the future” as it was awarded the 2026 Council of Europe Museum Prize at a ceremony today in Strasbourg in front of...

Jean-Noël Barrot to the Assembly: force is gaining ground over the rule of law

Jean-Noël Barrot to the Assembly: force is gaining ground over the rule of law

20/04/2026 | Session

Addressing the Parliamentary Assembly of the Council of Europe (PACE) today in Strasbourg, France’s Minister for Europe and Foreign Affairs Jean-Noël Barrot issued a warning: human rights, the rule of law and democracy are now under threat “even in countries that have traditionally been at the...

Hemicycle / Session / Hémicycle

PACE winter session highlights: address by the President of the Republic of Moldova, urgent debate on...

30/01/2026 | Session

Addresses by Moldovan President Maia Sandu and Armenian Foreign Minister Ararat Mirzoyan were among highlights of the winter plenary session of the Parliamentary Assembly of the Council of Europe (PACE), which took place in Strasbourg from 26 to 30 January 2026. There were urgent debates on...

PACE decides to close the post-monitoring dialogue with North Macedonia

PACE decides to close the post-monitoring dialogue with North Macedonia

30/01/2026 | Session

The Parliamentary Assembly of the Council of Europe (PACE), meeting in plenary session in Strasbourg, today decided “to close the post-monitoring dialogue with North Macedonia”. By adopting a resolution, based on the report by Sibel Arslan (Switzerland, SOC) and Joseph O'Reilly (Ireland, EPP/CD...

The 65th anniversary of the European Social Charter: social rights as the foundation of resilient democracies and social justice

The 65th anniversary of the European Social Charter: social rights as the foundation of resilient...

30/01/2026 | Session

Marking the 65th anniversary of the European Social Charter, PACE reaffirmed that social rights are a core pillar of democratic stability, recalling that the Charter was drawn up as a “cornerstone instrument” and as the counterpart, in the sphere of economic and social rights, to the European...

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Assembly holds a ‘free debate’ on current issues

30/01/2026 | Session

PACE this morning held a “free debate” on current issues not included in the session agenda. On this occasion, members could speak on any issue which falls within the Assembly’s mandate. Seventeen parliamentarians took the floor.

Greenland’s future is for the people of Greenland and Denmark, says PACE

Greenland’s future is for the people of Greenland and Denmark, says PACE

29/01/2026 | Session

Any decisions concerning the future status of Greenland, or its relations within the Kingdom of Denmark, may be taken “only by the people of Greenland and the people of Denmark”, the Parliamentary Assembly of the Council of Europe (PACE) has said. Approving a resolution on the case of Greenland...

Prioritising the protection of civilians in the context of the political crisis in the broader Middle East

Prioritising the protection of civilians in the context of the political crisis in the broader Middle East

29/01/2026 | Session

Faced with instability in the broader Middle East and serious human rights violations in both the Islamic Republic of Iran and the Syrian Arab Republic disproportionately affecting minority communities, PACE said that the lasting peace and stability in the region “could only be achieved through...

PACE calls for ban on conversion practices

PACE calls for ban on conversion practices

29/01/2026 | Session

The Parliamentary Assembly of the Council of Europe (PACE), meeting in plenary session in Strasbourg, today called on member states to adopt legislation to “prohibit conversion practices, providing for criminal sanctions and based on a clear and comprehensive definition of the proscribed...

PACE calls for young people to be equal partners in European democracy

PACE calls for young people to be equal partners in European democracy

28/01/2026 | Session

The Assembly has reaffirmed that the effective participation of young people is “vital for the renewal, resilience and legitimacy of democratic institutions” and stressed that Europe’s future depends on societies “in which young people are recognised as equal partners in shaping political, social...

Rules / Procedure

Following challenges, PACE approves the credentials of the Austrian and Polish parliamentary delegations

28/01/2026 | Session

The Assembly has approved the credentials of both the Austrian and Polish parliamentary delegations, which were each separately challenged on procedural grounds on the opening day of the winter plenary session in Strasbourg. Each year in January, the Assembly approves the credentials of all its...

Current affairs debate on accountability, humanitarian protection and respect for international law in Gaza and the West Bank after the ceasefire

Current affairs debate on accountability, humanitarian protection and respect for international law in Gaza...

28/01/2026 | Session

Opening a current affairs debate on “Ensuring accountability, humanitarian protection and respect for international law in Gaza and the West Bank after the ceasefire”, Saskia Kluit (Netherlands, SOC) called for accountability for the crimes committed against Palestinians and Israelis, for...