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Citing Crimea, PACE suspends voting rights of Russian delegation and excludes it from leading bodies

10/04/2014 | Session

PACE has decided to suspend the voting rights of the Russian delegation, as well as its right to be represented in the Assembly’s leading bodies, and its right to participate in election observation missions.

Protecting minors against the excesses of sects

10/04/2014 | Session

PACE said that it was “particularly concerned about the protection of minors, in particular minors who belong to religious minorities, including sects”, while being committed to a policy of respect for freedom of religion.

Europeans should have ‘a right to internet access’

09/04/2014 | Session

The Parliamentary Assembly has called on European governments to guarantee an individual “right to internet access”, in both law and practice, and to lay down basic standards of service.

Heinz Fischer urges caution on vote over Russian delegation powers

09/04/2014 | Session

Just one day before PACE is to consider a report on the powers of its Russian delegation, Austrian President Heinz Fischer told assembled members that “dialogue is the only way” to deal with the conflict.

The illegal annexation of Crimea has no legal effect and is not recognised by the Council of Europe

09/04/2014 | Session

“The so-called referendum” in Crimea was unconstitutional. Its outcome and “the illegal annexation of Crimea by the Russian Federation therefore have no legal effect and are not recognised by the Council of Europe”, the PACE said.

Facilitating access to nationality

09/04/2014 | Session

PACE has expressed its concern at the high number of stateless persons in a number of countries, and asked member states to sign and apply the European Convention on Nationality and UN conventions against statelessness.

Laws and policies on prostitution are indispensable anti-trafficking tools

08/04/2014 | Session

With 84% of trafficking victims in Europe, PACE has pinpointed legislation and policies on prostitution as indispensable anti-trafficking tools, given the obvious close link between trafficking in human beings and prostitution.

Anne Brasseur: breaking the vicious circle affecting many Roma

08/04/2014 | Session

On opening the PACE session, Anne Brasseur marked International Roma Day by calling on the member states to take practical measures to break the vicious circle of discrimination affecting many Roma.

'The International Roma Day, an opportunity to think about the most excluded minority'

08/04/2014 | Session

"The International Roma Day is a good opportunity to think about the most excluded European minority. In some countries, they are subject to policies to undermine their right to leave the country," said Nils Muizniecks.

Kyrgyz Parliament obtains Partner for democracy status

08/04/2014 | Session

PACE decided to grant the Kyrgyz Parliament Partner for democracy status. For the Assembly, obtaining this status is “an important incentive to further develop democracy, the rule of law and protection of human rights in Kyrgyzstan”.

Steps to protect national minorities spelled out

08/04/2014 | Session

The protection of the rights of national minorities must continue to be a political priority, PACE said, approving a report by Ferenc Kalmár. The Assembly called for “unity through diversity” within and between countries.

PACE discusses situation in Ukraine, reconsiders Russian credentials

07/04/2014 | Session

The Assembly will hold an urgent debate on threats to the functioning of democratic institutions in Ukraine and will debate a request to reconsider the already ratified credentials of the Russian delegation.