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Committee finds Azerbaijan has a ‘systemic’ problem of political prisoners, urges reform and review of...

10/12/2019 | Legal Affairs and Human Rights

The Committee on Legal Affairs has found that, on the basis of factual findings of the European Court of Human Rights, a number of individuals are “political prisoners” according to PACE's definition.

Our 70-years young convention – protecting the freedom of future generations

10/12/2019 | Legal Affairs and Human Rights

On the occasion of Human Rights Day, the Committee on Legal Affairs recalled the achievements of the European Convention on Human Rights on the eve of its 70th anniversary year.

Protecting freedom of religion or belief in the workplace

10/12/2019 | Legal Affairs and Human Rights

Freedom to manifest one’s religion or belief applies also in the workplace. The question of “accommodating the manifestation of employees’ religion or belief is thus of crucial importance”, the committee said.

After another week of revelations in Malta, PACE rapporteur renews call for Prime Minister’s immediate...

06/12/2019 | Legal Affairs and Human Rights

After another week of revelations, Pieter Omtzigt reiterates his call for Prime Minister Muscat to resign immediately, pointing to shocking new testimony which “directly implicates the Office of the Prime Minister in the murder plot”.

PACE rapporteur Pieter Omtzigt reacts to recent developments in Malta

29/11/2019 | Legal Affairs and Human Rights

Pieter Omtzigt, rapporteur on ‘the assassination of Daphne Caruana Galizia and the rule of law in Malta and beyond: ensuring that the whole truth emerges’, today issued a statement taking stock of recent events in Malta.

Integrating human rights into drug policies

15/11/2019 | Legal Affairs and Human Rights

According to the Committee on Legal Affairs and Human Rights, meeting in Berlin, member States should “optimise human rights protections in the implementation of drug control policies”.

Belarus: rapporteur denounces the judgment sentencing Viktar Serhil to death

05/11/2019 | Legal Affairs and Human Rights

Titus Corlăţean, rapporteur on the abolition of the death penalty, has denounced a judgment of the Brest Regional Court (Belarus) sentencing to death Viktar Serhil in a trial concerning the murder of an eight-month-old girl.

Protection of whistleblowers: legislation must be changed, says rapporteur

22/10/2019 | Legal Affairs and Human Rights

Parlimentary Assembly rapporteur Sylvain Waserman has commented on recent cases involving whistleblowers in Serbia and the United States, two countries with very protective whistleblower laws.

Daphne Caruana Galizia: ‘Her legacy will be measured in truth and justice’

15/10/2019 | Legal Affairs and Human Rights

“Before all else, my thoughts are with Daphne’s family on this day of mourning. Two years after her brutal assassination, they are still fighting for justice," said Peter Omtzigt (Netherlands, EPP/CD).

Rapporteur calls for assurances that developments in Syria will not jeopardise justice for the victims of...

11/10/2019 | Legal Affairs and Human Rights

Pieter Omtzigt, rapporteur on “Addressing the issue of Daesh foreign fighters and their families...”, responded to the withdrawal of US military forces from northern Syria and the subsequent military incursion by Turkish forces.

Marking anti-death penalty day, committee focuses on the trauma of children whose parents are executed

09/10/2019 | Legal Affairs and Human Rights

Children whose parents have been sentenced to death or executed face trauma, and an “emotional and psychological burden” which can violate their rights, PACE’s Committee on Legal Affairs and Human Rights has pointed out.

PACE Rapporteur calls on Russia to return the wreckage of Polish Presidential plane to Poland

02/10/2019 | Legal Affairs and Human Rights

Following a resolution from the Parliamentary Assembly a year ago, rapporteur Pieter Omtzigt has urged Russia to return the wreckage of the Polish Presidential plane to Poland without further delay.