02/12/2021 | Culture, Science, Education and Media
Over the past year, data collection and processing by using digital public health technologies have been promoted worldwide by governments as well as private companies to mitigate the pandemic, but the ethical and legal frameworks remain unclear to this day and a global debate has emerged around...
01/12/2021 | Social Affairs, Health and Sustainable Development
The Committee on Social Affairs, Health and Sustainable Development expressed its concern about the rapidly evolving Covid-19 pandemic. Adopting a statement today unanimously, it recommended “global equitable distribution of vaccines”, which is vital to protect public health. “No-one is safe...
30/11/2021 | Equality and Non-Discrimination
The Committee on Equality and Non-Discrimination is concerned about the situation of LGBTI people in Armenia, Azerbaijan and Georgia, noting that “many infringements of these people’s human rights have been alleged or confirmed”. Those countries, the Committee said, should adopt effective...
30/11/2021 | President
Rik Daems, the President of the Parliamentary Assembly of the Council of Europe (PACE), will make a working visit to London on 1 and 2 December 2021. On this occasion, he is due to hold meetings with the Speakers of both Chambers of Parliament, the Minister for Europe and the Americas, the...
29/11/2021 | Election observation
Kyrgyzstan’s parliamentary elections were competitive, but they lacked meaningful voter engagement due to a stifled campaign, constitutional changes weakening parliament and extensive legislative changes to key aspects of the election. Generally adequate election legislation was undermined by...
26/11/2021 | Standing Committee
The “Panama papers”, “Paradise papers”, “Laundromats”, and “Pandora papers” scandals have involved allegations that politicians used offshore schemes to evade taxes and conceal assets, raising suspicions of corruption and money laundering. Adopting a resolution based on a report prepared by...
26/11/2021 | Standing Committee
"It is obvious that this is a largely organised migration phenomenon, with the active complicity of the Belarusian government, which is conducting what can be described as a 'hybrid war' through these manoeuvres," said Pierre-Alain Fridez (Switzerland, SOC), opening a current affairs debate today...
26/11/2021 | Standing Committee
Concerned about the frequency of expulsions and pushbacks of refugees and asylum seekers at Europe's borders, the PACE Standing Committee recalled that the 1951 Refugee Convention and the European Convention on Human Rights required States “to protect the rights of persons to seek asylum and...
26/11/2021 | Standing Committee
The Standing Committee today called on member States and the EU to strengthen and increase the voluntary transfer of migrants in need of humanitarian protection or asylum seekers to third countries for determining their migration status, in particular vulnerable persons in Cyprus, Greece, Italy...
26/11/2021 | Standing Committee
The Standing Committee, meeting in Rome, expressed concern that “the balance between parents’ professional and private lives may be undermined”. The situation could worsen in a context where States must respond to the consequences of the Covid-19 pandemic. According to the parliamentarians...
26/11/2021 | Standing Committee
Long periods of isolation during the Covid-19 pandemic have shown to what degree education and exposure to culture are vital for individual and collective well-being, PACE Standing Committee underlined. And adherence to democratic values and active citizenship, particularly among young people...
26/11/2021 | Standing Committee
The Standing Committee has condemned the fact that many Roma and Travellers in Europe “still live, against their will”, in unsuitable and racially segregated housing on the outskirts of urban areas, often lacking the most basic amenities and vulnerable to forced evictions and demolition, as well...