31/08/2021 | Prizes
The selection panel of the Václav Havel Human Rights Prize, which rewards outstanding civil society action in the defence of human rights in Europe and beyond, has today announced the shortlist for the 2021 Prize. Meeting today in Prague, the panel – made up of independent figures from the world...
17/08/2021 | President
“The entire world is watching the events unfolding in Afghanistan with grave concern and sadness. The international community should remain united and firm in demanding an immediate end to violence and the respect of human rights for all, both in the current situation and once a system of...
30/07/2021 | Equality and Non-Discrimination
“On 2 August, we pay tribute to the victims of the Roma genocide perpetrated during the Second World War,” said the Parliamentary Assembly’s General Rapporteur on combating racism and intolerance, Momodou Malcolm Jallow (Sweden, UEL), speaking ahead of Roma Holocaust Memorial Day 2021. “Even...
30/07/2021 | Migration, International Protection and Economic Co-operation
Paul Gavan (Ireland, UEL), PACE rapporteur for the 'Humanitarian consequences of the conflict between Armenia and Azerbaijan', today called on the leadership of both countries to de-escalate and respect a cease fire after border incidents which recently caused the death of three Armenian...
30/07/2021 | President
Ending his working visit to Georgia (27-28 July 2021), PACE President Rik Daems made the following statement: "I wish to express my gratitude to the Georgian authorities and, in particular, to the Chairperson of the Georgian Parliament, Kakha Kuchava, and the head of the Georgian delegation to...
26/07/2021 | Legal Affairs and Human Rights
Alexandra Louis (France, ALDE), General Rapporteur of the Parliamentary Assembly of the Council of Europe (PACE) on the situation of human rights defenders and former rapporteur on the human rights situation in Belarus, has condemned the new anti-NGO campaign in Belarus. "Civil society in Belarus...
23/07/2021 | President
Rik Daems, the President of the Parliamentary Assembly of the Council of Europe (PACE), is to make a working visit to Georgia on 27 and 28 July 2021. In Tbilisi he is due to meet the Speaker of Parliament and Prime Minister, as well as the Foreign, Justice and Internal Affairs Ministers. Meetings...
23/07/2021 | Migration, International Protection and Economic Co-operation
Paul Gavan (Ireland, UEL) will visit Azerbaijan on behalf of the Committee on Migration, Refugees and Population of the Parliamentary Assembly of the Council of Europe (PACE) from 26 to 28 July 2021, to gather information for his report on “The humanitarian consequences of the conflict between...
19/07/2021 | Legal Affairs and Human Rights
Titus Corlățean (Romania, SOC), PACE rapporteur on Ensuring accountability for the downing of flight MH17, has commemorated the downing of Malaysia Airlines flight MH17 on 17 July 2014. “Seven long years ago, all 298 people on board, including 196 Dutch nationals, lost their lives when Malaysia...
13/07/2021 | President
“At a moment when we are celebrating the 10th anniversary of the Parliament of Morocco’s partner for democracy status with PACE, I would like to congratulate the parliament on the progress it has made as regards the representation of women (21 per cent), since the adoption of the quota system in...
12/07/2021 | Election observation
Bulgaria’s early parliamentary elections were competitive and fundamental freedoms were generally respected, international observers said in a statement today. The campaign environment was dominated by mutual accusations of corruption between the former ruling party and the provisional government...
12/07/2021 | Election observation
Moldova’s early parliamentary elections were well managed amidst an improved legal framework and voters were offered a wide choice of alternatives, but concerns over the impartiality of the election authorities undermined trust while inadequate campaign finance rules left potential breaches...