23/06/2021 | Session
PACE today called on member States to promote the participation of women from under-represented groups in political decision-making by acting at several levels, with particular emphasis on combating gender-based stereotypes and sexism, access to public decision-making, and participation in...
23/06/2021 | Session
Reaffirming the non-recognition of the annexation of Crimea, the Assembly condemned the “grave violations of human rights” that have been committed against Crimean Tatars, including killings and enforced disappearances, “which moreover have not since been subject to an effective investigation...
22/06/2021 | Session
The Assembly urged European governments to create a broad “right to know” – consisting of maximum transparency in public life, a vibrant and diverse media, and a rich educational and cultural environment – in order to encourage democratic participation and combat “post-truth” disinformation and...
22/06/2021 | Session
PACE has clarified the pre-conditions necessary for the use of Covid passes, declaring their use “fraught with legal and human rights complications”. The use of such passes, which would partially lift Covid restrictions for holders, “above all depends on a high degree of certainty about medical...
22/06/2021 | Session
The Council of Europe Parliamentary Assembly (PACE) today elected Davor Derenčinović as judge to the European Court of Human Rights in respect of Croatia. Mr Derenčinović, having obtained an absolute majority of votes cast, is elected judge of the European Court of Human Rights for a term of...
22/06/2021 | Culture, Science, Education and Media
In a declaration adopted unanimously today, the Committee on Culture, Science, Education and Media called on public authorities to give full attention to sport in the development of anti-covid measures and to work with the sport movement to find ways to mitigate the damaging impacts of the crisis...
22/06/2021 | Session
The impact of the Covid-19 pandemic on children has been devastating, according to PACE, and “Generation Covid” – as they are sometimes referred to – will face the consequences for many years to come, unless European governments take adequate measures. Unanimously approving a report today by...
22/06/2021 | Session
The Parliamentary Assembly today expressed its deep concern about the situation of the vulnerable population affected by the socio-economic crisis sparked by the pandemic. “The recession caused by the Covid-19 has resulted in deep shortfalls in resources for enterprises, workers and States, as...
22/06/2021 | Political Affairs and Democracy
In order to respond to the urgency of the climate crisis, governments need to combine “a clear political engagement and top-down leadership” that allows for meaningful contributions from citizens, according to the Political Affairs Committee, meeting in Strasbourg and by videoconference. The...
21/06/2021 | Session
The Assembly today elected, at the opening of its Summer 2021 Session, two new Vice-Presidents: Marta Grande (Italy, NR) and Ria Oomen Ruijten, (Netherlands, EPP/CD). Twenty Vice-Presidents are elected annually at the beginning of an ordinary session and remain in office until the opening of the...
21/06/2021 | Election observation
Armenia’s early parliamentary elections were competitive and well-managed within a short time frame. However, they were characterised by intense polarisation and marred by increasingly inflammatory language from key contestants, as well as by the sidelining of women throughout the campaign...
21/06/2021 | Equality and Non-Discrimination
At its meeting on 21 June, the Parliamentary Network Women Free from Violence held a hearing today on the power of the Istanbul Convention as a tool for protection against violence against women and domestic violence. Council of Europe's Deputy Secretary General Bjørn Berge emphasized the...