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Violence against politicians: PACE committee calls for urgent action to defend democracy

Violence against politicians: PACE committee calls for urgent action to defend democracy

10/03/2026 | Political Affairs and Democracy

PACE’s Political Affairs Committee is warning that violence and hate speech against politicians are a growing threat to democracy, urging greater protection for “those who decide to dedicate their time and efforts to public life”. In a draft resolution prepared by Elisabetta Gardini (Italy, ECPA...

On Women's Day, PACE Secretary General recognises the role of young people as a driving force for equality

On Women's Day, PACE Secretary General recognises the role of young people as a driving force for equality

08/03/2026 | Secretary General of the Assembly

Opening a public speaking competition for young people hosted by the National Council of Monaco to mark International Women’s Day, Despina Chatzivassiliou, Secretary General of the Parliamentary Assembly, recognised the important role played by young people in promoting equality, and emphasised...

International Women's day, March 8

The Assembly remains fully committed to achieving gender equality in Europe and beyond, against growing...

06/03/2026 | Equality and Non-Discrimination

PACE President Petra Bayr and the Chairperson of the PACE Committee on Equality and Non-Discrimination, Béatrice Fresko-Rolfo (Monaco, ALDE), made the following joint statement on the eve of International Women’s Day 2026:“On the occasion of International Women’s Day, we join the United Nations...

Following Taliban legal changes, PACE rapporteur calls for the protection of the rights of Afghan women

Following Taliban legal changes, PACE rapporteur calls for the protection of the rights of Afghan women

03/03/2026 | Equality and Non-Discrimination

Maria Syrengela (Greece, EPP/CD), PACE’s rapporteur on “The deterioration of women’s rights in Afghanistan: the need for a global response”, made the following statement today: “A new criminal procedure code adopted by the Taliban, recently put into effect in Afghanistan, legalises violence by...

PACE rapporteur urges Israel to lift the ban on NGO access to the Palestinian territories

PACE rapporteur urges Israel to lift the ban on NGO access to the Palestinian territories

02/03/2026 | Social Affairs, Health and Sustainable Development

Joseph O’Reilly (Ireland, EPP/CD), PACE General Rapporteur on the situation of women and children in the Palestinian territories, made the following statement today: “The decision by the Israeli government to ban 37 reliable international NGOs – including Oxfam, the Norwegian Refugee Council...

Hostilities in the Middle East: PACE rapporteur urges respect for international law

01/03/2026 | Political Affairs and Democracy

Dora Bakoyannis (Greece, EPP/CD), PACE rapporteur on the situation in the Middle East, made the following statement today: “I am following with profound concern the outbreak of open hostilities between Israel, the United States and Iran. This escalation carries grave consequences for...

‘A Europe that tolerates Putin’s war betrays its values,’ PACE President says

‘A Europe that tolerates Putin’s war betrays its values,’ PACE President says

24/02/2026 | President

“A Europe that tolerates Putin’s war betrays its values – and a Europe that betrays its values betrays its future,” today said PACE President Petra Bayr, in video message on the occasion of the fourth anniversary of Russia’s war of aggression against Ukraine. “This is not only a war against...

Petra Bayr: ‘Human rights and democracy are the foundation of security’

Petra Bayr: ‘Human rights and democracy are the foundation of security’

20/02/2026 | President

“The Council of Europe and the OSCE share a fundamental principle: human rights and democracy are not separate from security – they are its foundation,” today said PACE President Petra Bayr, addressing the 25th Winter meeting of the OSCE Parliamentary Assembly (OSCE PA) in Vienna. Evoking current...

Riigikogu of Estonia

PACE rapporteur welcomes Estonia’s parliamentary support for a Tribunal to try the crime of aggression...

17/02/2026 | Legal Affairs and Human Rights

Titus Corlăţean (Romania, SOC), PACE's rapporteur on accountability for the Russian Federation's war of aggression against Ukraine, has issued the following statement on Estonia's approval of the future agreement establishing the Management Committee of the Special Tribunal for the Crime of...

PACE General Rapporteur on European Migration and Asylum Policies reaffirms Convention’s foundational role during visit by UK parliamentarians

PACE General Rapporteur on European Migration and Asylum Policies reaffirms Convention’s foundational role...

16/02/2026 | Migration, International Protection and Economic Co-operation

PACE’s General Rapporteur on European migration and asylum policies has recalled the foundational role of the European Convention on Human Rights during a visit to the Council of Europe by a cross-party group of British parliamentarians dealing with the question of migration. Lord Michael German...

Holding accountable the perpetrators and beneficiaries of the crime identified by Sergei Magnitsky

Holding accountable the perpetrators and beneficiaries of the crime identified by Sergei Magnitsky

13/02/2026 | Legal Affairs and Human Rights

PACE’s Committee on Legal Affairs has reiterated its call “for all those responsible for the death of Sergei Magnitsky, as well as the beneficiaries of the fraud he uncovered, to be held accountable”. Mr Magnitsky, a Russian tax adviser and auditor, uncovered a US$230 million fraud perpetrated by...

Chairperson of parliamentary network deplores latest deadly strikes and calls for increased winter assistance
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Chairperson of parliamentary network deplores latest deadly strikes and calls for increased winter assistance

12/02/2026 | Children of Ukraine

Olena Khomenko (Ukraine, ECPA), Chairperson of the Parliamentary Network on the situation of the children of Ukraine, today made the following statement: “I am horrified by reports from Bohodukhiv (Kharkiv region) that a Russian strike destroyed a family home and killed three toddlers – two boys...