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Hemicycle / Session / Hémicycle

PACE calls on Turkish authorities ‘to put an end to laws and practices that contravene democratic standards’

22/04/2021 | Session

The Assembly today strongly reiterated its call on the Turkish authorities “to put an end to laws and practices that contravene democratic standards, to revise its legislation and constitutional framework in order to ensure the separation of powers, to restore freedom of speech and media freedom...

David Sassoli
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David Sassoli: 'The EU must be more efficient, more flexible, more resilient and more democratic'

21/04/2021 | Session

"We need a more efficient, more flexible, more resilient and more democratic European Union," European Parliament President David Sassoli told PACE today. Referring to the global health crisis, Mr Sassoli stressed that the only way to overcome it was "through solidarity, within Europe and with...

Belarus vote Presidential election
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Belarus is urged to carry out comprehensive reform of its electoral system

21/04/2021 | Session

PACE has urged Belarus to comprehensively reform its electoral system to bring it into line with international standards for democratic elections. Approving a resolution and recommendation based on a report by Lord Blencathra (United Kingdom, EC), the Assembly said that the current failed...

People attending pre-election meeting in Belarus, 2020
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PACE urges use of ‘Magnitsky laws’ and universal jurisdiction to bring human rights abusers to justice in...

21/04/2021 | Session

PACE is urging Council of Europe member States to use universal jurisdiction and “Magnitsky laws” to bring to justice the perpetrators of serious human rights violations in Belarus, including torture, during the recent protests and government crackdown. Approving a report by Alexandra Louis...

Dunja Mijatović

A renewed impetus is needed to narrow the gap between human rights standards and reality

21/04/2021 | Session

“The COVID-19 pandemic has accelerated the erosion of the democratic fabric of our society on which the protection of human rights ultimately depends”, warned Council of Europe Commissioner for Human Rights, Dunja Mijatović, while presenting today her annual activity report covering 2020 before...

Session / Hemicycle

Montenegro: some progress, but too limited to end the post-monitoring dialogue

21/04/2021 | Session

The Assembly today commended the Montenegrin authorities for “demonstrating their sustained political will and commitment to fully respecting their obligations”, in the framework of the ongoing post-monitoring dialogue. According to the parliamentarians, the country has introduced legislation...

Hemicycle / Session / Palais /

Addressing discrimination against persons dealing with chronic and long-term illnesses

21/04/2021 | Session

PACE today recommended to member States a set of measures – based on the provisions of the UN Convention on the Rights of Persons with Disabilities – to remedy the “profound social disadvantage and discrimination” experienced by people with chronic and long-term illnesses. The resolution...

Angela Merkel

‘A rules-based international order is the basis for peaceful relations between states’ says Angela Merkel

20/04/2021 | Session

“Europe is the continent with the highest human rights standards. (...)However, a look at Europe’s external borders and in the East of Europe shows us that, even today, peace and security, stability and welfare cannot be taken for granted,” said Angela Merkel, Federal Chancellor of Germany, in a...

PACE Session
©Council of Europe

Current affairs debate on 'Covid passports or certificates: protection of fundamental rights and legal...

20/04/2021 | Session

The Parliamentary Assembly, during its “hybrid” spring session, held a current affairs debate on 'Covid passports or certificates: protection of fundamental rights and legal implications'. Damien Cottier (Switzerland, ALDE) opened the debate and 6 other members took the floor.

Tiny Kox (Netherlands, UEL),
©Council of Europe

The Assembly sets out its vision of the Council of Europe's strategic priorities

20/04/2021 | Session

“The Council of Europe’s overall priority is to remain the pillar of democratic security, the guarantor of human rights and rule of law, as well as platform for genuine multilateralism in Europe”, the Assembly said today setting out its vision of the Council of Europe's strategic priorities for...

The European Court of Human Rights Building
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PACE elects Frédéric Krenc judge to the European Court of Human Rights in respect of Belgium

20/04/2021 | Session

The Council of Europe Parliamentary Assembly (PACE) today elected Frédéric Krenc as judge to the European Court of Human Rights in respect of Belgium. Mr Krenc, having obtained an absolute majority of votes cast, is elected judge of the European Court of Human Rights for a term of office of nine...

Marija PEJČINOVIĆ BURIĆ, Secretary General of the Council of Europe
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Secretary General: "Council of Europe fully supports the sovereignty and territorial integrity of Ukraine"

20/04/2021 | Session

Addressing parliamentarians at the Spring session of the Parliamentary Assembly (PACE) Secretary General Marija Pejčinović Burić was asked about the danger of imminent armed conflict between Russia and Ukraine, in the context of the build-up of Russian troops near the Ukrainian border. She...