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Committee finds Azerbaijan has a ‘systemic’ problem of political prisoners, urges reform and review of...

10/12/2019 | Legal Affairs and Human Rights

The Committee on Legal Affairs has found that, on the basis of factual findings of the European Court of Human Rights, a number of individuals are “political prisoners” according to PACE's definition.

Our 70-years young convention – protecting the freedom of future generations

10/12/2019 | Legal Affairs and Human Rights

On the occasion of Human Rights Day 2019, the Committee on Legal Affairs and Human Rights of the Parliamentary Assembly of the Council of Europe recalled the achievements of the European Convention on Human Rights on the eve of its 70th anniversary year, and looked forward to its future role in...

Democracy hacked?

09/12/2019 | Political Affairs and Democracy

Adopting a draft resolution on “Democracy hacked? How to respond?”, a PACE committee today expressed its concern at the scale of information pollution in a digitally connected and increasingly polarised world.

Setting minimum standards for electoral systems to ensure free and fair elections

09/12/2019 | Political Affairs and Democracy

A PACE committee has invited the Venice Commission to reflect on the setting of “minimum standards with which electoral systems should comply in order to guarantee free elections and fair results thereof”.

Council of Europe leaders highlight 70 years of the Convention

09/12/2019 | President

To mark Human Rights Day (10 December), the Secretary General of the Council of Europe, Marija Pejčinović Burić, and the President of the Organisation’s Parliamentary Assembly, Liliane Maury Pasquier, have issued a joint statement looking forward to the 70th anniversary of the European Convention...

Committee sets out detail of a “complementary joint procedure” when a state violates its obligations

09/12/2019 | Political Affairs and Democracy

The committee approved the basic principles involved in a “complementary joint procedure” between the Council of Europe’s two statutory bodies in response to a serious violation by a member State of its obligations.

After another week of revelations in Malta, PACE rapporteur renews call for Prime Minister’s immediate...

06/12/2019 | Legal Affairs and Human Rights

After another week of revelations, Pieter Omtzigt reiterates his call for Prime Minister Muscat to resign immediately, pointing to shocking new testimony which “directly implicates the Office of the Prime Minister in the murder plot”.

The “House of Leaves” (Tirana, Albania) wins 2020 Museum Prize

06/12/2019 | Culture, Science, Education and Media

The 2020 Council of Europe Museum Prize has been awarded to The National Museum of Secret Surveillance “House of Leaves” (Tirana, Albania,) at a meeting in Paris today.

70 years of PACE – and the women behind its greatest successes

06/12/2019 | News

A new short film which revisits the high points in the 70-year history of the PACE, with a special focus on the women who contributed to the Assembly’s success, has just premièred in Strasbourg.

Threats to media freedom jeopardise the smooth functioning of democratic societies

06/12/2019 | Culture, Science, Education and Media

Threats to media freedom and the safety of journalists have become so numerous that they are jeopardising not only citizens’ right to be properly informed but also the stability of our democratic societies.

Towards an internet Ombudsman institution

06/12/2019 | Culture, Science, Education and Media

In order to avoid freedom of expression being limited in a discriminatory manner while at the same time making efforts to take down illegal content on the internet, the committee has proposed establishing an Ombudsman institution.

Reliable advice and information for modern contraception accessible to all

04/12/2019 | Equality and Non-Discrimination

All types of modern contraception “should be accessible and affordable for everyone”, irrespective of their sex, social or national origin and any other status, says the Equality Committee.