Logo Assembly Logo Hemicycle

News

‘Peace is the most important contribution we can make to human rights’, says Sauli Niinistö

23/01/2019 | Session

“At the end of the day, peace is the most important contribution we can make to human rights. Everything else comes after that,” said the President of Finland Sauli Niinistö, addressing the Assembly today.

Consolidating media freedom as a pillar of democratic elections

23/01/2019 | Session

“Media freedom is an essential condition for democratic elections; the media must be free to inform the public without political or economic pressure,” the Parliamentary Assembly said today.

Public service media can counteract information disorder

23/01/2019 | Session

In the new media environment, where the dissemination of disinformation, propaganda or hate speech is growing, public service media are well placed to counteract the phenomenon of information disorder, the Assembly said today.

Internet governance: call for a ‘shared vision of a digital society’ based on human rights

23/01/2019 | Session

The Assembly has called for “a shared vision of a digital society” based on democracy, the rule of law and human rights, advocating internet governance that is multi-stakeholder, decentralised, transparent and responsible.

For employment policies that include people with disabilities and avoid discrimination

23/01/2019 | Session

Following a joint debate, the Assembly proposed a set of measures to combat discrimination in access to employment and promote the inclusion of persons with disabilities in the labour market.

Timo Soini: “a multilateral co-operation to prevent instability and conflict”

22/01/2019 | Session

“We need effective rules-based multilateral co-operation to prevent instability and conflicts, and the Council of Europe is an important forum in this context,” said Timo Soini, Minister for Foreign Affairs of Finland.

Call for stronger rules on conducting referendums

22/01/2019 | Session

PACE has called for stronger guidelines on conducting referendums – including that any question put should be “as clear as possible” and voters should have access to “balanced and quality information”.

PACE elects Raffaele Sabato judge to the European Court of Human Rights in respect of Italy

22/01/2019 | Session

The Parliamentary Assembly today elected Raffaele Sabato as judge to the European Court of Human Rights in respect of Italy. Mr Sabato is elected for a term of office of nine years which shall commence as from 5 May 2019.

PACE elects Erik Wennerström judge to the European Court of Human Rights in respect of Sweden

22/01/2019 | Session

The Parliamentary Assembly today elected Erik Wennerström as judge to the European Court of Human Rights in respect of Sweden. His nine years term of office shall commence no later than three months after his election.

Targeted sanctions for perpetrators of serious human rights violations

22/01/2019 | Session

Adopting a resolution based on a report by Lord Donald Anderson, the Assembly reaffirmed its commitment to the fight against impunity of perpetrators of serious human rights violations and against corruption as a threat to the rule of law.

PACE stresses the need to protect human rights, regardless of religious practices

22/01/2019 | Session

The Assembly expressed concern about the fact that Sharia law, including provisions which are in clear contradiction with the Convention on Human Rights, were applied either officially or unofficially in several member States.

Opening of the 2019 Winter Session

21/01/2019 | Session

The Assembly decided to hold urgent debates on the escalation of tensions around the Sea of Azov and the Kerch Strait and threats to European security and on the worsening situation of opposition politicians in Turkey.