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PACE reviews the work of its subsidiary bodies since the last session

30/09/2024 | Session

The Václav Havel Human Rights Prize; the lists of candidates for the posts of judges at the European Court of Human Rights submitted by Cyprus, Poland and Slovenia; the upcoming election observations in the Republic of Moldova, Georgia and Bulgaria, as well as the participation of a delegation of...

States urged to act for ‘future generations’ on environmental and other rights

28/06/2024 | Session

PACE is urging Council of Europe member states to act “rapidly and with determination” on existing environmental standards and practices, from a less anthropocentric perspective and taking into account recent legal developments in environmental matters. The Assembly, approving a resolution based...

Georgia’s law on transparency of foreign influence is ‘incompatible with European standards’ and should be...

27/06/2024 | Session

The Parliamentary Assembly of the Council of Europe (PACE) today expressed its deep concern at recent developments in Georgia that “raise serious doubts" about the country’s commitment to international democratic norms and Euro-Atlantic integration, and about its willingness to honour its...

Immediate and long-term policy solutions in support of displaced people of Ukraine

27/06/2024 | Session

Emphasising the significance of "a people-centred approach in policy making in times of crisis", PACE today called on EU member States to prolong the duration of the initially agreed temporary protection or to open new avenues "for allowing a regular and legally secure presence of peoples of...

PACE launches a new Parliamentary Network on the situation of the children of Ukraine

27/06/2024 | Session

“The situation of the children of Ukraine, deprived of their childhood by a war and, even more tragic, who have been uprooted and forcibly separated from their homeland, is of primary importance to us,” said PACE President Theodoros Rousopoulos, on the occasion of the launching of the...

50 years after the division of Cyprus, PACE calls for ‘ghost town’ of Varosha to be returned to its lawful...

27/06/2024 | Session

Practical moves made by the leader of the Turkish Cypriot community in Cyprus since October 2020 to re-open Varosha – a fenced-off area of the city of Famagusta which has been a “ghost town” since the division of the island – are an “unacceptable change” to its status and a grave violation of...

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War in Gaza: ensuring the release of the hostages, the implementation of an immediate ceasefire and the...

27/06/2024 | Session

The Chair of PACE’s Sub-Committee on the Middle East Piero Fassino (Italy, SOC) has called for a collective surge of responsibility to ensure the effective implementation of an immediate ceasefire, the safe return of hostages to their families, and unhindered access to essential humanitarian aid...

Council of Europe should establish a ‘mediation process’ to help resolve post-conflict disputes

27/06/2024 | Session

The Council of Europe should establish a “mediation process” to help member states resolve post-conflict disputes and find “reparations and remedies” which would defuse tension, overcome past divisions and work towards a common peaceful future, PACE has proposed. Approving a resolution and...

Clearing territories of landmines and unexploded ordnance and ensuring a safe return of displaced populations

27/06/2024 | Session

PACE today expressed its concern about the use of explosive weapons in populated areas, especially landmines and cluster munitions. It underlined that such weapons often resulted in the forcible displacement of people within and across borders, and later impedes their voluntary, safe, dignified...

Current affairs debate on the Council of Europe's ability to counter threats to freedom of expression

27/06/2024 | Session

“We have the feeling that ordinary people are currently unable or afraid to express their views freely,” said Andrej Hunko (Germany, UEL), addressing the Assembly today at the opening of a current affairs debate on Can the Council of Europe step up its efforts to counter threats to the freedom of...

The European Court of Human Rights
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PACE elects András Jakab judge to the European Court of Human Rights in respect of Austria

26/06/2024 | Session

The Council of Europe Parliamentary Assembly (PACE) today elected András Jakab as judge to the European Court of Human Rights in respect of Austria. Mr Jakab, 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...

The European Court of Human Rights Building
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PACE elects Juha Lavapuro judge to the European Court of Human Rights in respect of Finland

26/06/2024 | Session

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