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Georgia: monitors regret Constitutional Court changes have not been sent to Venice Commission, as promised

19/05/2016 | Monitoring

Boriss Cilevics and Kerstin Lundgren expressed their regret at the hasty adoption, reportedly undermining the transparency of the process, of amendments to the laws governing the functioning of the Constitutional Court.

Rules Committee condemns a kind of imperative mandate for certain members

18/05/2016 | Rules of Procedure, Immunities and Institutional Affairs

The committee expressed its concern at the serious infringements of the independence and freedom of expression of certain members, who have been the target of disguised sanctions on the part of their parliament or their party.

President warns of Convention collapse if states ‘pick and choose’ Strasbourg Court rulings

18/05/2016 | President

PACE President Pedro Agramunt has warned that the European Convention on Human Rights – which he described as the “gold standard” of human rights protection – could collapse if states “pick and choose” which judgments of the Strasbourg Court they are ready to accept. Addressing Council of Europe...

Call for measures against unregulated and non-transparent lobbying

18/05/2016 | Legal Affairs and Human Rights

As the target of an estimated 25 000 to 30 000 lobbyists, the EU institutions need to do more to ensure transparency and openness, Natasa Vučković has said in a report adopted in Rome today.

Parliamentary accountability: a matter of ethics or politics?

18/05/2016 | Legal Affairs and Human Rights

“Parliamentary responsibility is a fundamental concept for the smooth functioning of any representative democracy,” Michele Nicoletti said, introducing a joint seminar on parliamentary accountability today in Rome.

Parliamentary accountability: a matter of ethics or politics?

18/05/2016 | Rules of Procedure, Immunities and Institutional Affairs

“Parliamentary responsibility is a fundamental concept for the smooth functioning of any representative democracy,” Michele Nicoletti said, introducing a joint seminar on parliamentary accountability today in Rome.

Ensuring respect for ECHR norms: parliamentary structures to supervise compliance

18/05/2016 | Legal Affairs and Human Rights

Speaking at a seminar in Rome, Paul Mahoney, Judge of the European Court of Human Rights with respect to the United Kingdom mentioned the utility of parliamentary action in ensuring respect for ECHR norms.

Ensuring respect for ECHR norms: parliamentary structures to supervise compliance

18/05/2016 | Rules of Procedure, Immunities and Institutional Affairs

Speaking at a seminar in Rome, Paul Mahoney, Judge of the European Court of Human Rights with respect to the United Kingdom mentioned the utility of parliamentary action in ensuring respect for ECHR norms.

President to attend CIS Interparliamentary Assembly plenary in Saint Petersburg

17/05/2016 | President

Pedro Agramunt will take part in the 44th Plenary Session of the Interparliamentary Assembly of the Commonwealth of Independent States (IPA CIS) in Saint Petersburg on 19 and 20 May. He will also hold several bilateral meetings.

Homophobia, transphobia, biphobia... Human rights still under threat

17/05/2016 | Equality and Non-Discrimination

While genuine progress has been made in combating discrimination on the grounds of sexual orientation and gender identity, for many LGBT people, heinous attacks, prejudice and discrimination are still part of their everyday life.

Parliamentary immunity is not a green light for impunity

17/05/2016 | Rules of Procedure, Immunities and Institutional Affairs

The PACE rapporteur on parliamentary immunity has expressed concern that 14 out of the 47 member states do not have any system of inviolability to protect parliamentarians against politically-motivated pressure.

Women in the armed forces: it is vital to change mentalities

17/05/2016 | Equality and Non-Discrimination

The Assembly's Committee on Equality and Non-Discrimination has deplored the fact that gender-based harassment and assaults against women are still frequent within the armed forces.