Logo Assembly Logo Hemicycle

News

International co-operation and intelligence sharing to combat migrant smuggling

15/12/2015 | Migration, International Protection and Economic Co-operation

International co-operation and intelligence sharing are essential if the activities of organised criminal groups related to migration are to be combated effectively, according to the Migration Committee.

“The year may be reaching an end but the human rights challenges continue”

14/12/2015 | President

“The year may be reaching an end but the human rights challenges and our responsibility to speak out about them continue”, Anne Brasseur said, in the Bureau meeting in London today.

PACE President: high-level bilateral contacts in London

11/12/2015 | President

Anne Brasseur will have meetings in London on 14-15 December with the Speaker of the House of Commons, the Minister of State for Europe, and the Under Secretary of State at the Ministry of Justice.

"Our partnership with Morocco is efficient, stable and constructive", President says

10/12/2015 | President

At the end of her official visit, PACE President welcomed Morocco's commitment to an efficient, stable and constructive partnership with the Council of Europe. "Our values and standards are central to this partnership", she said.

“Human rights should not be sacrificed on the altar of the fight against terrorism”, PACE President says

10/12/2015 | President

“On Human Rights Day, political leaders and parliamentarians should take a step back from the political turmoil and look at the world through the prism of human rights", Assembly President said.

COP21: parliamentarians push for an ambitious Paris agreement on climate change

10/12/2015 | Social Affairs, Health and Sustainable Development

Parliaments should focus on what they do best: promote national climate laws and get them recognised in the global agreement”, said Lord Prescott, in Paris during the United Nations Climate Change Conference (COP21).

UK delegation credentials should be ratified, Rules Committee concludes

10/12/2015 | Rules, Ethics and Immunities

Following the challenge of credentials of the new United Kingdom delegation to the Assembly on procedural grounds, the Rules Committee, concluded that the credentials should be ratified.

Balloon launch to mark the End Child Sex Abuse Day

09/12/2015 | Social Affairs, Health and Sustainable Development

The Assembly organised a balloon launch today on the forecourt of the Council of Europe building, to mark the first European Day on the Protection of Children against Sexual Exploitation and Sexual Abuse, set on 18 November.

PACE President relieved with the release of Azerbaijani human rights activist Leyla Yunus

09/12/2015 | President

“I am glad that Leyla Yunus has finally been released. This is a welcome humanitarian gesture and a relief for all Leyla's friends and family", Parliamentary Assembly President Anne Brasseur declared today.

Too many human rights defenders are paying a high price for their work

08/12/2015 | Legal Affairs and Human Rights

Adopting a report on the protection and role of human rights defenders, the Legal Affairs Committee has expressed deep concern about increased reprisals against them in certain Council of Europe member states.

Foreign fighters in Syria and Iraq: understand the root causes before devising policy responses

08/12/2015 | Political Affairs and Democracy

The committee expressed concern about the scale of the phenomenon of foreign fighters in Syria and Iraq and its potential threat to international security. As regards responses, a security-oriented, repressive approach is not enough.

Stop unjustified attempts to restrict freedom of association

08/12/2015 | Legal Affairs and Human Rights

The situation of civil society has deteriorated dramatically in certain Council of Europe member states, according to a report by Yves Cruchten adopted today in Paris by the Legal Affairs Committee.