20/03/2025 | European Conference of Presidents of Parliament
“In the face of our democracies being targeted, our rule of law threatened, our fundamental values violently challenged, we Presidents of Assemblies bear an historic responsibility, that of being the bulwarks of our rule of law against of the perils that threaten them,” Yaël Braun-Pivet...
20/03/2025 | European Conference of Presidents of Parliament
Addressing the European Conference of Presidents of Parliament, Ruslan Stefanchuk, Speaker of the Ukrainian Parliament, appealed for unwavering support in Ukraine’s fight against Russian aggression. “No matter how hard it gets, no matter what we face, we will never stop. We will not stop fighting...
20/03/2025 | European Conference of Presidents of Parliament
“The values of the Council of Europe have never been under such pressure”, today said Bärbel Bas, President of the Bundestag said today addressing the European Conference of Presidents of Parliament, in Strasbourg. “We must defend democracy, human rights, and the rule of law. Our parliaments...
20/03/2025 | European Conference of Presidents of Parliament
Women Speakers and Presidents of Parliament met this morning for a working breakfast on the margins of the European Conference of Presidents of Parliament in Strasbourg to share national experiences on progress towards parity and the role of women in enhancing peace and security. Some 18 Speakers...
20/03/2025 | European Conference of Presidents of Parliament
“Freedom of expression is one of the main pillars on which our democracies and the future of our societies are based. Without freedom of expression, there may be something else, but not full democracies. Therefore, it is essential to protect it with all the means at our disposal”, today said...
20/03/2025 | Equality and Non-Discrimination
Francesco Verducci (Italy, SOC), General Rapporteur on combating racism and intolerance made the following statement on the occasion of the International day for the elimination of racial discrimination (21 March): On this International Day for the Elimination of All Forms of Racial...
20/03/2025 | European Conference of Presidents of Parliament
“In an era marked by digital transformation and rising societal divisions, safeguarding freedom of expression is crucial for the preservation of democracy and human dignity,” today said Þórunn Sveinbjarnardóttir, Speaker of the Icelandic Parliament, addressing the European Conference of...
20/03/2025 | European Conference of Presidents of Parliament
Addressing the European Conference of Presidents of Parliament today in Strasbourg, Małgorzata Kidawa-Błońska, Marshal of the Senate of Poland, called on European leaders to stand firmly in defense of freedom of expression. “We must actively fight for it,” she urged, warning that this fundamental...
19/03/2025 | Social Affairs, Health and Sustainable Development
“I am deeply shocked by Israel's decision to resume bombardments and not to respect the ceasefire’, said Saskia Kluit (Netherlands, SOC), rapporteur on “The absolute and urgent need to end the humanitarian crisis for women, children and the hostages in Gaza". “The press reported yesterday that at...
19/03/2025 | Bureau
Meeting in Strasbourg today, the Bureau of the Council of Europe Parliamentary Assembly (PACE) made the following statement: “The Bureau of the Parliamentary Assembly expresses its grave concern at the arrest of the Mayor of Istanbul, Ekrem İmamoğlu from the Republican People's Party (CHP), just...
18/03/2025 | President
“It is with sadness that we learned of the death of Walter Schwimmer, a distinguished member of the Assembly for more than eight years who went on to be elected as a Secretary General of the Council of Europe,” said PACE President Theodoros Rousopoulos. “I extend my sincere condolences to his...
18/03/2025 | Equality and Non-Discrimination
“It is more than ever essential for world leaders to unite and harness their potential to defend women’s rights and build collective resistance to the backsliding and obscurantism that threaten these rights. Parliaments also should place the rights of women in all their diversity at the forefront...