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Presidential election in “the former Yugoslav Republic of Macedonia”

08/04/2014 | Election observation

A 13-member PACE delegation, led by Stefan Schennach, will travel to “the former Yugoslav Republic of Macedonia” to observe the conduct of the presidential election, alongside observers from the OSCE’s ODIHR.

Laws and policies on prostitution are indispensable anti-trafficking tools

08/04/2014 | Session

With 84% of trafficking victims in Europe, PACE has pinpointed legislation and policies on prostitution as indispensable anti-trafficking tools, given the obvious close link between trafficking in human beings and prostitution.

PACE anti-corruption platform: “Let us be intolerant for once”

08/04/2014 | Rules, Ethics and Immunities

“For once, we should be intolerant: intolerant of any attempt at corruption, intolerant of any form of wrongdoing” said the President of the PACE at the launching of the new PACE anti-corruption platform.

Anne Brasseur: breaking the vicious circle affecting many Roma

08/04/2014 | Session

On opening the PACE session, Anne Brasseur marked International Roma Day by calling on the member states to take practical measures to break the vicious circle of discrimination affecting many Roma.

Edward Snowden: ‘Mass surveillance is ineffective at preventing terrorism’

08/04/2014 | Legal Affairs and Human Rights

US whistleblower Edward Snowden, testifying by video-link to a PACE hearing on “mass surveillance”, has told parliamentarians: “Dragnet mass surveillance is ineffective at preventing terrorism”.

'The International Roma Day, an opportunity to think about the most excluded minority'

08/04/2014 | Session

"The International Roma Day is a good opportunity to think about the most excluded European minority. In some countries, they are subject to policies to undermine their right to leave the country," said Nils Muizniecks.

Call on the state of Texas not to execute Ramiro Hernandez

08/04/2014 | Legal Affairs and Human Rights

Marietta Karamanli called on the Texan authorities today not to execute Ramiro Hernandez Llanas, a Mexican national sentenced to death in February 2000, whose execution is scheduled for 9 April in Texas.

Kyrgyz Parliament obtains Partner for democracy status

08/04/2014 | Session

PACE decided to grant the Kyrgyz Parliament Partner for democracy status. For the Assembly, obtaining this status is “an important incentive to further develop democracy, the rule of law and protection of human rights in Kyrgyzstan”.

Steps to protect national minorities spelled out

08/04/2014 | Session

The protection of the rights of national minorities must continue to be a political priority, PACE said, approving a report by Ferenc Kalmár. The Assembly called for “unity through diversity” within and between countries.

PACE discusses situation in Ukraine, reconsiders Russian credentials

07/04/2014 | Session

The Assembly will hold an urgent debate on threats to the functioning of democratic institutions in Ukraine and will debate a request to reconsider the already ratified credentials of the Russian delegation.

Václav Havel Human Rights prize: deadline for nominations is 30 April

07/04/2014 | Session

The Assembly approved the report presented today by Nataša Vučković reviewing the activities of the Assembly's Bureau and Standing Committee since the last part-session in 2014 (27-31 January).

"The Council of Europe appeal to Russia to engage dialogue with Ukraine should be heard", says Minister Kurz

07/04/2014 | Session

"Russia has consistently used the allegation of minorities not being properly treated as a pretext for actions taken," Austrian Foreign Minister Sebastian Kurz said adressing the Parliamentary Assembly.