29/01/2014 | Session
“I hope that the co-operation between the European Parliament and the Parliamentary Assembly of the Council of Europe will grow and strengthen,” emphasised Martin Schulz in his address to PACE.
29/01/2014 | Session
In view of the alarming situation of Syrian refugees, the Parliamentary Assembly has called on member and observer States to "show generosity and solidarity" in admitting these refugees to their territory.
29/01/2014 | Session
European states should do more to correct “misconceptions” about migrants, since the evidence overwhelmingly suggests that they are a benefit to society, according to the Parliamentary Assembly.
28/01/2014 | Session
In a speech to the Assembly, the Austrian Foreign Minister stressed the need to defend freedom of expression and freedom of the press. A free press is a "basic condition for democracy" he said. "Journalists need protection."
28/01/2014 | Session
PACE has said it will recommend that Council of Europe member states adopt “targeted sanctions” against individuals involved in the death of Sergei Magnitsky, if the competent authorities fail to respond adequately to its demands.
28/01/2014 | Session
The Parliamentary Assembly today elected Jon Fridrik Kjølbro as judge to the European Court of Human Rights in respect of Denmark. Mr Kjølbro is elected for a term of office of nine years.
28/01/2014 | Social Affairs, Health and Sustainable Development
Nearly 300 parliamentarians, religious leaders, medical doctors and civil society activists attended a major hearing on the question of circumcision of young boys held today on the margin of PACE’s Winter session in Strasbourg.
28/01/2014 | Session
It is urgent to combat racism and intolerance through a strategic approach that strengthens the legal framework and includes greater efforts to ensure its effective implementation, the Parliamentary Assembly said today.
28/01/2014 | Session
Acknowledging that a problem exists is the first step towards its solution: the Assembly called on European governments to have the "courage" to acknowledge the existence of racism in the police with a view to addressing it.
28/01/2014 | Session
In his speech to the Parliamentary Assembly, Thorbjørn Jagland, Secretary General of the Council of Europe, called on members states to ratify the Council of Europe’s revised Social Charter and step up efforts to reduce social inequalities.
28/01/2014 | Session
A little over two years after Partner for Democracy status was granted by PACE to the Palestinian National Council, the Assembly welcomed, in a first assessment, the efforts of the PNC to try to comply with its political commitments.
27/01/2014 | Political Affairs and Democracy
The National Constituent Assembly of Tunisia last night voted on the text of the new Tunisian Constitution. It still needs to be solemnly proclaimed by the President, however this is an event of extreme importance, Anne Brasseur has declared.