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Despina Chatzivassiliou: ‘Supporting the European perspective of Western Balkans is a priority’

Despina Chatzivassiliou: ‘Supporting the European perspective of the Western Balkans is a priority’

10/02/2025 | Secretary General of the Assembly

“Supporting the European perspective of Western Balkans has been a priority for the Parliamentary Assembly of the Council of Europe since my election as its Secretary General back in January 2021”, today said Despina Chatzivassiliou addressing the Meeting of Secretaries Generals of EU Parliaments...

International day of zero tolerance for female genital mutilation
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‘Female genital mutilation must be prevented and criminalised in all member states’

05/02/2025 | Equality and Non-Discrimination

On the occasion of the International Day of Zero Tolerance for Female Genital Mutilation (FGM) on 6 February, Etilda Gjonaj (Albania, SOC), PACE General Rapporteur on Violence against Women and Co-ordinator of the Parliamentary Network Women Free from Violence, calls for the universal...

PACE President Theodoros Rousopoulos presenting the first ever "Human Rights Motion" Award - for documentary films - at the FIPADOC International Film Festival in Biarritz, February 2025.

Lina Vdovîi and Radu Ciorniciuc win the first PACE ‘Human Rights in Motion’ Award at the Biarritz...

04/02/2025 | Prizes

The first “Human Rights in Motion” Award was granted on Friday 31 January in Biarritz by PACE President Theodoros Rousopoulos to Lina Vdovîi and Radu Ciorniciuc, the directors of the documentary Papa-Tata, in the framework of the Fipadoc International Documentary Film Festival in Biarritz. The...

Hemicycle / Session / Hémicycle

PACE Winter Session: the humanitarian crisis concerning women, children and the hostages in Gaza; the need...

31/01/2025 | Session

Debates on the humanitarian crisis concerning women, children and the hostages in Gaza; and on the need for a renewed rules-based international order - with a statement by Marko Bošnjak, President of the European Court of Human Rights - were among the highlights of the winter plenary session of...

PACE calls for action to combat age-based discrimination against older persons

31/01/2025 | Session

PACE has urged member States to take concrete measures to combat age-based discrimination against older persons, emphasising that human rights should not diminish with age. Recognising that ageism is deeply rooted in society and affects all aspects of life—including access to healthcare...

Long Covid

PACE recommends a human rights-based approach in the fight against ‘long Covid’

31/01/2025 | Session

The Parliamentary Assembly deplores that the millions of patients with “long Covid” – a chronic disease that can be massively disabling – have become “a huge blind spot”, as policymakers and the healthcare sector focus on other health issues. It regrets that no solution has yet been identified to...

Plenary Session Hemicycle
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Assembly holds a ‘free debate’ on current issues

31/01/2025 | Session

PACE this afternoon held a “free debate” on current issues not included in the session agenda. Members can speak on any issue which falls within the Assembly’s mandate. Eleven parliamentarians took the floor.

PACE gives green light to new Council of Europe treaty which protects the profession of lawyer

PACE gives green light to new Council of Europe treaty which protects the profession of lawyer

30/01/2025 | Session

PACE has warmly welcomed the draft Council of Europe Convention for the Protection of the Profession of Lawyer, pointing out that lawyers play a key role in administering justice and ensuring public confidence in the law. Approving an opinion based on a report by Vladimir Vardanyan (Armenia, EPP...

'There are no grounds for recognising the legitimacy of Aliaksandr Lukashenka as President of Belarus,' PACE says

'There are no grounds for recognising the legitimacy of Aliaksandr Lukashenka as President of Belarus...

30/01/2025 | Session

“The so-called elections organised in Belarus on 26 January 2025 do not meet the minimum international standards for democratic elections and lack any democratic credibility, and there are no grounds for recognising the legitimacy of Aliaksandr Lukashenka as president,” the PACE said today at the...

PACE calls for gender-responsive budgeting to strengthen women’s economic empowerment

PACE calls for gender-responsive budgeting to strengthen women’s economic empowerment

30/01/2025 | Session

Despite progress, women still face economic inequalities, which have been exacerbated by the Covid-19 pandemic and the economic consequences of conflicts. These global challenges have shown the fragility of progress towards gender equality and “how much remains to be done.” Adopting a resolution...

Europe must show unwavering support for a just and lasting peace in Ukraine

Europe must show unwavering support for a just and lasting peace in Ukraine

30/01/2025 | Session

At a critical juncture in a rapidly evolving geopolitical environment, Europe must show unwavering commitment and unity to support a “just and lasting” peace in Ukraine, PACE has said. Approving a resolution based on a report by Miapetra Kumpula-Natri (Finland, SOC), the Assembly said that any...

Additional rights granted to Morocco's Partner for Democracy delegation

Additional rights granted to Morocco's Partner for Democracy delegation

30/01/2025 | Parliamentary support

[Translation in progress] Conformément à sa Résolution 2492 (2023) sur l’Évaluation du fonctionnement du partenariat pour la démocratie, l'Assemblée parlementaire du Conseil de l’Europe a décidé d’accorder des droits supplémentaires à la délégation de Partenaire pour la démocratie du Maroc. A...