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Sport must lead by example in combating racism

18/03/2013 | Equality and Non-Discrimination

Sport should lead by example in combating racism, PACE's Equality Committee said today in a declaration ahead of the International Day for the Elimination of Racial Discrimination (21 March).

Some countries 'slipping back' to discrimination against LGBT people, says PACE rapporteur

18/03/2013 | Equality and Non-Discrimination

Some Council of Europe member states are "squarely slipping back" towards greater discrimination on the ground of sexual orientation and gender identity, according to PACE rapporteur Håkon Haugli (Norway, SOC), speaking on the eve of a major conference on freedom of expression for LGBT people to take place in Warsaw on Tuesday 19 March.

Member states must include the issue of the fundamental rights of religious communities in their external...

18/03/2013 | Political Affairs and Democracy

The Political Affairs Committee of the PACE, meeting in Rabat today, recommended that, in their external relations, member states take into account the question of respect for the fundamental rights of religious communities and the matter of their protection.

PACE parliamentary network in Berlin compares national strategies on child sex abuse

15/03/2013 | Social Affairs, Health and Sustainable Development

Working with people who have the potential to become abusers to stop them ever harming children and setting up “children’s houses” for child-friendly justice were among a number of innovative approaches to tackling child sex abuse discussed at a meeting of PACE’s ONE in FIVE network in Berlin yesterday.

Norwegian parliamentarians again come top in annual survey of PACE voting

15/03/2013 | Rules of Procedure, Immunities and Institutional Affairs

Parliamentarians from Norway voted most often in plenary debates during 2012, holding on to the top slot they obtained in 2011. Norway’s delegation cast over 87 per cent of their maximum number of possible votes.

PACE President congratulates Pope Francis on his election

14/03/2013 | President

“The Parliamentary Assembly of the Council of Europe (PACE), the home of democracy and human rights, welcomes the election of Pope Francis,” PACE President Jean-Claude Mignon said today, congratulating the new Pontiff on his election.

In Rabat, Moroccan authorities brief PACE committee on progress with reforms

14/03/2013 | Political Affairs and Democracy

Leading members of Morocco’s parliament and government yesterday briefed PACE’s Committee on Political Affairs and Democracy, meeting in Rabat, on the progress that has been made in strengthening human rights, democracy and the rule of law in the country since the Moroccan Parliament became PACE’s first ever “Partner for democracy” nearly two years ago.

Protecting on-line consumers: 30 million cyber-attacks in February 2013 alone

13/03/2013 | Culture, Science, Education and Media

Greater awareness, transparency and accountability are essential in order to improve security in cyberspace, according to rapporteur Axel Fischer (Germany, EPP/CD), speaking today at a hearing.

Appointing a European ombudsperson to ensure that the rights of young people are respected and protected

13/03/2013 | Culture, Science, Education and Media

The Committee on Culture, Science, Education and Media, meeting in Paris yesterday, adopted a draft recommendation on young people’s access to fundamental rights on the basis of a report by Michael Connarty.

Education must be renewed to ensure the future of young Europeans

13/03/2013 | Culture, Science, Education and Media

In adopting a draft resolution and a draft recommendation on the basis of the report by Polonca Komar (Slovenia, ALDE) “Young Europeans: an urgent educational challenge”, PACE’s Committee on Culture, Science, Education and Media underlined the fact that education is “a pillar of youth empowerment” and that measures must be taken rapidly to allow young people to make a successful start to their working lives.

PACE conference in Warsaw focuses on freedom of expression for lesbian, gay, bisexual and transgender people

13/03/2013 | Equality and Non-Discrimination

Freedom of expression for lesbian, gay, bisexual and transgender (LGBT) people – including their right to organise marches and rallies – will be the theme of a parliamentary conference in Warsaw on Tuesday 19 March 2013, organised by the PACE Committee on Equality and Non-Discrimination in co-operation with the Sejm, the lower house of the Polish parliament.

PACE President supports Serbia on the path to European integration

12/03/2013 | President

In his speech to the Serbian National Assembly, PACE President Jean-Claude Mignon today welcomed the major progress made by Serbia in honouring the commitments and obligations it entered into upon becoming a member of the Council of Europe. “You have made profound changes in the functioning of your democratic institutions...” said Mr Mignon.