08/10/2010 | Session
The creation of a panel of experts to advise governments on their candidates for judge at the European Court of Human Rights might help ensure that only candidates with “the necessary qualifications, experience and stature” are put forward, PACE said today. Debating a report by Renate Wohlwend (Liechtenstein, EPP/CD), the Assembly welcomed the idea of a panel, which would be made up of eminent judges and lawyers, if it helped states to put forward candidates of the highest calibre for the Assembly to elect from.
07/10/2010 | Session
Gvozden Srecko Flego (Croatia, SOC) has been elected Chair of the Assembly’s Committee on Culture, Science and Education. Alongside his parliamentary role, Mr Flego is a Professor at the University of Zagreb and a former Minister for Science and Research in Croatia. He replaces the late Andrew McIntosh (United Kingdom, SOC).
07/10/2010 | Session
In the light of the “new risks” which more and more children are facing in our globalised times and the ongoing economic crisis, such as child trafficking or being left behind by migrant parents, the Assembly today urged member states to take further steps to protect children`s rights and well-being.
07/10/2010 | Session
Children who are ill or disabled should be educated – wherever possible – at mainstream schools, an arrangement which is better both for them and their peers, PACE has said. Debating a report by Lokman Ayva (Turkey, EPP/CD), the Assembly said arrangements for these children should be as inclusive as possible.
07/10/2010 | Session
"Ethnic and religious co-existence founded on a strong commitment to intercultural dialogue has made my country a model for Europe", said Prime Minister Nikola Gruevski.
07/10/2010 | Session
PACE today denounced the increasingly frequent use of security discourse on the national political scene. Presenting her report to the Assembly, Anne Brasseur (Luxembourg, ALDE) pointed out that this security rhetoric, which is being used by political leaders in several member States, “tends to link insecurity with ethnic communities”, as has recently been the case with Roma.
07/10/2010 | Session
The Assembly today emphasized the need to affirm the right of conscientious objection in lawful medical care. At the end of a debate on the subject during which the text presented by the Committee on Social Affairs was substantially amended, the adopted resolution states that "no person and no hospital or institution shall be coerced, held liable or discriminated against in any manner because of a refusal to perform, accommodate, assist or submit to an abortion […]". The adopted text invites member states to develop comprehensive and clear regulations that define and regulate conscientious objection with regard to health and medical services.
06/10/2010 | Session
Taking stock of the Council of Europe’s Development Bank activities over the 2007-2009 period, the Assembly today underscored a huge potential which could be better tapped if its members can show the vision and ambition to make it an even more relevant, focused, visible and significant player on the European scene. Adopting a report by Tuur Elzinga (Netherlands, UEL), the parliamentarians called on the Bank to substantially increase its capital and to further develop co-operation agreements with international partners in order to share costs, practices and competences.
06/10/2010 | Session
Parliamentarians today debated the causes and effects of the financial and economic crisis focusing on the eastern regions of Europe with specific reference to the activities of the European Bank for Reconstruction and Development last year, based on a report by Hermine Naghdalyan (Armenia, ALDE).
06/10/2010 | Session
John Greenway, Chair of the PACE Committee on Migration, Refugees and Population today publicly welcomed the timely and outspoken position taken by the Global Migration Group* on the controversial issue of human rights of migrants in irregular situation.
06/10/2010 | Session
The enlarged Assembly – extended to comprise parliamentarians from non-European OECD member countries – today voiced its concern about the sharp deterioration of public finances caused by governmental stimulus programmes and rescue packages.
06/10/2010 | Session
In his speech during today’s commemoration ceremony for the 60th anniversary of the European Convention on Human Rights, the PACE President stressed that “to this day the Convention – given shape and form during the debates in Strasbourg – remains a miracle of international legal co-operation...