30/06/2009 | Election observation
A PACE delegation led by Tadeusz Iwínski (Poland, SOC), will be visiting Bulgaria from 3 to 6 July to observe the parliamentary elections. Talks are scheduled with the Speaker of the Parliament, the President of the Central Electoral Commission and with representatives of the political parties standing in the election. The delegation is also to meet with the Bulgarian delegation to PACE, and with representatives of the diplomatic community, civil society and the media, before observing the ballot on 5 July in a sample of polling stations across the country.
29/06/2009 | Election observation
In a statement issued today, the International Election Observation Mission concluded that Albania’s election process demonstrated improvements, but also noted that violations persist. “These elections demonstrated that the Albanian people has the full potential for building a democratic society like that of other European countries. Now there is a huge responsibility of the authorities and main political stakeholders to work hard in order to establish confidence among the citizens for a democratic electoral process,” said Corien Jonker, Head of PACE delegation.
26/06/2009 | Session
In an opinion prepared by Miljenko Doric (Croatia, ALDE) and unanimously adopted at today’s plenary sitting, PACE came out in favour of two draft protocols, one on the right of citizens to participate in the affairs of a local authority and the other on Euroregional co-operation groupings (ECGs). The Assembly welcomed these initiatives, which it had in fact encouraged in its Recommendation 1829 in 2008 on transfrontier co-operation.
26/06/2009 | Session
Following a debate on so-called "honour crimes", the Assembly has called on member states to draw up and put into effect national action plans to combat violence against women, including violence committed in the name of so-called "honour". PACE has also asked national parliaments to pass legislation, if they have not yet done so, to make such offences, providing for a penalty commensurate with the gravity of the acts committed both for their perpetrators and for any accomplices.
26/06/2009 | Session
History teaching can be a tool for promoting peace and reconciliation in conflict and post-conflict areas and tolerance and understanding. At the close of the debate on the subject, the parliamentarians stressed that a multiple-perspective approach, rather than a single interpretation of events, would encourage pupils to respect diversity and cultural differences. The text adopted, which is based on a report by Cecilia Keaveney (Ireland, ALDE), suggests focusing history teaching more "on socio-economic, cultural, artistic and heritage elements and less on politics", while assuring those concerned of the resources necessary for research, training and innovation.
26/06/2009 | Session
PACE is to create a new “Partner for democracy” status for the parliaments of countries neighbouring the Council of Europe area – provided they agree to work towards the Organisation’s values such as free elections and abolition of the death penalty. The new status would allow parliamentary delegations from the southern Mediterranean, Middle East and central Asia to take part in the work of the Assembly and speak in debates, but without the right to vote.
25/06/2009 | Session
At the close of a parliamentary debate on nuclear energy and renewable energies that took place today on the basis of reports by Bill Etherington (United Kingdom, SOC) and Jean-François Le Grand (France, EPP/CD), the Assembly invited member states to take nuclear energy into account in their policies for diversifying energy sources, as a means of reducing greenhouse gas emissions and global warming. Member states should also take concrete measures to solve the problem of radioactive waste storage.
25/06/2009 | Session
Adressing the Assembly, Borut Pahor, Prime Minister of Slovenia which presently holds the Chairmanship of the Committee of Ministers, described the PACE as the "most appropriate platform for a state to learn the basics of democracy". A former member of the Assembly, Borut Pahor stressed the importance of multilateralism and co-operation between international organisations: "In the time of globalisation, this is the only way of ensuring respect for human rights, democracy and the rule of law", he said.
25/06/2009 | Session
European governments should continue to support public service broadcasting, guarantee that it has editorial independence and ensure it has the funding it needs, according to PACE. Adopting a report by Markku Laukkanen (Finland, ALDE), the parliamentarians emphasised that a variety of funding models may be used depending on national circumstances. Despite a growing public reluctance to pay license fees, public broadcasting remained "essential" for society, they said, and should embrace new technologies in fulfilling its mission.
25/06/2009 | Session
At the close of the urgent debate on the situation in Iran, PACE today urged the Iranian authorities to refrain from using force and violence against peaceful demonstrators and to release the hundreds of demonstrators arrested since 13 June as well as the politicians, members of their families and journalists detained. According to the Assembly, these arrests show that the government intends to suppress the opposition and avoid any form of political dialogue, "as it has succeeded in doing for 30 years now".
25/06/2009 | Session
In a resolution on the functioning of democratic institutions in Armenia, PACE yesterday welcomed the general amnesty adopted on 19 June, under which most, if not all, of the persons deprived of their liberty in relation to the events of 1 and 2 March 2008 will be released. With this measure, the authorities have complied with a crucial demand of the Assembly in its Resolution 1643 (2009), and have given a clear indication of their willingness to overcome the political crisis that ensued after the Presidential election of February 2008. The Assembly will, however, follow the developments with regard to the remaining cases.
25/06/2009 | Equality and Non-Discrimination
"Women have limited access to resources and decision-making. On the other hand, they are often the main victims of conflicts," said Krista Kiuru (Finland, SOC), rapporteur of the PACE Committee on Equal Opportunities for Women and Men, at the fifth meeting of women members of the Assembly. "The gender perspective and the contribution of women are a crisis management tool and must be incorporated into conflict prevention and resolution, but there will be no fundamental change until there is a change in mentalities," stressed the parliamentarian, who is preparing a report on the subject.