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.
24/06/2009 | Session
Europe’s long-term displaced – however long ago they moved – continue to be entitled to the highest standards of protection, including decent living conditions, access to jobs, welfare and education, and a say in their future, according to the Assembly. Adopting a report by John Greenway (United Kingdom, EDG), the parliamentarians said only political solutions to the underlying conflicts will truly resolve the situation for such people, but in the meantime temporary or long-term integration is the best course, at least until those who wish to return are able to go safely.
24/06/2009 | Session
Walter Kälin, the Representative of the UN Secretary General on the Human Rights of Internally Displaced Persons, told the Assembly session on 24 June that the situation of the 2.5 million people who have suffered internal displacement in Europe remains stagnant. He noted that most of them live in Central Caucasus, Turkey, the Balkans and Cyprus having fled their homes as a result of conflicts from rejected independence claims and territorial disputes.
24/06/2009 | Session
Claudio Cordone, the Senior Director of Research and Regional Programmes of Amnesty International, told the Assembly on 24 June that states should be held accountable for violations committed by their forces in operations outside their borders. Delivering a statement on behalf of Amnesty International Secretary General Irene Khan, he listed the death penalty, impunity, counter-terrorism, discrimination and freedom of expression as key areas of concern for the organisation.
24/06/2009 | Session
Holly Cartner, the Director of the Europe and Central Asia Division, Human Rights Watch, addressing the Parliamentary Assembly on 24 June, underlined that despite the impressive legal framework embodied in the European Convention on Human Rights, serious violations by member states continue, threatening the credibility of the institution and jeopardising the integrity of the Court.
24/06/2009 | Prizes
PACE President Lluís Maria de Puig today awarded mayors of 18 prize-winning municipalities with the European Diploma 2009, on the occasion of a ceremony attended by about 100 people. The Diploma not only acknowledges the work done at European level by the prize-winning municipalities, but also serves as an incentive to develop it further through contacts with twin towns and other European partners.