22/06/2026 | Session
PACE President Petra Bayr, opening the summer plenary session of PACE this morning in Strasbourg, has hailed the resilience of the Parliamentary Assembly in pressured times – and pledged its readiness to provide leadership on fundamental issues of human rights and democracy. “There are moments in...
22/06/2026 | Session
The 2026 Vigdís Prize for Women’s Empowerment has been awarded to My Voice, My Choice, a grassroots feminist movement originating in Slovenia that brings together more than 300 organisations from across the European Union to work towards safe and accessible abortion. The 60,000-euro annual prize...
22/06/2026 | Session
In a speech today to the Parliamentary Assembly, Monaco's Minister of State Christophe Mirmand has reaffirmed his country’s commitment to the founding values of the Council of Europe – human rights, the rule of law and democracy – and highlighted the need for a collective response to the crises...
19/06/2026 | Migration, International Protection and Economic Co-operation
On the eve of World Refugee Day (20 June), Sandra Zampa (Italy, SOC), Chairperson of the PACE Committee on Migration, International Protection and Economic Co-operation, made the following statement: “This year’s World Refugee Day is special. It is 75 years since the signature of the 1951 Refugee...
18/06/2026 | President
Petra Bayr, the President of the Parliamentary Assembly of the Council of Europe (PACE), made the following statement today: “On the occasion of Daw Aung San Suu Kyi’s 81st birthday tomorrow, I call once again for her immediate and unconditional release. For decades, Peace Nobel Prize winner Aung...
18/06/2026 | President
“Hate speech dehumanises. It tells a person or a group of people that they are worth less, that they do not belong, that they are a threat. Once that message takes hold, discrimination, and even violence, follow,” said PACE President Petra Bayr today, addressing a conference on “Countering hate...
17/06/2026 | Rules, Ethics and Immunities
“The adoption by the Assembly of the Republic of North Macedonia of the revised Code of Ethical Conduct is an important step towards strengthening ethics, integrity and accountability in parliamentary life. It reflects a strong commitment to transparency and good governance and will help...
17/06/2026 | Equality and Non-Discrimination
On the occasion of the International Day for Countering Hate Speech (18 June), Francesco Verducci (Italy, SOC), PACE General Rapporteur on Combating Racism and Intolerance, made the following statement: “Hate speech remains a serious threat to equality, inclusion and, ultimately, to democracy...
15/06/2026 | Monitoring
A co-rapporteur of the Parliamentary Assembly of the Council of Europe (PACE) for post-monitoring dialogue with Montenegro, Liliana Tanguy (France, ALDE), ending a fact-finding visit to Podgorica (9-12 June), has welcomed the ongoing commitment of the Montenegrin political class and society to...
12/06/2026 | Migration, International Protection and Economic Co-operation
Christiana Erotokritou (Cyprus, SOC), Rapporteur on “Frontline states: the role of the Council of Europe in implementing the EU Pact on Migration and Asylum” has welcomed today the entry into force of the EU Pact on Migration and Asylum. “Frontline states have often faced challenges regarding the...
10/06/2026 | Social Affairs, Health and Sustainable Development
The unprecedented increase in the number of soldiers and civilians with disabilities is one of “the most dramatic and long-term consequences” of Russia’s war of aggression against Ukraine, a PACE committee has said – while urging all European countries to be engaged in the challenge of...
08/06/2026 | Monitoring
Liliana Tanguy (France, ALDE), co-rapporteur of the Parliamentary Assembly of the Council of Europe (PACE) for the post-monitoring dialogue with Montenegro, will make a fact-finding visit to the country from 9 to 12 June. During her visit to Podgorica, Ms Tanguy will assess the progress made by...