A high-level panel and interactive debate on “The environment and human rights: the right to a safe, healthy and sustainable environment”, as well as a full day of debates on this topic, formed the centrepiece of the 2021 Autumn Session, which took place in Strasbourg from 27 to 30 September 2021 in a hybrid format.
No fewer than seven reports were debated, covering the Council of Europe’s action to anchor a “right to a healthy environment”, and how tackling climate change will require more participatory democracy, changes in criminal and civil liability, as well as a greater reliance on the rule of law. Other reports looked at combating inequalities in the right to a safe, healthy and clean environment, climate and migration, and how research policies can promote environmental protection.
The Assembly held urgent debates on the situation in Afghanistan, the increased migration pressure on the borders of Latvia, Lithuania and Poland with Belarus, and a new draft protocol to the Council of Europe’s Cybercrime Convention on enhanced co-operation and the disclosure of electronic evidence. A current affairs debate on “The Western Balkans between democratic challenges and European aspirations: what role for the Council of Europe?” was also held.
VIPs addressing the Assembly during session week included European Health and Food Safety Commissioner Stella Kyriakides and North Macedonia’s Deputy Prime Minister for European Affairs Nikola Dimitrov. Hungarian Foreign Minister Péter Szijjarto presented the Communication from the Committee of Ministers, while Council of Europe Secretary General Marija Pejčinović Burić held her usual Q&A session with members.
On Monday 27th the Assembly awarded the 2021 Václav Havel Human Rights Prize to Belarusian human rights activist Maria Kalesnikava. The 60,000-euro Prize honours individuals or NGOs from civil society who carry out outstanding work to uphold human rights in Europe or beyond.
The Assembly adopted also texts on the humanitarian consequences of the conflict between Armenia and Azerbaijan / Nagorno-Karabakh conflict, restoring social trust by strengthening social rights, and strengthening the fight against so-called “honour” crimes. The Assembly also debated gender representation in its own ranks, as well as guidelines on the scope of the parliamentary immunities enjoyed by its members.
On the fringe of the session, there as be a special event on Thursday 30th as the Council of Europe welcomed “Little Amal”, a 3.5m-tall puppet of a nine-year-old girl who is walking 8000 km to raise awareness of the situation of child refugees. VIPs, parliamentarians and local schoolchildren interacted and exchanged gifts with her.
Monday 27 September 2021
Doc. 15377 (Report on credentials) Examination of credentials of representatives and substitutes Doc. 15375 (Progress report) Activities of the Assembly’s Bureau and Standing Committee (21 June – 22 September 2021) Doc. 15375 Add. 1 (Progress report) Activities of the Assembly’s Bureau and Standing Committee (24 September 2021) Doc. 15375 Add. 2 (Progress report) Election of judges to the European Court of Human Rights Doc. 15352 (Election observation report) Observation of the early parliamentary elections in Armenia (20 June 2021) Doc. 15355 (Election observation report) Observation of the early parliamentary elections in Bulgaria (11 July 2021) Doc. 15356 (Election observation report) Observation of the early parliamentary elections in the Republic of Moldova (11 July 2021) Doc. 15363 (Report) Humanitarian consequences of the conflict between Armenia and Azerbaijan Doc. 15364 (Report) Guidelines on the scope of the parliamentary immunities enjoyed by members of the Parliamentary Assembly
Tuesday 28 September 2021
Doc. 15358 (Communication) Election of judges to the European Court of Human Rights List and curricula vitae of candidates submitted by the Government of the Czech Republic Doc. 15350 (Communication) Election of judges to the European Court of Human Rights List and curricula vitae of candidates submitted by the Government of the Republic of Moldova Doc. 15304 (Communication) Election of judges to the European Court of Human Rights List and curricula vitae of candidates submitted by the Government of the Russian Federation Doc. 15375 Add. 2 (Progress report) Election of judges to the European Court of Human Rights Doc. 15365 (Report) Socio-economic inequalities in Europe: time to restore social trust by strengthening social rights Doc. 15366 (Report) Gender representation in the Parliamentary Assembly Doc. 15376 (Committee Opinion) Gender representation in the Parliamentary Assembly Doc. 15347 (Report) Strengthening the fight against so-called “honour” crimes
Wednesday 29 September 2021
Doc. 15367 (Report) Anchoring the right to a healthy environment: need for enhanced action by the Council of Europe Doc. 15351 (Report) More participatory democracy to tackle climate change Doc. 15362 (Report) Addressing issues of criminal and civil liability in the context of climate change Doc. 15353 (Report) The climate crisis and the rule of law Doc. 15354 (Committee Opinion) The climate crisis and the rule of law Doc. 15349 (Report) Combating inequalities in the right to a safe, healthy and clean environment Doc. 15348 (Report) Climate and migration Doc. 15357 (Report) Research policies and environment protection
Thursday 30 September 2021
Doc. 15381 (Report) The situation in Afghanistan: consequences for Europe and the region Doc. 15382 rev (Report) Increased migration pressure on the borders of Latvia, Lithuania and Poland with Belarus Doc. 15379 (Report) Draft Second Additional Protocol to the Convention on Cybercrime on enhanced co-operation and disclosure of electronic evidence Doc. 15316 rev (Request for an opinion) Draft Second Additional Protocol to the Convention on Cybercrime on enhanced co-operation and disclosure of electronic evidence
Date | Lists |
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Monday 27 September | 1 2 3 |
Tuesday 28 September | 1 2 3 4 5 6 |
Wednesday 29 September | 1 2 3 |
Thursday 30 September | 1 2 3 4 5 |
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Monday 27 September |
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Tuesday 28 September |
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Wednesday 29 September |
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Thursday 30 September |
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Date | Morning | Afternoon |
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Monday 27 September | OV EN | OV EN |
Tuesday 28 September | OV EN | OV EN |
Wednesday 29 September | OV EN | OV EN |
Thursday 30 September | OV EN | OV EN |