Autumn Session 2023

PACE held three urgent and two current affairs debates during its Autumn Session

The Assembly held three urgent debates on "Humanitarian situation in Nagorno-Karabakh", "Call for the immediate release of Osman Kavala" and "Ensuring a just peace in Ukraine and lasting security in Europe", as well as two current affairs debates on "Escalation of violence in the Middle-East following the recent Hamas attack on Israel" and "The situation in the North of Kosovo* following the recent attack and the need for de-escalation".

Major topics debated by the Assembly also included the award of the 2023 Václav Havel Human Rights Prize, Pegasus and similar spyware and secret state surveillance, as well as a report which examined the legitimacy and legality of the ad hominem term-limit waiver for Russia’s incumbent President.

Parliamentarians held an exchange of views with Didier Reynders, European Commissioner for Justice. Latvian Foreign Minister Krišjānis Kariņš, Chair of the Committee of Ministers, reported on the work of the Council of Europe’s executive body, and Council of Europe Secretary General Marija Pejčinović Burić held question time with members.

Other topics on the agenda included the challenge of far-right ideology to democracy and human rights in Europe, and a periodic review of the honouring of membership obligations to the Council of Europe by France. There was a joint debate on the impact of the fight against Covid-19 on the mental health and well-being of children and young adults, on the one hand, and on preventing addictive behaviours in children, on the other.

Finally, the Assembly discussed how to combat violence against women with disabilities, the humanitarian crisis emerging for Afghanistan and Afghan refugees, and the role of the Council of Europe in preventing conflicts, restoring the credibility of international institutions, and promoting global peace.

All reference to Kosovo, whether to the territory, institutions, or population, in this text shall be understood in full compliance with United Nations Security Council Resolution 1244 and without prejudice to the status of Kosovo.