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Rules of Procedure of the Assembly (December 2025)

(Resolution 1202 (1999) adopted on 4 November 1999) with subsequent modifications of the Rules of Procedure*

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Organisation of Assembly business

Rule 25Tabling of motions for recommendations and resolutions

25.1.a. A recommendation is a proposal by the Assembly addressed to the Committee of Ministers, the implementation of which is beyond the competence of the Assembly, but within that of governments.
25.1.b. A resolution embodies a decision by the Assembly on a question of substance which it is empowered to put into effect, or an expression of view for which it alone is responsible. In addition, a resolution may deal with a question of form, transmission, execution or procedure.
25.2. A motion for a recommendation or resolution not exceeding 300 words shall be signed by at least twenty representatives or substitutes belonging to at least five national delegations or be adopted with the requisite quorum by a committee, as defined in Rule 47.3., provided that the motion comes within the committee's specific terms of reference. Once tabled, a motion cannot be withdrawn by its authors and no signature may be withdrawn or added to it. Motions shall not contain propaganda for commercial purposes or on behalf of persons or associations whose ideas or activities are incompatible with the Council of Europe’s principles. They shall also address areas falling within the Council of Europe’s sphere of competence and shall not contain racist, xenophobic or intolerant language or words and expressions whose meaning constitutes an affront to human dignity.
25.3. A motion for recommendation to initiate a complementary joint procedure between the Committee of Ministers and the Parliamentary Assembly in response to a serious violation by a member State of its statutory obligations shall be presented in both official languages and signed by at least one fifth of the component members (representatives and substitutes) of the Assembly, belonging to at least three political groups and fifteen national delegations.
25.4. The President shall decide whether such a motion is in order. He or she may consult the committee concerned and possibly the Bureau. A motion which is in order shall be printed and distributed as soon as possible.