20/04/2021 | 14:35:02 Thank you very much. So let me start with the convention system, and I think that is a very good start to this discussion and it fits somehow the previous discussions we had here. So today, the Council of Europe has 223 conventions that are in place, but we started earlier on, with what we call now the "mother of all conventions", the European Convention on Human Rights. So I absolutely agree that it is important to preserve and to protect and enhance this common legal space shared by our 47... 25/01/2021 | 19:27:02 Written reply Over the years, the Council of Europe has developed an extensive range of treaties and other legal tools that apply the principles outlined in the European Convention on Human Rights to the specific challenges that have emerged and evolved in our member States. This approach continues today, for example with our work on Artificial Intelligence and human rights or on the protection of the environment. These and many other priority issues are addressed in my Strategic Framework of... 25/01/2021 | 19:27:02 Written reply Since the Joint Statement on Belarus in August 2020, I have continued to follow developments closely. In September 2020, I issued another statement expressing my grave concerns about the threats to human rights violations in Belarus. You will find the full text of my statement here: Secretary General gravely concerned by human rights violations in Belarus - Newsroom (coe.int) As you know, Belarus is not a member State of the Council of Europe. However, it is a party to a number... 25/01/2021 | 19:27:02 Written reply The Council of Europe works closely with all member States to accompany them in the process of the implementation of their commitments under the European Convention on Human Rights and the respect of their statutory obligations undertaken upon joining the Organisation. However, the democratic journey may entail challenges, alongside opportunities while striving to meet the Organisation’s standards on Human Rights, democracy and the rule of law. These standards concern all our... 25/01/2021 | 19:27:02 Written reply The Council of Europe has always supported a solution to the Catalan situation in full respect of international law and the principle of the rule of law, in particular the Spanish Constitution and in accordance with European standards. In line with its mandate, the Council of Europe and its organs remain fully available for a continuous dialogue with Spain, as for all its member States, using all the tools offered by our Organisation and providing expertise to ensure compliance... 25/01/2021 | 19:25:33 Written reply I welcome the cease-fire agreement between Armenia and Azerbaijan reached on 9 November. From the outset of the hostilities, our position has been clear. We were gravely concerned about the events and underlined that on joining the Organisation, the two countries had undertaken to resolve the territorial conflict through peaceful means. This tragic conflict claimed both civilian and military lives and caused suffering and destruction. Everything has to be done now to arrive at a... 25/01/2021 | 17:00:22 And the final question was from Mr HUNKO regarding the Article 15 procedure. According to Article 15, the role of the Secretary General is to be informed of each and every one of the member States that invoked Article 15. At the peak of the crisis, I think there were 10 members States that asked for it, and at this moment there are two. Of course, there are limits in time and once the procedure is over again, I get the information from the member States that cease to apply the situation of... 25/01/2021 | 16:57:52 With regard to the issue of migrants, refugees and their situation of refoulement, as some of you have no doubt already said, I have appointed a special representative of the Secretary-General who will focus on migration issues. He is currently in Bosnia, as you know. You certainly have in mind other countries where there are concerns about refoulement, but it is in Bosnia and Herzegovina where it would appear that the problems are the most serious at the moment. Therefore, the Special... 25/01/2021 | 16:53:44 Thank you very much. So, starting with access to Crimea. I didn't say that the Council of Europe couldn't go to Crimea, but that the visit to Ukraine of the commissioner to discuss that was postponed because of Covid-19. This was what I wanted to convey. I am sure that the sovereignty and the territorial integrity of Ukraine are very clearly mentioned in a number of documents of the Council of Europe and, from that point of view, I think my position is very clear as one of the other bodies... 25/01/2021 | 16:44:57 Now, coming back to the internal matters of the Council of Europe for the teleworking of staff and where they are stationed: I would like to recall first that we have had teleworking for a number of years in the Council of Europe and I think among the public authorities we are one of those international organisations who have offered a very, very generous possibility of teleworking. It amounts to possibly working 20 working days a year which, in all, would be one month in 12 months of work...