21/04/2021 | 11:10:20 Everyone in their seats? We now come to the joint debate on two reports from the Committee on Political Affairs and Democracy and the Committee on Legal Affairs and Human Rights. The first is titled "Urgent need for electoral reform in Belarus", Document 15253, presented by Lord David BLENCATHRA. The second is titled "Human rights violations in Belarus require an international investigation", Document 15256 presented by Ms Alexandra LOUIS. In order to finish by 1:00 p.m. I will interrupt the... 21/04/2021 | 10:57:15 Mr President, The Council of Europe has played an outstanding role, especially in the 1990s, in bringing the young democracies of Central and Eastern Europe up to the standards of human rights and the rule of law. This was an important basis for the later accession of these countries to the European Union. Today, both organisations are faced with the challenge that member states, especially their governments, are trying to move away from these standards again. Where can we intensify... 20/04/2021 | 11:46:33 Mister President, Ladies and Gentlemen, I believe that the strategic priorities of the Council of Europe must be implemented and defined in three main dimensions. Firstly, there is the thematic focus: protecting human rights, safeguarding the rule of law and pluralist democracy through our institutions such as the European Court of Human Rights, the Venice Commission based on the European Convention on Human Rights, a centrepiece of our organisation and a world model for a human rights... 19/04/2021 | 12:22:03 Mr President, Ladies and gentlemen, Let me begin by reminding you again of the sad news that Ms Dame Cheryl GILLAN, Chairperson of the Committee on Political Affairs and Democracy, tragically passed away at Easter. As First Vice-Chairperson of that Committee, I would like to say a few words in memory of Cheryl. I had the opportunity to work very closely with her from the beginning of last year and also taking her place on many occasions during her illness, especially in recent months. None of... 28/01/2021 | 11:35:09 Thank you. I must now interrupt the list of speakers. The speeches of members on the speaker's list that have been present during the debate but have not been able to speak may be given to the Table Office for publication in the official report. I remind colleagues that the typewritten text can be submitted electronically, if possible no later than four hours after the list of speakers is interrupted. I remind you that at the end of the current affairs debate the Assembly is not asked to... 28/01/2021 | 09:24:58 Mr President, colleagues, anyone who has witnessed the debate in this house over the past few years will not be surprised to learn that there are differing views on this issue in the Group of the European People's Party (Christian Democrats) and European Democrats. I want to be frank about that right at the start. However, I also want to make it clear that we in the Group of the European People's Party (Christian Democrats) and European Democrats are largely in agreement. We largely agree... 27/01/2021 | 16:53:23 Madam President, Ladies and gentlemen, Let me begin by stating clearly and unequivocally that the Navalny case, in all its dimensions, is not a domestic matter, not a question of national sovereignty, no. It has, in all its dimensions--as regards the poisoning, the arrest, and the handling of the protests against the arrest--an international component, a component of international law, and also a component that directly affects the Council of Europe, our institution. Let me say that the... 26/01/2021 | 18:20:52 Mr President, dear colleagues, As has already been said, the title of the report we are debating today is very technical, as if we were discussing a very technical legal issue in our regulatory framework. I thank the rapporteur, Sir Edward LEIGH, for having prepared and presented it in such a precise way. But let me remind you that this is a highly political report, a highly political decision, both looking back and looking forward. I would like to remind you that the decision to establish... 26/01/2021 | 12:55:08 Thank you. I shall now put the amendment to the vote. Again, use the respective voting system either in the Hemicycle or online. The vote is open. The vote is closed. I call for the result to be displayed. 20 in favour, 79 against, 14 abstentions. The amendment is rejected. So we will now proceed to vote on the draft resolution contained in document 15204 as amended. Members present in the Chamber, should use the Hemicycle voting system, members online should vote using the remote voting... 26/01/2021 | 12:51:19 I shall now put the amendment to the vote. Again, use your respective voting system. The vote is open. The vote is closed. I call for the results to be displayed. 21 in favor, 76 against, 16 abstentions. The amendment is rejected. I call for Amendment 5, on which I have been informed that was rejected by the committee with a 2/3 majority. Does anyone object against this recommendation? The objection does not have the support of 10 or more members of the assembly, so the amendment is rejected...