25/04/2023 | 17:02:42 Thank you, Madam President. The Council of Europe Summit of Heads of State and Government is going to be a crucial event in the history of our organisation, or at least it should be. To make it effective and to make it comprehensive, the voice of civil society needs to be heard and needs to be taken into consideration. Therefore, I urge the institution of the Council of Europe, as well as heads of states and national governments, to listen to what human rights organisations – which met in the... 15/03/2022 | 16:52:42 Mister President, We have to say very clearly in this room today that today Russia is a contradiction of everything that the Council of Europe stands for. Its criminal imperialism is paid for with the tragedy, death, and pain of millions of Ukrainians. Its recurring totalitarianism manifests itself in prison penalties for telling the truth. Its degenerated oligarchy deprives ordinary people of all opportunities for development. There is no longer place for Russia in the community of values... 25/01/2022 | 10:32:18 Thank you, Madam President. As the chairman of the first-ever LGBTI intergroup in the history of the parliament in Poland, but also as a lawyer and long-term activist dealing with combatting discrimination for years, but also as an openly gay politician, firstly, I would like to thank Mr Fourat BEN CHIKHA and Mr Christophe LACROIX for their excellent work in their reports and in-depth analysis. Despite all the great achievements of the human rights movement in Europe, despite all efforts... 26/01/2021 | 11:46:24 Thank you, Mr President. I would like to thank Mr Andrea ORLANDO for his hard work and comprehensive report. It is more than six years since the process of dismantling and destruction of the rule of law began in my country. Independent institutions became the main target of the attack of the ruling party. Why? It is obvious for everyone that, in every democratic country, any unlawful action will be met with the proper response of courts acting in line with the standards: standards set up by... 29/01/2020 | 11:17:19 Thank you, Mr Chair. Freedom of religion or belief is one of the fundamental values within the Council of Europe's legal space. There is no doubt about it. Believing in whatever we want is our basic human right which cannot be undermined or interfered. It is guaranteed not only by the European Convention of Human Rights but also by most of the constitutions around the world. It is an indisputable issue! However, when debating freedom of religion we need to remember, that according to the... 28/01/2020 | 10:55:39 Thank you Mr Chair. As a newly elected member of the Polish Parliament and a newcomer to the Parliamentary Assembly of the Council of Europe I must admit at the very beginning that it is very hard for me to stand in front of you and to talk about the functioning of democratic institutions in my country. After the collapse of the communist regime, Poland was regarded as a front-runner and a leader of democratic changes in the region. Gradually but consistently, my country tried to restore...