22/04/2026 | 19:05:59 Thank you, Madam Chair. Distinguished colleagues, These resolutions call for stronger legal tools. Non-conviction based confiscation, reversing the burden of proof in unexplained wealth cases and tougher targeted sanctions, visa bans and asset freezes. These are important steps, but they are not enough, because if we are to be honest, the issue is not the tools we have, but mainly how we use them. The report before us reflects that problem. It is detailed and raises legitimate concerns... 29/01/2026 | 18:44:17 Thank you very much, Mr Chair. On behalf of the United European Left, we strongly support the report marking the 65th anniversary of the convention and all efforts to strengthen it. As reaffirmed in the May 2023 Reykjavík Declaration, the European Social Charter is an integral part of the human rights system. Without effective social rights, full respect for human rights is impossible, and human dignity depends on social justice, equality and solidarity. Social rights are the material... 29/01/2026 | 12:18:56 Thank you very much, Madam Chair. Dear colleagues, Recent developments in Syria, particularly in Rojava, require the urgent attention of the Parliamentary Assembly of the Council of Europe. What is unfolding is not only a humanitarian crisis and a regional security issue. It is a direct challenge to Europe's commitment to human rights, democratic values and the rule of law. Despite this, there is striking global indifference to the events in Syria today. The situation in Rojava represents a... 03/10/2025 | 11:18:23 Thank you very much. Thank you, Mister Chair. First, I would like to thank your rapporteurs for their hard work, especially the Secretariat as well. It's a very important topic, ensuring that members of this Assembly can travel freely is fundamental to the very purpose of our institution. Deprivation of free movement is not an abstract concept. It includes administrative, legal and judicial restrictions such as detention, house arrest, curfews, the surrender of passports and travel bans... 02/10/2025 | 16:22:22 Thank you, Mister President. Dear colleagues, In the parliamentary elections held in Georgia last October, international observers, including the OSCE and our own Assembly, identified serious shortcomings like the misuse of administrative resources, pressure on voters, vote buying and weak oversight. At the same time, they didn't find verifiable evidence of large-scale fraud that would overturn the outcome. For this reason, the results, though followed, were not challenged by the... 30/01/2025 | 17:55:15 Thank you, Mister Chair. First of all, I would like to thank the rapporteur for the comprehensive report "Regulating Content Moderation on Social Media to Safeguard Freedom of Expression". It looks in detail at the responsibility of social media platforms to protect freedom of expression and recognises their influence on social behaviour, democratic processes, and the flow of information. The report highlights critical issues such as algorithmic bias, disinformation, content removal, access... 27/06/2024 | 19:41:05 Thank you very much, Madam President. Today, I will emphasise how freedom of expression is systematically restricted in Türkiye. But this is a growing problem everywhere and every instance encourages others. We have celebrated the release of Julian Assange from the UK's Belmarsh but we know that this was a result of a plea bargain and journalists risk prison sentences for revealing inconvenient truths. I could give you many other examples from Council members but I will outline one from here... 26/06/2024 | 17:39:57 Thank you, Madam Chair. I would like to thank the rapporteurs for these reports. While we can only welcome the focus on mediation between Council members and avoidance of conflict, we must register our concerns that without a much more detailed examination of possibilities and possible consequences as well as the resources and capabilities of this organisation, it is difficult to agree detailed prescriptions. The creation of a robust mediation process would seem to be giving the Council a... 25/06/2024 | 10:34:06 Thank you very much, Mister chair. First of all, I would like to thank you, rapporteurs, for these fine Reports. It is sobering to have to acknowledge this on the 75th anniversary of the Council of Europe that European democracy is in crisis. But it is also vital to understand that this is the case. As inequality increases, leaving large sections of our population struggling with everyday existence, and the world's largest wars and climate catastrophe, it is hardly surprising that people feel... 24/01/2024 | 18:36:46 Thank you, Mister Chair. First, I would like to say that we welcome this report and its eminently sensible recommendations, which should get the support of everyone with a conscience. As a citizen of one of the countries singled out for its systemic practice of torture and ill-treatment, Türkiye, I want to give an outline of what is happening in my country to show why a focus on addressing torture and ill-treatment is badly needed. I will begin with a reminder that these practices are not...