Committee on Legal Affairs and Human Rights

Latest news

03/07/2026 - Parliamentary Network to Promote the Implementation of ECHR Judgments PACE network on the implementation of Strasbourg Court judgments holds its first meeting
01/07/2026 - Legal Affairs and Human Rights General Rapporteur on the death penalty: ‘Abolition can never be taken for granted’
29/05/2026 - Legal Affairs and Human Rights Committee denounces silencing of critical voices in Azerbaijan
28/05/2026 - Legal Affairs and Human Rights PACE committee condemns ‘transnational repression’ and urges new laws to stop it
27/05/2026 - Legal Affairs and Human Rights Committee concerned about the situation of ICC judges and prosecutors, who are subject to repressive measures

Useful links

Special web page
PACE, a champion of the European Convention on Human Rights

Network web page
Parliamentary Network to Promote the Implementation of Judgments of the European Court of Human Rights

ACTIVITIES

Presentation
A summary of the activities of the committee

Agenda
All items due for discussion and decision

Reports under preparation
List of reports under preparation in the committee

Documents and declarations
The committee's public documents and declarations

Decisions
Details of decisions taken by the committee at each meeting (synopses)

DID YOU KNOW?

The Committee on Legal Affairs and Human Rights promotes the rule of law and defends human rights. It is also responsible for a whole variety of activities that make it, de facto, the Assembly's legal adviser.

In January 2026, Eerik-Niiles KROSS (Estonia, ALDE) was elected as Chairperson of the Committee.

Handbook on "National parliaments as guarantors of human rights in Europe"

A handbook for parliamentarians from all over Europe published in October 2018 by the Assembly sets out ways and means to protect and implement human rights, within a democracy underpinned by the rule of law.

This handbook is intended to equip parliamentarians to fulfil their responsibilities by reviewing institutional structures, working methods and examples of best practices drawn from a number of parliaments in Europe, which enable them to verify most effectively the compatibility of national legislation and practices with European human rights standards.

Handbook available in several languages.

In the spotlight

The Network of Parliamentarians to Promote the Implementation of Judgments of the European Court of Human Rights has been established to strengthen parliamentary engagement in the implementation of the Court’s judgments. Chaired by Mr Adam Bodnar (Poland, EPP/CD), the Network provides a platform for parliamentarians to exchange views and support implementation efforts at the national level.

Learn more about the Network