Using its powers under the founding Statute, the Assembly can: Demand action from 47 European governments, who must jointly reply Conduct probes to uncover new facts about human rights violations Question Presidents and Prime Ministers on any topic it chooses Observe elections and send delegations to mediate in crisis hot-spots Negotiate the terms on which … Read more

Detail of decisions taken by the Committee at each meeting Détail des décisions prises par la Commission à chacune de ses réunions   Date English Français 2018 16/01/2017 AS/MON 001 AS/MON 001 22/01/2018 AS/MON 002 AS/MON 002 13/03/2018 AS/MON 003 AS/MON 003 27/04/2018 AS/MON 004 AS/MON 004 29/05/2018 AS/MON 005 AS/MON 005 26/06/2018 AS/MON 006 … Read more

  There are six organised political groups within the Assembly: the Group of the European People’s Party (EPP/CD) the Socialists, Democrats and Greens Group (SOC) the European Conservatives Group (EC) – New site under construction, thank you for your patience the Alliance of Liberals and Democrats for Europe (ALDE) the Group of the Unified European … Read more

Detail of decisions taken by the Committee at each meeting Détail des décisions prises par la Commission à chacune de ses réunions   Date English Français 2016 25/01/2016 AS/EGA 001 AS/EGA 001 11/03/2016 AS/EGA 002 AS/EGA 002 18/04/2016 AS/EGA 003 AS/EGA 003 12/05/2016 AS/EGA/GEN 001 – Scom Women Free from Violence AS/EGA/GEN 001 – Scom … Read more

Interparliamentary co-operation and external relations Interparliamentary co-operation The Pan-European Programme for Inter-Parliamentary Co-operation and Assistance of the Parliamentary Assembly (DEMOPARL) is open to member states as well as to those enjoying special guest status. The programme covers in particular three fields: information and training for parliamentarians and parliamentary staff; multilateral and bilateral co-operation in the … Read more

Strasbourg, 29 September-3 October 2014 A current affairs debate on the crisis in Ukraine, a report on countering neo-Nazism, and the award of the second Vaclav Havel Human Rights Prize will be among highlights of PACE’s autumn session in Strasbourg, from 29 September to 3 October. Other items on the draft agenda, just made public, … Read more

Detail of decisions taken by the Committee at each meeting Détail des décisions prises par la Commission à chacune de ses réunions   Date English Français 2018 23/01/2018 AS/MIG 001 AS/MIG 001 08/02/2018 AS/MIG/DIA 002 AS/MIG/DIA 002 21/03/2018 AS/MIG 002 AS/MIG 002 26/03/2018 AS/MIG/CULT 001 AS/MIG/CULT 001 23/04/2018 AS/MIG 003 AS/MIG 003 18/05/2018 AS/MIG/DIA 004 … Read more

Strasbourg, 27-31 January 2014 An urgent debate on “The functioning of democratic institutions in Ukraine”* as well as a debate on “Refusing impunity for the killers of Sergei Magnitsky” are among highlights of PACE’s Winter Session, taking place in Strasbourg from 27 to 31 January 2014. Werner Faymann, Federal Chancellor of Austria, and Martin Schulz, … Read more

In its 60-plus years of existence, PACE’s role as a “human rights watchdog”, a motor of ideas and a forum for debate has triggered positive change, defused conflict, and helped to steer the continent towards an ever-evolving set of shared values. Among the Assembly’s most important achievements are: Ending the death penalty in Europe by … Read more

Debates on threats to the rule of law in Council of Europe member States, European institutions and human rights in Europe, ensuring comprehensive treatment for children with attention problems, democratic participation for migrant diaspora, and student mobility, featured on the agenda of the Standing Committee (*) of the Parliamentary Assembly of the Council of Europe … Read more

Biography Born on 19 May 1950 in Luxembourg Responsibilities in the Parliamentary Assembly since 1993 President of the Parliamentary Assembly of the Council of Europe since January 2014 President of the Alliance of Liberals and Democrats for Europe (ALDE) in 2009-2014 President of the Committee on Culture, Science and Education in 2008-2010 Rapporteur : has … Read more

Equality and Non-Discrimination News Empowering intersex people: a crucial means of guaranteeing their rights 26/10/2018 Equality and Non-Discrimination “For far too long, discrimination against intersex people has played havoc with their lives and led to appalling violations of their rights,” said Piet De Bruyn, on the occasion of Intersex Awareness Day. More ‘It’s time to … Read more

Strasbourg, 20-24 April Debates on mass surveillance practices and on drones and targeted killings: the need to uphold human rights and international law were among the highlights of the Spring Session 2015 (Strasbourg, 20-24 April). The Assembly also debated the reform of football governance, the humanitarian consequences of the actions of the terrorist group called … Read more

At a glance [11/10/2017] Strasbourg (France), Presentation of a Study of immigration detention practices and a parliamentarian monitoring guide During the meeting of the Committee on Migration, Refugees and Displaced persons, held on 11 October, two publications prepared in the framework of the Campaign were presented: a study of immigration detention practices and a Parliamentary … Read more

  Generic Drugs Definition Generics are full-fledged analogs of branded (parental, original) drugs that third-party manufacturing companies acquire the right to release after the original developer of the drug, who is the patent holder for it, is deprived of patent protection for its invention. In most cases, the term of patent protection is between 14 … Read more

The Standing Committee (*) of the Parliamentary Assembly of the Council of Europe (PACE) met at the Finnish Parliament in Helsinki on Friday 23 November 2018, as Finland began its six-month chairmanship of the Council of Europe’s ministerial body (21 November 2018-17 May 2019). PACE President Liliane Maury Pasquier opened the meeting, followed by a … Read more

Many parliamentarians across Europe have a right to visit detention centres for irregular migrants and asylum seekers as part of their mandate as national parliamentarians. Yet a survey conducted by the Parliamentary Assembly has shown that this right is not always known to parliamentarians or used to its full capacity. The Committee on Migration, refugees … Read more

Strasbourg, 26-30 January 2015 Address by the President of Ireland, as well as debates on the humanitarian situation in Ukraine and on protection of media freedom in Europe are among highlights of the Assembly’s Winter session 2015 (26-30 January). There will be a discussion of intolerance and discrimination in Europe, with a special focus on … Read more

    PACE meets four times a year for week-long plenary sessions in Strasbourg. The 324 representatives and 324 substitutes are appointed by national parliaments from among their members. The parliament of each country sends a delegation of between two and eighteen representatives, depending on the country’s population, which must reflect the balance of political … Read more

Strasbourg, 7-11 April 2014 At its Spring session in Strasbourg on 7-11 April the Council of Europe Parliamentary Assembly (PACE) will debate a request to reconsider the already ratified credentials of the delegation of the Russian Federation on substantive grounds (under Rule 9.1.a of the Rules of Procedure) and is likely to hold an urgent … Read more