This year’s first session of the Parliamentary Assembly has started today with member of the Swiss Delegation Ms Liliane Maury Pasquier being re-elected President of the Council of Europe Parliamentary Assembly, and the election of 18 vice presidents.
The Winter Session is dedicated to considering the issues of the compatibility of Sharia law with the European Convention on Human Rights, combating impunity for offenders who commit grave violations of human rights, combating discrimination in employment, more effective implementation of recommendations by the European Committee for the Prevention of Torture and Inhuman or Degrading Treatment or Punishment, and harmonisation with the principles of protection of human rights and withdrawing nationality as a measure to combat terrorism.
The session’s agenda also includes a comprehensive debate on the role of public service media in preventing disinformation and propaganda and media freedom as a condition for democratic elections, as well as the debate under urgent procedure on the escalation of tensions between the Ukraine and Russia at the Sea of Azov and the worsening situation of opposition politicians in Turkey.
MPs will also vote on the proposed recommendations to the Venice Commission for updating its Code of Good Practice on referendums, and the findings of the observation missions of PACE on the presidential elections in Georgia and the parliamentary elections in Armenia.
The guests of the Parliamentary Assembly during this session will include the President of Finland Mr Sauli Niinistö, President of the Venice Commission Gianni Buquicchio, and Minister of Foreign Affairs of Finland Mr Timo Soini, who will address the Parliamentary Assembly in his capacity of the Chair of the Committee of Ministers of the Council of Europe. MPs will also be addressed by Mr Thorbjørn Jagland, Secretary General of the Council of Europe.
The Montenegrin Delegation at the PACE Winter Session consists of Head of Delegation Mr Predrag Sekulić and members Ms Sanja Pavićević, and Mr Ervin Ibrahimović.
