Legal consequences of Russian war of aggression against Ukraine debated at the PACE winter session
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The Parliamentary Assembly of the Council of Europe (PACE) held its winter session on 23–27 January. The subjects debated at the session included the legal consequences of the Russian war of aggression against Ukraine linked to human rights.
At the PACE winter session, an urgent debate was held on the consequences of the Russian invasion of Ukraine in terms of legal consequences and human rights. At the debate, Oleksandra Matviichuk, head of the non-profit organisation the Center for Civil Liberties, who was awarded the Nobel Peace Prize in 2022, gave the opening address.
At the session, there was also a current affairs debate on the recent tensions between Pristina and Belgrade. There was also a debate on the humanitarian consequences of the blockade of the Latin Corridor. From the Swedish delegation, Boriana Åberg (Moderate Party) participated in the debate.
The Prime Minister of Iceland speaks at the Assembly
In view of the Icelandic Presidency of the Council of Europe, the Prime Minister of Iceland Katrin Jakobsdóttir was invited to hold an address to the Assembly. The also answered questions from members. A report containing proposals ahead of the fourth Council of Europe Summit of Heads and State and Government scheduled to take place in Reykjavik on 16–17 May was also debated.
Another guest speaker at the session was Germany’s Foreign Minister Annalena Baerbock, and the Secretary-General of the Council of Europe Marija Pejčinović Burić answered questions as usual from members.
Several items on the agenda
During the week, there was a debate about a report on foreign Daesh fighters and their families returning from Syria. From the Swedish delegation, Boriana Åberg (Moderate Party) participated in the debate. Another report that was debated considered the question on the environmental impact of armed conflicts.
During the week, other matters debated included the fight against violence against women, a report on conflict-related violence, the Istanbul Convention: development and challenges, the role and responsibility of men and boys in stopping gender-based violence against girls and women and solutions for marital captivity.
Other reports debated during the week were on the subject of Moldova’s compliance with obligations and commitments in accordance with the Charter of the Council of Europe and contact tracing applications: ethical, cultural and educational challenges.
President re-elected
At the session, Tiny Kox, from the Netherlands, was re-elected President of the Assembly. The Assembly also elected judges for the European Court of Human Rights.
Members
The Riksdag delegation to the Parliamentary Assembly of the Council of Europe
- Markus Wiechel, Chair (Sweden Democrats)
- Mattias Jonsson, Deputy Chair (Social Democratic Party)
- Boriana Åberg (Moderate Party)
- Azadeh Rojhan (Social Democratic Party)
- Alexander Christiansson (Sweden Democrats)
- Annika Strandhäll (Social Democratic Party)
- Beatrice Timgren (Sweden Democrats)
- Adnan Dibrani (Social Democratic Party)
- Gustaf Göthberg (Moderate Party)
- Yasmine Bladelius (Social Democratic Party)
- Jessica Stegrud (Sweden Democrats)
- Kristoffer Lindberg (Social Democratic Party)
More information
Contact person for the media
Petra Sjöström, Senior International Adviser, International Department of the Riksdag, telephone: + 46 72 716 59 25, email: petra.sjostrom@riksdagen.se.