Developments in the Middle East on the agenda at the Parliamentary Assembly of the Council of Europe’s winter session

Published: Friday 19 January 2024 10.54

Ten members of the Swedish Delegation to the Parliamentary Assembly of the Council of Europe (PACE) will participate in the winter session in Strasbourg on 22–26 January. The members of the Assembly will debate and vote on a number of resolutions and proposals.

The situation of children in Ukraine

In connection with the session there is a proposal to hold an urgent debate on the situation of children in Ukraine. Ukraine’s First Lady Olena Zelenska will hold an online intervention during the debate. The Assembly will take a decision on which urgent debates are to be held in connection with the opening of the winter session.

The agenda also includes a debate on the latest developments in the Middle East: Hamas’ terrorist attack on Israel and Israel’s response. Other reports to be debated concern, for example, allegations of systematic torture and a democratic future for Belarus. In addition, the agenda includes a report on the theme of migration and asylum in election campaigns and their consequences on the welcoming and rights of migrants.

The Assembly elects Commissioner for Human Rights

During the winter session, the Assembly will elect a new President. Furthermore, the Council of Europe’s Commissioner for Human Rights, a post that is held for six years, will be elected.

Among others, Cyprus’ President Nikos Christodoulides and Montenegro’s President Jakov Milatović will deliver speeches to the Assembly and answer questions from the members. Liechtenstein’s Minister of Foreign Affairs, Dominique Hasler, will present the work of Liechtenstein’s Presidency of the Council of Europe’s Committee of Ministers.

Members

The following members of the Riksdag will participate in the session:

Markus Wiechel (Sweden Democrats), Chair
Mattias Jonsson (Social Democratic Party), Deputy Chair
Boriana Åberg (Moderate Party)
Azadeh Rojhan (Social Democratic Party)
Annika Strandhäll (Social Democratic Party)
Beatrice Timgren (Sweden Democrats)
Adnan Dibrani (Social Democratic Party)
Gustaf Göthberg (Moderate Party)
Jessica Stegrud (Sweden Democrats)
Kristoffer Lindberg (Social Democratic Party)

All members of the delegation:

Members of the Swedish Delegation to the Parliamentary Assembly of the Council of Europe

Background

The Council of Europe works to create common European values based on human rights, democracy and the rule of law. Sweden was one of the founding members of the Council of Europe and its Parliamentary Assembly in 1949. The Council of Europe currently has 46 member states.

Further information

Contact person for the media

Eva Östlund, Senior International Adviser, International Department of the Riksdag, telephone: +46(0)70-609 67 39, email: eva.ostlund@riksdagen.se