Azerbaijani participation in the Council of Europe’s Parliamentary Assembly In focus at the winter session
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The Parliamentary Assembly of the Council of Europe (PACE) held its winter session on 22–26 January. Eight MPs from the Swedish delegation participated. At the session, an urgent debate was held on the situation for children in Ukraine.
Criticism of Azerbaijan not abiding by the principles of the Council of Europe
In connection with the opening of the session, the matter of members’ accreditation to PACE was discussed, which is done annually. The Azerbaijani delegation’s accreditation was put into question on the basis of Azerbaijan’s compliance with its obligations towards the Council of Europe. The issues raised included the country’s ability to carry out free and fair elections, respect of the rule of law and the situation in Nagorno-Karabakh.
The Assembly did not grant Azerbaijan’s accreditation for 2024. Azerbaijan is still a member of the Assembly, but has been given a very limited opportunity to participate in activities.
Developments in the Middle East – one of several items on the agenda
On Tuesday, there was a debate on the latest developments in the Middle East. The Chair of the Swedish delegation Markus Wiechel (Sweden Democrats) participated in the debate. Other items on the agenda included a report on a democratic future for Belarus. From the Swedish delegation, Beatrice Timgren (Sweden Democrats) and Gustaf Göthberg (Moderate Party) participated in the debate.
In addition to this, a debate was held on a report on ensuring media freedom and journalists’ safety, in which Kristoffer Lindberg (Social Democratic Party) participated. Another question was the role of the OECD in globalisation in times of crisis. Markus Wiechel (Sweden Democrats) and Beatrice Timgren (Sweden Democrats) participated in this debate. Timgren also debated a report on accusations of systematic torture in Europe and a report on abuse and exploitation of children at institutions in Europe.
New Commissioner for Human Rights
At the session, Michael O’Flaherty from Ireland was elected the Council of Europe's Commissioner for Human Rights, a post which is held for six years. In addition to this, Theodoros Rousopoulos, Greece, was elected the new President of PACE. The position of president is held for one year with the possibility of a further year’s extension. The Assembly also elected judges for the European Court of Human Rights for Bulgaria, Lithuania and Luxembourg.
Several guest speakers had been invited to the session, including the President of Cyprus Nikos Christodoulides and the President of Montenegro Jakov Milatović. Liechtenstein’s Minister of Foreign Affairs, Dominique Hasler, presented the work of Liechtenstein’s Presidency of the Council of Europe’s Committee of Ministers.
Members
Members who participated in the winter session:
- Markus Wiechel (Sweden Democrats), Chair
- Mattias Jonsson (Social Democratic Party), Deputy Chair
- Boriana Åberg (Moderate Party)
- Azadeh Rojhan (Social Democratic Party)
- Beatrice Timgren (Sweden Democrats)
- Adnan Dibrani (Social Democratic Party)
- Gustaf Göthberg (Moderate Party)
- 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 70 609 67 39, email: eva.ostlund@riksdagen.se