Situation in Georgia, Turkey, Ukraine and Serbia on the agenda at spring session of the Parliamentary Assembly of the Council of Europe
Published:
The spring session of the Parliamentary Assembly of the Council of Europe (PACE) takes place on 7–11 April in Strasbourg. Twelve members of the Swedish Delegation to PACE are participating in the session which, among other things, will focus on the situation in Georgia, Turkey, Ukraine and Serbia.
Global tensions have led to an unusual number of proposals for urgent debates at the session, including on the situation in Georgia, the arrest of the mayor of Istanbul, the importance of accountability in the war in Ukraine and the situation in Gaza. In addition, proposals have been submitted for debates on the demonstrations in Serbia and LGBTQ rights and the ban on Pride marches in Hungary. A decision will be taken as to which matters will be debated during the week at the opening of the session.
Fight against corruption in the Council of Europe on the agenda
During the session, a number of reports will be debated. One report deals with the rule of law and the fight against corruption within the Council of Europe. The report is the result of the extensive corruption scandal that was revealed in 2017. Other matters for debate include foreign interference as a threat to democratic security in Europe, collective expulsions of aliens and links between the Council of Europe and the European Political Community.
The agenda also includes matters relating to the implementation of judgments of the European Court of Human Rights, legal aspects of the EU’s accession to the European Convention on Human Rights and strengthening the relationship between the Council of Europe and Latin America.
Address by Council of Europe Commissioner for Human Rights
In connection with the session, Council of Europe Commissioner for Human Rights Michael O’Flaherty will present his annual report. The task of the Commissioner is to evaluate respect for human rights in the Council of Europe’s member countries. According to tradition, the Chair of the Council of Europe Committee of Ministers is also invited to speak. This position is currently held by Luxembourg’s Minister for Foreign Affairs Xavier Bettel. Furthermore, the Secretary General of the Council of Europe will participate in a question-and-answer session. During the session, the 2025 Council of Europe Museum Prize will be awarded at a ceremony.
Members
Members of the Swedish Delegation to the PACE who are participating in the spring session:
- Markus Wiechel (SweDem), Chair
- Mattias Jonsson (SocDem), Deputy Chair
- Boriana Åberg (Mod)
- Azadeh Rojhan (SocDem)
- Jessica Stegrud (SweDem)
- Annika Strandhäll (SocDem)
- Victoria Tiblom (SweDem)
- Denis Begic (SocDem)
- Gustaf Göthberg (Mod)
- Sofia Amloh (SocDem)
- Michael Rubbestad (SweDem)
- Kristoffer Lindberg (SocDem)
Further information
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 founders of the Council of Europe and its Parliamentary Assembly in 1949. The Council of Europe currently has 46 member countries.
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