Georgia’s participation in the Parliamentary Assembly of the Council of Europe (PACE) in focus at the winter session
Published:
The Parliamentary Assembly of the Council of Europe (PACE) held its winter session in Strasbourg on 27–31 January. Ten members from the Riksdag delegation participated in the session, which focused on themes including the humanitarian situation in Gaza and the war in Ukraine. Great attention was also paid to Georgia's accreditation to PACE.
At each January session, all the member states’ accreditation to PACE for the coming year has to be approved. Georgia’s accreditation was challenged because of the negative democratic development in the country, particularly in connection with the elections in October 2024. The Assembly believed that Georgia does not live up to the commitments and obligations it has as a member of PACE. The Assembly finally approved Georgia’s accreditation, but with a number of strict requirements, including holding new democratic parliamentary elections, and restrictions regarding their participation in PACE’s activities. As a result of this, the Georgian delegation announced that they would not participate at all until further notice. Georgia’s accreditation will be assessed again at the next session in April.
Debate on the need for free and democratic elections in Belarus
During the session, several debates were held, including one on the negative democratic development in Belarus and another on the importance of a just and long-term peace in Ukraine. The humanitarian situation of women, children and hostages in Gaza was also discussed and there were debates on social media and protection of the freedom of expression, immigration as a solution to Europe’s ageing demographics and age-based discrimination against older people. Furthermore, risks relating to human rights and the rule of law connected to mercenaries and private military companies were debated. The Council of Europe's draft convention, an agreement, on the protection of the profession of lawyer was also debated. In addition, reports were presented on the role of women in the economy, and the importance of the right to health for people with long-term Covid.
The President of the European Court of Human Rights, Marko Bošnjak, was one of the guest speakers
During a debate on the need for a new rule-based world order, the President of the European Court of Human Rights, Marko Bošnjak, held an address. The Prime Minister of Luxembourg, Luc Frieden, was another guest speaker in connection with Luxembourg currently holding the Presidency of the Council of Europe. The Minister for Foreign Affairs from Luxembourg, and Chair of the Committee of Ministers of the Council of Europe, Xavier Bettel, was also invited to speak. The Secretary General of the Council of Europe participated as usual in a question-and-answer session.
Swedish commemoration of the deeds of Raoul Wallenberg
The Riksdag delegation to the Parliamentary Assembly to the Council of Europe and Sweden’s Permanent Representation to the Council of Europe arranged an event to mark the 80th anniversary of Raoul Wallenberg’s deeds. The Chair of the delegation, Markus Wiechel (Sweden Democrats), was the opening speaker and the event was broadcast live on the Council of Europe website and can also can be watched on demand.
The session also marked the 80th anniversary of the liberation of the Auschwitz-Birkenau extermination camp. A report highlighting the importance of including many perspectives in the teaching of history was presented, followed by a ceremony in the Chamber of the Assembly.
Members
The following members of the Riksdag will participate 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)
- Jessica Stegrud (Sweden Democrats)
- Annika Strandhäll (Social Democratic Party)
- Victoria Tiblom (Sweden Democrats)
- Denis Begic (Social Democratic Party)
- Gustaf Göthberg (Moderate Party)
- Michael Rubbestad (Sweden Democrats)
All members of the delegation:
Members of the Swedish Delegation to the Parliamentary Assembly of the Council of Europe
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 founding members of the Council of Europe and its Parliamentary Assembly in 1949. The Council of Europe currently has 46 member states.
- About the session on the PACE website
- The Parliamentary Assembly of the Council of Europe (PACE)
- Round table discussion “Raoul Wallenberg’s legacy for today’s human rights defenders” on the Council of Europe website
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