RAPPORTEUR GROUP

Democracy

GR-DEM(2021)8

26 August 2021[1]

Annotated agenda Meeting of 9 September 2021

 

1.         European Committee on Democracy and Governance (CDDG) – Draft terms of reference for 2022-2025

CM(2021)131-prov, CM(2021)131-add, CM(2021)131-add2, CM(2021)132

1.1       Within the framework of the discussions on the draft Programme and Budget for 2022-2025 and its implementation, a number of intergovernmental committees are being proposed (document CM(2021)131-prov), whose draft terms of reference are set out in document CM(2021)131-add.

1.2       These draft terms of reference are submitted for consideration by the relevant rapporteur groups (cf. reporting lines in Appendix 2, CM(2021)131-prov). The comments and suggestions made by the groups will then be communicated to the GR-PBA, which will prepare, notably from the budgetary perspective, an overall proposal for the Deputies with a view to the adoption of the terms of reference at their 1418^th (Budget) meeting on 23-25 November 2021. It is to be noted that the GR-PBA held a preliminary discussion in July 2021 on the Secretary General’s proposal for the intergovernmental structure (cf. item 4,

GR-PBA(2021)CB7).

1.3       In accordance with the Deputies’ decision upon adopting the legal framework (cf. CM/Del/Dec(2021)1404/11.8), the terms of reference of the steering and ad hoc committees, and their subordinate bodies, going beyond the period of the first biennial period of the quadrennium, are to be approved for the first biennial period 2022-2023. For the second biennial period 2024-2025, they will be approved on a provisional basis, subject to confirmation of their renewal in the framework of the mid-term review and adoption of the Budget for 2024-2025.

1.4.      The GR-DEM is invited to examine the draft terms of reference of the European Committee on Democracy and Governance (CDDG), as set out on page 78 of document CM(2021)131-add, with a view to coming to an agreement on the substance.

1.5       In order to facilitate discussions, delegations are invited to transmit any proposed amendments to the above draft terms of reference in writing to the Secretariat ([email protected]) as soon as possible, and preferably before 12 noon on Monday 6 September 2021, to allow for circulation to all delegations before the meeting.

2.         Civil society and the Council of Europe – Follow-up to the Helsinki decisions on civil society: implementation of the Secretary General’s proposals

SG/Inf(2021)24

2.1       At their 1380bis meeting (8 July 2020), the Ministers’ Deputies took note of the information document “Follow-up to the Helsinki decisions on civil society” and of the Secretary General’s proposals contained therein (see SG/Inf(2020)8) and instructed the Secretariat to ensure proper follow-up with a view to reporting to GR-DEM within one year.

2.2       Furthermore, at its 131^st Session (Hamburg, 21 May 2021), the Committee of Ministers adopted the following decision: “… (The Committee of Ministers) reiterated the importance of further strengthening the role and meaningful participation of civil society organisations as well as national human rights institutions in the Organisation, in line with, inter alia, the Helsinki Ministerial decisions on civil society; instructed its Deputies and invited the Secretary General to vigorously pursue the work to this end, implement the Secretary General’s follow-up proposals to the Helsinki decisions and report back on the results at the Ministerial Session in May 2022”.

2.3       In that context, the Secretariat has prepared document SG/Inf(2021)24 which it will present orally.  The delegations will then have an opportunity to make comments or ask questions.

2.4       Following the discussion, the Group will be invited to consider the draft decisions below with a view, as appropriate, to forwarding them to the Ministers’ Deputies for adoption without debate at their 1412^th meeting (22 September 2021).

3.         Council of Europe offices – External presence review (2021-2025)

CM/Del/Dec(2017)1292/2.4, SG/Inf(2021)22

3.1       The Council of Europe currently has a network of external offices across Europe as well as in Rabat and Tunis. These offices’ respective terms of office are due to expire on 31 December 2021 (see CM/Del/Dec(2017)1292/2.4).

3.2       The Secretariat has prepared a review of the Council of Europe’s external presence (SG/Inf(2021)22) which will be presented orally at the meeting. After this presentation, the delegations will have the opportunity to ask questions and make comments. Following the discussion, the Group will be invited to consider the draft decisions below with a view to forwarding them to the Ministers’ Deputies for adoption without debate at their 1412^th meeting (22 September 2021).

4.         Ukraine: Action Plan 2018-2022 – Progress review report (Oral)

4.1       The Secretariat will inform the Group orally on developments in the implementation of the Action Plan for Ukraine, as approved by the Committee of Ministers on 21 February 2018. Delegations will then have the opportunity to ask questions or make comments.

4.2       At their 1380^th meeting (1 July 2020), the Ministers’ Deputies had taken note of a progress review report on implementation of the Action Plan (see GR-DEM(2020)6) and agreed to extend the Action Plan until the end of 2022.

5.         Parliamentary Assembly Recommendation 2192 (2020) on “Rights and obligations of NGOs assisting refugees and migrants in Europe” – Draft reply

Parliamentary Assembly REC 2192 (2020), CM/AS(2021)Rec2192-prov, DD(2021)286

5.1       At their 1392^nd meeting (13 January 2021), the Ministers’ Deputies invited the GR-DEM to prepare a draft reply to the above Recommendation for adoption at one of their forthcoming meetings. In order to assist the Group, the Secretariat has prepared a draft reply appearing in document CM/AS(2021)Rec2192-prov which was distributed to the delegations for eventual comments before 20 August 2021 at noon. Before the deadline, proposed amendments at the request of the delegation of France, as set out in document DD(2021)286, were distributed.

5.2       The Group will be invited to examine the draft reply, and the proposed amendments thereto, with a view, if appropriate, to approving it and transmitting it to the Ministers' Deputies for adoption without debate at their 1412^th meeting (22 September 2021).

6.         Any other business

None at this stage.

7.         Date of the next meeting

7.1       The next meeting is scheduled for Tuesday, 12 October 2021 at 3.00 p.m.