Information documents
SG-AS (2025) 05
17 June 2025
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Communication by the Secretary General
of the Parliamentary Assembly
at the 1532nd meeting of the Ministers’ Deputies[1]
(18 June 2025)
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I. Main developments between the Assembly’s April 2025 part-session and the June 2025 part-session
A. Assembly’s response to the Russian Federation’s war of aggression against Ukraine
A three-member delegation from PACE’s Parliamentary Network on the situation of the children of Ukraine carried out a fact-finding visit to Ukraine on 9-10 June 2025 where topics discussed included the situation of deported Ukrainian children, measures being taken to sanction those responsible and to rehabilitate those who have returned, as well as the wider challenges of providing healthcare and education to children in wartime.
In Kyiv, the delegation – made up of Paul Galles (Luxembourg, EPP/CD), Eerik-Niiles Kross (Estonia, ALDE) and Sigurður Helgi Pálmason (Iceland, NR), together with the Chair of the Network Olena Khomenko (Ukraine, ECPA) – met with the Speaker of the Verkhovna Rada Ruslan Stefanchuk, who expressed his deep gratitude for the Network’s important work in defending the rights of Ukrainian children. He emphasised the continued need for strong support for the Ukrainian delegation within the Parliamentary Assembly.
Exchanges of view took place with representatives of the Ministry of Justice, law enforcement agencies and the Ministry of Foreign Affairs, as well as the Ministry of Social Policy. The delegation also met with Mykola Kuleba, Chair of the NGO Save Ukraine, who introduced them to facilities providing rehabilitation for children and families who had returned from Russian deportation and those affected by sexual violence. The delegation also visited the Okhmatdyt National Children’s Hospital, damaged in a July 2024 Russian missile strike.
The parliamentarians also visited the Lyceum 157 school in Kyiv and had exchanges on the education of children during the war with the Minister of Education Oksen Lisovyy and the Head of the Parliamentary Committee on Education Serhii Babak.
The visit coincided with a new wave of Russian attacks on Kyiv, involving over 300 drones and missiles. The delegation witnessed firsthand the aftermath of the strikes, underscoring the urgency and gravity of their mission to support Ukraine’s most vulnerable citizens, its children.
B. Follow-up to the Reykjavik Summit
- Young people expect to ‘co-shape’ the political agenda, Malta round table hears
Young people are not merely seeking permission to be involved in political decision-making but are already acting, raising their voices and demanding recognition for their work to shape the future they will inherit, participants at a PACE parliamentary round table in Valletta have heard.
Youth representatives from Malta – young MPs, youth workers and young political activists – shared their thoughts on what parliaments and governments can do to empower young people during the event, which took place as part of the PACE Standing Committee meeting in the Maltese capital.
The President of PACE, welcoming participants, noted: “Young people today are not merely asking to be heard, they are demanding to be trusted, to be in charge of shaping the future they will inherit”. He cited a Resolution 2554 (2024) which had placed youth participation “at the core of the Assembly’s work”. The Speaker of Malta’s House of Representatives, Malta’s Minister for Education, Sport, Youth, Research and Innovation, the President of Malta’s National Youth Council, the Chair of the PACE Sub-Committee on Youth and the Society of the Future as well as Chair of the European Steering Committee for Youth (CDEJ) and Vice-Chair of the Council of Europe’s Joint Council on Youth also participated in the round table, which was moderated by the head of the Maltese delegation to PACE.
Summing up the contributions to the event, the Secretary General of the Parliamentary Assembly underlined that: “Young people are not waiting to be invited, they are already present, already active. They are organising, proposing, leading – redefining how democracy works and how power should be exercised.”
- 70 years of the Europe Prize, a testament to the power of local democracy
Mayors from across Europe, leading officials from the Council of Europe and parliamentarians gathered in Donostia/San Sebastián in Spain to celebrate the 70th anniversary of the Europe Prize during a series of commemorative events.
Beginning the day at an opening conference on how cities carry hope for European values, PACE Secretary General Despina Chatzivassiliou, representing the President of the Assembly, recalled that democracy itself was born in the city of Athens 25 centuries ago – and had been tested “at local level, in streets and neighbourhoods, in town halls and public squares”.
Looking back over the history of the Prize, she noted that the early awards had gone to Western European cities, as the continent healed from the wounds of the Second World War, later “travelling eastward” to become a bridge to new democracies and former peripheries. The next generation of Europe Prize winners, she suggested, could be “cities that resist alienation, that choose dialogue over detachment, and that see democracy not only as a system – but as a shared rhythm of life.”
II. Meeting of the Bureau (22 May 2025)
The Bureau of the Assembly, meeting on Thursday, 22 May 2025, in Valletta, with Mr Theodoros Rousopoulos, President of the Parliamentary Assembly, in the Chair, as regards:
- Meeting of the Standing Committee in Valletta (23 May 2025):
o Requests for current affairs debates:
§ took note of the request by the leaders of the SOC, EPP/CD, ECPA and ALDE groups to hold a current affairs debate on The need to ensure the survival of Radio Free Europe / Radio Liberty, decided to recommend to the Standing Committee to hold this debate and appointed Mr Emanuelis Zingeris (Lithuania, EPP/CD) as the first speaker;
§ took note of the request by the UEL group to hold a current affairs debate on The role of parliamentarians in safeguarding investment in human rights and democracy amid rising military expenditure, decided to recommend to the Standing Committee to hold this debate and appointed Mr Andrej Hunko (Germany, UEL) as the first speaker;
o took note of the draft agenda (appendix 1);
- Third part-session of 2025 (Strasbourg, 23-27 June):
o Requests for debates under urgent procedure:
§ took note of the request by the Committee on Equality and Non-Discrimination to hold a debate under urgent procedure on Women’s rights in Europe – Progress and challenges;
§ took note of the request by the Committee on Social Affairs, Health and Sustainable Development to hold a debate under urgent procedure on Halting the genocide in Gaza – The Council of Europe must act now;
o drew up the draft agenda for the third part-session of 2025;
- References to committees: approved the references and transmissions as set out in Appendix 2, subject to ratification by the Standing Committee;
- Election of the Deputy Secretary General of the Council of Europe: considered and approved the proposals contained in the memorandum prepared by the Secretariat of the Assembly, and decided to ask the Secretary General of the Parliamentary Assembly to transmit the timetable to the Committee of Ministers;
- Issues raised by committees:
o Committee on Social Affairs, Health and Sustainable Development: considered and approved the draft Parliamentary Assembly child safeguarding policy;
o Committee on Equality and Non-Discrimination: considered and approved the Terms of Reference of the General Rapporteur on Roma and Travellers (Appendix 3);
- Election observation:
o Albania: parliamentary elections (11 May 2025): took note of the statement of the delegation;
o Poland: presidential election (18 May 2025): took note of the statement of the delegation and approved the revised list of members of the ad hoc committee (Appendix 4);
o Republic of Moldova – parliamentary elections (28 September 2025): decided to observe these elections and to set up an ad hoc committee composed of 20 members (SOC:6; EPP/CD:6; ECPA:4; ALDE:3; UEL:1), as well as the two co-rapporteurs of the Monitoring Committee, and decided to hold a pre-electoral mission;
o Schedule of the elections in 2025: took note of the revised calendar;
o Guidelines for the observation of elections by the Parliamentary Assembly: approved the revised guidelines, subject to ratification via the Progress report;
- Composition of committees:
o Committee on the Honouring of Obligations and Commitments by Member States of the Council of Europe (Monitoring Committee): on the basis of proposals by SOC Group, the Bureau nominated Ms Bisera Kostadinovska-Stojchevska (North Macedonia) as member;
- 2025 Vigdís Prize for Women's Empowerment: took note of the list of the three candidates shortlisted;
- 2025 World Forum for Democracy (Strasbourg, 4-7 November): took note of the concept paper and to decide to set up an ad hoc committee of the Bureau to participate in the Forum;
- Ad hocCommittee of the Bureau to participate in the European Holocaust Memorial Day for Roma and Sinti (Auschwitz-Birkenau, Poland, 2 August 2025): decided to set up an ad hoc committee of the Bureau to participate in the European Holocaust Memorial Day for Roma and Sinti, in Auschwitz-Birkenau, Poland, on 2 August 2025;
- Meetings elsewhere than Strasbourg and Paris: authorised:
o the Network on the situation of the children of Ukraine (Committee on Social Affairs, Health and Sustainable Development) to meet in Kyiv on 9-10 June 2025 (subject to security conditions);
- Václav Havel Human Rights Prize: took note of the prolongation, until 30 June 2025 of the deadline to submit candidatures to the 2025 edition of the Václav Havel Human Rights Prize;
III. Prizes
Ø Museum Prize
Mr Constantinos Efstathiou (Cyprus, SOC), member of the Committee on Culture, Science, Education and Media, Representative of the Committee for the Council of Europe Museum Prize, participated in the Annual Conference and Awards Ceremony of the European Museum of the Year Award scheme (EMYA) 2025, Białystok, Poland on 21-24 May 2025.
Ø Europe Prize
The official ceremony marking the 70th anniversary of the Europe Prize, was held on 6 June 2025, in Donostia / San Sebastián, Spain. Mayors from across Europe, leading officials from the Council of Europe and parliamentarians gathered in Donostia/San Sebastián in Spain took part in the celebrations.
Ø Vigdís Prize for Women’s Empowerment
The first meeting of the Selection Panel was held on 2 May 2025, in Strasbourg as well as the official announcement of the short-listed nominees from the 111 eligible applications.
The second meeting of the Selection Panel will be held on 22 June 2025 and the election of the prize-winner of the 2nd edition of the Prize.
Ø Václav Havel Human Rights Prize
The deadline for submitting nominations for the 2025 edition of the Prize has been prolonged to 30 June 2025.
IV. Activities of committees and networks, and election observation missions
Ø On 12 May 2025, in Paris, the Committee on Equality and Non-Discrimination:
. held an exchange of views on Preventing and combating gender discrimination in health, in the context of the preparation of the report by Ms Camilla Fabricius (Denmark, SOC), with Dr Tlaleng Mofokeng, UN Special Rapporteur on the right to health (online);
. held a hearing on “Women’s rights in Europe – Progress and challenges”, with the participation of Ms Isabelle Rome, Ambassador for Human rights and for the duty of memory relating to the international dimension of the Shoah and spoliations, and Former Minister Delegate for Gender Equality, Diversity and Equal Opportunities, France, Ms Camille Froidevaux-Metterie, Philosopher and professor of political science, University of Reims Champagne-Ardenne, France and Ms Lola Schulmann, Advocacy Officer, Amnesty International.
Ø On 12 May 2025, in Paris, the No Hate Parliamentary Alliance, meeting jointly with the Committee on Equality and Non-Discrimination:
. held a hearing on “Addressing discrimination against women and girls belonging to national minorities”, with the participation of Mr Christophe Kamp, OSCE High Commissioner on National Minorities (online), Ms Tove H. Malloy, former General Rapporteur on gender equality, member of the Advisory Committee on the Framework Convention for the Protection of National Minorities, Denmark, Ms Jennie Brandén, Associate Professor in Social Work, Umeå University, Sweden (online), Ms Oana Taba, Co-Secretary to the Committee of Experts on Roma and Traveller Issues (ADI-ROM), Council of Europe and Ms Alba Hernández Sánchez, Co-Founder of the Feminist Collective of Romani Gender Experts, Spain.
Ø On 13 May 2025, in Paris, the Committee on Legal Affairs and Human Rights:
. held a hearing on Fighting back against transnational repression, in the context of a report prepared by
Mr Constantinos Efstathiou (Cyprus, SOC) with the participation of Mr Stephen Reimer, Associate Fellow, Royal United Services Institute and Adjunct Professor with the Paris School of International Affairs within SciencesPo Paris, Mr Alex Tinsley, Barrister at Doughty Street Chambers, member of Lawyers Against Transnational Repression and Ms Saipira Furstenberg, Independent Research Consultant (online).
Ø On 15 May 2025 in Riga, the Committee on the Honouring of Obligations and Commitments by Member States of the Council of Europe (Monitoring Committee):
. held an exchange of views with the Latvian authorities, with the participation of Ms Irēna Kucina, President of the Constitutional Court of Latvia, and Ms Lauma Paegļkalna, Vice-Minister of Justice;
. held a Public Seminar on “Resilience and preparedness of civil society in the face of crises”, with the participation of Ms Claire Bazy Malaurie, President of the European Committee for Democracy through Law (Venice Commission), Ms Inese Vaivare, Director of the National Platform for Development Cooperation, Latvia, Ms Olena Suslova, Founder and Senior Analyst of the Women’s Information Consultative Center, Ukraine and Mr Iulian Groza, Executive Director of the Institute for European Policies and Reforms (IPRE), Republic of Moldova;
. held an exchange of views on The human rights situation and challenges to civil society and media in Georgia, in the context of a report prepared by Ms Edite Estrela (Portugal, SOC) and Ms Sabina Ćudić (Bosnia and Herzegovina, ALDE), with the participation of Ms Claire Bazy Malaurie, President of the European Committee for Democracy through Law (Venice Commission, and Mr Michael O’Flaherty, Commissioner for Human Rights of the Council of Europe;
. held an exchange of views on Challenges to civil society and independent media in Hungary, in the context of a report prepared by Mr Eerik-Niiles Kross (Estonia, ALDE) and Mr Georges Papandreou (Greece, SOC), with the participation of Ms Claire Bazy Malaurie, President of the European Committee for Democracy through Law (Venice Commission) and Mr Michael O’Flaherty, Commissioner for Human Rights of the Council of Europe.
Ø On 16 May2025, in Helsinki, the Committee on Social Affairs, Health and Sustainable Development:
. held a hearing on the Draft Additional Protocol to the Convention on Human Rights and Biomedicine concerning the protection of human rights and dignity of persons with regard to involuntary placement and involuntary treatment within mental healthcare services, in the framework of a report prepared by
Ms Carmen Leyte (Spain, EPP/CD), with the participation of Mr John Patrick Clarke, Vice President, European Disability Forum, and Prof. Martina Rojnic Kuzman, European Psychiatric Association (online);
. held a hearing on Sustainable European guidelines to counter social dumping and strengthen collective bargaining mechanisms, in the framework of a report prepared by Ms Valérie Piller Carrard (Switzerland, SOC), with the participation of Ms Natalia Ollus, Director, European Institute for Crime Prevention and Control, affiliated with the United Nations (HEUNI), Mr Samuli Hiilesniemi, lawyer, Central Organization of Finnish Trade Unions (SAK) and Ms Pia Marttila, Coordinating Senior Advisor, Victim Support Finland (RIKU).
Ø On 19 May 2025, in Paris, the Committee on Migration, Refugees and Displaced Persons:
. held an exchange of views on The role of diasporas and migrants in building social cohesion and progress, in the context of a report prepared by rapporteur Lord Leslie Griffiths (United Kingdom, SOC) with the participation of Ms Cybèle Leclerc, Youth and Financial Mechanism Monitoring Officer, Forum of migration-based international solidarity organisations (Forum des Organisations de Solidarité Internationale issues des Migrations - FORIM);
. held an exchange of views on the follow-up to the Resolution 2555 (2024) Ensuring human rights-compliant asylum procedures (rapporteur for follow-up: Ms Stephanie Krisper, Austria, ALDE) with the participation of Mr Ward Lutin, Head of the Asylum Knowledge Centre, European Union Agency on Asylum (EUAA).
Ø On 26 May 2025, in Chania (Greece), the Committee on Political Affairs and Democracy:
. held an exchange of views with the participation of Mr George Gerapetritis, Minister of Foreign Affairs of the Hellenic Republic;
. held a hearing on Political parties and democracy, in the context of a report prepared by Ms Ingjerd Schie Schou (Norway, EPP/CD)with the online participation of Mr Thomas Poguntke, Chair of Comparative Politics & Director of the Düsseldorf Party Research Institute (PRUF);
. held an exchange of views with Ms Maria Telalian, Director of the OSCE Office for Democratic Institutions and Human Rights (ODIHR);
. held a hearing on Strengthening freedom of expression: an imperative for the consolidation and development of democratic societies, in the context of a report prepared by Mr Andrej Hunko (Germany, UEL),with the online participation of Ms Irene Khan, United Nations Special Rapporteur on the promotion and protection of the right to freedom of opinion and expression.
Ø On 27 May 2025, in Chania (Greece), the Committee on Political Affairs and Democracy:
. held a hearing on Situation in the Middle East, in the context of a report prepared by Ms Dora Bakoyannis (Greece, EPP/CD)with the online participation of Professor Kostas Ifantis, Director of the Institute of International Relations (IDIS);
. held a hearing on Russian democratic forces (General Rapporteur: Mr Eerik-Niiles Kross, Estonia, ALDE) with the online participation of Mr Gennadi Gudkov, Free Russia Forum, and Ms Anastasia Shevchenko, Russian Anti-War Committee.
Ø On 3 June 2025, in Trondheim (Norway), the Committee on Culture, Science, Education and Media:
. held an exchange of views on Journalists matter: the need to step up efforts to liberate Ukrainian journalists held in captivity by the Russian Federation, in the context of a report prepared by Ms Yevheniia Kravchuk (Ukraine, ALDE) with the participation of Ms Sevgil Musayeva, Ukrainian journalist, Chief-editor of Ukrainska Pravda (online), Mr Edouard Perrin, Editor, Forbidden Stories, Mr Dmytro Lubinets, Ukrainian Parliament Commissioner for Human Rights (online) and Mr Philippe Tremblay, Director, Office of the Representative on Freedom of the Media, Organisation for Security and Co-operation in Europe (OSCE), Vienna;
. held an exchange of views on “Platform for the Safety of Journalists” with the participation of Mr Scott Griffen, Executive Director at the International Press Institute (IPI), Mr Péter Nádori, Chief Operating Officer, Direkt36, Hungary, Ms Flutura Kusari, Senior Legal Advisor, European Centre for Press and Media Freedom (ECPMF) and Mr Jesper Nymark, Executive Director and Editor in Chief, Danwatch;
. held an exchange of views on “The value of national and cultural anniversaries in contributing to strong, peaceful, democratic and diverse communities”, with the participation of Mr Trond Åm, City Councilor for Culture, Sports and Outdoor Activities, Norway, moderator, Mr Theodoros Rousopoulos, President of the Parliamentary Assembly of the Council of Europe, Ms Birthe Nordahl, Secretary General of the Council for Religious and Life Stance Communities in Norway and member of the National Committee for the 2030 Anniversary, Norway, Mr Kent Ranum, Mayor of Trondheim, Norway and Ms Herborg Finnset, Bishop of Nidaros, Norway.
Ø On 3 June 2025, in Trondheim (Norway), the Parliamentary Alliance for Good Governance and Integrity in Sport:
. held a hearing on Protecting a values-based sport and sport integrity: rebuilding trust, with the participation of:
· Part 1: Corruption in sport: implications for international sports governance (safeguards, conflicts of interest, need for reforms): Mr Jens Sejer Andersen, Founder of and Senior Advisor at Play the Game; and Ms Tanja Haug, member of the External Review Commission and Biathlon Integrity Unit, International Biathlon Union (IBU);
· Part 2: Current challenges in global Anti-Doping efforts and the role of international institutions: strengthening clean sport through co-operation, accountability and more robust enforcement mechanisms:Mr Johann Olav Koss, four-time Olympic gold medallist and sports commentator, moderator; Mr Anders Solheim, CEO, Anti-Doping Norway, Mr Tony Josiah, Director of Education, Insight and Global Engagement, UK Anti-Doping (UKAD) and Mr Rob Koehler, Director General of Global Athlete.
Ø On 4 June 2025, in Trondheim (Norway), the Committee on Culture, Science, Education and Media:
. held an exchange of views on The role of youth in revitalising democracy, in the context of a report prepared by Ms Sona Ghazaryan (Armenia, ALDE), with the participation of Ms Ida Haugen Skulstad, Kulturtanken’s Youth Council and Ms Ingrid Aspelund, Acting Executive Director, The European Wergeland Centre;
. held an exchange of views on Socialising at schools: for an inclusive education fostering democratic values, in the context of a report prepared by Ms Luz Martínez Seijo (Spain, SOC), with the participation of Ms Regine Oen Rong, Director, Organisation MOT (Courage), Trondheim, Ms Ingrid Aspelund, Acting Executive Director, The European Wergeland Centre and Mr Anas Alammori, Co-ordinator, Norwegian Red Cross, Trondheim;
. held an exchange of views on Partnerships between culture and education sectors for young people to engage in a democratic society, with the participation of Mr Henrik Kierulf, member of the Trøndelag County Council, Mr Ståle Stenslie, Head of department, Kulturtanken, Mr Sten Frode Solvang, School principal, Brundalen School, Trondheim and Ms Ida Haugen Skulstad, Kulturtanken’s Youth Council;
. held an exchange of views on Cultural Route of Saint Olav Ways, in the framework of the follow-up to Assembly Resolution 2488 (2023) and Recommendation 2249 (2024), in the framework of a report prepared by Mr Andries Gryffroy (Belgium, NR, with the participation of Mr Hans Morten Løvrød, S Senior Advisor and Route Manager, Saint Olav Ways (ACSOW), Trøndelag, Norway and Ambassador Alejandra del Río Novo, Ambassador of Spain to Norway.
V. Fact-finding visits in the framework of the preparation of reports
Ø The honouring of membership obligations to the Council of Europe by Sweden
Ms Yelizaveta Yasko (Ukraine, EPP/CD) and Ms Anne Stambach-Terrenoir (France, UEL), co-rapporteurs of the Committee on the Honouring of Obligations and Commitments by Member States of the Council of Europe (Monitoring Committee), carried out a fact-finding visit to Stockholm on 22-24 April 2025.
Ø The Post-monitoring dialogue with North Macedonia
Ms Sibel Arslan (Switzerland, SOC) and Mr Joseph O’Reilly (Ireland, EPP/CD), co-rapporteurs of the Committee on the Honouring of Obligations and Commitments by Member States of the Council of Europe (Monitoring Committee), carried out a fact-finding visit to Skopje on 23-25 April 2025.
Ø Countering discrimination based on religion and protecting freedom of religion and belief in Europe
Mr Francesco Verducci (Italy, SOC), rapporteur of the Committee on Equality and Non-Discrimination, carried out a fact-finding visit to London on 29-30 April 2025.
Ø Social mobilisation, social unrest, and police reaction in Council of Europe member States: is there a need for a new social contract?
Mr Pierre-Alain Fridez (Switzerland, SOC), rapporteur of the Committee on Social Affairs, Health and Sustainable Development, carried out a fact-finding visit to Paris on6 May2025.
Ø Artificial Intelligence and migration
Mr Petri Honkonen (Finland, ALDE), rapporteur of the Committee on Migration, Refugees and Displaced Persons, carried out a fact-finding visit to Frontex, Warsaw, Poland, on 6 May 2025.
Ø The Parliamentary Assembly should support Kazakhstan to continue its democratic reforms
Mr Zsolt NÉMETH (Hungary, ECPA), rapporteur of the Committee on Political Affairs and Democracy, carried out a fact-finding visit to Almaty and Astana (Kazakhstan) from 3 to 7 May 2025.
Ø Eliminating gender stereotypes in the media
Ms Yevheniia Kravchuk (Ukraine, ALDE), rapporteur of the Committee on Equality and Non-Discrimination, carried out a fact-finding visit to Dublin on 19-20 May 2025.
Ø Free movement of representatives to the Parliamentary Assembly and their substitutes to and from the place of meeting
Mr Sergiy Vlasenko (Ukraine, EPP/CD), rapporteur of the Committee on Rules, Ethics and Immunities, carried out a fact-finding visit to Yerevan, on 19-20 May 2025.
Ø Protecting human rights in and through sport: obligations and shared responsibilities
Mr Kim Valentin (Denmark, ALDE), rapporteur of the Committee on Culture, Science, Education and Media, accompanied by a committee delegation, including Ms Linda Hofstad Helleland (Norway, EPP/CD), Chairperson, Mr Mogens Jensen (Denmark, SOC), General Rapporteur on Governance and Ethics in Sport and Mr Roland Rino Büchel (Switzerland, ALDE), carried out a fact-finding visit to FIFA, in Zurich, Switzerland, on 21 May 2025.
Ø The honouring of obligations and commitments by the Republic of Moldova
Mr Pierre-Alain Fridez (Switzerland, SOC) and Ms Zanda Kalniņa-Lukaševica (Latvia, EPP/CD), co-rapporteurs of the Committee on the Honouring of Obligations and Commitments by Member States of the Council of Europe (Monitoring Committee), carried out a fact-finding visit to Chisinau on 26-28 May 2025.
Ø The honouring of obligations and commitments by Türkiye
Mr Stefan Schennach (Austria, SOC) and Lord David Blencathra (United Kingdom, ECPA), co-rapporteurs of the Committee on the Honouring of Obligations and Commitments by Member States of the Council of Europe (Monitoring Committee), carried out a fact-finding visit to Ankara and Istanbul on 9-13 June 2025.
VI. Other activities of members of the Assembly
Mr Pierre-Alain Fridez (Switzerland, SOC) and Mr Georgios Stamatis (Greece, EPP/CD), members of the Committee on Social Affairs, Health and Sustainable Development, participated in the parliamentary conference on “Envisioning effective public policy to prevent & address cases of missing migrants” organised as a follow-up to Resolution 2569 (2024) “Missing migrants, refugees and asylum seekers - A call to clarify their fate”, on 23-24 April 2025, in Strasbourg.
Ms Valentina Grippo (Italy, ALDE), member of the Committee on Culture, Science, Education and Media, General Rapporteur on Media Freedom and Safety of Journalists, participated in the annual thematic conference: “Effective Prosecution of crimes against journalists - Building the paradigm against impunity”, in Luxembourg, on 29 and 30 April 2025 and in the World Press Freedom Day 2025, in Brussels, from 5 to 7 May 2025.
Ms Béatrice Fresko-Rolfo (Monaco, ALDE), General Rapporteur on the rights of LGBTI persons, and member of the Committee on Equality and Non-Discrimination participated in the European IDAHOT+ Forum 2025, in Valletta, on 20 May 2025.
Mr Dimitrios Mantzos (Greece, SOC), and Ms Stephanie Krisper (Austria, ALDE), respectively chairperson and vice-chairperson of the Sub-Committee on Migrant Smuggling and Trafficking in Human Beings of the Committee on Migration, Refugees and Displaced Persons participated in the Expert Consultation on the Smuggling of Migrants Legislative Guide and Model Legislative Provisions organised by the UNODC in Vienna, Austria on 4 and 5 June 2025.
Ms Klotilda Bushka (Albania, SOC), member of the Committee on Legal Affairs and Human Rights, participated in the 69th Plenary meeting of MONEYVAL, Strasbourg from 10-13 June 2025.
Ms Luz Martínez Seijo (Spain, SOC), member of the Committee on Culture, Science, Education and Media, Chairperson of the Sub-Committee on Culture, Education and Democratic Values, participated in the 4th Annual forum for history education, in Budapest, from 11 to 13 June 2025.
VII. PACE parliamentary and electoral cooperation activities
Ø 6-7 May 2025, Rabat: the PACE Parliamentary and Electoral Cooperation Division attended and contributed to the seminar organised by the Venice Commission and the Chamber of Representatives of the Kingdom of Morocco on “Legal Certainty and Legal Quality: Concepts, Issues and Comparative Perspectives”. The seminar aimed to present the Venice Commission's standards and European best practices for improving the quality of law. Members of the Venice Commission from France, Italy, and Monaco, and PACE members from France and Spain, participated in this event, along with parliamentarians from the Moroccan Chamber of Representatives. Participants discussed several topics, including the clarity and accessibility of standards, legislative coherence, legal predictability, and the limitation of discretionary power to avoid legal uncertainty.
Ø 12 May 2025, Strasbourg: the PACE Parliamentary and Electoral Cooperation Division organised, in cooperation with European Dialogue on Internet Governance (EuroDIG), a PACE-led session on “Working Together for a Human-Centred Digital Future – Parliamentary Cooperation for Democratic Digital Governance and International Standards”. The session highlighted the role of parliaments in translating international standards - such as those of the Council of Europe, EU, OECD, the United Nations etc. - into national policies that both manage risks and harness opportunities offered by artificial intelligence and internet technologies.
Ø 23 May 2025, Valletta: the PACE Parliamentary and Electoral Cooperation Division organised, in collaboration with the Maltese Delegation to PACE, a round table on “Seen, Heard, and In Charge: Our role in actively empowering young people “. The Round Table highlighted concrete steps parliamentarians can take to actively empower youth by supporting youth-led initiatives, removing barriers to political participation, and institutionalising youth engagement in legislative processes. With insights from both institutional leaders and youth representatives, the discussion focused on bridging the gap between commitment and practice: making “seen, heard, and in charge” a democratic norm, not an exception.
The PACE Parliamentary and Electoral Cooperation Division, through the Project “Strengthening Elections Integrity in Albania”:
Ø 21 April – 9 May 2025, Albania nationwide: the mock elections programme “I Vote Too” was launched to encourage civic engagement and prepare first-time voters, particularly 12th-grade students, for the 11 May 2025 parliamentary elections. Targeting around 20,000 students across 350 public schools, the initiative was implemented by trained teachers in both rural and urban areas of 12 Albanian regions. Through first-time voters the programme aims at reaching out to their peers and families, contributing to higher voter turnout in elections and other democratic processes. This initiative will be continued annually after these elections, by upgrading the electoral education curriculum into formal and non-formal education institutions program.
Ø 11 May 2025, Albania: the beta version of the Denunciations and Complaints Tracking Platform was launched on election day, 11 May 2025, via the Central Election Commission’s (CEC) website and mobile app. The platform aims at helping the CEC to efficiently manage electoral complaints and enhance transparency in the resolution of election disputes. A stakeholder roundtable is planned for June 2025 (date to be confirmed) to further discuss the functionalities of the platform.
The PACE Parliamentary and Electoral Cooperation Division, through the Project “Supporting Transparency, Inclusiveness, and Integrity of Electoral Practice and Processes in Bosnia and Herzegovina – Phase II”:
Ø 24-25 April, Sarajevo: organised a post-election conference of election management bodies “2024 Local Elections – Lessons for the Future” which brought together over 200 participants, including members of the Central Election Commission, city and municipal election commissions, domestic and international experts, representatives of the Council of Europe, OSCE Office for Democratic Institutions and Human Rights (ODIHR), the Delegation of the European Union, the Office of the High Representative, media, and civil society. During plenary and working groups sessions, participants assessed the 2024 Local Elections, identified key challenges and lessons learned. The conclusions adopted will be presented to relevant authorities as recommendations for further improvements in the organisation and implementation of elections.
Ø 2-4 June 2025, Strasbourg: organised a two-day study visit for the Central Election Commission of Bosnia and Herzegovina who met with experts and senior representatives from key Council of Europe bodies, including the Parliamentary Assembly (PACE), the European Court of Human Rights, the Congress of Local and Regional Authorities, the Venice Commission, GRECO, and from the Directorate General for Democracy and Human Dignity. Discussions focused on a range of key issues: electoral dispute resolution and related case law of the European Court of Human Rights, transparency in political financing, combating hate speech and discrimination in elections, the influence of digital technologies and AI, and the role of independent institutions and civil society in protecting electoral integrity.
The PACE Parliamentary and Electoral Cooperation Division, through the Project “Supporting Transparency, Inclusiveness and Integrity of Electoral Practice and Process in Georgia – Phase 2”:
Ø 8-9 May 2025, Georgia: organised a two-day workshop targeting national and ethnic minorities of Georgia with the objective to increase awareness towards electoral rights and electoral processes, promote better engagement of national and ethnic minorities in decision making. The workshop brought together representatives from civil society organisations, including minority community-based organisations from Samtskhe-Javakheti, Kvemo Kartli and Kakheti regions, media representatives, young leaders, and women.
The PACE Parliamentary and Electoral Cooperation Division, through the Project “Improving Electoral Practice in the Republic of Moldova, 2025-2028”:
Ø 14-16 April 2025, Verona (Italy): organised a capacity-building training to prepare Moldovan experts for the annual assessment of the 2024–2027 strategic programmes implementation for the Central Electoral Commission (CEC) and the Centre for Continuous Electoral Training (CICDE). The training aimed to strengthen the operational application of the URSO (Useful, Relevant, Sustainable, Owned) methodology – Toolkit for strategic planning and prioritisation of electoral co-operation.
Ø 15 April 2025, Chisinau: finalised the Terms of Reference for the "Postal Voting" module of the State Automated Information System "Elections" (SAISE), aligning it with revised legal and procedural requirements based on lessons learned from its partial use during the 2024 Presidential election and Constitutional referendum. Managed by the Central Electoral Commission, SAISE supports electoral processes abroad.
Ø 30 April 2025, Chisinau-online: held a live-streamed dialogue on the use of Information and Communication Technologies in electoral processes in some of the Council of Europe and European Union member States. The event is designed to share the best international experience in different electoral-related topics within the Moldovan stakeholders and further used by the Centre for Continuous Electoral Training.
Ø 14 May 2025, Chisinau: launched a citizens awareness raising campaign on combating hate speech and sexism ahead of Parliamentary elections in the Republic of Moldova. The event, organised by 6 CoE projects in Chisinau in cooperation with the UN Women Moldova, gathered around 60 representatives of public authorities, political parties, media, civil society and represent the III edition since 2023.
Ø 21 May 2025 Chisinau-online: held a live-streamed dialogue on vote counting practices in some Council of Europe and European Union member States. The event is designed to share the best international experience in different electoral-related topics within the Moldovan stakeholders and further used by the Centre for Continuous Electoral Training.
Ø 29 May 2025 Chisinau: organised a training for around 45administrative judges from the first instances, the Court of Appeals Centre and the Supreme Court of Justice, prosecutors from Chisinau and 12 other rayons, as well as a few dedicated staff of the Central Electoral Commission on international standards and peculiarities of the national legislation concerning electoral dispute resolution ahead of the 2025 parliamentary election in the Republic of Moldova. Participants benefited from the expertise shared by a representative of the Venice Commission’s Secretariat, the Council of Europe consultant and the National Institute of Justice’s trainer. Topics addressed included the European Court of Human Rights’ case-law in the electoral field, the relevant Council of Europe standards and guidelines concerning the right to vote and to stand for election, including the Venice Commission’s Interpretative Declaration of the Code of Good Practice in Electoral Matters as Concerns Digital Technologies and Artificial Intelligence, electoral thresholds, electoral deposits, excessive formalism in the registration of electoral candidates, freedom of opinion vs political and online advertising, postal voting litigation, oversight of electoral campaigns, proportionality of sanctions, etc.
Ø 26-29 May 2025 Chisinau: held, in partnership with the Centre for Continuous Electoral Training, a four-day training to prepare a new group of potential trainers and electoral management bodies’ members for the 28 September 2025 Parliamentary election.27 participants, selected throughout the country, actively took part in interactive sessions covering key electoral topics such as electoral systems, legal frameworks, electoral cycle management, complaints handling, and effective communication. Participants who successfully demonstrated the required knowledge and skills were awarded certificates of the qualified electoral officials and were enlisted into the Register of trained people by the Training Centre.
Ø April 2025, Kyiv: the PACE Parliamentary and Electoral Cooperation Division launched a follow-up electoral cooperation project in Ukraine “Supporting democratic post-war elections in Ukraine – Phase II” with total budget estimated at EUR 915 000 for 21 months. The project will be implemented within the framework of the Council of Europe Action Plan for Ukraine “Resilience, Recovery and Reconstruction” 2023 – 2026. The project aims to provide targeted assistance to the Ukrainian national authorities - primarily the Central Election Commission - to prepare and organise democratic, free, fair, and secure post-war elections. This support will be instrumental in safeguarding the electoral rights of millions of Ukrainian voters, both within the country and abroad.
VIII. Seminars and conferences organised by the Assembly
Ø On 23-24 April 2025, Strasbourg: theCommittee on Migration, Refugees and Displaced Persons organised a parliamentary conference on “Envisioning effective public policy to prevent and address cases of missing migrants”. 17 members of the Assembly participated in this first of its kind conference, alongside over 100 experts including forensic practitioners, prosecutors, law enforcement officials, representatives of international organisations, key civil society actors, and families of people gone missing in the context of migration. Panelists and participants explored avenues for parliamentary engagement on this pressing human rights issue with local, national, and international implications.
Ø 15 May 2025, Helsinki: the Parliamentary Network on the situation of the children of Ukraine organised a conference on “Deported Ukrainian Children: European actions”.
IX. Cooperation with the Venice Commission
Ø Legal advice was provided by representatives of the Venice Commission to the PACE delegations observing the parliamentary elections in Albania (11 May 2025) and presidential election in Poland (18 May 2025 and 1st June 2025).
Ø 28 May 2025, Chisinau: the PACE Parliamentary and Electoral Cooperation Division, through the Project“Improving Electoral Practice in the Republic of Moldova, 2025-2028”, organised in partnership with the Venice Commission a pre-electoral workshop for the Central Election Commission and chairpersons of the district electoral councils in preparation for the 28 September 2025 parliamentary election. This activity aimed at strengthening the institutional preparedness of the electoral administration based on international standards in the electoral field, especially those enacted by the Venice Commission of the Council of Europe. The Venice Commission experts covered a wide range of topics and challenges likely to arise during the electoral period, such as foreign interference, disinformation, misuse of administrative resources, oversight of campaign financing, and electoral dispute resolution, election results and re-counts.
Ø 6 June 2025, online: Mr Pablo Hispán (Spain, EPP/CD), Mr Titus Corlăţean (Romania, SOC) and Lord Blencathra (United kingdom, ECPA), respectivelyrepresentatives of the Committee on Legal Affairs and Human Rights, the Committee on Political Affairs and Democracy and the Committee on the Honouring of Obligations and Commitments by Member States of the Council of Europe, participated in the 83rd meeting of the Council for Democratic Elections.
Ø 13-14 June 2025, online: Ms Ingjerd Schou, representative appointed by the PACE President, and Mr Sergiy Vlasenko (Ukraine, EPP/CD), participated in the 143rd Plenary session of the European Commission for Democracy through Law (Venice Commission).
X. External relations
- Relations with the European Parliament and other European Union institutions
Ø A PACE election observation delegation observed the parliamentary election in Albania (11 May 2025) in the framework of an International Election Observation Mission (IEOM) including the European Parliament.
Ø On 7 May 2025, the President of the parliamentary Assembly met with Ms Roberta Metsola, President of the European Parliament.
- Relations with other international partners
Ø A PACE election observation delegation observed the parliamentary election in Albania (11 May 2025) in the framework of International Election Observation Missions (IEOM) including the OSCE PA and ODIHR.
Ø A PACE election observation delegation observed the presidential election in Poland (18 May 2025 and 1st June 2025) in the framework of International Election Observation Missions (IEOM) including the Limited Election Observation Mission of the ODIHR.
Ø 4-5 May 2025, Kristiansand (Norway):an ad hoc committee of the Bureau of the Assembly participated in the meeting between parliamentarians of the Nordic Council and of the PACE.
Ø 3-4 June 2025, Helsinki: the Secretariat delivered a statement at the OSCE/ODHIR review workshop for national parliaments from Europe and Central Asia, “Realizing gender equality in and by parliaments”, to inform about the adoption by the Committee on Equality and Non-Discrimination on 12 May 2025 of the report “Promoting inclusive participation in parliamentary life: Gender equality, accessibility and inclusive policies” (Ms Maryna Bardina, Ukraine, ALDE).
XI. List of meetings of the committees, the Bureau and the Presidential Committee
. 12 May 2025 - Paris: Committee on Equality and Non-Discrimination
. 12 May 2025 - Paris: Joint meeting of the No Hate Parliamentary Alliance with the Committee on Equality and Non-Discrimination
. 13 May 2025 - Paris: Committee on Legal Affairs and Human Rights
. 15-16 May 2025 – Riga: Committee on the Honouring of Obligations and Commitments by Member States of the Council of Europe (Monitoring Committee)
. 15 May 2025 - Helsinki: Parliamentary Network on the situation of the Children of Ukraine
. 16 May 2025 - Helsinki: Social Affairs, Health and Sustainable Development
. 19 May 2025 - Paris: Committee on Migration, Refugees and Displaced Persons
. 22 May 2025 – Valletta: Presidential Committee
. 22 May 2025 – Valletta: Bureau of the Assembly
. 23 May 2025 – Valletta: Standing Committee
. 26-27 May 2025 – Chania (Greece): Committee on Political Affairs and Democracy
. 3 and 4 June 2025- Trondheim (Norway): Committee on Culture, Science, Education and Media
. 5 June 2025 – Brussels: Ad Hoc Sub-Committee to participate in the event "Social rights building social justice and democratic stability"
. 6 June 2025 – San Sebastian (Spain): Meeting of the Sub-Committee on the Europe Prize
. 10 June 2025 – Paris: Committee on the election of judges to the European Court of Human Rights
Appendix 1 – Draft agenda of the 2025 third part part-session
Appendix 2 – References and transmissions to committees
A. References and transmissions to committees
- How to ensure that the Russian Federation implements the judgments of the European Court of Human Rights, including paying the compensation awarded, Doc. 16149, motion for a resolution: reference to the Committee on Legal Affairs and Human Rights for report;
- Follow-up to the 4th round of GRECO recommendations relating to parliamentarians, Doc. 16157, motion for a resolution: reference to the Committee on Rules, Ethics and Immunities for report and to the Committee on Legal Affairs and Human Rights for opinion;
- Equal share of unpaid care work between women and men: a pre-condition to achieving gender equality, Doc. 16158, motion for a resolution: reference to the Committee on Equality and Non-Discrimination for report;
- The urgent need to ensure the survival of Radio Free Europe / Radio Liberty, Doc. 16159, motion for a resolution: transmission to the Committee on Culture, Science, Education and Media for consultation;
- Draft Council of Europe Convention on the Co-Production of Audiovisual Works in the Form of Series, Doc. 16164, request for an opinion from the Committee of Ministers: reference to the Committee on Culture, Science, Education and Media for report;
- The promotion of democratic security in Europe through soft power, Doc. 16178, motion for a resolution: reference to the Committee on Political Affairs and Democracy for report.
Appendix 3 – Terms of Reference of the General Rapporteur on Roma and Travellers
Denomination: General Rapporteur on Roma and Travellers
Term of office: One year renewable, subject to a maximum of two years.
Subject: The General Rapporteur on Roma and Travellers ensures the visibility and coherence of the Assembly’s action to promote the rights, inclusion and equal treatment of Roma and Travellers across the Council of Europe member States, while combating antigypsyism and discrimination. He or she shall report periodically to the Committee on Equality and Non-Discrimination on the information collected and the action taken.
Responsibilities: The role of the General Rapporteur is to:
- follow activities and maintain working relations with the Office of the Council of Europe Commissioner on Human Rights, the Committee of Ministers and the European Court of Human Rights, as well as with relevant Council of Europe intergovernmental and monitoring bodies dealing with the rights of Roma and Travellers;
- represent the Committee on behalf of the Assembly at the meetings of these bodies where appropriate;
- follow activities and maintain working relations with external bodies and institutions active in the same area, be they governmental or non-governmental organisations;
- follow up on the relevant resolutions and recommendations of the Parliamentary Assembly, in particular Resolution 2523 (2023) “Institutional racism of law-enforcement authorities against Roma and Travellers”, Resolution 2153 (2017) “Promoting the inclusion of Roma and Travellers” and Resolution 1740 (2010) “The situation of Roma in Europe and relevant activities of the Council of Europe”.
Appendix 4 – List of members of the ad hoc Committee for the observation of the presidential election in Poland
Chairperson / Président : Mr / M. Iulian BULAI (Romania, ALDE / Roumanie, ADLE)
Socialists, Democrats and Greens Group / Groupe des socialistes, démocrates et verts (SOC)
Ms / Mme Zita GURMAI, Hungary / Hongrie
Mr / M. Antonio GUTIÉRREZ LIMONES, Spain / Espagne
Ms / Mme Bisera KOSTADINOVSKA-STOJCHEVSKA, North Macedonia / Macédoine du Nord *
Ms / Mme Annick LAMBRECHT, Belgium / Belgique
Mr / M. Saša MAGAZINOVIĆ, Bosnia and Herzegovina / Bosnie-Herzégovine
Mr / M. Perran MOON, United Kingdom / Royaume-Uni
Ms / Mme Sandra REGOL, France
Mr / M. Stefan SCHENNACH, Austria / Autriche
Mr / M Roberto SPERANZA, Italy / Italie
Substitutes / Suppléant·e·s
Mr / M. Jone BLIKRA, Norway / Norvège
Mr / M. Yunus EMRE, Türkiye
Mr / M. Gerardo GIOVAGNOLI, San Marino / Saint-Marin
Mr / M. Axel SCHÄFER, Germany / Allemagne
Group of the European People’s Party (EPP/CD) / Groupe du Parti populaire européen (PPE/DC)
Ms / Mme Deborah BERGAMINI, Italy / Italie
Mr / M. Ricardo CARVALHO, Portugal
Mr / M. Pablo HISPÁN, Spain / Espagne
Ms / Mme Belén HOYO, Spain / Espagne
Ms / Mme Arusyak JULHAKYAN, Armenia / Arménie
Mr / M. Joseph O’REILLY, Ireland / Irlande *
Mr / M. Georgios STAMATIS, Greece / Grèce
ZZ
ZZ
European Conservatives, Patriots & Affiliates (ECPA) / Conservateurs européens, Patriotes et Affiliés (CEPA)
Mr / M. Simone BILLI, Italy / Italie
Ms / Mme Elisabetta GARDINI, Italy / Italie *
Mr / M. Armen GEVORGYAN, Armenia / Arménie
Mr / M. Malte KAUFMANN, Germany / Allemagne
Ms / MmeJessica STEGRUD, Sweden / Suède
Ms / Mme Victoria TIBLOM, Sweden / Suède
Alliance of Liberals and Democrats for Europe (ALDE) / Alliance des démocrates et des libéraux pour l’Europe (ADLE)
Mr / M. Iulian BULAI, Romania / Roumanie *
Mr / M. Alfred HEER, Switzerland / Suisse
Ms / Mme Liliana TANGUY, France
Ms / Mme Lesia ZABURANNA, Ukraine
ZZ
Substitutes / Suppléant·e·s
Ms / Mme Lucia PLAVAKOVA, Slovak Republic / République slovaque
Ms / Mme Yuliia OVCHYNNYKOVA, Ukraine
Group of the Unified European Left (UEL) / Groupe pour la gauche unitaire européenne (GUE)
Ms / Mme Sevim DAĞDELEN, Germany, Allemagne
Substitutes / Suppléant·e·s
Ms / Mme Laura CASTEL, Spain / Espagne *
Co-rapporteur.e.s AS/MON (ex officio)
Ms / Mme Azadeh ROJHAN, Sweden / Suède – SOC (excused)
Mr / M. Pieter OMTZIGT, Netherlands / Pays-Bas – EPP/CD
* Pre-electoral mission / mission préélectorale
[1] This document covers activities of the Assembly since the meeting of the Bureau of 11 April 2025 up to the meeting of the Bureau of 23 June 2025.