Parliamentary Assembly of the Council of Europe

07/09/2026

🇬🇷 Democracy in Greece remains “firmly rooted and resilient”, but sustained efforts are needed to strengthen the rule of law and address persistent challenges, PACE’s Monitoring Committee has said.

The committee has put forward recommendations on corruption, media freedom, spyware, migration, policing and other key areas.

The Assembly is due to debate and vote on the report at its forthcoming plenary session in Strasbourg.

🔗 Read more:

While democracy in Greece remains firmly rooted and resilient, “sustained efforts and constructive political dialogue must converge to protect it and further entrench the rule of law”, PACE’s Monitoring Committee has concluded following a “periodic review” of the country. In a draft resolu...

03/09/2026

PACE rapporteur Baroness Shami Chakrabarti warns that the failure to ensure individual accountability risks perpetuating a culture of impunity and undermining the rule of law.

Next week, Daphne’s son Matthew Caruana Galizia and her sister Corinne Vella will address a PACE hearing on the case, as the Assembly continues to follow the search for justice and the implementation of the recommendations of the public inquiry.

🔗Read more: https://pace.coe.int/en/news/10396/pace-rapporteur-the-quest-for-justice-for-daphne-caruana-galizia-is-not-over

03/09/2026

Ahead of Morocco’s parliamentary elections on 23 September, a PACE pre-election delegation welcomed the advanced preparations and called for an inclusive, transparent process that commands public confidence.

“The coming weeks should be used to ensure that all voters and contestants can participate on equal terms and have confidence in every stage of the process,” said delegation head Elisabetta Gardini.

🔗 Read more: https://pace.coe.int/en/news/10395/pace-pre-election-delegation-calls-for-inclusive-transparent-and-trusted-parliamentary-elections-in-morocco

“Morocco has considerable experience in organising elections, and preparations for 23 September 2026 are well advanced. The coming weeks should be used to ensure that all voters and contestants can participate on equal terms and have confidence in every stage of the process,” said Elisabetta...

01/09/2026

Three women human rights defenders – Masih Alinejad, Márta Pardavi and Nasrin Sotoudeh – have been shortlisted for the 2026 Václav Havel Human Rights Prize.

The Prize honours outstanding civil society action in defence of human rights. Announcing the shortlist, PACE President Petra Bayr said the choice underscores “the essential role played by women human rights defenders, as well as their incredible bravery.”

The winner will be announced at the opening of the plenary session in Strasbourg on 28 September.

🔗 Find out more: https://pace.coe.int/en/pages/havelprize

27/08/2026

Ahead of the International Day of the Victims of Enforced Disappearances on 30 August, PACE President Petra Bayr is calling on all remaining Council of Europe member states to sign and ratify the United Nations Convention on Enforced Disappearances without delay.

Enforced disappearances deny families answers, truth and justice. Twenty years after the Convention’s adoption, universal commitment remains essential to clarifying the fate of missing persons and ensuring accountability.

The missing civilians and children resulting from Russia’s war of aggression against Ukraine are a painful reminder of the urgency of this work.

"It is time to help these families and do the right thing."

🔗 Read full statement: https://pace.coe.int/en/news/10392/enforced-disappearances-pace-president-calls-for-universal-commitment-to-un-convention

26/08/2026

A new judgment by the European Court of Human Rights has found multiple human rights violations in the case of Osman Kavala, who has been detained in Türkiye since 2017.

“This new judgment should be a wake-up call, not only in regard to the case of Osman Kavala, but for the rule of law in Türkiye,” said Sergiy Vlasenko, PACE rapporteur for the implementation of the Court’s judgments.

He urged the Turkish authorities to secure Osman Kavala’s immediate release and fully implement the ruling.

🔗 Read more: https://pace.coe.int/en/news/10391/pace-rapporteur-welcomes-new-judgment-in-the-case-of-osman-kavala-as-a-wake-up-call-

Sergiy Vlasenko (Ukraine, EPP/CD), PACE rapporteur for the implementation of judgments of the European Court of Human Rights, made the following statement today: “Turkish human rights defender and philanthropist Osman Kavala has been detained in Türkiye since 18 October 2017. In December 2019...

24/08/2026

International observers, including PACE and OSCE Parliamentary Assembly, found that Kazakhstan’s 23 August early parliamentary elections were technically well prepared, but took place in an environment lacking political pluralism.

While the campaign was orderly and election preparations were conducted professionally, political choice was limited by the absence of distinct alternatives. Observers also raised concerns about restrictions on independent media, the under-representation of women and significant procedural violations during the vote count.

“Free and fair elections and independent media are deeply interconnected. Without an inclusive, credible and pluralistic media environment, political participation and representation are fundamentally limited, especially during elections,” said Sevilay Çelenk, Head of the PACE observer delegation.

The newly elected Kurultai should ensure that all voices and perspectives across Kazakh society can be heard and represented.

🔗 Read the full statement: https://pace.coe.int/en/news/10390/kazakhstan-s-elections-were-technically-well-prepared-but-took-place-in-an-environment-lacking-political-pluralism-international-observers-say

Kazakhstan’s 23 August early parliamentary elections, while technically well prepared, took place in an environment lacking political pluralism. Political choice was reduced by the lack of distinct political alternatives, with all contesting parties supporting the incumbent President’s policies....

24/08/2026