Highlights of PACE’s Standing Committee, meeting by video-conference on 20 November in its enlarged format, include reports on the gender dimension of foreign policy and on threats to academic freedom.
German Minister of State for Europe Michael Roth will present Germany’s priorities for its forthcoming Presidency of the Council of Europe and take questions from members.
The parliamentarians will also hold an exchange of views with the President of the European Court of Human Rights Robert Spano, marking the 70th anniversary of the European Convention on Human Rights.
The committee is also due to adopt a declaration on the parliamentary contribution to the Athens Declaration by the Committee of Ministers Chairmanship on: “Effectively responding to a public health crisis in full respect for human rights, democracy and the rule of law”. A current affairs debate has also been requested on the Athens Declaration.
Other highlights include reports on supporting people with autism and their families, as well as a series of reports on topics related to migration: the rights and obligations of NGOs assisting refugees and migrants, the impact of labour migration on “left-behind” children, and effective guardianship for unaccompanied and separated migrant children.
The parliamentarians will also debate a report proposing modifications to the Rules of Procedure to allow the Assembly to hold remote or hybrid meetings in exceptional circumstances, such as the COVID-19 pandemic.
Under the “enlarged” format, all PACE members may attend the meeting and take the floor, though only members of the Standing Committee may vote.