Source document: https://docs-lawep.s3.us-east-2.amazonaws.com/1694840951071.pdf (Malta)
L-ERBATAX-IL LEĠIŻLATURA P.L.

2039 Dokument imqiegħed fuq il-Mejda tal-Kamra tad-Deputati fis-Seduta Numru 143 tal-5 ta’ Lulju 2023 mill-Ispeaker, l-Onor.

Anġlu Farrugia.

___________________________ Raymond Scicluna Skrivan tal-Kamra CONSEIL DE I:EUROPE DELEGATION TO THE PARLIAMENTARY ASSEMBLY OF THE COUNCIL OF EUROPE Third Part of the 2023 Ordinary Session Summer Session- 19 to 23 June 2023 The Parliamentary Assembly is the political driving force behind the Council of Europe.
The Assembly brings together 3 06 men and women from the parliaments of the Council of Europe's 46 member states.

Though it contains many voices, reflecting political opinion across the continent, its mission is to uphold the shared values of human rights, democracy and the rule of law that are the "common heritage" of the peoples of Europe.

Though its texts are not binding, the Assembly speaks on behalf of700 million Europeans and the 46 Council of Europe governments must give a collective reply.
It is the democratic conscience of Greater Europe.

The Assembly initiates international treaties, it debates and adopts recommendations and provides guidelines for the Committee of Ministers, national governments and parliaments; elects the Secretary General, the Human Rights Commissioner and the judges to the European Court of Human Rights; it provides a democratic forum for debate and monitors elections; its committees play an important role in examining current issues.
Delegates attending the 3rd part of the 2023 Ordinary Session:- From 19 - 21 June 2023 Hon.

Naomi Cachia Hon.

Chris Bonett Hon.

Beppe Fenech Adami Head of Delegation Member with voting rights Member with voting rights Hon.
Cressida Galea Alternate Delegation Secretary: Ms Anna Schembri Coleiro Plenary Assembly (Annex A) • • • • • • • • A joint urgent debate on the political consequences of Russia's aggression against Ukraine, and on the participation of Russian and Belarusian athletes in the Paris 2024 Olympics and Paralympics, was a highlight of the Summer plenary session of the Parliamentary Assembly ofthe Council ofEurope (PACE) in Strasbourg on 19-23 June 2023.
There was also an urgent debate on ensuring free and safe access through the Lachin Corridor (Thursday), as well as a current affairs debate on recent political developments in Poland (Tuesday).

There were addresses by the President of Slovenia NatasaPirc Musar and by Hungary 's Minister of Foreign Affairs and Trade Peter Szijjart6.
Latvian Foreign Minister Edgars Rinkevics, Chair of the Committee of Ministers, presented its communication to the Assembly and took questions from members, while Council of Europe Secretary General Marija Pejcinovic Buric held her usual question time.
The Assembly also held a joint debate on the topic of migration, discussing three reports on the integration of migrants and refugees; the social inclusion of migrants, refugees and internally displaced persons through sport; and the health and social protection of undocumented workers or those in an irregular situation.
Other topics on the agenda included addressing the specific challenges faced by Belarusians in exile (with the participation of Sviatlana Tsikhanouskaya, leader of the Belarus democratic opposition); the reform of human rights legislation in the United Kingdom; and transnational repression as a growing threat to the rule of law and human rights.

There were also debates on the need for a holistic approach to health care during public health emergencies, and on closing the digital divide.
Finally, the parliamentarians discussed the budgets and priorities of the Council of Europe for the period 2024-2027, and the Assembly's expenditure for the biennium 2024-2025.

\ o Voting Procedure in the Chamber of the European Parliament (Annex B) Due to ongoing renovation work in the debating chamber of the Palais de l'Europe, the plenary sittings were held in the debating chamber of the European Parliament.
Participation in an Assembly debate (Annex C) Sitting No 9 multilateralism and health care 9.1 Public Health Emergency: the need for a holistic approach to There were 29 registered speakers, including 5 speakers on behalf of political groups.

Hon.

Naomi Cachia presented a speech on Public Health Emergency.

Electronic Vote Statistics: 2023 - Third Part-Session (Annex D) Voting results during the First-Part session where Members ofthe Maltese Delegation took part in the voting.
Texts adopted by the Assembly (Annex E) The Plenary Session discussed and passed the following opinion, recommendations and resolutions.

Opinion Opinion 301 (2023) Recommendations Budgets and priorities of the Council of Europe for the period 2024- 2027 (Doc.

15780) Recommendation 2255 (2023) Recommendation 2256 (2023) Recommendation 2257 (2023) Health and social protection of undocumented workers or those in an irregular situation (Doc.
15784) Ensuring free and safe access through the Lachin Corridor (Doc.

15796) Transnational repression as a growing threat to the rule of law and human rights (Doc.
15787) Resolutions Resolution 2499 (2023) Resolution 2500 (2023) Resolution 2501 (2023) Resolution 2502 (2023) Resolution 2503 (2023) Resolution 2504 (2023) Resolution 2505 (2023) Resolution 2506 (2023) Resolution 2507 (2023) Resolution 2508 (2023) Resolution 2509 (2023) Resolution 2510 (2023) Addressing the specific challenges faced by the Belarusians in exile (Doc.

15783) Public health emergency: the need for a holistic approach to multilateralism and health care (Doc.
15778) Expenditure of the Parliamentary Assembly for the biennium 2024- 2025 (Doc.

15781) Integration of migrants and refugees: benefits for all parties involved (Doc.

15785) Social inclusion of migrants, refugees and internally displaced persons through sport (Doc.

15786) Health and social protection of undocumented workers or those in an irregular situation (Doc.

15784) UK reform of its human rights legislation: consequences for domestic and European Human Rights protection (Doc.
15782) Political consequences of the Russian Federation's war of aggression against Ukraine (Doc.

15797) War of aggression against Ukraine - Participation of Russian and Belarusian athletes in the Paris 2024 Olympics and Paralympics?

(Doc.

15795) Ensuring free and safe access through the Lachin Corridor (Doc.

15796) Transnational repression as a growing threat to the rule of law and human rights (Doc.

15787) Closing the digital divide: promoting equal access to digital technologies (Doc.
15776) Committees The delegation took part in the meetings of their respective political grouping and participated in the proceedings of the following Committees, the agenda and synopsis of which are at Annexes F & G respectively:- Hon.

Naomi Cachia Committee on Legal Affairs and Human Rights Monitoring Committee Sub-Committee on Human Rights Hon.

Chris Bonett Committee on Culture, Science, Education and Media Hon.
Beppe Fenech Adami Committee on Migration, Refugees and Displaced Persons Hon Cressida Galea Committee on Equality and Non-Discrimination.

Hon Naomi Cachia and Hon Cressida Galea also attended meeting of the Women@PACE.

Official Events and Unofficial Meetings During the 3rd Part-Session, a number of side-events and unofficial meetings were held which schedules pertaining to these two events are attached as Annex H. Head of Delegation ~~ .
~~ Lc_=S> ..Hon Chri~nett Member Hon Beppe Fenech Adami Member Hon Cressida Galea Alternate Member ,lg June 2023 Annexes to Report: Annex A - Third Part of the 2023 Ordinary Session Agenda Annex B - Seating Plan Annex C- Public Health Emergency: the need for a holistic approach to multilateralism and health care Speakers List - - Official Report of debates - Hon Naomi Cachia Annex D - Electronic Vote Statistics Annex E- Texts adopted by the Assembly Annex F - Agenda of Committees Meetings Annex G - Synopsis of Committee Meetings Annex H - Events - Official side events and Unofficial meetings \ ,I Assemblee parlementaire t Parliamentary Assembly ~ s1iiB!mf,liE• .
!t;·!JI'mi• -!mill------------------ CONSE IL DE I.: EUROPE ~~ Doc.15779 22 June 2023 Third part of the 2023 Ordinary Session (19-23 June 2023) Agenda1 The plenary sittings will be held in the European Parliament Hemicycle.

1.
Adopted by the Assembly on 19 June 2023. il 1!1 _· Abbreviations Bur: Bureau of the Assembly Per: Standing Committee Pol: Committee on Political Affairs and Democracy Jur: Committee on Legal Affairs and Human Rights Soc: Committee on Social Affairs, Health and Sustainable Development Mig: Committee on Migration, Refugees and Displaced Persons Cult: Committee on Culture, Science, Education and Media Ega : Committee on Equality and Non-Discrimination Man: Committee on the Honouring of Obligations and Commitments by Member States of the Council of Europe (Monitoring Committee) Pro: Committee on Rules of Procedure, Immunities and Institutional Affairs Cdh: Committee on the Election of Judges to the European Court of Human Rights SOC: Socialists, Democrats and Greens Group EPP/CD: Group of the European People's Party ALOE: Alliance of Liberals and Democrats for Europe EC/DA: European Conservatives Group and Democratic Alliance UEL: Group of the Unified European Left NR: Members not belonging to a political group Symbols 0 C9 II ld Presentation, statement Deadline for tabling documents Lists (speakers, questions) Votes Meetings outside the Chamber Joint Committee Thursday: 14:00-15:30 Bureau of the Assembly Monday: 08:00-09:30 Friday: 08:00-09:30 Committees Monday: 13:00-14:00 Tuesday: 08:30-10:30 Tuesday: 1 0:30-12:30 Wednesday: 10:30-12:30 Thursday: 08:30-10:30 Thursday: 10:30-12:30 Political groups Monday: 09:30-12:00 Monday: 18:00-19:30 Wednesday: 08 :30-10:30 2 Monday 19 June 2023 Sitting No.
15 (14:30-17:30) 1.

Opening of the part-session 1.1.

Statement by the President 1.2.

Examination of credentials 0 List of delegations: o (Doc.

15792) 1.3.

Changes in the membership of committees (Commissions(2023)06rev) 1.4.

Requests for debate: 1.4.1.

Urgent procedure debate: "Ensuring free and safe access through the Lachin Corridor" 1.4.2.

Urgent procedure debate: "Political consequences of the Russian Federation's aggression against Ukraine" 1.4.3.
Urgent procedure debate: "War of aggression against Ukraine - Participation of Russian and Belarusian athletes in the Paris 2024 Olympics?"

1.4.4.

Current affairs debate: "Recent political developments in Poland" 1.5.

Adoption of the agenda 1.6.

Approval of the minutes of the Standing Committee (Reykjavik, 15 May 2023 (AS/ Per(2023)PV02) and Riga, 26 May 2023 (AS/Per(2023)PV03)) 2.

Debate 2.1.
Debate 2.1.

Progress report of the Bureau and the Standing Committee 0 Presentation by: o Mr lulian BULAI (Romania, ALOE), Rapporteur AS/Bur (Doc.

15791, Doc.

15791 Add .

1, Doc.

15791 Add 2) 2.2.

Observation of the parliamentary and presidential elections in Turkiye (14 and 28 May 2023) 0 Presentation by: o Mr Frank SCHWABE (Germany, SOC), Rapporteur AS/Bur (Doc.

15793) !D List of speakers (deadline for registration: Monday 19 June, 12:00) 3.

Question time (16:00-16:30) 3.1.


Ms Marija PEJCINOVIC BURIC, Secretary General of the Council of Europe i!jl Questions (deadline for registration: Monday 19 June, 12:00) 4.

Address (16:30-17:30) 4.1.

Mr Peter SZIJJARTO, Minister of Foreign Affairs and Trade of Hungary lmlJ Questions (deadline for registration : Monday 19 June, 12:00) 3 Tuesday 20 June 2023 • Sitting No.

16 (14:15-20:00) 5.

Ceremony2 (14:15-14:30) 6.

Address (14:30-15:30) 6.1.


Communication from the Committee of Ministers 0 Presentation by: o Mr Edgars RINKEVICS, Minister of Foreign Affairs of Latvia and Chair of the Committee of Ministers iS]!

Questions (deadline for registration: Monday 19 June, 16:30) 7.

Debate 7.1 .

Addressing the specific challenges faced by the Belarusians in exile CJ Presentation by: o Mr Paul GALLES (Luxembourg, EPP/CD), Rapporteur AS/Mig (Doc.
15783) CJ Statement by: o Ms Sviatlana TSIKHANOUSKA YA, Leader of the Belarusian democratic opposition Iii!

List of speakers (deadline for registration: Monday 19 June, 16:30) (9 Amendments (deadline for tabling : Friday 16 June, 14:30) !d Vote on a draft resolution (Doc.

15783) 8.

Current affairs debate 8.1.

Recent political developments in Poland ~ List of speakers (deadline for registration: Monday 19 June, 17:30) 9.

Debate 9.1.
Debate 9.1.

Public health emergency: the need for a holistic approach to multilateralism and health care 0 Presentation by: o Ms Selin SAYEK BOKE (Turkiye, SOC), Rapporteur AS/Soc (Doc.

15778) ~ List of speakers (deadline for registration : Monday 19 June, 16:30) (9 Amendments (deadline for tabling: Friday 16 June, 14:30) !d Vote on a draft resolution (Doc.

15778) 2.

Performance of the Volny Char (Belarus).

4 Wednesday 21 June 2023 Sitting No.

17 (14:30-20:00) 10.

Address (14:30-15:30) 10.1.


Her Excellency Ms Natasa PIRC MUSAR, President of Slovenia !ill Questions (deadline for registration: Tuesday 20 June, 19:00) 11.

Joint debate 11.1 .

Budgets and priorities of the Council of Europe for the period 2024-2027 0 Presentation by: o Ms lngjerd SCHOU (Norway, EPP/CD), Rapporteur AS/Pro (Doc.

15780) 11.2.
15780) 11.2.

Expenditure of the Parliamentary Assembly for the biennium 2024-2025 0 Presentation by: o Ms lngjerd SCHOU (Norway, EPP/CD), Rapporteur AS/Pro (Doc.

15781) i!

]il List of speakers (deadline for registration: Tuesday 20 June, 19:00) <9 Amendments (deadline for tabling: Monday 19 June, 14:30) ld Vote on a draft opinion (Doc.

15780) ld Vote on a draft resolution (Doc.

15781) 12.

Joint debate 12.1.


Integration of migrants and refugees: benefits for all parties involved 0 Presentation by: o Mr Domagoj HAJDUKOVIC (Croatia, SOC), Rapporteur AS/Mig (Doc.

15785) 12.2.

Social inclusion of migrants, refugees and internally displaced persons through sport 0 Presentation by: o Ms Nigar ARPADARAI (Azerbaijan, EC/DA), Rapporteur AS/Mig (Doc.

15786) 12.3.
15786) 12.3.

Health and social protection of undocumented workers or those in an irregular situation 0 Presentation by: o Ms Ada MARRA (Switzerland, SOC), Rapporteur AS/Soc (Doc.

15784) o Ms Arusyak JULHAKY AN (Armenia, EPP/CD), Rapporteur for opinion AS/Mig (Doc.

15794) liiJl List of speakers (deadline for registration: Tuesday 20 June, 19:00) <9 Amendments (deadline for tabling: Monday 19 June, 14:30) ld Vote on a draft resolution (Doc.

15785) ld Vote on a draft resolution (Doc.


15786) ld Votes on a draft resolution and a draft recommendation (Doc.

15784) 13.

Debate 13.1.

UK reform of its human rights legislation: consequences for domestic and European Human Rights protection 0 Presentation by: o Mr Kamal JAFAROV (Azerbaijan, EC/DA), Rapporteur AS/Jur (Doc.

15782) II List of speakers (deadline for registration : Tuesday 20 June, 19:00) <9 Amendments (deadline for tabling: Monday 19 June, 14:30) g Vote on a draft resolution (Doc.
15782) 5 Thursday 22 June 2023 Sitting No.

18 (16:00-20:00) 14.

Joint debate under urgent procedure 14.1.

Political consequences of the Russian Federation's war of aggression against Ukraine 0 Presentation by: o Mr Emanuelis ZINGERIS (Lithuania, EPP/CD), Rapporteur AS/Pol (Doc.

15797) 14.2.

War of aggression against Ukraine- Participation of Russian and Belarusian athletes in the Paris 2024 Olympics and Paralympics?
0 Presentation by: o Ms Linda Hofstad HELLELAND (Norway, EPP/CD), Rapporteur AS/Cult (Doc.

15795) II List of speakers {deadline for registration: Wednesday 21 June, 19:00) <9 Amendments {deadline for tabling: Wednesday 21 June, 14:30) ld Vote on a draft resolution (Doc.

15797) ld Vote on a draft resolution (Doc.

15795) 15.

Debate under urgent procedure 15.1.

Ensuring free and safe access through the Lachin Corridor 0 Presentation by: o Mr Paul GAVAN (Ireland, UEL), Rapporteur AS/Mig (Doc.
15796) iJ List of speakers (deadline for registration: Wednesday 21 June, 19:00) <9 Amendments (deadline for tabling: Wednesday 21 June, 14:30) ld Votes on a draft resolution and a draft recommendation (Doc.

15796) 6 Friday 23 June 2023 Sitting No.

19 (10:00-13:00) 16.

Debate 16.1.

Transnational repression as a growing threat to the rule of law and human rights 0 Presentation by: o Sir Christopher CHOPE (United Kingdom, EC/DA), Rapporteur AS/Jur (Doc.
15787) ~ List of speakers (deadline for registration: Thursday 22 June, 19:00) C) Amendments (deadline for tabling: Wednesday 21 June, 10:00) !d Votes on a draft resolution and a draft recommendation (Doc.

15787) 17.

Debate 17.1.

Closing the digital divide: promoting equal access to digital technologies 0 Presentation by: o Ms Edite ESTRELA (Portugal, SOC), Rapporteur AS/Ega (Doc.
15776) ID List of speakers (deadline for registration: Thursday 22 June, 19:00) C9 Amendments (deadline for tabling: Wednesday 21 June, 10:00) !d Vote on a draft resolution (Doc.

15776) 18.

Progress report (continued) 18.1.

Progress report of the Bureau and the Standing Committee (continued) 0 Addendum: o (Doc.15791 Add 3) 19.

Closure of the part-session 7 ~Parliamentary Assembly ~~ ~.

)./.,;~ ssemblee parlementaire ~ COUNC IL OF EURO PE [lSI] .

.
.

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of the Turkl~h CypMot conununlty, tKcording to R~ution 1 )76 (2004J / R<>p,esc.>nto~nu dl' tacornmtmautc' chypriotc tuf\!Ut' conformt'ment a l.l ~solution 137612004) ~ .. A ABERG Boriana .............. ............................ 99 ABRAHAM Knut ....................................... 100 ADONIS Andrew ........................ ................ 89 JEVARSD6TIIR Th6rhildur Sunna .. ............ 90 AGRESTI-ROUBACHE Sabrina .. .. .... ............ 94 AHEDO Nerea .......... .................................. 95 AIKEN Nickie ............................................ 105 ALTUNYALDIZ Ziya ..................................... 48 ALVES MOREIRA Isabel .............................. 91 ANASTASSOV Stan islav ............................. 96 ANDREJUVOVA Anna ................ .............. 101 ANGUITA Omar ......................................... 92 ANTONIAZZI Tonia .. ...................... ...... ...... 93 ANTONIOZZI Alfredo ............................... 106 A.POSTOLOVA Reghina .. .......... ................ 107 ARAT6 Gergely ........................................ 131 ARENT 1wona .............. ............................. 108 ARPADARAI Nigar ........................ .. .......... 109 ARSENIS Kriton-llias .......... .. ...... ................ 83 ARSLAN Sibe1 ........................................... 132 AYDIN Arzu ........ ........................................ 49 AYDIN Kamil ...... ...... ............................ ...... 50 AYDOGDU Cengiz ...................................... 51 B BACON Richard .... ................................... 152 BAK Osman A~km ...................................... 52 BAKER Duncan ............................ ............ .
153 BAKOYANNIS Theodora ........................... 102 BAKUNETS Pavlo .................................... .
154 BALDWIN Harriett ............ ....................... 155 BALIC Marijana .............. ...... .................... 103 BANKOGLU Aysu ..................................... 133 BARDELL Hannah .. ..................................... 68 BAR DINA Maryna ...................................... 97 BAREl~ Thomas ....................................... 104 BARTOS M6nika ...................................... 156 BARTULICA Stephen Ni kola ..................... 157 BASHA Lulzim .......................................... 144 BATENKO Taras ......................................... 69 BATRTNCEA Vlad ........ ............. .. ................. 84 BA YR Petra .............................................. 134 BELLUROT Nadine ................................... 145 BELUSKY Martin .. ...................................... 70 BEN CHIKHA Fourat ................................. 135 BENCHLUCH Saloma .... ............................. 98 BENESIK Ondrej ......................... .............. 146 BERG Caspar ............................................ 139 BERGAMINI Deborah ............ ................... 147 BERGONZI Regis ....................................... 140 BERNACKI Wtodzimierz ............................ 158 BERZINS Andris ........................................ 141 BILALLI ZENDELI Arta ................................ 136 BILLI Simone ............................................. 206 BILOZIR Larysa .. ........................................ 142 BLADELIUS Yasmine ................................. 137 BLENCATHRA David ................................ .
167 BOER Margreet ........................................ 138 B6NA Zoltan ............................................ 208 BONETI Chris ........................................... 180 BONETII Elena ...................... ................... 143 BORENOVIC Branislav .............................. 148 BORGHESE Mario Aleja ndro ...................... 71 BOROWSKI Marek .................................... 149 BOSIC Mladen ...................................... .... 150 BOUCHEZ Georges-Louis .......................... 191 BOUYX Bertrand ....................................... 192 BRABANDERE Bob .................................... 209 BRANTE leva ............................................... 72 BREKELMANS Ruben ............................ .... 193 BRENNER Koloman .................................... go BREZZO Thomas ....................................... 151 BRILHANTE DIAS Eurico ........ ................... 181 BROUWER$ Karin ...... ............................... 197 BRUIJN-WEZEMAN Reina ......................... 194 BUCHEL Hubert .............................. .......... 195 BUCHEL Roland Rino ................................ 196 BUDBERGYTE Rasa .................................. .
182 BULAIIulian .......................................... .... 252 BURES Doris ............................................. 183 BUSHKA Klotilda ....................................... 184 BUSIC Zdravka .......................................... 198 B0Y0KG0M0~ Ahmet ............................... g1 BYSTRON Petr .......................................... 210 BZOCH Jaroslav ........................................ 253 c CACHIA Naomi ......................... ................ 185 <;AKIROZER Utku ...................................... 186 CALINICI Ana ............................................ 254 CALVET Fran~OiS'"' '' ' ' "'"''"' ' '"'"' "''' ' ""'"199 CAMUSSO Susanna Lina Giulia ................. 187 CARETIA Maria Crist ina .............. ........ ..... 211 CAROBBIO GUSCETII Ma ri na ................... 188 CARVALHO Nuno ...................................... 200 CASTEL Laura ..................... ......................... 85 CEGONHO Pedro ...................................... 189 <;ELiK Sena Nur ............................ .. ............. g2 CEPURiTIS Edmunds ................................. 190 ~ETiN Cemal· ··· ........................................ 110 ~EVi KOZ Ahmet Ona1 .............................. 238 CHATZIVASILEIOU Anastasios ................. 201 CHIKOVANIIrakli ..................................... 239 CHINEA CORREA Fabian ............................ 86 CHOPE Christopher ................................. 212 CHRISTIANSSON Alexander ..................... 213 CHRISTOFFERSEN Lise ............................. 240 CHUDEAU Roger ............................ .......... 214 CLAPOT Mireille ...... ................................ 255 CLARKE Thea ........................................... 272 CO IN Dim itri ............................................ 273 COMA Bernadeta .................................... 256 CORBYN Jeremy ...................................... 241 CORLATEAN Titus .................................... 242 COTIIER Damien ........ ............................. 257 COZMANCIUC
 Corneliu-Mugure1 ............ 202 CRISANTI Andrea ...... ............................... 243 CRISTEA Andi -Lucian ............................... 244 CRISTOFARO Giuseppe .............................. 87 CRONIN Reada .......................................... 88 CSOBOR Katalin ....................................... 274 CSOMA Botond ....................................... 203 CUDIC Sabina ........................................... 258 D DAEMS Rik· · ............................................. 259 DAGDELEN Sevim .................................... 126 DALLOZ Marie-Christine .......................... 204 DAVIDOVICI Natal ia ................................. 205 DAVIES Geraint ........................................ 245 DECROIX Eva ........................................... 275 DEDIC Semsudin ...................................... 260 DEKANOIDZE Khatia ................................ 261 DIBRANI Adnan ....................................... 246 DIMIC Iva ................................................. 262 DONLAGIC Dzenan .................................. 111 DOSTALOVA Klara ................................... 324 DREOSTO Marco ..................................... 276 DUBNOV Artem ....................................... 325 DONDAR Pero ......................................... 127 DURANTON Nicole .................................. 326 DURGUT Mu~erref Pervin Tuba .............. 112 DZINTARS Normunds .............................. 277 E EDER-GITSCHTHALER Andrea .................. 263 EFSTATHIOU Constantinos ...................... 247 EKER Mehmet Mehdi .............................. 113 EMRE Yunus ............................................ 248 ENGELHARDT Heike ............ .. ................... 249 ERDEM Arzu ............. · .. ........ · · ................... 114 ERDOS Norbert ........................................ 278 ERIKSEN Even ........... ................................ 250 EROTOKRITOU Christiana ........................ 251 ESCALE Cerni
 ............................................ 123 ESSL Franz Leonhard ................................ 264 ESTRELA Edite ...................... .. .................. 308 F FABRICIUS Camil la ................................... 309 FASSINO Piero ................ .......................... 310 FATALIYEVA Sevinj ................................... 279 FAXE Sascha ............................................. 311 FENECH ADAM I Joseph Beppe ................. 265 FERNANDES Emmanue1 ........................... 128 FERNANDEZ Marfa ................................... 312 FILATOV Tarja ......................... .................. 313 FILIPOVIC Darijana ................................... 266 FILIPOVSKI Dubravka ................................ 267 FLORID lA Aurora ...................................... 314 FOULKES George ...................................... 315 FOURNIER Bernard .................................. 268 FRAN~OIS Thibaut .................................... 280 FRAN KOVIC Mato ..................................... 269 FRESKO-ROLFO Beatrice ........ .................. 327 FRICK Peter ............. ................................. 328 FRIDEZ Pierre-Ala in .................................. 316 FROSCH Ants .......... ·· .................. · ............ · 281 FUNKE Fabian .......... ................................. 317 G GADIRLI Erkin ........................................... 345 GAHOUCHI Latifa ..................................... 318 GALEA Cressida ...... .................................. 319 GALLES Paul ............................................. 270 GANJALIYEV Tura l .................................... 347 GAPANY Johanna ..................................... 329 GARDINI Elisabetta .................................. 348 GARVEY R6isfn ......................................... 320 GASIUK-PIHOWICZ Ka mila ....................... 271 GATIOLIN Andr€ ...................................... 330 GAVAN Pau1 ............................................. 129 GEORGIEV
129 GEORGIEV Georg ........ .............................. 332 GERMANN Hannes ................ .......... ......... 331 GEVORGYAN Armen ................... .............. 349 GHAZARYAN Sona .................................... 400 GHERMAN Doina ..................................... 333 GIDEON Jo ................................................ 350 GIGLIO VIGNA Alessandro ........................ 351 GIMENEZ Sara ..... ............ ........................ 401 GIOVAGNOLI Gerardo .............. .... ........... 321 GIRAUD Joel ............ .... ............................ 402 GJONAJ Etilda .......................... ................ 322 GJYLAMETI Blerina ................ .................. 323 GLASOVAC Sabina ................................... 382 GOMEZ-REINO Ant6n ...... ...... .................. 130 GONCHARENKO Oleksii .... ...... ................. 352 GORGHIU Alina-~tefania ......................... 334 GOTHBERG Gustaf .... .. .......................... ... 335 GOY-CHAVENT Sylvie ...... ...... ...... .... .. ...... 336 GRAAS Gusty ........................................... 403 GRAF Martin .............. .............................. 353 GREIF Tatjana ......................................... .
175 GRIEKEN Tom .......................................... 354 GRIFFITHS Leslie ...................... .... ...... ...... 383 GRIGORYAN Hripsime .................. ........... 384 GRIN Jean-Pierre .................... .. ............... 404 GRIPPO Valentina .... ........ ........................ 405 GROZA I on ............................................... 337 GRYFFROY Andries .................................. 124 GUDMUNDSDOTIIR Berglind Osk ........... 355 GUGGER Niklaus-Samuel ........................ 338 GULPINAR Mehmet Kas1m .... .................. 125 GUNAY Emine Nur ................................... 159 GURMAI Zita ............ ................................ 385 GUTIERREZ LIMONES Antonio .... ............ 386 GUTIERREZ PRIETO Sergio ............ .... ....... 387 GWOZDZ Marcin ............... ...................... 356 H HAJDUKOVIC Domagoj ............................ 388 HAJIYEV Sabir .......................................... 389 HALGASOVA Jarmila ................................ 427 HAMID Hamid ......................................... 406 HARDT Jurgen .............. ................ ........... 339 HART Sally-Ann .............. ...... ...... .. .... ........ 428 HASLER Thomas ...................................... 407 HEER Alfred ............................................. 408 HEINRICH Gabriela .. ................. ............... 390 HELLELAND Linda Hofstad .. ..................... 340 HEMMEN Cecile ....................... ....... .... .. .. 391 HENGEL Max ........................................... 341 HIGGINS Emer ......................................... 342 HISPAN Pablo ............................... .......... .
343 HOCHST Nicole ...... ............ ......... ............. 429 HOFFMANN Christoph ............................ 409 HOOF Els .................................................. 344 HOOP Franziska ............ ........................... 480 HOPSU lnka ...................... ....................... 392 HORGA Maria-Gabriela ............. .............. 345 HOT Meira ................................................ 393 HOWELL John ......................... .. .. ........ ... ... 430 HOYO Belen · ............................... ... ...... ·· ···410 HUNKO Andrej ..... ............................... ..... 176 HUSEYN OV Rafae1 .................................... 481 ILLES Boglarka ........ .................................. 431 INJIA Fridon ................ ........ ............... .. ..... 160 IONTCHEV llian ......................................... 394 IORDANOVA Nadejda ...................... .. .... .. 161 IVANOV lvan ............................................. 395 IZARD Alexis .... ........................................ -482 J JACOB ELL!
Laurent ................................... 432 JAFAROV Kamal ................ .. .... .......... ....... -433 JAZtOWIECKA Danuta .............................. 411 JEITLER-CINCELLI Carme n ........................ 412 JENSEN Gyde ...... .......... ........................... -483 JENSEN Michael Aastrup .......................... 484 JENSEN Mogens .................................... ... 396 JEVGRAFOV Aleksei .................................. 485 JONES Ruth .............................................. 397 JONSSON Bjarn i ........................................ 177 JONSSON Mattias- .... ............ ..... ... ... ........ .
398 JOVANOVIC Stefan .............. .. ...... ............. 162 JUCHELKA Ales ......................................... 486 JUHAsz Hajnalka .................................. .... 413 JULHAKYAN Arusyak ................ .............. .. 414 JURATOVICJosip .............................. ........ 399 K KAEVSKI Darko .............. ... ........ ...... .... ...... 461 KAIRIDIS DimitriOS'''"''''"'''"'''"''''''''"'"'-415 KALCHENKO Serhii .................................. -434 KALNINA-LUKASEVICA Zanda ................... 416 KALSIN Canan ····· ······································ 172 KAMELCHUK Yuriy .. ......................... ... ...... 4 17 KANELLI Liana····· ·· ··· ···· ···· ·· ····· ·················· 178 KARAMANLI Marietta .... .......................... 462 KARAMEHIC-ABAZO VIC Mia .................... 173 KARIMZADA Parvin .......................... ........ 435 KASIMATI Nina .... ..................................... 179 KASSEGGER Axel .. .... ............. ................... 436 KATROUGALOS George .......... .. ................ 234 KEEN Richard ................. ... .. ..... ................ .
437 KEKIN Ivana ...................... ... ............ ......... 174 KEMPPI Hilkka ... ................................ ..... .
-487 • MISAJLOVSKI Vlado .............................. ... 506 MITREA Dumitrina ····· ··· ·· ························ 597 MODERT Octavie· .. ···· ···· ·· ··········· ······· ······ 507 MOLLAZADA Asim ················ ··················· 598 MONIZ Paulo ............ ...... ........... ...... ..... ... 508 MONTEMAGGI Marica ··· ························· 554 MORRIS David .... ..... ..... .. ..... ................... .
599 MORTIMER Jill·············· ····················· ······ 600 MOSHENETS Olena ............. ...... .... ... ....... 576 MOUTQUIN Simon· ······· ······· ····· ·· ········· ··· 555 MULARCZYK Arkadiusz ······· ··· ········· ······ ··· 601 MULARONI Mariella· ··· ·· ·························· 509 MULDER Agnes············· ·· ····················· ·· ·· 577 MUNCACIU Sorin-Titus ··························· 602 MUNCH Charlotte ······· ······· ···· ·· ··········· ···· 299 MURRAY Sheryll········· ··· ·························· 603 MUSTAFA Fazil ······ ···· ·· ······ ·· ···· ······· ···· ····· 649 N NACSA Lt)rinc··· ········· ···· ··········· ····· ···· ······· 578 NAGY Szabolcs .. ·· ······ ······· ··· ··· ··· ··············· 579 NATALUKHA Dmytro ··················· ·· ········· · 604 NEAGU Denisa Elena· ············ ·················· 650 NED EVA Liliya .......... .. ........... ...... .. .... ....... 300 NEMCOVA Miroslava ······ ····· ················ ·· · 605 NEMETH Zsolt ..... ...... ................. ....... ..... .
606 NICOLINI Marco ·· ······················· ····· ········ 306 NICULESCU-TAGARLA~ Cristian-Augustin 580 NIIKKO Mika ·· ··········· ················ ······· ····· ·· · 607 NIKOLOSKA Fanica ···················· ······ ········ 556 NIKOLOSKI Aleksandar··· .. ······················· 581 NITRAS Stawom ir· .. ·············· ···················· 582 NORKIENE Ausrine ····· ··· ···· ·· ····· ··············· 557 NOVAKOVIC BURSA( Snjezana ····· ·········· 301 NOWACKA Barbara··········· ······················ 302 NURULLAYEVA Konul· ·· ····· ······· ············ ... 608 NYKIEL Mirostawa ...... ........................ ..... 583 0 OK Nilgun ······· ············· ···· ························ 303 O'LOUGHLIN Fiona ......... ................. ........ 651 OMTZIGT Pieter········· ······ ·········· ······ ········ 584 OOMEN-RUIJTEN Ria············ ············ ······ · 585 O'REILLY Joseph .. ···· ··················· ·············· 586 ORLANDO Andrea .. ...... ................... ........ 558 ORS Huseyin ······················· ······ ··············· 357 OSAMOR Kate·· ··········· ··················· ····· ···· 559 OSBORNE Kate ····· ······· ······ ······ ······· ····· ···· 560 OSUCH Jacek .... .... ....... ...... ..... ..... ....... ..... 609 OTE~ANU Da nie la· .. ································· 561 OVCHYN NYKOVA Yu Iii a ················ ······· ····· 652 OZDEMIR ismail ···· ······· ······· ··· ·········· ·· ····· ·358 OZDEMIR Sibel ··· ·· ···· ····························· ·· ·562 OZ~AVLI Halil··· ······················ ··················· 373 OZSOY Hi~ya r ·· ·············· ·· ····· ······ ·········· ··· ·307 p PAHLKE Julia n····· ··························· ······· ····563 PAISLEY lan ···· ················ ··· ········· ······ ··· ····· ·610 PAKOSTA Liisa-Ly·········· ······ ·· ·········· ···· ··· ·· ·374 PANDOV Vasil·· ····· ··········· ··· ·· ················· ··· 375 PANTIC PIUA Biljana ········· ········ ···············587 PAPANDREOU George ·· ···· ·······················626 PAREREN Bob·· ········· ········· ··
 ····················· 6 11 PASIC Tatjana ··· ··· ····· ·························· ······627 PASQUIER-CIULLA Christine· ··· ········ ·········588 PAVANELLI Emma ····················· ·· ·············376 PENA Esther ············ ················· ··· ·············628 PETIR Marijana ···································· ·····589 PETIT Maud ···· ········ ······· ············ ·· ···· ····· ····653 PETRENGA Giovanna··· ····· ······ ··················377 PETRY Christian ···· ························· ···········629 PIECHA Bolestaw······· ··· ······· ········· ···· ········686 PIETRELLA Fabio·· ······· ······· ·········· ·· ·········· ·687 PIPILI Fotein i ······· ·· ················ ······· ······ ······590 PIRI Kati ················· ··· ··············· ····· ···· ·· ····· ·630 PIROVANO Daisy ····· ············· ··· ······ ···· ··· ····688 PISCO Paulo ························ ·········· ······ ·· ·· ··63 1 PIZZIMENTI Graziano ·······························689 POCIEJ Ale ksa nder ·· ······· ······ ···················· 591 POLAT Filiz············· ···· ············· ········ ··· ··· ·· ··632 POLIDORI Catia················ ····· ·· ·············· ···· 592 POPSOI Mihail········ ····· ······· ······· ········· ····· ·593 PRAMMER Agnes Sirkka···· ·· ·····················633 PREMIK Dean ············ ·· ··· ··· ·· ········ ·· ··· ······ ··654 PRINGLE Thomas····· ··· ·· ···· ··· ··· ·· ··· ······ ·······378 PRIOTEASA I on ····· ······ ······ ··· ······ ···· ······ ·····634 PROHENS Margarit a······ ····· ···· ··· ··· ····· ·······594 PROTASIEWICZ Jacek ··· ··· ·· ··· ··· ·· ·· ···· ···· ·····595 Q QAZIMI Artina ············· ············ ··········· ······439 QUINTELA M6nica ·· ·· ··· ··· ········ ····· ··········· ··664 R RADOVANOVIC Slavica········ ············ ·········440 RAILEANU Adela ············ ······ ··················· ··379 RASPUDIC Nino ······· ·· ····························· ··690 REIJON EN Minna ········· ······· ··················· ···691 REI$ Paula···· ··
 .......................................... 635 REISSMANN Mette .................................. 636 REUTER Florence .......................... ........... 655 ROBLES Gonza lo ...................................... 665 ROCHA FERREIRA Catarina ...................... 666 ROJHAN Azadeh ...................................... 637 RONZULLI Licia ........................................ 667 ROSSNER Tabea ....................................... 638 ROSSO Roberto ....................................... 668 ROUSOPOULOS Theodoros ..................... 669 RUBINYAN Ruben .................................... 670 RUSSELL Simon ........................................ 692 RUSTAMYAN Arm en ................................ 639 RYLE Alexander ....................................... 656 s SACHEVA Denitsa .................................... 671 SAFAI Darya ............................................. 451 SAID Chris ................................................ 672 SANCHEZ GARdA Jose Marfa .................. 693 SANTIAGO Isabelle .................................. 640 SANTOS-WINTZ Catarina dos .................. 673 SATER Amanda ........................................ 694 SAVICKAS Lukas ....................................... 641 SAYEK BOKE Selin .................................... 642 SCHAFER Axel .......................................... 643 SCHEN NACH Stefa n ................................. 644 SCHOU lngjerd ......................................... 674 SCHWABE Frank ...................................... 645 SCURRIA Marco ....................................... 695 SEBELOVA Michaela ................................ 675 SEITLOVA Jitka ......................................... 676 SEKULIC Predrag ...................................... 646 SELIGA Ju raj ............................................. 677 SELNES Lise .............................................. 647 SEPASHVILI Eka ....................................... 696 SERRE Nathalie ........................................
 678 SEYIDOV Samad ....................................... 697 SHALSI Eduard ......................................... 648 SHARMA Virendra ................................... 709 SHEPPARD Tommy .................................. 452 SIDALI Zeki Hakan .................................... 657 SIMETKA Ondrej ...... ................................ 698 SIMONOVIC BRA TIC Dunja ...................... 710 SKULADOTIIR J6dis ................................. 380 SLESERS Ricards ....................................... 453 SM ISZEK Krzysztof ................................... 711 SMOUAK David ....................................... 679 SOBO LIEV Serhii ...................................... 680 SOJKA Katarzyna ..................................... 699 S¢ NDERGAARD S0ren ............................. 381 SPATARU Elena-Simona ........................... 658 SPELLERBERG Merle ................................. 712 SPIN ELLI Domenica .................................. 700 STAFFLER Katrin ....................................... 681 STAMATE Olesea ...................................... 682 STAMBACH-TERRENOIR Anne .................. 457 STAMM-FIBICH Martina ...... ..................... 713 STANEK Pave1 ........................................... 701 START~ Co nsta nti n · · · · · · · · · · · · · · · · · · · · · · · · · · · · · · · · · · · · 458 STEGRUD Jessica ...................................... 702 STEVENSON Jane······· ............................... 773 STIENEN Petra ··········································659 STI ER Davor lvo ........................................ 683 STOICA Diana ........................................... 660 STRAND HALL Annika ................................ 714 STROE lonut-Marian ...................... .......... 684 STRUJIC-HAR BIC Kenana .......................... 685 STRYCEK Jiri .............................................. 661 STUDER Bruno .......................................... 662 STYLIAN IDIS Evripidis ............................... 750
 SU LKIC Dejan ........................ .................... 454 SULLO Jale Nur .............................. ........... 715 SUM ELZO Susana ..................................... 716 SUSHKO Pavlo .......................................... 774 SZEJNA Andrzej ........................................ 717 T TABAKU Jorida ......................................... 751 TALA KVADZE Archil .................................. 718 TAMASUNIENE Rita .................................. 775 TANG UY Liliana ........................................ 663 TEMEL Tayip ............................................. 459 THELLMANN Christine ............................. 752 THORARINSSON Birgir .............................. 753 THORSVIK lngvild Wetrhus ...................... 734 TILKI Attila ................................................ 776 TIMGREN Beatrice ................................... 777 TORNARITIS Nicos .................................... 754 TOROCZKAI Laszlo ................................... -455 TRIANTAFYLLIDIS Alexandros··· ................ 450 TROY Robert ............................................ · 735 TRUSKOLASKI Krzysztof ............................ 755 TSILOSANI Khatia ..................................... 719 TURAZASHVILI Ketevan ............................ 455 TURKE~ Yild 1nm Tugrul ............................ 524 TURK-NACHBAUR Derya .......................... 720 TUTU IANU Marius-Horia .......................... 721 TZAKRI Theodora ..................................... 538 u z UCA Feleknas .... ................. ....... ... .. .. ....... 539 ZABORSKA Anna ....... ... .......................... .. .
766 ULLRICH Volker ........................ ............ ... 756 ZABURANNA Lesia ........................ ........... 743 ZAFFIN I Francesco .. ..... ............ .. .. .... .... .... .

783 ZAHARIEVA Ekaterina ................ .............. 767 ZAMPA Sandra ......... ... .. ............ .. .. .... .. ..... 727 ZARB Romilda .......... ·· .............. ................ .

728 ZARIC KOVACEVIC Jelena .. ...... .. .. .... .. ....... 768 ZINGERIS Emanuelis .......... ............ .... ...... .
769 ZSIGMOND Barna Pal .... .. .......... .... .. ......... 784 UNNELAND Andreas Sjalg .. ...... .... .. ......... 540 USTINOVA Oleksandra .. ...................... .... 736 v VAERENBERGH Kristien ............ .... ........... 525 VALENTIN Kim .............. ...... ...... ...... ...... ... 737 VALLETOUX Frederic .... .... .. ...... ...... ...... ... 738 VALLINI Andre ...................................... ... 722 VALTONEN E1ina ................................ ...... 757 VARDANYAN Vladimir ............................. 758 VASYLENKO Lesia ............................ .... .. .. 739 VELA Susanna .... .................. .................... 723 VELOPOULOS Kyriakos .. ...... ...... .............. 778 VERDUCCI Francesco ............................... 724 VIDAL Salvador ............ .............. .... .......... 725 VIGIER Phil ippe ........................................ 740 VIROLAINEN Anne-Mari ........................ .. 759 VLASENKO Sergiy .... .... .......................... .. 760 VONTA Tamara ........................................ 741 VUCINIC Maksim ...................... ............ ... 726 VUJICIC Miroslav ..................................... 532 VUKICEVIC Maja .... ...... .................. .......... 533 VYSNIAUSKAS Andrius ............ ........ .... .. ... 761 w WADEPHULJohann David ....................... 762 WEYEL Harald .......... .. .. ...... ............ .......... 779 WHARTON James .. .. ................................ 780 WIECHEL Markus .. ...... ................ ............. 781 WIJNGAARDEN Jeroen .................. .... ...... 742 WILDERS Geert ........................................ 534 WOLD Morten ...... ...... ................ .. ........... 782 WULF Mareike Lotte ...................... .. ....... 763 X XHAFERI Ferdinand .. .. .... .. .... .. .... ...... ....... 764 y YA~AR Serap .. ...... ...................... ...... ........ 535 VASKO Yelyzaveta ................ .. .. ......... .... ... 765 YILDIZ Ahmet .................... .... ...... .... ...... .. .
536 YILDIZ Zeynep ...... .... ...... ...... ...... ............ .. 537 ~ Parliamentary Assembly ttfL~ Assemblee parlementaire ~~ ~ --~~.m.m.mnmmm.

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:EUROPE Doc.15245 26 March 2021 Public health emergency: the need for a holistic approach to multilateralism and health care Motion for a resolution tabled by the Committee on Social Affairs, Health and Sustainable Development This motion has not been discussed in the Assembly and commits only those who have signed it The Covid-19 pandemic has reminded us of the right to health and the critical importance of multilateralism.
As the pandemic evolves, sustainable, inclusive, and effective vaccination programmes are required to ensure public health.

Being a critical pillar of primary care health services, vaccination can be considered a public good.

In its Resolution 2329 (2020), the Parliamentary Assembly calls for promoting responsible research, development and production of medicines, vaccines and other medical equipment, and insists on making them accessible and affordable to all.
However, despite publicly funded research and international efforts to provide an equitable distribution of medical goods, structural problems persist.

Excessive commodification of health services and the current set of international rules for trade and intellectual property protection impede effective access to healthcare.
While the Assembly, through its Recommendation 2174 (2020), expressed belief that "the Council of Europe's human rights mandate requires the re-establishment of comprehensive intergovernmental co-operation and co-ordination in the field of public health", its Committee on Social Affairs, Health and Sustainable Development should make further proposals for building this holistic multilateral effort by: bringing together the World Health Organization , the World Trade Organization and others in a multi stakeholder dialogue to revisit the rules governing the health-care industry in the provision of essential medicines, vaccines and health-care services within and between countries; ensuring that both the public and the private sectors in health care build their operations on the basis of human rights, notably the right to health, and guarantee fair access to treatments and vaccinations for all as a public good.
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15778 23 May 2023 Public health emergency: the need for a holistic approach to multilateralism and health care Report1 Committee on Social Affairs, Health and Sustainable Development Rapporteur: Ms Selin SAYEK BOKE, Turkiye, Socialists, Democrats and Greens Group Summary The Covid-19 pandemic revealed that the current system of global health security is not fit for purpose.
With threats from infectious diseases presenting one of the primary international health challenges of ou r times, this critical moment provides an opportunity to combat not just emerging threats, the Covid-1 9 pandemic, and the devastating effects it has had on the global economy, but also pre-existing fault-lines and inequities, includ ing in access to health care, and to recognise the right to a safe, clean, healthy and sustainable environment.
A holistic multilateral effort is needed , bringing together the World Health Organization, the World Trade Organization , and others in a multi-stakeholder dialogue to revisit the rules governing the health-care industry and the provision of essential medicines, vaccines, and health-care services at national and international levels.
The report supports the ongoing processes taking place at the international level to transform global health governance and considers that they must build on the principle of equity and protection of human rights and fundamental freedoms during public health emergencies.
At national levels, member States must build strong and resilient health systems, invest in primary health care and ensure universal health coverage to everyone within their territory, as well as implement timely and appropriate measures to curb the effects of public health emergencies.

1.

Reference to Committee: Doc.

15245, Reference 4577 of 28 May 2021. htt~s://pace.coe.i nt -- Doc.

15778 Report Contents Page A.


Draft resolution ........................................................................................................................................ 3 B. Explanatory memorandum by Ms Selin Sayek Bake, rapporteur ............................................................. 7 1.

Introduction ......................................................................................................................................... 7 2.
Emerging challenges to global health and the need for a stronger and more empowered World Health Organization ...... .......................................................................................................................... 8 3.

Transforming global health governance .............................................................................................. 9 3.1.
Empowering the World Health Organization and commitment to supporting a "One Health" approach ........................................................................... ................................................................. 9 3.2.

Amendments to the International Health Regulations ............................................................... 10 3.3.
Negotiations to draft a convention, agreement, or other international instrument to strengthen pandemic prevention, preparedness, and response ........................................................................ 12 4.

Reform of international trade agreements and ensuring equitable access to public goods ............... 13 5.

Building resilient national health systems in Council of Europe member States and beyond ............ 15 6.
Concluding words ............................................................................................................................. 16 2 Doc.

15778 Report A.

Draft resolution2 Long before the outbreak of Covid-19, scientists and public health experts had warned that threats from 1. infectious diseases would represent one of the primary international health challenges of our times.
Unfortunately, the Covid-19 pandemic hit a largely-unprepared world and revealed widespread lack of compliance with the International Health Regulations by States.

This has resulted in millions of deaths, a high disease burden, and severe disruption of the lives of billions of people across all regions of the world, as well as a major setback to the United Nations Sustainable Development Goals.

2.
2.

It is believed that the world has entered a new pandemic era , where Covid-1 9 is seen only as a forerunner of more - and possibly worse - public health emergencies to come.

New public health emergencies linked to the climate crisis, coupled with dwindling biodiversity, are waiting to unfold, and will likely hit the world unexpectedly.
It is thus urgent that States learn the lessons from previous health emergencies by strengthening the global health architecture and developing necessary strategies at national levels, in order to react swiftly to emerging global health risks.

3.
3.

The Parliamentary Assembly considers that a holistic multilateral effort is needed, bringing together the World Health Organization (WHO), the World Trade Organization (WTO), and others in a multi-stakeholder dialogue to revisit the rules governing the health-care industry in the provision of essential medicines, vaccines, and health-care services at national and international levels, including a diversification of medical supply sources.
These rules should ensure that both the public and the private sectors in health care anchor their operations in human rights, notably the right to health, and guarantee equitable access to treatments and vaccinations of appropriate quality for all as public goods.

4.
4.

The Assembly welcomes the processes taking place at the international level to transform global health governance, including to ensure sustainable financing of WHO, to reform the 2005 International Health Regulations, and to draft a legally binding instrument on pandemic preparedness , prevention, and response.
Moreover, the Assembly supports the reform of international trade agreements to correct and to prevent inequities in accessing public goods critica l to preventing and controlling public health emergencies, contributing towards a safe, clean , healthy, and sustainable environment.

5.
5.

The Assembly strongly believes that the processes taking place to transform global health governance must build on the principle of equity and should explicitly refer to the relevant obligations of States to protect human rights and fundamental freedoms during public health emergencies.
In this regard, the Assembly supports calls from United Nations experts that the new instrument on pandemic preparedness should draw on Article 12 of the International Covenant on Economic, Social and Cultural Rights, and on Article 4 of the International Covenant on Civil and Political Rights.
It must be recognised that the right to health is indivisible from all other rights, and as such the new instrument must also impose clear obligations on States to protect the full range of human rights, especially economic, social , and environmental rights, such as the right to housing, to social protection , to adequate nutrition, and to a safe, clean, healthy, and sustainable environment, which are essential to the enjoyment of the right to health.

6.
The Assembly welcomes the participation of parliamentarians in the drafting process of this instrument but regrets that it has not included genuine and meaningful participation by marginalised groups, civil society and non-governmental organisations working to promote public health and human rights, and urges WHO member States to reconsider this process, so as to enable transparent and accessible opportun ities for all relevant stakeholders to contribute to the development of this crucial new instrument.
7.

Public health authorities must implement timely and appropriate measures to curb the effects of public health emergencies, now and in the future.
Member States are invited to draw inspiration from the toolkit issued by the Secretary General of the Council of Europe , on respecting human rights, democracy and the rule of law during the Covid-1 9 crisis, as well as the relevant resolutions and recommendations adopted by Assembly, in particular Resolution 2329 (2020) "Lessons for the future from an effective and rights-based response to the Covid-19 pandemic", Resolution 2337 (2020) "Democracies facing the Covid-19 pandemic" and Resolution 2424 (2022) "Beating Covid-19 with public health measures".
8.

The Assembly regrets that the current system of global health security is not fit for purpose.

It is too fragmented , overly dependent on discretionary bilateral aid , and dangerously underfunded.

The Assembly thus believes this critical moment provides an opportunity to combat not just emerging threats, the Covid-19 pandemic, and the devastating effects it has had on the global economy, but also pre-existing fault-lines and 2.

Draft resolution adopted unanimously by the committee on 27 April 2023.
3 Doc.

15778 Report inequities, including in access to health care, which have been brought to light by the pandemic.

It urges governments to embrace the "One Health" approach, which embraces the interactions between animals, humans and the environment, and which contributes to health and protects against disease.

9.
The Assembly thus calls on governments in Council of Europe member States and worldwide, to: 9.1. with respect to ongoing processes at WHO: 9.1.1. contributions so it can fulfil its essential functions; commit to ensuring sustainable financing of WHO and make it independent of voluntary 9.1.2. governance of the WHO; actively participate in the World Health Assembly with a view to ensuring good 9.1.3. ensure inclusive decision making and full and equal participation of developing countries in the negotiating processes of the International Health Regulations and the International Negotiation Body to draft and negotiate a convention, agreement or other international instrument to strengthen pandemic prevention, preparedness and response; ensure that the aforementioned new legal instrument to strengthen pandemic 9.1.4. prevention, preparedness and response is developed through a transparent and meaningfully consultative process, involving, and taking into account the proposals of, civil society, non governmental organisations and human rights organisations, and define an active role for parliamentarians to oversee the transparency and effectiveness of the much needed consultative processes; 9.1.5. mainstream human rights in the revision of the International Health Regulations and in the drafting process of a convention, agreement or other international instrument to strengthen pandemic prevention , preparedness and response, and ensure in particular that such instrument is in line with the "10 Human Rights Principles for a Pandemic Treaty" by the Civil Society Alliance for Human Rights in the Pandemic Treaty; recognise that human rights are indivisible and impose clear obligations on States to 9.1.6. protect human rights during public health emergencies in line with the Siracusa Principles, in particular social, economic and environmental rights, such as the right to housing, social protection, adequate nutrition and a safe, clean, healthy and sustainable environment, which are essential to the enjoyment of the right
 to health; 9.1.7. actors and companies within their jurisdiction; impose clear obligations on States to regulate and protect against abuses by non-state include a clause to prohibit undermining of other nations' access to public goods, such 9.1.8. as stockpiling of scarce resources and entering into bilateral agreements by outbidding poorer nations; 9.1.9. commit to supporting a "One Health" approach, which embraces the interactions between animals, humans and the environment, and which contributes to health and protects against disease, including through enhanced collaboration of the WHO with other relevant international organisations; 9.1 .1 0. facilitate timely access to scientific knowledge and information to all stakeholders, including an open data-sharing system for epidemiological, genomic, clinical and anthropological evidence, from academia to the front line, as recommended in Resolution 2114 (2016) "The handling of international public-health emergencies"; 9.2. with respect to the WTO and international trade: 9.2.1. interpret the Doha Declaration in the context of international legal obligations to ensure access to public goods, including medicines, diagnostics, treatments and technologies, and recognise the need to limit intellectual property rights in public health emergencies; 9.2.2. make full use of the Trade-related Aspects of Intellectual Property Rights (TRIPS) flexibilities whenever possible to ensure equitable access to public goods; 9.2.3. commit to keeping supply chains open during public health emergencies; 9.2.4. initiate a process of reform of international trade agreements, with the aim of correcting and preventing inequities in accessing health technologies critical to preventing and controlling public health emergencies; 4 Doc.
15778 Report 9.3. with respect to building stronger and more resilient health systems and responding to public health emergencies at national levels: 9.3.1. and working conditions; invest in primary health care and scale up the health workforce, ensuring decent pay 9.3.2. develop human-rights compliant strategies to prevent and handle major public-health hazards, including early detection, accurate data collection, availability of diagnostic and treatment tools, and real-time continuous monitoring to improve results in accordance with international recommendations; 9.3.3. status, nationality, ethnicity, religion, gender, sexual orientation or socio-economic background; provide universal health coverage to everyone within their territory, regard less of legal develop national prioritisation strategies to ensure equitable allocation of goods, such 9.3.4. as vaccines, medicines and protective equipment, in situations of scarce resources.
In doing so, member States should be guided by Article 3 of the Convention for the protection of Human Rights and Dignity of the Human Being with regard to the Application of Biology and Medicine: Convention on Human Rights and Biomedicine (ETS No.
164, Oviedo Convention), and are invited to consult Recommendation CM/Rec(2023)1 of the Committee of Ministers of the Council of Europe on "Equitable access to medicinal products and medical equipment in a situation of shortage", Resolution 2361 legal and practical considerations" and the statement adopted by the Committee on Bioethics (DH-BIO) entitled "Covid-19 and vaccines: ensuring equitable access to vaccination during the current and future pandemics"; "Covid-19 vaccines: ethical, (2021) identify vulnerabilities 9.3.5. for strengthening and diversifying supply sources, taking into consideration the recommendations set out in Resolution 2474 (2022) "Securing safe medical supply chains"; in medical supply chains and develop strategies 9.3.6. financed research between countries; enhance public investment in research and development and share results of publicly identify vulnerabilities in medical supply chains and strengthen manufacturing 9.3.7. capacities and competence to produce in accordance with standards of Good Manufacturing Practice; 9.3.8. develop and maintain strong, efficient, transparent and sustainable regulatory systems for the evaluation and control of medicines throughout their lifecycle, and promote reliance on recognised global expertise to harmonise and streamline the different steps of the process - from regulatory evaluation and approval, to batch acceptance; 9.3.9. plan to deal with public health emergencies; promote community engagement and mobilisation as essential elements of any action 9.3.1 0. build up health literacy amongst all population groups and work with trusted non governmental organisations and/or local initiatives to reach out to marginalised groups; regulate activities of non-state actors and companies within their jurisdiction , in line with 9.3.11. the United Nations Guiding Principles on Business and Human Rights and Recommendation CM/Rec(2016)3 of the Committee of Ministers of the Council of Europe (2016) on "Business and human rights"; in the event of a public health emergency, carefully design and implement public health 9.3.12. measures that would mitigate transmission , and ensure they are compatible with human rights, taking into account the recommendations in Resolution 2424 (2022) "Beating Covid-19 with public health measures"; 9.3.13. continuously review public health measures put in place to ensure they are human rights compliant, relevant, proportionate, and effective at all times, and enable parliamentary and judicial oversight; recognise the need to reach zero carbon emissions and to accelerate the transition to 9.3.14. clean renewable sources of energy as a public health priority and take measures at national and multilateral levels to reach these goals.
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15778 Report 10.

The Assembly recalls the critical role parliaments play in moving the global public health agenda forward by enacting legislation, approving budgets, mobilising resources, and providing democratic oversight.
It calls on national parliaments to continue to play a key role in transforming global health governance, including through parliamentary representation at multi-stakeholder events leading up to the United Nations High Level Meeting in September 2023 and open meetings of the International Negotiating Body to draft and negotiate a new legal instrument on pandemic preparedness, prevention , and response.

11 .
11 .

The Covid-19 pandemic exposed gross inequities in access to essential public goods, including medicines, vaccines, and personal protective equipment.

It revealed that the global health is only as strong as its weakest link.
The Assembly thus calls on all stakeholders, in particular the European Union and the United States of America, to support the proposals by developing countries to ensure equitable access to health products, technologies and know-how, the strengthening of health systems and an access and benefit sharing mechanism for genetic material.

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15778 Report B. Explanatory memorandum by Ms Selin Sayek Boke, rapporteur 1.

Introduction 1.
Introduction 1.

On 17 March 2021 , the Committee on Social Affairs, Health and Sustainable Development tabled a motion for a resolution entitled "Public health emergency: the need for a holistic approach to multilateralism and health care".3 The motion pointed out that the Covid-19 pandemic had reminded everyone of the right to health and the critical importance of multilateralism.

2.
2.

The motion recalled the Parliamentary Assembly's Resolution 2329 (2020) entitled "Lessons for the future from an effective and rights-based response to the Covid-19 pandemic", in which it called for the promotion of responsible research, development and production of medicines, vaccines and other medical equipment, and insisted on making them accessible and affordable to all.
However, despite publicly funded research and international efforts to provide an equitable distribution of medical goods, structural problems persisted: excessive commodification of health services and the current set of international rules for trade and intellectual property protection impeded effective access to healthcare during much of the pandemic in many countries.

The motion further stressed that a holistic multilateral effort was needed to bring together the World 3.
Health Organization (WHO), the World Trade Organization (WTO) and others in a multi-stakeholder dialogue to revisit the rules governing the health-care industry in the provision of essential medicines, vaccines and health-care services at national and international levels; and ensuring that both the public and the private sectors in health care build their operations on the basis of human rights, notably the right to health, and guarantee fair access to treatments and vaccinations for all as public goods.
Since this motion was tabled two years ago, there has been significant laudable progress in the right 4. direction, but the battle is not yet won- as the ongoing problems in combatting the Covid-19 pandemic have shown.

Rich countries have made bilateral agreements with vaccine developers and stockpiled vaccines, outbidding poorer nations and undermining multilateral efforts through the COVAX.

mechanism aimed at ensuring global equitable allocation.
This has given the virus more chances to circulate and mutate into new variants, against which some of the already developed vaccines are not fully effective.

This has undoubtedly prolonged the pandemic unnecessarily.

5.

Several processes are taking place at WHO to address these issues and transform global health governance .

A working group has been established to look at ways to ensure sustainable financing of WHO so it can better fulfil its essential functions.
Moreover, the 194 member States of WHO are involved in two parallel negotiations, one to revise the International Health Regulations and another one to draft a legally binding instrument on pandemic preparedness, prevention, and response.

The two Bureaus are expected to co-ordinate their work with a view to adoption of both texts at the meeting of the World Health Assembly in May 2024 .

6.

In September 2022, I went on a fact-finding visit to Geneva and participated in the WTO Public Forum.
I took part in sessions relevant for the topic of the report, with particular focus on creation and protection of global public goods for health and Trade-related Aspects of Intellectual Property Rights (TRIPS) flexibilities to ensure equitable access.

In Geneva I had the pleasure to meet with Mr Robert Kampf, Counsellor at WTO, to discuss this more in detail.

I also had the pleasure to meet with Ms Karin Hechenleitner Schacht, Human Rights Officer for the UN Special Rapporteur on Health.

7.
7.

In October 2022, I participated in the World Health Summit in Berlin, which for the first time was organised with WHO, to discuss the increasing political importance of global health and multilateralism.
I had the pleasure to meet with WHO Director General, Dr Tedros Adhanom Ghebreyesus , and together with parliamentarians from all regions of the world, we discussed the critical role of parliaments in the design, implementation and monitoring of legislation , policies and programmes that are relevant to realising the right to health for everyone and to implementing the health-related Sustainable Development Goals.

As parliamentarians we play an important role in pushing the global health agenda forward.
Moreover, we discussed the importance of evidence-based public policies, and how we could benefit from the technical expertise of WHO and bridge the gap between policy and science.

3.

Doc 15245.

The motion was referred to our committee for report and I was appointed rapporteur on 17 June 2021 .

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15778 Report 8.

As part of the preparation of this report, the committee held several hearings with experts.
At the Committee's meeting in lzmir on 23 September 2022, we heard from Ms Nuriye Ortayll, Public Health Expert, and Mr Kay1han Pala, Professor of Public Health at Bursa Uludag University Faculty of Medicine.
Moreover, in October 2022, the Sub-Committee on Public Health and Sustainable Development held an exchange of views with Mr KM Gopakumar, Legal Advisor at the Third World Network, who highlighted how trade rules and intellectual property rights negatively affect access to treatment for diseases such as breast cancer for people in developing countries.
Finally, during the committee's meeting in Marrakech in March 2023, a hearing was held with the participation of Ms Latifa Belakhel, Head of Division for non-transmissible diseases, Ministry of Health and Social protection of the Kingdom of Morocco, and Mr Chakib Nejjari, Professor of epidemiology and public health, Vice-President of the Health Pole, Euromed University (Fez).
I would like to express my sincere gratitude to all the experts for their valuable contribution, which I have incorporated into the report.

9.

The Assembly and other stakeholders have for a long time called for a reform of WHO to allow it to better fulfil its function of achieving the highest attainable health standard for everyone.
Human rights organisations and developing countries are worried that the transformative processes taking place do not take duly into account important human rights obligations and existing inequities between States, as demonstrated during the pandemic.
The high-level meeting which will take place at the UN General Assembly in September 2023 on pandemic prevention , preparedness and response, and the multi-stakeholder consultations taking place ahead of it, thus provide us with a unique opportunity to influence the outcome of the negotiations.

10.
10.

States have legal obligations to secure the right to health to everyone without discrimination as provided for in Article 12 of the International Covenant of Economic, Social and Cultural Rights and in Article 11 of the European Social Charter (ETS No.

35).

Governments do have a responsibility in global equity not to interfere with or prevent other governments from fulfilling their obligations to their citizens.
A failure to halt a pandemic or other public health emergency globally could jeopardise the achievement of the UN Sustainable Development Goals, as warned by our colleague Ms Jennifer De Temmerman (France, ALOE) in her report entitled "Covid-19 vaccines: ethical, legal and practical considerations".4 Against this background, I intend to explore what a holistic, multilateral, rules-based order could look like, with a view to building up the world's resilience and guaranteeing effective access to the right to health worldwide in a "One Health" paradigm-shift.
2.

Emerging challenges to global health and the need for a stronger and more empowered World Health Organization 11.

In this new pandemic era, Covid-19 is seen only as a forerunner of more, and possibly worse, public health emergencies to come.

Threats from infectious diseases represent the primary international health challenge of our times.

New public health emergencies linked to the climate crisis, coupled with dwindling biodiversity, are waiting to unfold.
In fact, WHO has declared the climate crisis the single biggest health threat facing humanity.5 We could also find ourselves up against a man-made public health emergency, should pathogens be able to escape from a lab by accident, or be wielded as a weapon or should there be a nuclear accident or a hit on a nuclear facility during an armed conflict.

12.
12.

The heatwaves we experienced across our region last summer, accompanied by drought, wildfires, and stress on health systems, are stark reminders of the substantial threat climate change poses to human health.
In a joint press conference by the World Meteorological Organization (WMO) and WHO, following the 2022 heatwave in Europe, it was noted that heatwaves coupled with high levels of pollution exacerbate respiratory and cardiovascular diseases and conditions, especially in large urban spaces that are not adapted to cope with high temperatures.6 WHO has been warning for a long time that climate change is severely affecting human health.
Taking measures to reach zero carbon emissions and accelerating the transition to clean renewable sources of energy must thus also be a public health priority and require strong commitment on the multilateral level.

13.

In 2022, WHO provided support to 53 emergencies across the world, including 8 "Grade 3" protracted emergencies requiring a major WHO response.
While the pandemic has been declared over in most of the richer nations, many people living in low- and middle-income countries have not yet received a first dose of a Covid-19 vaccine, let alone any boosters.

This gross inequity means that Covid-19 continues to have a devastating effect on health , social rights, and the economy, in particular in poorer nations.

WHO continues its efforts to increase allocation and uptake of Covid-19 vaccines worldwide.

Access to treatments, such as 4.

Doc.

15212.


5. www.who.inUnews-room/fact-sheets/detail/climate-change-and-health.

6.

Statement by Ms Maria Neira, Director of Environment and Health (WHO), during a joint press conference by WMO and WHO on 19 July 2022.

8 Doc.

15778 Report antiviral medications, medical oxygen, etc.

, is also far from guaranteed in many countries, magnifying their burden of disease, and pushing up mortality and morbidity.
Indeed, surviving the acute phase of Covid-19 is not enough: the disease can spark long-term disability ("long Covid").

We may be witnessing the biggest mass-disabling event in decades.

14.
Other emergency support in 2022 included assisting local health care workers, civil society and government units in the Philippines to tackle misinformation to help prevent the spread of Covid-19; provide emergency medical assistance in Ukraine following the severe disruptions in access to health care caused by the Russian Federation's war of aggression; intensified efforts to support countries with outbreaks of other infectious diseases, including cholera in Lebanon and Ebola in Uganda; supporting Pakistan in the aftermath of the devastating floods, where the risk of disease outbreaks and malnutrition is extremely high, focusing on scaling up health care provision, disease surveillance and outbreak control; responding to the worst food insecurity seen in the Greater Horn of Africa in decades; and continuing to deliver essential health-care and supplies to Yemen.l 15.
The series of large-scale earthquakes that hit Turkiye and Syria in February 2023 are another natural disaster and public health emergency in much need of emergency assistance.

The death toll has surpassed 57 000 and more than 3 million people have been displaced.
WHO is supporting the emergency response in the two countries by: dispatching life-saving medicines and other medical supplies; activating its Emergency Medical Teams Network to provide essential health services and supplies to care for those in need; liaising with disease surveillance and rapid response teams to ensure ongoing surveillance and detection of water borne, infectious and respiratory diseases, as well as preparedness for any outbreak; and supporting the mental health and psychosocial response.8 16.
Emerging challenges to global health are growing and it is likely that new public health emergencies will hit unexpectedly.

We must thus be prepared for the unexpected.

This requires a strong WHO that can fulfil its essential functions and react swiftly to emergency situations.

Lessons from previous public health emergencies must be studied and taken into account when developing national strategies and new global mechanisms.
In Resolution 2114 (2016)"The handling of international public-health emergencies", the Assembly recommended international public health emergencies, ensuring that it has the necessary powers and stable financing "to effectively implement and monitor the International Health Regulations and reinforce its rapid response mechanism".

to make WHO the lead in handling institution 17.

The current system of global health security is not fit for purpose.
It is too fragmented, overly dependent on discretionary bilateral aid, and dangerously underfunded.9 Against this background, we should seize this critical moment to reset the very foundations of health systems: from governance, financing, strengthening access to medicines, vaccines, and health services, building up the health workforce, to strengthening capacities of all countries to prevent and respond to health emergencies.10 3.

Transforming global health governance 3.1.


Empowering the World Health Organization and commitment to supporting a "One Health" approach 18.

At the centre of the new order must be a reinvigorated WHO, which plays the lead role in the surveillance of global health emergencies and in identifying gaps in the national core capacities set out in the International Health Regulations.
However, while WHO is recognised as the leading and co-ordinating authority, global health governance today is more fragmented than it has ever been since the establishment of WHO in 1948 and , in reality, the organisation has little authority to implement its norms.

Instead, health partnerships and agencies such as the World Bank, which are criticised for being dominated by donor countries and corporations, exercise the real authority.

11 7. www.

who.
11 7. www.

who.

inUemergencies/fu nd ing/outbreak-and-crisis-response-appeal!impact -i n-2022.

8. www.who.inUemergencies/situations/Earthquake-TOrkiye-Syria.

9. www.

imf.org/en/Publications/fandd/issues/2021/1 2/M ultilatera lism-Pandemic-Era-Okonjo-lweala-Shanmugaratnam Summers.

1 0. www.

who.

i nUnews-room/feature-stories/detail/responding-to-covid-19-and-bui ldi ng-stronger -health-systems-for universal-health-coverage.

11.
11.

South Centre, Leading and Coordinating Global Health: Strengthening the World Health Organization.

Pages 30-31: www .southcentre.

inUwp-contenUu ploads/2023/02/RP 17 4 _ Leading-and-Coordi nating-Giobai-Health-Strengthening-the World-Health-Organization _ EN.pdf.

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15778 Report 19.


As the South Centre has pointed out, it is therefore important that WHO is "effectively retooled to act as the leading and co-ordinating authority on global health with adequate legal powers, and institutional and financial capacities to do so without undue influence from donor countries and entities that have interest in the private sector.

This would enable the WHO to ensure that the interests of all countries are fairly addressed in its normative and operational activities."
First and foremost.

member States must ensure sustainable financing of WHO in order to make it 20. independent of voluntary contributions to fulfil its essential functions, as called for by the Assembly in Resolution 2329 (2020) "Lessons for the future for an effective and rights-based response to the Covid-19 pandemic".
Out of its current 6 billion USD annual budget, the organisation has been allowed to spend less than 20% on its core mission, which is to support public health in the poorest countries and respond to emergencies around the world.

21.

Responding to calls from many stakeholders, the Executive Board of WHO established a Working Group on Sustainable Financing in January 2021 to seek long-term solutions for the financing of the organisation.
Representatives from the 194 WHO member States participated in discussions on making WHO's funding more predictable and flexible.

22.

The working group convened seven times before reaching consensus on the recommendations to put forward to the World Health Assembly, with the proposal for increased assessed contributions by member States being the most difficult topic of the negotiations, due to reluctance from some States.
The Chair of the Working Group noted that it became clear to them that what they were discussing was "nothing less than the future role of WHO in global health and even beyond, namely the question , what kind of global health architecture we envisage: a less fragmented, better co-ordinated , more efficient and truly inclusive global health governance with a fundamentally strengthened WHO at its centre as the enabled leading and co ordinating authority.

"12 23.
"12 23.

The result was the adoption of a text by the World Health Assembly in May 2022 that will, amongst other things, increase the assessed contributions by member states from 16 % to 50 % by 2029-2031.

While the consensus to increase the assessed contribution is welcomed, it will still not be sufficient.

Experts stress that WHO needs more secure multilateral funding and must be empowered in order to perform its vital roles in preserving the global health in a more sustainable and secure way.
In particular, instead of outsourcing critical public health governance to agencies and health partnerships, the World Health Assembly should consider letting WHO take over the functions, resources, and obligations of such agencies whose purpose and activities lie within the field of competence of the WHO, a possibility under Article 72 of its Constitution.13 24.
Moreover, the World Health Assembly should "ensure the primacy of WHO and oversight of its governing bodies over hosted and external partnerships; ensure full and effective participation of all WHO member States in any such partnerships; and introduce legally binding obligations on non-State actors engaging with WHO to act consistently with the decisions of WHO governing bodies:•14 It must be recognised that the health of humans, domestic and wild animals, plants, and the wider 25. environment (including ecosystems) are closely linked and interdependent.
Thus, we must all commit to supporting a "One Health" approach, including through enhanced collaboration of WHO with relevant international organisations (such as the World Organisation for Animal Health, the Food and Agriculture Organization of the United Nations, the United Nations Environmental Programme) to "support developing countries to enhance capacities, including to establish effective cross-sectoral surveillance, including on antimicrobial resistance" _15 3.2.
Amendments to the International Health Regulations 26.

The International Health Regulations are an instrument of international law that is legally binding on 196 State Parties and provide an overarching legal framework that defines rights and obligations of States in handling public health events and emergencies that have the potential to cross borders.

It is the only 12. www.

who.


inUnews/item/26-05-2022 -report -by-mr-bj-rn-k-mmel--chair -of-the-who-sustainable-financing-working group-to-the-seventy-five-world-health-assembly.

13.

South Centre, Leading and Coordinating Global Health: Strengthening the World Health Organization, pages 30-31 .

14.

15.

South Centre, Can Negotiations at WHO Lead to a Just Framework for the Prevention, Preparedness and Response to Pandemics as Global Public Goods?

page 18.

Ibid.

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15778 Report international legal treaty with the responsibility of empowering WHO to act as the main global surveillance system.

The International Health Regulations were first adopted in 1969, having been preceded by the International Sanitary Regulations adopted in 1951, and were initially focused on six quarantinable diseases.

27.
27.

The International Health Regulations are one of the most important legal instruments to "prevent, protect against, control and provide a public health response to the spread of disease".

They were last revised in 2005, as a response to the 2002-2004 SARS outbreak, and came into force in June 2007.
Some key changes following the revision included requirements for States to notify WHO of any event with the potential to cause a public health emergency of international concern, and to develop core public health capacities.

A public health emergency of international concern is defined as "an extraordinary event which is determined to constitute a public health risk to other States through the international spread of disease and to potentially require a coordinated international response".
According to WHO, this definition implies a situation that is: serious, sudden, unusual or unexpected; carries implications for public health beyond the affected State's national border; and may require immediate international action.

16 28.

The Covid-19 pandemic revealed widespread lack of compl iance with the International Health Regulations by States.
This concerned in particular preparedness, the role and authority of National Focal Points, legal frameworks for the implementation of the International Health Regulations, notification and alert systems, information sharing, and adoption of disproportionate unilateral measures.17 The Independent Panel on Pandemic Preparedness and Response concluded that the International Health Regulations needed urgent updating to ensure that WHO and its member States react more quickly to global health risks.

18 29.
18 29.

Legal and public health experts, as well as member States themselves, have begun looking at ways to strengthen this legal framework.

Some believe it is necessary to adopt additional rules and ensure more textual clarity, while others are of the opinion that the inadequate implementation by States and WHO was at the core of the problem.
Inequality in resource, capacity, and power between high-income countries and low and middle-income countries has so far been one of the root causes of the inability to come to an agreement concerning the revision of the International Health Regulations.

30.

The Working Group on Amendments to the International Health Regulations convened for the second time from 20 to 24 February 2023, to consider 307 amendments proposed by member States.
The negotiations highlight the divide between the interests and priorities of high-income countries and those of low- and middle-income countries.
Whereas proposals for amendments from developing countries focus on facilitating equity in health and emergency preparedness and response, the European Union has previously said no to expanding the scope of equity-related measures to "health emergencies" and insisted on limiting it to "pandemics" only.19 Such a narrow application could have profound consequences during public health emergencies such as Ebola or Zika virus outbreaks.

31.
31.

Legal and public health experts largely concur with the proposals set out by developing countries, including the necessity to ensure equitable access to health products, technologies and know-how; health systems strengthening, and an access and benefit sharing mechanism for genetic material.
With regard to intellectual property licensing, transfer of technology, and know-how, a proposal by Eswatani on behalf of the African region suggests that once a public health emergency of international concern has been declared, there should be "exemptions and limitations to the exclusive rights of intellectual property holders" to "facilitate the manufacture, export and import of the required health products, including their materials and components".

20 32.
In an editorial by The Lancet, it is argued that effective International Hea lth Regulations "must be built on the base of equity, where rights and responsibilities are well co-ordinated, benefits and burdens are fairly distributed, national and global interests are carefully balanced, and short-term assistance and long-term capacity-building are provided with the intention of benefiting local populations in LMICs [Low and Low Middle Income Countries]".21 I fully agree with this, as well as the notion that developing countries should be further empowered in a transparent and inclusive legislative process, so that their concerns and practical barriers in 16. https :1/www.
who .inUnews-room/questions-and-answers/item/emergencies-internationa !-health-regulations-and emergency-committees.

17.

Geneva Graduate Institute, Global Health Centre.

18. https://healthpolicy-watch.news/97225-2/.

19. https://twn.

my/title2/health.info/2022/hi220507 .htm.

20. https://healthpolicy-watch.news/amendments-to-international-health-regulations-focus-on-accountability-compliance and-equity/.

21. https://www.

thelancet.com/journals/langlo/article/PIIS2214-1 09X(22)00254-6/fulltext.
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15778 Report controlling global health threats can be resolved in a fair manner.

This would be in the best interest of all States, rich or poor, because as we learned throughout the pandemic, our global health is only as strong as our weakest link.

3.3.

Negotiations to draft a convention, agreement, or other international instrument to strengthen pandemic prevention, preparedness, and response 33.
In December 2021, during a special session of the World Health Assembly, WHO member States decided to establish an Intergovernmental Negotiating Body (INB) to draft and negotiate a convention, agreement, or other international instrument to strengthen pandemic prevention , preparedness, and response.
The special session was the second-ever since WHO's founding in 1948, and as noted by its Director General, the decision by the World Health Assembly was "historic in nature, vital in its mission, and represented a once-in-a-generation opportunity to strengthen the global health architecture to protect and promote the well-being of all people".22 The INB is expected to deliver a progress report to the 76th World Health Assembly in 2023, with the aim of adopting the instrument by 2024.

34.
34.

At its second meeting in July 2022, the INB decided that the instrument will be legally binding and will be negotiated with a view to adoption under Article 19 of the WHO Constitution.

This article provides the World Health Assembly with the authority to adopt conventions or agreements on any matter within WHO's competence, with a requirement of a two-thirds majority of votes.
The pandemic treaty would be the second ever convention to be adopted under Article 19, following the Framework Convention on Tobacco Control, adopted in 2003.

35.

Any legal regime adopted under Article 19 of the Constitution will formally establish a new secretariat, which may or may not be hosted by WHO.
Unlike the International Health Regulations adopted under Article 21, Article 19 establishes a treaty regime outside the WHO's administration and can thus not provide new powers, rights, or obligations to WHO itself without further contractual arrangements.

In December 2022, at the third meeting of the INB, its Bureau presented a Conceptual Zero Draft, 36. provided as a "flexible, living instrument" with a view to moving it towards a Zero Draft.
The Zero Draft was finally ready in February 2023, for the purpose of forming the basis of negotiations between the 194 WHO member States during the fourth meeting of the INB, from 27 February to 3 March 2023.

The INB further agreed that the zero draft will be without prejudice to the position of any delegation and following the principle that "nothing is agreed until everything is agreed".

37.
37.

The Zero Draft includes a preamble and a vision grounded in equity, followed by eight chapters, with 38 articles in total.

It sets out as part of its objectives to "prevent pandemics, save lives, reduce disease burden and protect livelihoods, through strengthening , proactively, the world's capacities for preventing, preparing for and responding to, and recovery of health systems from , pandemics."
The operational text focuses inter alia on equity, the right to health, good governance principles on pandemic prevention, preparedness, and response, sharing of technology and know-how, non-discrimination, transparency, and accountability, as well as financing and institutional arrangements.

It does so, while at the same time reaffirming the principle of State sovereignty both in the preamble and in the operational text.

38.

There have been mixed reviews about the draft texts of the INB.
Although some comments and concerns regarding the Conceptual Zero Draft were taken into account in the preparation of the Zero Draft, many stakeholders, including prominent human rights organisations, NGOs and developing countries, believe that the Zero Draft is not ambitious enough and are concerned that the human rights dimension was not adequately taken into consideration during the negotiations and is not sufficiently covered in the substance of the latest draft.
On the other hand, according to Health Policy Watch, it is "unlikely that the draft will survive in its current form, given the strong pharmaceutical lobby, particularly in the European Union".23 39.

In a legal analysis on the Conceptual Zero Draft published by the O'Neill Institute for national and global health law of Georgetown University,24 the authors point out that the draft omits three key provisions.
First, they consider that the draft lacks a financial mechanism to support low- and middle-income countries that are often vulnerable to health crises.

The Financial Intermediary Fund for Pandemic Prevention, Preparedness and Response of the World Bank has a scope which is too narrow, and funding levels are far too low.

Second, they point out that the draft neglects mobilisation of resources to support low- and middle-income countries in 22. www.
who.inUnews/item/0 1-12 -2021-world-health-assembly-agrees-to-lau nch-process-to-develop-historic-global accord-on-pandemic-prevention-preparedness-and-response.

23. https://healthpolicy-watch.news/pandemic-treaty-zero-draft-proposes-who-gets-20-of-products/ .

24. https://oneill.law.georgetown.edu/pandemic-treaty-the-conceptual-zero-draft/.

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15778 Report implementing robust, non-discriminatory social protection programmes, such as income, education, employment, and mental health.
Third, they note that the draft largely neglects protection of human rights.

The authors argue that there are no clear provisions safeguarding agai nst civil and political rights violations and call for an incorporation of the guidelines on civil and political rights protections during health emergencies being developed by the International Commission of Jurists and the Global Health Law Consortium.

40.
40.

Another shortcoming of the draft is the definition of State sovereignty, which is at odds with human rights.

The draft fails to mention that States' approach to public health is constrained by human rights.

Their approaches cannot be discriminatory, at odds with science, and they may not pursue public health in a way that violates civil and political rights.
25 Thus, the new instrument should explicitly refer to the relevant obligations of States to protect human rights and fund amental freedoms during public health emergencies.26 UN experts have urged States to ensure that ongoing multilateral negotiations should draw from Article 12 of the International Covenant on Economic, Social and Cultural Rights (rather than the definition of health as contained in WHO's Constitution), and the International Covenant on Civil and Political Rights, in particular its Article 4.
The draft should also take into account longstanding international human rights obligations that are essential to public health crisis preparedness, response and recovery, including social security - which is essential for the enjoyment of the right to health.

41.

So far, these calls have not been adequately taken into account by the INB.
The International Commission of Jurists, Amnesty International, the Globa l Initiative for Economic and Social Rights and Human Rights Watch published a joint public statement in February 2023, calling for a strengthening of human rights elements in the Zero Draft, which they believe still fails to adequately incorporate: participation and accountability; the right to health and the social determinants of health; the right to scientific progress and its proper relationship with intellectual property rights; equality and non-discrimination; human rights in responses to public health emergencies; international assistance and co-operation; health and essential workers; and human rights and the role of corporate actors.27 Moreover, Doctors Without Borders has called for stronger commitments to populations of humanitarian concern and on humanitarian access.
42.

As regard s the drafting process, although the INB has held and will continue to hold open sessions, where stakeholders including the Council of Europe may attend meetings and speak at the co-chairs' discretion, and provide inputs to the INB, I regret that our organisation and other important stakeholders working to promote human rights will not have access to the drafting process itself, which will happen in closed meetings.
This makes it even more important for the Council of Europe member States to ensure that proposals during closed negotiations are guided by the principles of human rights and solidarity, and for the Council of Europe as an org anisation to take an active role in the open meeting s and provide input to the intergovernmental negotiating body with the aim of ensuring its compatibility with Council of Europe human rights standards.
The Civil Society Alliance for Human Rights in the Pandemic Treaty (CSA) is an informal, open group of 43. organisations and individual experts working to mainstream human rights considerations in the negotiations of the new instrument, as well as in related processes in the field of governing pandemic preparedness and response.
A priority objective of the CSA is the democratisation of the process of formulating the new instrument on pandemic prevention, preparedness, and response, by ensuring effective participation of communities and civil society organisations, including those representing and working with marginalised and criminalised groups.

The group has identified "Ten Human Rights Principles for a Pandemic Treaty", understood as a living document, which I urge the INB to consider when negotiating the new instrument.28 4.
Reform of international trade agreements and ensuring equitable access to public goods 44.

On 7 July 2022, the Human Rights Cou ncil adopted, without a vote, a resolution29 calling for global, equitable access to medicines, vaccines, and other medical technologies.

We have a collective responsibility in ensu ring equitable access to healthca re and that scarce resources are fairly distributed during public health emergencies.
That is also why a new pandemic treaty or other instrument must explicitly support the Ibid.

25.

26. https://www.ohchr.org/en/statements/2022/05/negotiations-international-instrument-pandemic-preparedness-must be-guided-human .

27. https://icj2.wpenginepowered.com/wp-contenUuploads/2023/02/Finai-Pandemic-Treaty-Joint-Statement-re-Zero Draft_24Feb2023.pdf.

28.
28.

See https://covid 19advocacy.org/civil-society-alliance/; https:/ /covid 19advocacy .org/wp-contenUuploads/2023/02/CSA-on-Human-Rights-in-the-Pandemic-Treaty-Human Rights-Concerns-in-Zero-draft-of-the-WH O-CA.pdf.

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15778 Report "strengthening of national and regional capacities and capabilities of developing countries for pandemic prevention, preparedness, response and recovery" as called for by the South Centre in a written submission to the INB.30 45.
Whereas WHO is currently undergoing negotiations for major reforms, there has been little discussion about the need to reform international trade agreements and the functioning of WTO.

One of the major failures of the pandemic has been the gross inequity in access to personal protective equipment, vaccines, and medicines, due to intellectual property rights, trade bottlenecks and export restrictions.
Three years have passed since the outbreak of the Covid-19 pandemic, but powerful Sates have still not been able to come to an agreement concerning a patent waiver for lifesaving Covid-19 vaccines and sharing of information technology, which would save lives, shorten the pandemic, and thereby play an important role in re-stabilising the global economy.

In September 2022, I went on a fact-finding visit to Geneva, Switzerland, to attend the WTO Public 46.
Forum, where I heard calls from civil society and human rights NGOs on the urgent need to ensure availability of research and development as global public goods, with greater sharing of data, intellectual property, know how, and increased transparency.

The world must come together to increase supply and equitable access in all regions through sustained investment in research and development, strengthening of local production and pooled procurement.
The COVAX initiative, which won the 2021 Council of Europe North-South Prize, was launched in 2020 47. in order to ensure global equitable allocation of Covid-19 vaccines with the goal of delivering 2 billion doses to low- and middle-income countries by the end of 2021.

Regrettably, it did not manage to deliver even half of the doses it had set as its goal.
COVAX's mission was compromised by hoarding and stockpiling by rich countries, as well as catastrophic Covid outbreaks leading to borders and thus supply chains being closed down.

Moreover, a lack of sharing of licenses, technology and know-how by pharmaceutical companies meant manufacturing capacity went unused.

This lack of global equitable allocation of Covid-19 vaccines has already resulted in a setback of the United Nations Sustainable Development Goals.

48.
48.

Rich countries, including the EU bloc, have been hoarding vaccines and outbidding middle- and low income countries in bilateral agreements with vaccine manufacturers, undermining the principle of equity - critical to saving lives and our global economy.
Out of the 13.37 billion vaccine doses that have been administered globally, less than one third of people in low-income countries have received a first dose, let alone any boosters.31 The access to vaccination in middle- and lower-income countries has increased only in recent months after several high-income countries had declared the pandemic to be over and donated left over doses.
The ongoing multilateral efforts to ensure prevention, preparedness and timely response to public 49. health emergencies must also take into account the role of the private sector, in particular pharmaceutical companies, in providing access to essential services and medicines during such crisis, as well as having in place proper human rights obligations for businesses.
In the report entitled "Public health and the interests of the pharmaceutical industry: how to guarantee the primacy of public health interests?

"32 my former colleague Ms Liliane Maury Pasquier (Switzerland, SOC) pointed out that measures should be taken with a view to gearing the system to public health needs, including by adopting stricter marketing authorisation policies and by ensuring full transparency regarding the real costs of research and development.
Moreover, States must define clear mechanisms to avoid conflicts of interest in the involvement of the private sector that receives public funds.

50.
Several resolutions by the World Health Assembly have called on member States of WHO to make full use of the flexibilities under the TRIPS Agreement; requested the WHO Secretariat to monitor and analyse the pharmaceutical and public health implications of trade agreements; explore options under trade agreements to improve access to medicines; and provide guidance and technical support to member States in their efforts in this regard.33 The Assembly echoed these calls in Resolution 2361 (2021) "Covid-19 vaccines: ethical, legal and practical considerations" and Resolution 2424 (2022) "Beating Covid-19 with public health measures".
So far, the multilateral response to concerns around intellectual property rights and equitable 29.

HRC Resolution A/HRC/50/L.13/Rev.1 on "Access to medicines, vaccines and other health products in the context of the right of everyone to the enjoyment of the highest attainable standard of physical and mental health".

30.

South Centre Comments on the Draft Annotated Outline of a WHO Convention, Agreement or Other International Instrument on Pandemic Prevention, Preparedness and Response, 24 June 2022.
31 .

https://ourworldindata.org/covid-vaccinations.

32.

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13869.

33.

South Centre, Leading and Coordinating Global Health: Strengthening the World Health Organization pages 30-31.

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15778 Reporl access to public goods in the context of Covid-19 has been to encourage governments and the private sector to undertake voluntary licensing of technologies through use of patent pooling mechanisms.
But we cannot rely on solidarity and the goodwill of patent right holders and rich countries to ensure access to lifesaving vaccines and medicines.

51.

Already at the beginning of the pandemic, South Africa, and India, along with other developing countries, called for a TRIPS waiver for all Covid-19 related products.

It took over 20 months of negotiations just to come to an agreement on a watered-down version of the original proposal to the WTO TRIPS Council.
As developing countries and human rights organisations have proposed to extend intellectual property waivers to include therapeutics and diagnostics, the European Union, the United States, and other rich countries once again delayed the much-needed decision in December 2022, arguing that they needed more evidence that intellectual property rules have slowed global access to Covid-19 treatments and tests, despite strong opposition from lead scientists, WHO and human rights organisations.34 52.
The first waves of the pandemic also saw severe disruptions in medical supply chains.

We need clear global rules to keep supply chains open during pandemics or other public health emergencies.

As has been pointed out by our colleague, Ms Jennifer De Temmerman, in her report "Securing safe medical supply chains",35 we must build up global supply capacities.
We should invest in a long-term and sustainable multilateral effort, preferably through WHO, for the development, manufacturing, stockpiling and distribution of vaccines and other essential materials- a system that is kept in use during normal times and which can pivot swiftly to provide a timely and necessary response to public health emergencies.
Moreover, States must identify vulnerabilities in medical supply chains, strengthen manufacturing capacities and competence to produce in accordance with standards of Good Manufacturing Practice, and ensure regulatory oversight (from site inspection to regulatory evaluation and approval as well as independent oversight of the approved quality batch to batch).

5.
5.

Building resilient national health systems in Council of Europe member States and beyond In the report under urgent procedure entitled "Beating Covid-19 with public health measures" ,36 our 53. colleague Mr Stefan Schennach (Austria, SOC), said that member States must urgently allocate the necessary funding in order to build up stronger and more robust health systems.
This includes combatting not just the pandemic and its devastating effects on the global economy, but also pre-existing fault-lines and inequities, including in access to health care, which the pandemic has exposed.

It also necessitates an acceptance and embracing the "One Health" approach, as called for in several reports of the Assembly.

54.
54.

The pandemic has laid bare the inequities in our health systems, including in mental health, and lack of sufficient funding, resulting , inter alia, in overworked and underpaid health-care staff and insufficient hospital beds.

In the WHO Europe region, staff shortages were the overriding problem for hard-pressed health services.

In our member States, there are big differences in the number of intensive care beds relative to population.
At the beginning of the pandemic, Germany had 28.2 hospital beds per 100 000 inhabitants and Austria had 21.8, while the European average was only 14.1 _37 55.

We must build up strong and robust healthcare services at national levels.

Pre-pandemic, the world was taking positive steps with regard to Universal Health Coverage in order to deliver health for all by 2030.
The pandemic fundamentally disrupted our health systems, societies and economies and has thus eroded the development gains over the past 25 years.38 The first waves of the pandemic should have been a wake-up call for governments and the international community that the inequities in our health systems and lack of sufficient funding must be urgently addressed.
It is critical that member States develop national prioritisation strategies to ensure equitable allocation 56. of goods, such as vaccines, medicines, and protective equipment, in situations of scarce resources.

Public health authorities must implement timely measures to curb the effects of public health emergencies.

As the 34. https :1/www.

oxfamfrance.

org/wp-content!u p loads/202 1/1 0/ A-Dose-of -Reality-Briefing-Note-EM BAR GOED-00.

0 1- THURSDA Y -21 -0CTOBER.pdf.

35.

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36.

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37. www .ft.com/content/43ba23b5-7 dc3-435d-9d6a-20 1 dbc038451.

38. www.who.int/news-room/feature-stories/detail/responding-to-covid-19-and-building-stronger-health-systems-for universal-health-coverage.

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15778 Report situation evolves, there is a need continuously to review the public health measures put in place in our member States with parliamentary oversight so as to ensure that they are always relevant, proportional, and effective, in a way which is human rights compliant.

57.

The world must come together and increase solidarity and secure financing to strengthen country core capacities for preparedness and for managing response to health emergencies.
The International Monetary Fund has estimated that this will require developing economies to spend an additional 1% of GOP, at least over the next five years.39 As the Covid-19 pandemic has demonstrated, our collective global health is only as strong as our weakest link, which is why it is essential to complement the additional spending at national levels with enhanced external grants support for investments in lower-income countries.
Rather than treating it as "aid for other nations", it must be treated as a strategic investment in global public goods that benefits us all.40 58.

Regrettably, many countries seeking financial assistance from the International Monetary Fund have been given such assistance on the condition that they undertake structural adjustment programmes, involving drastic cuts in public health budgets, which affect the most vulnerable.
International financial institutions, including the World Bank and the Council of Europe Development Bank, as well as multilateral trade and development institutions such as the WTO and the European Bank for Reconstruction and Development should collaborate, under the lead of WHO, with other important institutions promoting global health, human rights and sustainable development at national, regional and international level, in order to support a global trade and investment system that is driven by principles of solidarity and the protection of human rights as well as support lower-income countries and regions to invest in public goods needed to address threats from new public health emergencies.
59.

Public investment in research and development should be enhanced and results of publicly financed research must be shared.

The strengthening of National Focal Points is critical to the implementation of the International Health Regulations, as they conduct the communications aspects of the International Health Regulations, both within countries and internationally.
As the designated points of contact between WHO and States Parties, it is essential that National Focal Points are provided with the necessary authority, capacity, training, and resources to effectively carry out the functions required of them by the International Health Regulations.

6.

Concluding words 60.


I believe the goal we want to achieve is shared by all: effective access to the right to health for all, by preventing public health emergencies in the first place, and reacting to them in a fast, effective, just and human-rights compliant way when they happen despite our best precautions.

The challenge we must face is how to best design a multilateral system which can deliver this goal and be agreed by all.

61 .
61 .

At the centre of the new order must be a reinvigorated and empowered WHO, acting as the leading governing authority for global health, both de facto and de jure.

Member States must ensure sustainable financing of WHO and ensure that it has the necessary powers to effectively implement and monitor the International Health Regulations and reinforce its rapid response mechanism to public health emergencies.
Council of Europe member States should actively participate in the World Health Assembly with a view to ensuring good governance of WHO, as well as promoting and monitoring reform efforts, and ensuring transparency.

62.
62.

Inclusive decision making and full and equal participation of developing countries is needed in the negotiating processes of the International Health Regulations and the International Negotiation Body to draft and negotiate a convention, agreement, or other international instrument to strengthen pandemic prevention, preparedness, and response.
Negotiations must not neglect the voice of important stakeholders, such as parliaments, and should ensure transparent and meaningfully consultative processes that involve civil society, NGOs, and human rights organisations, and take their proposals duly into account to strengthen the texts.

39. https://www.imf.org/en/Publications/fandd/issues/2021/12/Multilateralism-Pandemic-Era-Okonjo-lweala Shanmugaratnam-Summers.

40.

Ibid.

16 63.
Governments must learn the lessons from previous public health emergencies and mainstream equity and human rights in the revision of the International Health Regulations and in the drafting process of a convention, agreement, or other international instrument to strengthen pandemic prevention , preparedness and response, and ensure in particular that the latter instrument is in line with the "1 0 Human Rights Principles for a Pandemic Treaty" by the Civil Society Alliance for Human Rights in the Pandemic Treaty.
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15778 Report 17 t Parliamentary Assembly Assemblee parlementaire :...:>....,---~~ ~~///./.// ~ 4iiD'Dl1 l!

!• -1R-11mt:mll ___________ ____ _ _ CONSE IL DE L:EUROPE Doc.

15778- Compendium of written amendments 20/06/2023 (Final version) Public health emergency: the need for a holistic approach to multilateralism and health care Contents Page A.
Draft Resolution .......................................................................................................................................... 2 Doc.

15778 (Draft Resolution) A.

Draft Resolution 1.

2.

3.

4.

5.

Long before the outbreak of Covid-19, scientists and public health experts had warned that threats from infectious diseases would represent one of the primary international health challenges of our times.
Unfortunately, the Covid-19 pandemic hit a largely-unprepared world and revealed widespread the International Health Regulations by States.

This has resulted in millions of deaths, a high disease burden, and severe disruption of the lives of billions of people across all regions of the world, as well as a major setback to the United Nations Sustainable Development Goals.
lack of compliance with It is believed that the world has entered a new pandemic era, where Covid-19 is seen only as a forerunner of more - and possibly worse - public health emergencies to come.

New public health emergencies linked to the climate crisis, coupled with dwindling biodiversity, are waiting to unfold, and will likely hit the world unexpectedly.
It is thus urgent that States learn the lessons from previous health emergencies by strengthening the global health architecture and developing necessary strategies at national levels, in order to react swiftly to emerging global health risks.
Amendment 13 Tabled by Mr Oleksii GONCHARENKO, Ms Yevheniia KRAVCHUK, Mr Oleksandr MEREZHKO, Mr Bob van PAREREN, Ms Lesia VASYLENKO, Mr Markus WIECHEL, Mr Dmytro NATALUKHA, Mr Emanuelis ZINGERIS In the draft resolution, paragraph 2, second "coupled with the words sentence, after dwindling biodiversity," add the following words: "and the consequences of the armed conflicts," the World The Parliamentary Assembly considers that a holistic multilateral effort is needed, bringing together the World Health Organization Trade (WHO), Organization (WTO}, and others in a multi-stakeholder dialogue to revisit the rules governing the health-care industry in the provision of essential medicines, vaccines, and health-care services at national and international including a diversification of medical supply levels, sources.
These rules should ensure that both the public and the private sectors in health care anchor their operations in human rights, notably the right to health, and and access guarantee vaccinations of appropriate quality for all as public goods.
treatments equitable to to level reform international The Assembly welcomes the processes taking place at transform global health to the governance, including to ensure sustainable financing of International Health the 2005 WHO, Regulations, and to draft a legally binding instrument on response.
pandemic preparedness, prevention, and reform of Moreover, international trade agreements to correct and to prevent inequities in accessing public goods critical to preventing and controlling public health emergencies, contributing towards a safe, clean, healthy, and sustainable environment.
the Assembly supports the The Assembly strongly believes that the processes taking place to transform global health governance must build on the principle of equity and should explicitly refer to the relevant obligations of States to protect human rights and fundamental freedoms during public health emergencies.

In this regard, the Assembly supports calls from United Nations experts that the new instrument on pandemic 2 (Draft Resolution) Doc.
15778 the new the preparedness should draw on Article 12 of International Covenant on Economic, Social and Cultural Rights, and on Article 4 of the International Covenant on Civil and Political Rights.
It must be recognised that the right to health is indivisible from all other rights , and as impose clear instrument must also such obligations on States to protect the full range of human rights, especially economic, social, and environmental rights, such as the right to housing, to social protection, to adequate nutrition, and to a safe, clean, healthy, and sustainable environment, which are essential to the enjoyment of the right to health.

6.

7.
8. the that it has not participation Assembly welcomes The of parliamentarians in the drafting process of this instrument but regrets included genuine and meaningful participation by marginalised groups, civil society and non-governmental organisations working to promote public health and human rights, and urges WHO member States to reconsider this process, so as to enable transparent and accessible opportunities for all relevant stakeholders to contribute to the development of this crucia l new instrument.
Public health authorities must implement timely and appropriate measures to curb the effects of public health emergencies, now and in the future.
Member States are invited to draw inspiration from the toolkit issued by the Secretary General of the Council of Europe, on respecting human rights, democracy and the ru le of law during the Covid-19 crisis, as well as the relevant resol utions and recommendations adopted by Assembly, in particular Resolution 2329 (2020) "Lessons for the future from an effective and rights-based response to the Covid-19 pandemic", Resolution 2337 (2020) "Democracies facing the Covid-19 pandemic" and Resolution 2424 (2022) "Beating Covid-19 with public health measures".
The Assembly regrets that the current system of global health security is not fit for purpose.

It is too fragmented, overly dependent on discretionary bilateral aid, and dangerously underfunded .
The Assembly thus believes this critical moment provides an opportunity to combat not just emerging threats, the Covid-19 pandemic, and the devastating effects it has had on the global economy, but also pre-existing fault-lines and inequities, including in access to health care, which have been brought to light by the pandemic.
It urges governments to embrace the "One Health" approach, which embraces interactions between animals, humans and the environment, and which contributes to health and protects against disease.

the 9.
the 9.

The Assembly thus calls on governments in Council of Europe member States and worldwide, to: 9.1. with respect to ongoing processes at WHO: 9.1 .1. commit to ensuring sustainable financing of WHO and make it independent of voluntary contributions so it can fulfil its essential functions; 9.1.2. actively participate in the World Health Assembly with a view to ensuring good governance of the WHO; 3 Doc.
15778 (Draft Resolution) 9.1.3. ensure inclusive decision making and full and equal participation of developing countries in the negotiating processes of the International Health Regulations and the International Negotiation Body to draft and negotiate a convention, agreement or other international instrument to strengthen pandemic prevention, preparedness and response; 9.1.4.
9.1 .5. through a is developed ensure that the aforementioned new legal instrument to strengthen pandemic prevention, preparedness and transparent and response meaningfully consultative process, involving, and taking the proposals of, civil society, non into account rights and governmental for an active organisations, parliamentarians transparency and the effectiveness of the much needed consultative processes; organisations define and to oversee human role in the rights rev1s1on of mainstream human the the drafting International Health Regulations and process of a convention , agreement or other international instrument prevention, preparedness and response, and ensure in particular that such instrument is in line with the "1 0 Human Rights Principles for a Pandemic Treaty" by the Civil Society Alliance for Human Rights in the Pandemic Treaty; strengthen pandemic to in 4 Amendment 1 Tabled by Mr Stefan SCHENNACH, Mr Frank SCHWABE, Ms Petra BAYR, Mr Jean-Pierre GRIN, Mr Simon MOUTQUIN, Ms Carmen LEYTE, Ms Ada MARRA In the draft resolution, paragraphs 9.
1.3 and 10, replace the words "International Negotiation Body" with the following words: "Intergovernmental Negotiating Body".

Amendment2 Tabled by Mr Stefan SCHENNACH, Mr Frank SCHWABE, Ms Petra BAYR, Mr Jean-Pierre GRIN, Mr Simon MOUTQUIN, Ms Carmen LEYTE, Ms Ada MARRA (If rejected or withdrawn, Amendments 14 and 15 fall) In the draft resolution, paragraph 9.

1.
1.

3, replace the words "to draft and negotiate a convention, agreement, or other international instrument to strengthen pandemic prevention, preparedness and response" with the following words: "to draft and negotiate a convention, agreement, or other international instrument on pandemic prevention, preparedness and response (WHO CA+)".
Amendment 14 Tabled by Mr Stefan SCHENNACH, Mr Frank SCHWABE, Ms Petra BAYR, Mr Jean-Pierre GRIN, Mr Simon MOUTQUIN, Ms Carmen LEYTE, Ms Ada MARRA (Falls if Amendment 2 is rejected or withdrawn) In the draft resolution, paragraph 9.1.4, replace the words "new legal instrument to strengthen pandemic and response" with the following words: preparedness prevention, "WHOCA+" Amendment 3 Tabled by Mr Stefan SCHENNACH, Mr Frank SCHWABE, Ms Petra BAYR, Mr Jean-Pierre GRIN, Mr Simon MOUTQUIN, Ms Carmen LEYTE, Ms Ada MARRA In the draft resolution, replace paragraph 9.1.5 with the following paragraph: in human the to rights potential "mainstream amendments International Health Regulations and in the drafting process of WHO CA+, and ensure that such instruments are in line with the Principles and Guidelines on Human Rights and Public Health Emergencies (PHE Principles).
• in particular 9.1.6. recognise that human rights are indivisible and impose clear obligations on States to protect human rights during the Siracusa public health emergencies in line with Principles, and environmental rights, such as the right to housing, social protection, adequate nutrition and a safe, clean, healthy and sustainable environment, which are essential to the enjoyment of the right to health; economic particular social, in (Draft Resolution) Doc.
15778 Amendment4 Tabled by Mr Stefan SCHENNACH, Mr Frank SCHWABE, Ms Petra BAYR, Mr Jean-Pierre GRIN, Mr Simon MOUTQUIN, Ms Carmen LEYTE, Ms Ada MARRA In the draft resolution, replace paragraph 9.

1.
6 with the following paragraph: "recognise that human rights are indivisible and impose clear obligations to protect human rights in the prevention of, during, and in the aftermath of public health emergencies, in line with the PHE Principles, paying particular attention to social, economic and environmental rights, such to housing, social protection, as adequate nutrition, and a safe, clean, healthy and sustainable environment, which are essential to the enjoyment of the right to health;" right the 9.1.7. impose clear obligations on States to regulate and protect against abuses by non-state actors and companies within their jurisdiction; 9.1.8. include a clause to prohibit undermining of other nations' access to public goods, such as stockpiling of scarce resources and entering into bilateral agreements by outbidding poorer nations; 9.1.9.
9.1 .1 0. commit to supporting a "One Health" approach, which embraces the interactions between animals, humans and the environment, and which contributes to health and protects against disease, including through enhanced collaboration of the WHO with other relevant international organisations; timely access facilitate to scientific knowledge and information to all stakeholders, including an open data sharing system for epidemiological, genomic, clinical and anthropological evidence, from academia to the front line, as recommended in Resolution 2114 (2016) 'The handling of international public-health emergencies"; 5 Amendment 5 Tabled by Mr Stefan SCHENNACH, Mr Frank SCHWABE, Ms Petra BAYR, Mr Jean-Pierre GRIN, Mr Simon MOUTQUIN, Ms Carmen LEYTE, Ms Ada MARRA In the draft resolution, replace paragraph 9.1.
7 with the following paragraph: "impose clear obligations on States to regulate, monitor and protect against abuses by non-state actors and companies operating within their jurisdiction and transnationally;" Amendment 6 Tabled by Mr Stefan SCHENNACH, Mr Frank SCHWABE, Ms Petra BAYR, Mr Jean-Pierre GRIN, Mr Simon MOUTQUIN, Ms Carmen LEYTE, Ms Ada MARRA In the draft resolution, replace paragraph 9.

1.
1.

8 with the following paragraph: ''prohibit the undermining of other nations' access to health goods, facilities, services and technologies, including through stockpiling of scarce resources and entering into bilateral agreements by outbidding other nations;" Amendment 7 Tabled by Mr Stefan SCHENNACH, Mr Frank SCHWABE, Ms Petra BAYR, Mr Jean-Pierre Doc.
15778 (Draft Resolution) 9.2. with respect to the WTO and international trade: GRIN, Mr Simon MOUTQUIN, Ms Carmen LEYTE, Ms Ada MARRA In the draft resolution, paragraph 9.

1.

10, after the words "open data-sharing", add the following words: "and benefit-sharing".
9.2.1. the Doha Declaration interpret the context of international legal obligations to ensure access to public goods, including medicines, diagnostics, treatments and technologies, and recognise the need to limit intellectual property rights in public health emergencies; in 9.2.2. make full use of the Trade-related Aspects of Intellectual Property Rights (TRIPS) flexibilities whenever possible to ensure equitable access to public goods; 9.2.3. commit to keeping supply chains open during public health emergencies; 9.2.4. trade initiate a process of reform of agreements, with the aim of correcting and preventing inequities in accessing health technologies critical to preventing and controlling public health emergencies; international Amendment 8 Tabled by Mr Stefan SCHENNACH, Mr Frank SCHWABE, Ms Petra BAYR, Mr Jean-Pierre GRIN, Mr Simon MOUTQUIN, Ms Carmen LEYTE, Ms Ada MARRA In the draft resolution, replace paragraph 9.2.4 with the following paragraph: "initiate a process of reform of international trade agreements, with the aim of correcting and preventing inequities in accessing health goods, facilities, services and technologies critical to preventing, preparing for, responding to, and recovering from public health emergencies;" 9.3.
9.3.1.
9.3.2. with respect to building stronger and more resilient health systems and responding to public health emergencies at national levels: invest in primary health care and scale up the health workforce, ensuring decent pay and working conditions; develop human-rights compliant strategies to prevent and including early handle major public-health hazards, detection, accurate data collection, availability of diagnostic and treatment tools, and real-time continuous monitoring in accordance with international recommendations; improve results to 9.3.3. provide universal health coverage to everyone within their territory, regardless of legal status, nationality, ethnicity, religion, gender, sexual orientation or socio-economic background; Amendment 9 Tabled by Mr Stefan SCHENNACH, Mr Frank SCHWABE, Ms Petra BAYR, Mr Jean-Pierre 6 (Draft Resolution) Doc.
15778 GRIN, Mr Simon MOUTQUIN, Ms Carmen LEYTE, Ms Ada MARRA In the draft resolution, paragraph 9.3.3, replace the words "or socio-economic background" with the following words: "disability, including mental disability, health status, socioeconomic background, or any other relevant status;" to develop national prioritisation strategies to ensure equitable allocation of goods, such as vaccines, medicines and protective equipment, in situations of scarce resources.
In doing so, member States should be guided by Article 3 of the Convention for the protection of Human Rights and Dignity of the Human Being with the Application of Biology and Medicine: regard Convention on Human Rights and Biomedicine (ETS No.
164, Oviedo Convention), and are invited to consult Recommendation CM/Rec(2023)1 of the Committee of Ministers of the Council of Europe on "Equitable access to medicinal products and medical equipment in a situation of shortage", Resolution 2361 (2021) "Covid-19 vaccines: ethical, the statement adopted by the Committee on Bioethics (DH BIO) entitled "Covid-19 and vaccines: ensuring equitable access to vaccination during the current and future pandemics"; legal and practical considerations" and identify vulnerabilities in medical supply chains and for strengthening and diversifying develop strategies the taking supply recommendations set out in Resolution 2474 (2022) "Securing safe medical supply chains"; consideration sources, into enhance public investment in research and development and share results of publicly financed research between countries; identify vulnerabilities in medical supply chains and strengthen manufacturing capacities and competence to in accordance with standards of Good produce Manufacturing Practice; develop and maintain strong, efficient, transparent and sustainable regulatory systems for the evaluation and lifecycle, and their throughout control of medicines promote reliance on to recognised global expertise harmonise and streamline the different steps of the process - from regulatory evaluation and approval, to batch acceptance; 9.3.4.
9.3.5.

9.3.6.

9.3.7.

9.3.8.
9.3.9. promote community engagement and mobilisation as essential elements of any action plan to deal with public health emergencies; 9.3.10. build up health literacy amongst all population groups and work with trusted non-governmental organisations and/or local initiatives to reach out to marginalised groups; 9.3.11. regulate activities of non-state actors and companies within their jurisdiction, in line with the United Nations Guiding Principles on Business and Human Rights and Recommendation CM/Rec(2016)3 of the Committee of Amendment 10 Tabled by Mr Stefan SCHENNACH, Mr Frank SCHWABE, Ms Petra BAYR, Mr Jean-Pierre 7 Doc.
15778 (Draft Resolution) Ministers of the Council of Europe (2016) on "Business and human rights"; GRIN, Mr Simon MOUTQUIN, Ms Carmen LEYTE, Ms Ada MARRA In the draft resolution, at the end of paragraph 9.3.11, add the following words: "and Principle 5 of the PHE Principles on human rights duties of States relating to non-state actors".
9.3.12. in the event of a public health emergency, carefully design and implement public health measures that would mitigate transmission, and ensure they are compatible with human rights, in Resolution 2424 (2022) "Beating Covid-19 with public health measures"; recommendations into account taking the 9.3.13. continuously review public health measures put in place to relevant, they are human-rights compliant, ensure proportionate, and effective at all times, and enable parliamentary and judicial oversight; Amendment 11 Tabled by Mr Stefan SCHENNACH, Mr Frank SCHWABE, Ms Petra BAYR, Mr Jean-Pierre GRIN, Mr Simon MOUTQUIN, Ms Carmen LEYTE, Ms Ada MARRA In the draft resolution, paragraph 9.3.13, after following the word words: ''proportionate", add the "evidence-based".
9.3.14. recognise the need to reach zero carbon emissions and to accelerate the transition to clean renewable sources of energy as a public health priority and take measures at national and multilateral levels to reach these goals.

10.

The Assembly recalls the critical role parliaments play in moving the global public health agenda forward by legislation, approving budgets, mobilising enacting resources, and providing democratic oversight.
It calls on national parliaments to continue to play a key role in transforming global health governance, including through parliamentary representation at multi-stakeholder events leading up to the United Nations High Level Meeting in September 2023 and open meetings of the International Negotiating Body to draft and negotiate a new legal instrument on pandemic preparedness, prevention, and response.
Amendment 12 Tabled by Mr Stefan SCHENNACH, Mr Frank SCHWABE, Ms Petra BAYR, Mr Jean-Pierre GRIN, Mr Simon MOUTQUIN, Ms Carmen LEYTE, Ms Ada MARRA In the draft resolution, paragraph 10, second sentence, after the words "United Nations High Level Meeting': add the following words: "on Pandemic Prevention, Preparedness and Response".
Amendment 15 Tabled by Mr Stefan SCHENNACH, Mr Frank SCHWABE, Ms Petra BAYR, Mr Jean-Pierre GRIN, Mr Simon MOUTQUIN, Ms Carmen LEYTE, Ms Ada MARRA (Falls if Amendment 2 is rejected or withdrawn) In the draft resolution, paragraph 10, second "a new legal sentence, instrument preparedness, prevention, and response" with the following words: the words pandemic replace on "WHOCA+" 11.
The Covid-19 pandemic exposed gross inequities in access to essential public goods, including medicines, 8 (Draft Resolution) Doc.

15778 vaccines, and personal protective equipment.

It revealed that the global health is only as strong as its weakest link.
The Assembly thus calls on all stakeholders, in particular the European Union and the United States of America, to support the proposals by developing countries to ensure equitable access to health products, technologies and know-how, the strengthening of health systems and an access and benefit sharing mechanism for genetic material.

9 Speakers list SITTING NO.
16- TUESDAY AFTERNOON 20 JUNE 2023 DEBATE • Public health emergency: the need for a holistic approach to multilateralism and health care Speakers on behalf of group EC/OA UEL soc EPP/CO ALOE Mr Erkin GADIRLI Mr Andrej HUNKO Ms Luz MARTINEZ SEIJO Ms Andrea EDER-GITSCHTHALER Mr Jean-Pierre GRIN Speakers list ALOE 2 soc 3 EPP/CD 4 EC/DA 5 NR 6 soc 7 ALOE 8 EC/DA 9 soc 10 soc 11 EC/OA 12 13 soc 14 EC/OA 15 16 UEL 17 18 EC/DA 19 UEL 20 21 EC/DA 22 EC/DA 23 UEL 24 Ms Lisa Marie Ness KLUNGLAND Mr Pedro CEGONHO Ms Zdravka BUSIC Ms Konul NURULLAYEVA Mr Mehmet Mehdi EKER Ms Heike ENGELHARDT Ms Fiona O'LOUGHLIN Ms M6nika BARTOS Ms Kate OSAMOR Ms Petra BAYR Mr Norbert KLEINWACHTER Mr Don DAVIES Ms Naomi CACHIA Mr Pav lo BAKUNETS Ms Aleida ALAVEZ RUIZ Mr Andreas Sjalg UNNELAND Mr Allal AMRAOUI Ms Parvin KARIMZADA Ms Anne STAMBACH-TERRENOIR Mr Brian FRANCIS Mr Harald WEYEL Mr Sorin-Titus MUNCACIU Mr Anton GOMEZ-REINO Ms Rocio Esmeralda REZA GALLEGOS Azerbaijan Germany Spain Austria Switzerland Norway Portugal Croatia Azerbaijan Ti.irkiye Germany Ireland Hungary United Kingdom Austria Germany Canada Malta Ukraine Mexico Norway Morocco Azerbaijan France Canada Germany Romania Spain Mexico Public Health Emergency: the need for a holistic approach to multilateralism and health care The COVID pandemic was a time of great struggles, change, and loss.
The challenges we faced, individually and collectively, exceeded anything most of us would have ever expected to face in these modern times.

And while today we are back in our fully fledged ' normality', we would be naive, to say the least, not to recognise that this unique and gruelling period of recent history has provided us with an abundance of lessons to be learnt.

And we would be even more naive not to learn from them.

And the time to implement these lessons in our global health policy is now.
We are already facing another significant challenge in the form of medicine shortages, and another global threat of antimicrobial resistance.

Pandemics and diseases do not discriminate - they have no boundaries - and neither should there be any boundaries to access decent health care services and medicine for our people, depending on the country or continent they live in.
And I will use the example of Malta as a small island state which during COVID truly had to overcome logistical obstacles, amongst the other social and economic challenges, and did so rather successfully.

And I am extremely grateful and proud of the leadership of my country for being so proactive despite these challenges, having also had our health minister, Chris Fearne, recently appointed president of the world health assembly.
But having access to essential health care services - especially during a public health emergency - should not be a matter of strategic or competing interests.

We have a moral and legal duty to act, and secure the right to health, indiscriminately, and we must act at the right time.

And in order for each and every country to do so effectively, we need to work together and not against each other.
I'm glad to note that this resolution recognises this, and is encouraging us as parliamentarians to take a leading role in encouraging these key institutions - WHO and WTO - to engage in mulitlateral dialogue.

I believe something that has become evident in how we prevent and react to public health emergencies, is that we must pay more attention to our mental health services, as an integral part of ensuring a robust and equitable healthcare service at national level.
Mental health is part of the definition of health in the WHO Constitution, and the International Covenant on Economic, Social and Cultural Rights also recognises the right of everyone to the enjoyment of the highest attainable standard of physical and mental health- and i believe this has become more important following the evident mental hardships brought about by the COVID pandemic.
Finally, I echo the calls made in this resolution, especially to continue investing in the very heart and soul of our health services - our health care workers.

Obviously - thank you to the rapporteur, selin, thank you for your amazing work and service to the parliamentary assembly throughout the years, it did not go unnoticed.

Naomi CACHIA t Parliamentary Assembly Assemblee parlementaire ~~ ~ d'~t.rn· ~-~~~ .

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CONSE IL DE t:EUROPE Provisional edition Tuesday 20 June 2023, afternoon Official report of debates Debate: Public health emergency: the need for a holistic approach to multilateralism and health care Ms Naomi CACHIA (Malta, SOC): Thank you, Mister Chair.

The Covid-19 pandemic was a time of great struggles, change, and loss.
The challenges we faced, individually and collectively, exceeded anything most of us would have ever expected to face in these modern times.

And while today we are back in our fully fledged 'normality', we would be naive, to say the least, not to recognise that this unique and gruelling period of recent history has provided us with an abundance of lessons to be learnt.

And we would be even more naive not to learn from them.

And the time to implement these lessons in our global health policy is now.
We are already facing another significant challenge in the form of medicine shortages, and also the global threat of antimicrobial resistance.

Pandemics and diseases do not discriminate - they have no boundaries - and so neither should there be any boundaries to access to decent health services and medicine for our people.

There should not be any boundaries that differ according to the country or continent one lives in.
And I will use the example of my country, Malta, as a small island state, which during Covid-19 truly had to overcome significant logistical obstacles, amongst other social and economic challenges, and did so rather successfully against all odds, one might say.
And I am extremely grateful for the leadership of my country for being so proactive despite these challenges, saving so many lives along the way, having also had our health minister, Chris Fearne, recently appointed president of the World Health Assembly.

But having access to essential healthcare services- especially during a public health emergency- should not be a matter of strategic or competing interests.
We have a moral and legal duty to act and secu re the right to health , indiscriminately, and we must act at the right time.

And in order for each and every country to do so effectively, we need to work together and not against each other.
I am glad to note that this resolution recognises this, and the importance of us as parliamentarians to take a leading role in encouraging these key institutions - WHO and WTO - in engaging in multilateral dialogue and to keep working towards coherence between matters of health and of trade.
I believe something that has become evident in how we prevent and react to public health emergencies, is that we must pay more attention to our mental health services, as an integral part of ensuring a robust and equitable healthcare service at national level.

Mental health is after all, part of the definition of health in the In this report: 1.

Speeches in English, French, German and Ita lian are reported in full in English.

2.
2.

Speeches in other languages are summarised from the interpretation and indicated by an asterisk (*).

3.

Speeches in German and Italian are available in full on the Assembly's website.

4.

The text of the amendments is available at the document centre and on the Assembly's website.

Only oral amendments or oral sub-amendments are reproduced in the report of debates.

5. Corrections should be handed in at Room 1081 not later than 24 hours after the report has been published .
F -67075 ~ Cedex ~.int I Tel: +33388412000 .coe.int WHO Constitution, and the International Covenant on Economic, Social and Cultural Rights also recognises the right of everyone to the enjoyment of the highest attainable standard of physical and mental health -and I believe this has become more important following the evident mental hardships brought about by the Covid-19 pandemic.
Finally, I echo the calls made in this resolution, especially to continue investing in the very heart and soul of our health services - our healthcare workers.

Humanity cannot afford a scarcity of healthcare workers, not now, not ever.

Obviously - Parliamentary Assembly throughout the years, it has not gone unnoticed.

thank you to the rapporteur, Ms Selin SAYEK BOKE, thank you for your hard work in the Thank you very much .
2 t Parliamentary Assembly Assemblee parlementaire -~ ~~//,//./ ~ ~i'J'ml'lll'lil•ffi· rml:mi _____________________ CONSEIL DE t:EUROPE SECRETARIAT AS/Mon (2023) CB 05 23 June 2023 To the members of the Committee on the Honouring of Obligations and Commitments by Member States of the Council of Europe (Monitoring Committee) Synopsis of the meeting held in Strasbourg on 20, 21 and 22 June 2023 The Committee on the Honouring of Obligations and Commitments by Member States of the Council of Europe (Monitoring Committee), meeting in Strasbourg on 20, 21 and 22 June 2023 in camera, with Mr Piero Fassino (Italy, SOC) in the Chair: • on Tuesday, 20 June 2023 at 10.30 am , as regards: The honouring of membership obligations to the Council of Europe by Poland (Co-rapporteurs: Ms Azadeh Rojhan, Sweden, SOC and Mr Pieter Omtzigt, Netherlands, EPPICD): agreed to request to the European Commission for Democracy through Law (Venice Commission) an urgent opinion on the Law on the State Commission to investigate Russian influence on the internal security of the Republic of Poland between 2007 and 2022 as well as on the amendments to this law proposed by President Duda as adopted by the Sejm on 16 June 2023; The honouring of obligations and commitments by the Republic of Moldova (Co-rapporteurs: Mr Pierre-Aiain Fridez, Switzerland, SOC and Ms Zanda Kalnit;~a-Lukasevica, Latvia, EPPICD ): after hearing her declaration of absence of conflict of interest, appointed Ms Zanda Kalnir;~a- Lukasevica , Latvia , EPP/CD) as co-rapporteur; • on Tuesday, 20 June 2023 at 11.00 am , as regards: Joint hearing with the Committee on Culture, Science, Education and Media on SLAPPs as a threat to media pluralism and measures implemented to counteract them (public meeting): held a joint hearing with the participation of Mr Pier Luigi Parcu, Director, Centre for Media Pluralism and Media Freedom, European University Institute, Florence, Italy, Ms Giulia Lucchese, Media and Internet Governance Division, Information Society Department, Directorate
 General of Human Rights and Rule of Law, Council of Europe, and Mr Stefan Schennach, rapporteur of the Committee on Culture, Science, Education and Media on "Countering SLAPPs: an imperative for a democratic society"; • on Wednesday, 21 June 2023 at 10.30 am, as regards: Joint hearing with the Committee on Political Affairs and Democracy on the financing of political parties (public meeting): held a joint hearing with the participation of Ms Julia Cage, Associate Professor of Economics, Sciences Po Paris (online), Mr Nicos Alivizatos (Greece), member of the European Commission for Democracy through Law (Venice Commission) and Ms Sophie Meudai Leenders, Senior Legal Adviser, Secretariat of the Group of States against Corruption (GRECO), Council of Europe; • on Thursday, 22 June 2023 at 8.30 am, as regard s: The honouring of obligations and commitments by Georgia (Co-rapporteurs: Mr Claude Kern, France, ALOE and Ms Edite Estrela, Portugal, SOC): agreed to request to the European Commission for Democracy through Law (Venice Commission) an opinion on amendments to the organic Law on Common courts as adopted by the Georgian Parliament on 13 June 2023; AS/Mon (2023) CB 05 Post-monitoring dialogue with Montenegro (Co-rapporteurs: Mr Damien Cottier, Switzerland, ALOE and Mr Nicos Tornaritis, Cyprus, EPPICD): held an exchange of views on recent developments following the parliamentary elections (11 June 2023) with Mr Reinhold Lopatka (Austria, EPP/CD), Chairperson of the ad hoc Committee of the Bureau; The honouring of obligations and commitments by Azerbaijan (Co-rapporteurs: Mr fan Liddell Grainger, United Kingdom, ECIDA and Ms Lise Christoffersen, Norway, SOC): heard an oral report by Ms Lise Christoffersen on the fact-finding visit to Azerbaijan (4-6 June 2023); Post-monitoring dialogue with Bulgaria (Co-rapporteurs: Ms Th6rhildur Sunna JEvarsd6ttir, Iceland, SOC and Ms Marfa Valentina Martfnez Ferro, Spain, EPPICD) : heard a statement by the delegation of Bulgaria; 4th
 Council of Europe Heads of State and Government Summit (Reykjavik- 16-17 May 2023): postponed the item until a next meeting; World Forum for Democracy on "Democracy= peace?"
(Strasbourg , 6-8 November 2023): postponed the item until the next meeting ; Post-monitoring dialogue with North Macedonia (Co-rapporteurs: Ms Sibel Arslan, Switzerland, SOC and ..

.
): postponed until the next meeting the appointment of a co-rapporteur to replace Ms Ria Oomen-Ruijten (Netherlands, EPP/CD); Authorisation of fact-finding visits: authorised the co-rapporteurs for Bulgaria, the Republic of Moldova and TOrkiye to conduct a fact-finding visit to the countries under their respective responsibilities, subject to the availability of financial resources; Next meetings: confirmed its next meetings as follows: o Paris, 13 September 2023 (Council of Europe office); o Strasbourg, during the fourth part-session 2023 of the Assembly (9-13 October); o Rome, 4-5 December 2023 (tbc) o Strasbourg, 22-26 January 2024 [during the Assembly part-session] o Strasbourg, 22-26 April 2024 [during the Assembly part-session] o Strasbourg, 24-28 June 2024 [during the Assembly part-session] o Strasbourg, 30 September-4 October 2024 [during the Assembly part-session] .
Agnieszka Nachilo, Bas Klein, Agn ieszka Szklanna, Matthieu Monin Copy: Secretary General of the Assembly Directors and all staff of the Secretariat of the Assembly Secretaries of National Delegations and of Political Groups of the Assembly Secretaries of observer and partner for democracy delegations Secretary General of the Congress Secretary to the Committee of Ministers Directors General Director of the Private Office of the Secretary General of the Council of Europe Director of the Office of the Commissioner for Human Rights Director of Communication Permanent Representations to the Council of Europe 2 Vote on Urgent Debate - Doc.
15779 Assembly's voting results Third part of the 2023 Ordinary Session (19-23 June 2023) 73 in favor, 15 against, 6 abstentions All participants in the vote Voting choice Mem ber Cou ntry Politic al group In favour In favour Mr Lulzim BASHA Ms Etilda GJONAJ In favour Ms Bernadeta COMA In f avour Mr Cerni ESCALE In f avour In favour In favour In favour Ms Sana GHAZARYAN Ms Hripsime GRIGORYAN Ms Arusyak JULHAKYAN Mr Ruben RUBINYAN In favour Ms Petra BAYR In f avour Ms Doris BURES In f avour Ms Andrea EDER-GIT SCHTHALER In favour Mr Martin GRAF In favou r In favou r Aga inst Against Against Agains t Aga inst Ms Agnes Sirkka PRAMMER Mr Stefan SCHENNACH Ms Nigar ARPAOARAI Mr Rafael HUSEYNOV Ms Parvin KARIMZAOA Ms Konul NURULLAYEVA Mr Samad SEYIOOV In favour Ms Karin BROUWERS Albania Albania Andorra Andorra Armenia Armenia Armenia Armenia Austria Austria Austria Austria Austria Austria Azerbaijan Azerbaijan Azerbaijan Azerbaijan Azerbaijan Belgium EPP/CO soc ALOE soc ALOE soc EPP/CO EPP/CO soc soc EPP/CO EC/DA soc soc EC/OA ALOE EC/DA EC/OA EC/OA EPP/CD In favour Ms Darijana FILIPOVIC Bosnia and Herzegovina EPP/CO In favour A gainst In favour In favour Mr Sa sa MAGAZINOVIC Bosnia and Herzegovina Ms Snjezana NOVAKOVIC BURSAC Bosnia and Herzegovina Ms Marijana BALIC Mr Oomagoj HAJDUKOVIC Croatia Croatia soc NR EPP/CO soc Voting choice Member In favour In favour In favour In favour In favour In favour In favour In favour In favour In favour In favour In favour Mr Davor Iva STIER Ms Christiana EROTOKRITOU Mr George LOUCAIDES Ms Camilla FABRICIUS Mr A lexander RYLE Mr S0ren S0NDERGAARD Mr Bertrand BOUYX Ms Mireille CLAPOT Ms Marie-Christine DALLOZ Ms Nicole DURANTON Mr Bernard FOURNIER Mr Thibaut FRAN<;;OIS In favour Mr Jacques LE NAY In favour Mr Didier MARIE Abstention Ms Eka SEPASHVILI In favour Mr Knut ABRAHAM Against Ms Heike ENGELHARDT Abstention Mr Christoph HOFFMANN In favour Mr MaxLUCKS In favour In favour In favour In favour In favour In favour In favour In favour In favour In favour Ms Catarina dos SANTOS-WINTZ
 Mr Frank SCHWABE Mr George KATROUGALOS Ms Th6rhildur Sunna .LEVARSDOTTIR Mr Bjarni JONSSON Mr Joseph O'REILLY Ms leva BRANTE Mr Normunds DZINTARS Mr Hubert BOCHEL Ms Franziska HOOP Abstention Mr Arminas LYDEKA In favour Ms Ausrine NORKIENE In favour Mr Lukas SAVICKAS In favour In favour Mr Joseph Beppe FENECH ADAMI Ms Beatrice FRESKO-ROLFO Country Croatia Cyprus Cyprus Denmark Denmark Denmark France France France France France France France France Georgia Germany Germany Germany Germany Germany Germany Greece Iceland Iceland Ireland Latvia Latvia Liechtenstein Liechtenstein Lithuania Lithuania Lithuania Malta Monaco In favour Ms Margreet De BOER Netherlands Political group .... EPP/CD soc UEL soc ALOE UEL ALO E ALOE EPP/CD ALOE EPP/CD EC/DA ALOE soc EC/DA EPP/CD soc ALOE soc EPP/CD soc UEL soc ALOE EPP/CD NR EC/DA ALOE ALOE ALOE soc soc EPP/CD ALOE soc Voting choice Member Country Political group In favour In favour In favour In favour Ms Lise CHRISTOFFERSEN Ms Linda Hofstad HELLELAND Ms lngjerd SCHOU Mr Andreas Sjalg UNNELAND Abstention Mr Morten WOLD Against Against Against In favour in favour Ms lwona ARENT Mr Kazimierz MATUSZNY Mr Arkadiusz MULARCZYK Mr Aleksander POCIEJ Mr Jacek PROTASIEWICZ In favour Mr Pedro CEGONHO In favour In favour In favour Against In favour In favour In favour Mr Paulo PISCO Mr lulian BULAI MrTitus CORLATEAN Mr Sorin-Titus MUNCACIU Ms Daniela OTE$ANU Ms Marica MONTEMAGGI Mr Marco NICOLINI In favour Ms Elvira KOVACS In favour In favour In favour In favour In favour Mr Dean PREMIK Ms Tamara VONTA Mr Gustaf GOTHBERG Ms Azadeh ROJHAN Mr Damien COTTIER In favour MsAda MARRA Against Against Against Against Mr Kamil AYDIN Mr Yunus EMRE Mr Ahmet YILDIZ Ms Zeynep YILDIZ Abstention Ms Larysa BILOZIR Abstention Mr Yuriy KAMELCHUK In favour In favour In favour Ms Hannah BARDELL Lord George FOULKES Lord Simon RUSSELL Norway Norway Norway Norway Norway Poland Poland Poland Poland Poland Portugal Portugal Romania Romania Romania Romania San Marino
 San Marino Serbia Slovenia Slovenia Sweden Sweden Switzerland Switzerland Turkiye Turkiye Turkiye Turkiye Ukraine Ukraine United Kingdom United Kingdom United Kingdom soc EPP/CD EPP/CD UEL EC/DA EC/DA EC/DA EC/DA EPP/CD EPP/CD soc soc ALOE soc EC/DA soc soc UEL EPP/CD ALOE ALOE EPP/CD soc ALOE soc NR soc NR NR ALOE EPP/CD NR soc EC/DA Vote on Amendment 1 - Doc.
15783 Assembly's voting results Addressing the specific challenges faced by the Belarusians in exile 87 in favor, 0 against, 4 abstentions All participants in the vote Voting c hoice Member Country Political group In favour In favour In favour In favour In favour In fav o ur In favour In fav our In favour In favo ur In favour In favour In favour In favour In favour In favour In favour In favour In favour In favour In favou r Ms Etilda GJONAJ Ms Blerina GJYLAMETI Ms Bernadeta COMA Mr Cerni ESCALE Ms Petra BAYR Ms Doris BURES Ms Andrea EDER-GITSCHTHALER Mr Franz Leonhard ESSL Ms Agnes Sirkka PRAM MER Mr Erkin GADIRLI Ms Karin BROUWERS Mr Christophe LACROIX Ms Marijana BALIC Mr Mogens JENSEN Mr Alexander RYLE Mr S0ren S0NDERGAARD Mr Aleksei JEVGRAFOV Ms Mireille CLAPOT Ms Marie-Christine DALLOZ Ms Nicole DURANTON Mr Emmanuel FERNANDES Abstention Mr Thiba ut FRAN~O I S In favour In favour In favour Mr Joel GIRAUD Mr Jacques LE NAY Mr Andre VALLINI Albania Albania Andorra Andorra Austria Austria Austria Austria Austria Azerbaijan Belgium Belgium Croatia Denmark Denmark Denmark Estonia France France France France France France France France soc soc ALOE soc soc soc EPP/CD EPP/CD soc EC/DA EPP/CD soc EPP/CD soc ALOE UEL ALOE ALOE EPP/CD ALOE UEL EC/DA A LOE A LOE soc Voting choice Member Country Political group In favour Ms Heike ENGELHARDT Abstention Mr Norbert KLEINWACHTER In favour In favour Mr Axel SCHAFER Mr Frank SCHWABE Abstention Mr Harald WEYEL Germany Germany Germany Germany Germany Hungary Iceland Iceland Ireland Ireland Italy Italy Italy Italy Italy Italy Italy Italy Latvia Latvia Latvia Liechtenstein Liechtenstein Lithuania Lithuania Lithuania Lithuania soc EC/DA soc soc EC/DA soc soc ALOE UEL EPP/CD ALOE soc soc EC/DA EC/DA soc EC/DA EC/DA NR EC/DA EPP/CD ALOE ALOE ALOE soc soc EPP/CD Mr Gergely ARAT6 Ms Th6rhildur Sunna .lEVARSDOTTIR Mr Bjami JONSSON Mr Paul GAVAN Mr Joseph O'REILLY Ms Elena BONETTI Mr Piero FASSINO Ms Aurora FLORID lA Ms Elisabetta GARDIN!
Ms Lucrezia MANTOVANI Mr Andrea ORLANDO Mr Fabio PIETRELLA Mr Marco SCURR lA Ms leva BRANTE Mr Normunds DZINTARS Ms Zanda KALNI~A-LUKASEVICA Mr Hubert BOCHEL Mr Thomas HASLER Mr Arminas LYDEKA Ms Ausrine NORKIENE Mr Lukas SAVICKAS Mr Emanuelis ZINGERIS Mr Gusty GRAAS Luxembourg ALOE Mr Joseph Beppe FENECH ADAM I Mr Thomas BREZZO Ms Margreet De BOER Mr Pieter OMTZIGT Malta Monaco Netherlands EPP/CD EPP/CD soc Netherlands EPP/CD Ms Ria OOMEN-RUIJTEN Netherlands EPP/CD Mr Bob van PAREREN Ms Lise CHRISTOFFERSEN Netherlands Norway EC/DA soc In favour In favour In favour In favour In favour In favour In favour In favour In favour In favour In favour In favour In favour In favour In favour In favour In favour In favour In favour In favour In favour In favour In favour In favour In favour In favour In favour In favour In favour In favour Voting choice Member Country Political group Ms Lise SELNES Mr Andreas Sjalg UNNELAND Ms lwona ARENT Mr Marek BOROWSKI Mr Kazimierz MATUSZNY Ms Miroslawa NYKIEL Mr Aleksander POCIEJ Mr Jacek PROTASIEWICZ Ms Katarzyna SOJKA Mr Pedro CEGONHO Mr Botond CSOMA Ms Daniela OTE$ANU Norway Norway Poland Poland Poland Poland Poland Poland Poland Portugal Romania Romania Ms Marica MONTEMAGGI San Marino Abstention Ms Tamara VONTA Ms Jelena MILOSEVIC Mr Dean PREMIK Ms Laura CASTEL Mr Gustaf GOT H BERG Mr Kristoffer LINDBERG Ms Azadeh ROJHAN Mr Pierre-Aiain FRIDEZ Mr Jean-Pierre GRIN Mr Yunus EMRE Mr Pavlo BAKU NETS Ms Yevheniia KRAVCHUK Mr Andrii LOPUSHANSKYI Mr Oleksandr MEREZHKO Mr Serhii SOBOLIEV Serbia Slovenia Slovenia Spain Sweden Sweden Sweden Switzerland Switzerland Tiirkiye Ukraine Ukraine Ukraine Ukraine Ukraine In favour In favour In favour In favour In favou r In favour In favour In favour In favour in favou r In favou r In favour In favour In favour In favour In favour In favour In favour In favour In favour In favour In favour In favour In favour In favour In favour In favour In favour In favour In favour Mr Jeremy CORBYN United Kingdom Mr John HOWELL Ms Ruth JONES United Kingdom EC/DA United Kingdom soc soc UEL EC/OA EPP/CD EC/DA EPP/CD EPP/CD EPP/CD EC/OA soc EPP/CD soc soc soc ALOE ALOE UEL EPP/CO soc soc soc ALOE soc EC/OA ALOE ALO E EC/OA EPP/CD soc Vote on Amendment 2 - Doc.
15783 Addressing the specific challenges faced by the Belarusians in exile Assembly's voting results + Adopted unanimously Votes on texts and amendments B Votes on texts and amendments Addressing the specific challenges faced by the Belarusians in exile: ~.
P9f: .1~?§2 • 20/06/2023 -Amendment 1 ................ ......................... ~- • 20/06/2023 -Amendment 3 • 20/06/2023 -Amendment 4 • 20/06/2023 -Amendment 5 .............. ............................... • 20/06/2023 -Amendment 6 • 20/06/2023 -Oral Sub-amendment 1 ............... · ·- -- ~-.. .

-·-············ ····- • 20/06/2023 -Oral Sub-amendment 2 • 20/06/2023 - Resolution Vote on Amendment 3 - Doc.
15783 Addressing the specific challenges faced by the Belarusians in exile Assembly's voting results - Against Votes on texts and amendments B Votes on texts and amendments Addressing the specific challenges faced by the Belarusians in exile: ~.1?9C·.1.???}.

• 20/06/2023 -Amendment 1 • 20/06/2023 -Amendment 2 • 20/06/2023 - Amendment 4 ....................... ................... -.
• 20/06/2023 -Amendment 5 ····-······" ''" '' '""'' ''' ' ' ' '' '''-· • 20/06/2023 -Amendment 6 .................... , _ ,,, .. • 20/06/2023 - Oral Sub-amendment 1 ...................................... ............................... -.... • 20/06/2023 - Oral Sub-amendment 2 ............................. -.... • 20/06/2023 - Resolution Vote on Amendment 4 - Doc.
15783 Addressing the specific challenges faced by the Belarusians in exile Assembly's voting results - Against Votes on 1exts >md amendments Votes on texts and amendments Addressing the specific challenges faced by the Belarusians in exile: Gl .. P9~· .1.!5.

?.~~ • 20/06/2023 -Amendment 1 ····- ··············""'''"'"""''' .. '' • 20/06/2023 -Amendment 2 ........................... , ... _, ....... ... .
• 20/06/2023 -Amendment 3 • 20/06/2023 -Amendment 5 ·····-············-.. --------........... ,, _, • 20/06/2023 -Amendment 6 · ........ .

-·--·-····· ········-··-·-·· • 20/06/2023 - Oral Sub-amendment 1 • 20/06/2023 - Oral Sub-amendment 2 ... .

.................. ,, .

____ __ , .. , ................. , .. ______ , _____ _ • 20/06/2023 - Resolution ........................... ,,, ___ _ Vote on Amendment 5 - Doc.
15783 Assembly's voting results Addressing the specific challenges faced by the Belarusians in exile 82 in favor, 0 against, 4 abstentions All participants in the vote Voting choice Member Country Political group In favour In favour In favour In favour In favour In favour In favour In favour In favou r In favour In favou r In favour In favour In favour In favour In favour In favour In favour In favour In favour In favour In favour In favour In favour In favour Ms Etilda GJONAJ Ms Blerina GJYLAMETI Ms Bernadeta COMA Mr Cerni ESCALE Ms Petra BAYR Ms Doris BURES Ms Andrea EDER-GITSCHTHALER Mr Franz Leonhard ESSL Ms Agnes Sirkka PRAM MER Albania Albania Andorra Andorra Austria Austria Austria Austria Austria Mr Erkin GADIRLI Azerbaijan Ms Karin BROUWERS Mr Christophe LACROIX Mr Mogens JENSEN Mr Alexander RYLE Mr S~ren S0NDERGAARD Mr Aleksei JEVGRAFOV Ms Mireille CLAPOT Ms Marie-Christine DALLOZ Ms Nicole DURANTON Mr Emmanuel FERNANDES Mr Thibaut FRANCOIS Mr Joel GIRAUD Mr Jacques LE NAY Mr Andre VALLINI Belgium Belgium Denmark Denmark Denmark Estonia France France France France France France France France Ms Heike ENGELHARDT Germany soc soc ALOE soc soc soc EPP/CD EPP/CD soc EC/DA EPP/CD soc soc ALOE UEL ALOE ALOE EPP/CD ALOE UEL EC/DA ALOE ALOE soc soc Voting choice Member Country Political group Germany Germany Germany Germany Hungary Iceland Iceland Ireland Italy Italy Italy Italy Italy Italy Italy Italy Latvia Latvia Liechtenstein Liechtenstein Lithuania Lithuania Lithuania Lithuania EC/DA soc soc EC/DA soc soc ALOE UEL ALOE soc soc EC/DA EC/DA soc EC/DA EC/DA NR EC/DA ALOE ALOE ALOE soc soc EPP/CD Luxembourg ALOE Luxembourg EPP/CD Malta Monaco Netherlands EPP/C D EPP/CD soc Abstention Mr Norbert KLEINWACHTER In favour In favour Mr Axel SCHAFER Mr Frank SCHWABE Abstention Mr Harald WEYEL In favour In favour In favour In favour In favour In favour In favour In favour In favour In favour In favour In favour In favour In favour In favour Mr Gergely ARATO Ms Th6rhildur Sunna JEVARSDOTTIR Mr Bjarni JONSSON Mr Paul
 GAVAN Ms Elena BONETTI Mr Piero FASSINO Ms Aurora FLORID lA Ms Elisabetta GARDIN I Ms Lucrezia MANTOVANI Mr Andrea ORLANDO Mr Fabio PIETRELLA Mr Marco SCURRIA Ms leva BRANTE Mr Normunds DZINTARS Mr Hubert BOCHEL Abstention Mr Thomas HASLER Mr Arminas L YDEKA Ms Ausrine NORKIENE Mr Lukas SAVICKAS Mr Emanuelis ZINGERIS Mr Gusty GRAAS Ms Octavie MODERT Mr Joseph Beppe FENECH ADAMI Mr Thomas BREZZO Ms Margreet De BOER In favour In favour In favour In favour In favour In favour In favour In favour In favour In favour In favour In favour In favour In favour In favour Mr Pieter OMTZIGT Netherlands EPP/CD Ms Ria OOMEN-RUIJTEN Netherlands EPP/CD Mr Bob van PAREREN Netherlands EC/DA Ms Lise CHRISTOFFERSEN Ms Lise SELNES Mr Andreas Sjalg UNNELAND Norway Norway Norway soc soc UEL Voting choice Member Country Political group In f avour In favour In favou r In favour In favour In favour In favour In favour In favour In favour In favour In favour In favour In favour In favour In favou r In favour In favour In f avour Ms lwona ARENT Mr Marek BOROWSKI Ms Kamila GASIUK-PIHOWICZ Mr Kazimierz MATUSZNY Ms Miroslawa NYKIEL Mr Aleksander POCIEJ Mr Jacek PROTASIEWICZ Ms Katarzyna SOJKA Mr Pedro CEGONHO Ms Daniela OTE$ANU Ms Jelena MILOSEVIC Mr Dean PREMIK Ms Tamara VONTA Ms Laura CASTEL Mr Gustaf GOTH BERG Mr Kristoffer LINDBERG Ms Azadeh ROJ HAN Mr Pierre-Aiain FRIDEZ Mr Jean-Pierre GRIN Poland Poland Poland Poland Poland Poland Poland Poland Portugal Romania Serbia Slovenia Slovenia Spain Sweden Sweden Sweden Switzerland Switzerland EC/DA EPP/CD EPP/CD EC/DA EPP/CD EPP/CD EPP/CD EC/DA soc soc soc ALOE ALOE UEL EPP/CD soc soc soc ALOE Abstention Ms Marianne MARET Switzerland EPP/CD In favour In favour In favour In favour In favour In favour Mr Yunus EMRE Mr Andrii LOPUSHANSKYI Mr Oleksandr MEREZHKO Mr Serhii SOBOLIEV Mr Jeremy CORBYN Ms Ruth JONES Turkiye Ukraine Ukraine Ukraine United Kingdom United Kingdom soc ALOE EC/DA EPP/CD soc soc Vote on Amendment 6 - Doc.
15783 Addressing the specific challenges faced by the Belarusians in exile Assembly's voting results - Against Votes on texts and amendments Votes on texts and amendments Addressing the specific challenges faced by the Belarusians in exile: ~ ... 9()9., .

)§!§~ • 20/06/2023 -Amendment 1 • 20/06/2023 - Ar:n.~Dc:I'Il!i!ll_t ?

• 20/0612023 -Amendment 3 • 20/06/2023 - Afl1E!I1.c:I.'Il.E!r1t4:.
• 20/0612023 -Amendment 5 • 20/0612023 - Oral Sub-amendment 1 • 20/0612023 - Oral Sub-amendment 2 • 20/0612023 - Resolution ............................ -... Vote on Oral Sub-amendment 1 - Doc.
15783 Assembly's voting results Addressing the specific challenges faced by the Belarusians in exile 84 in favor, 1 against, 4 abstentions All participants in the vote Voting choice Member Country Political group Ms Etilda GJONAJ Ms Blerina GJYLAMETI Mr Cerni ESCALE Ms Petra BAYR Ms Doris BURES Ms Andrea EDER-GITSCHTHALER Mr Franz Leonhard ESSL Ms Agnes Sirkka PRAMMER Albania Albania Andorra Austria Austria Austria Austria Austria Mr Erkin GADIRLI Azerbaijan In favour In favour In favour In favour In favour In favour In favour In favour In favour In favour In favour In favour In favour In favour In favour In favour In favour In favour In favour In favour In favour In favour In favour In favour Ms Karin BROUWERS Mr Christophe LACROIX Ms Marijana BALIC Mr Mogens JENSEN Mr Alexander RYLE Mr S0ren S0NDERGAARD Mr Aleksei JEVGRAFOV Ms Mireille CLAPOT Ms Marie-Christine DALLOZ Ms Nicole DURANTON Mr Emmanuel FERNANDES Mr Joel GIRAUD Mr Jacques LE NAY Mr Andre VALLINI Abstention Mr Thibaut FRAN<;:OIS Belgium Belgium Croatia Denmark Denmark Denmark Estonia France France France France France France France France Ms Heike ENGELHARDT Germany soc soc soc soc soc EPP/CD EPP/CD soc EC/DA EPP/CD soc EPP/CD soc ALOE UEL ALOE ALOE EPP/CD ALOE UEL EC/DA ALOE ALOE soc soc Voting choice Member Abstention Mr Norbert KLEINWACHTER Mr Axel SCHAFER Mr Frank SCHWABE Mr Gergely ARAT6 Ms Th6rhildur Sunna JEVARS06TTIR Mr Bjami J6NSSON Mr Paul GAVAN Mr Joseph O'REILLY Ms Elena BONETTI Mr Piero FASSINO Ms Aurora FLORIO lA Ms Elisabetta GARDIN!
Ms Lucrezia MANTOVANI Mr Andrea ORLANDO Mr Fabio PIETRELLA Mr Marco SCURRIA Ms leva BRANTE Mr Normunds DZINTARS Ms Zanda KALNlf;A-LUKASEVICA Mr Hubert BOCHEL Mr Thomas HASLER MrArminas LYDEKA Ms Ausrine NORKIENE Mr Lukas SAVICKAS Mr Emanuelis ZINGERIS Country Germany Germany Germany Hungary Iceland Iceland Ireland Ireland Italy Italy Italy Italy Italy Italy Italy Italy Latvia Latvia Latvia Liechtenstein Liechtenstein Lithuania Lithuania Lithuania Lithuania Political group EC/DA soc soc soc soc ALOE UEL EPP/CO ALOE soc soc EC/DA EC/DA soc EC/DA EC/DA NR EC/DA EPP/CO ALOE ALOE ALOE soc soc EPP/CD Mr Gusty GRAAS Luxembourg ALOE Mr Joseph Beppe FENECH ADAMI Mr Thomas BREZZO Ms Margreet De BOER Malta Monaco Netherlands EPP/CO EPP/CO soc Mr Pieter OMTZIGT Netherlands EPP/CD Ms Ria OOMEN-RUIJTEN Netherlands EPP/CD Mr Bob van PARER EN Netherlands EC/DA Ms Lise CHRISTOFFERSEN Ms Lise SELNES Mr Andreas Sjalg UNNELAND Norway Norway Norway soc soc UEL In favour In favour In favour In favour In favour In favour In favour In favour In favour In favour In favour In favour In favour In favour In favour In favour In favour In favour In favour In favour In favour In favour In favour In favour In favour In favour In favour In favour In favour In favour In favour In favour In favour In favour '.
'oting choice Member Country Political group In favour In favour In favour In favour In favour In favour In favour In favour In favour In favour In favour In favour Ms lwona ARENT Mr Marek BOROWSKI Mr Kazimierz MATUSZNY Ms Miroslawa NYKIEL Mr Aleksander POCIEJ Mr Jacek PROTASIEWICZ Mr Pedro CEGONHO Mr Botond CSOMA Mr Sarin-Titus MUNCACIU Ms Daniela OTE$ANU Poland Poland Poland Poland Poland Poland Portugal Romania Romania Roma nia Ms Marica MONTEMAGGI San Marino EC/DA EPP/CD EC/DA EPP/CD EPP/CD EPP/CD soc EPP/CD EC/DA soc soc soc ALOE ALOE UEL EPP/CD soc soc soc ALOE soc EC/DA ALOE ALOE EC/DA EPP/CD soc EC/DA soc Serbia Slovenia Slovenia Spain Sweden Sweden Sweden Switzerland Switzerland Tiirkiye Ukraine Ukraine Ukraine Ukraine Ukraine United Kingdom United Kingdom United Kingdom Ms Jelena MILOSEVIC Abstention Mr Dean PREMIK Abstention Ms Tamara VONTA In favour Against In favour In favour In favour In favour In favour In favour In favour In favour In favour In favour In favour In favour In favour Ms Laura CASTEL Mr Gustaf GOTHBERG Mr Kristoffer LINDBERG Ms Azadeh ROJHAN Mr Pierre-Aiain FRIDEZ Mr Jean-Pierre GRIN Mr Yunus EMRE Mr Pavia BAKUNETS Ms Yevheniia KRAVCHUK Mr Andrii LOPUSHANSKYI Mr Oleksandr MEREZHKO Mr Serhii SOBOLIEV Mr Jeremy CORBYN Mr John HOWELL Ms Ruth JONES I • Vote on Oral Sub-amendment 2 - Doc.
15783 Assembly's voting results Addressing the specific challenges faced by the Belarusians in exile 86 in favor, 0 against, 3 abstentions All participants in the vote Voting c hoice Member Country Political group In favour In favour In favour In favour In favour In favour In favour In favour In favour In favour In favour In favour In favour In favour In favour In favour In favour In favour In favour In favour In favour Ms Etilda GJONAJ Ms Blerina GJYLAMETI Ms Bernadeta COMA Mr Cerni ESCALE Ms Petra BAYR Ms Doris BURES Ms Andrea EDER-GITSCHTHALER Mr Franz Leonhard ESSL Ms Agnes Sirkka PRAMMER Mr Erkin GADIRLI Ms Karin BROUWERS Mr Christophe LACROIX Ms Marijana BALIC Mr Mogens JENSEN Mr Alexander RYLE Mr S0ren S0NDERGAARD Mr Aleksei JEVGRAFOV Ms Mireille CLAPOT Ms Marie-Christine DALLOZ Ms Nicole DURANTON Mr Emmanuel FERNANDES Abstention Mr Thibaut FRAN901S In favour In favour In favour Mr Joel GIRAUD Mr Jacques LE NAY Mr Andre VALLINI Albania Albania Andorra Andorra Austria Austria Austria Austria Austria Azerbaijan Belgium Belgium Croatia Denmark Denmark Denmark Estonia France France France France France France France France soc soc ALOE soc soc soc EPP/CD EPP/CD soc EC/DA EPP/CD soc EPP/CD soc ALOE UEL ALOE ALOE EPP/CD ALOE UEL EC/DA ALOE ALOE soc Voting choice Member Country Political group· " In favour Ms Heike ENGELHARDT Abstention Mr Norbert KLEINWACHTER In favour In favour Mr Axel SCHAFER Mr Frank SCHWABE Abstention Mr Harald WEYEL Germany Germany Germany Germany Germany Hungary Iceland Iceland Ireland Italy Italy Italy Italy Italy Italy Italy Italy Latvia Latvia Liechtenstein Liechtenstein Lithuania Lithuania Lithuania Lithuania soc EC/DA soc soc ECIDA soc soc ALOE UEL ALOE soc soc EC/DA EC/DA soc ECIDA EC/DA NR ECIDA ALOE ALOE ALOE soc soc EPPI CD Mr Gergely ARAT6 Ms Th6rhildur Sunna .LEVARSDOTIIR Mr Bjami JONSSON Mr Paul GAVAN Ms Elena BONETII Mr Piero FASSINO Ms Aurora FLORID lA Ms Elisabetta GARDIN!
Ms Lucrezia MANTOVANI Mr Andrea ORLANDO Mr Fabio PIETRELLA Mr Marco SCURR lA Ms leva BRANTE Mr Normunds DZINTARS Mr Hubert B0CHEL Mr Thomas HASLER Mr Arminas L YDEKA Ms Ausrine NORKIENE Mr Lukas SAVICKAS Mr Emanuelis Z INGERIS Mr Gusty GRAAS Luxembourg ALOE Ms Octavie MODERT Luxembourg EPPICD Mr Joseph Beppe FENECH ADAMI Mr Thomas BREZZO Malta Monaco Ms Margreet De BOER Netherlands EPP/CD EPP/CD soc Mr Pieter OMlZIGT Netherlands EPP/CD Ms Ria OOMEN-RUIJTEN Netherlands EPPICD Mr Bob van PARER EN Netherlands ECIDA Ms Lise CHRISTOFFERSEN Ms Lise SELNES Norway Norway soc soc In favour In favour In favour In favour In favour In favour In favour In favour In favour In favour In favour In favour In favour In favour In favour In favour In favour In favour In favour In favour In favour In favour In favour In favour In favour In favour In favour In favour In favour In favour Country Norway Poland Poland Poland Poland Poland Poland Poland Poland Portugal Romania Romania Serbia Slovenia Slovenia Spain Sweden Sweden Sweden Switzerland Switzerland Political group UEL EC/DA EPP/CD EPP/CD EC/DA EPP/CD EPP/CD EPP/CD EC/DA soc EPP/CD soc soc ALOE ALOE UEL EPP/CD soc soc soc ALOE Voting choice Member Mr Andreas Sjalg UNNELAND Ms lwona ARENT Mr Marek BOROWSKI Ms Kamila GASIUK-PIHOWICZ Mr Kazimierz MATUSZNY Ms Miroslawa NYKIEL Mr Aleksander POCIEJ Mr Jacek PROTASIEWICZ Ms Katarzyna SOJKA Mr Pedro CEGONHO Mr Botond CSOMA Ms Daniela OTE$ANU Ms Jelena MILOSEVIC Mr Dean PREMIK Ms Tamara VONTA Ms Laura CASTEL Mr Gustaf GOTH BERG Mr Kristoffer LINDBERG Ms Azadeh ROJHAN Mr Pierre-Aiain FRIOEZ Mr Jean-Pierre GRIN In favour In favour In favour In favour In favour In favour In favour In favour In favour In favour In favour In favour In favour In favour In favour In favour In favour In favour In favour In favour In favour In favour In favour In favour In favour In favour In favour In favour In favour Ms Marianne MARET Switzerland EPP/CO Mr Yunus EMRE Mr Pavlo BAKUNETS Mr Andrii LOPUSHANSKYI Mr Oleksandr MEREZHKO Mr Serhii SOBOLIEV Mr Jeremy CORBYN Ms Ruth JONES Ti.irkiye Ukraine Ukraine Ukraine Ukraine United Kingdom United Kingdom soc ECIDA ALOE ECIDA EPP/CD soc soc Vote on Resolution - Doc.
15783 Assembly's voting results Addressing the specific challenges faced by the Belarusians in exile 87 in favor, 0 against, 3 abstentions All participants in the vote Voting choice Member Country Political group In favour In favour In favour In favour In favou r In favour In favour In favour In favour In favour In favour In favour In favour In favour In favour In favour In favour In favour In favour In favour Ms Etilda GJONAJ Ms Blerina GJYLAMETI Ms Bernadeta COMA MrCerniESCALE Ms Petra BAYR Ms Doris BURES Ms Andrea EDER-GITSCHTHALER Mr Franz Leonhard ESSL Ms Agnes Sirkka PRAM MER Mr Erkin GADIRLI Ms Karin BROUWERS Mr Christophe LACROIX Mr Mogens JENSEN Mr Alexander RYLE Mr Se~ ren S0NDERGAARD Mr Aleksei JEVGRAFOV Ms Mireille CLAPOT Ms Marie-Christine DALLOZ Ms Nicole DURANTON Mr Emmanuel FERNANDES Abstention Mr Thibaut FRAN<;:OIS In favour In favour In favour In favour Mr Joel GIRAUD Mr Andre VALLINI Ms Ketevan TURAZASHVILI Ms Heike ENGELHARDT Albania Albania Andorra Andorra Austria Austria Austria Austria Austria Azerbaijan Belgium Belgium Denmark Denmark Denmark Estonia France France France France France France France Georgia Germany soc soc ALOE soc soc soc EPP/CD EPP/CD soc EC/DA EPP/CD soc soc ALOE UEL ALOE ALOE EPP/CD ALOE UEL EC/DA ALOE soc NR soc Voting choice Member Count ry Political g ro up Abstention Mr Norbert KLEINWACHTER In favour In favour Mr Axel SCHAFER Mr Frank SCHWABE Abstention Mr Harald WEYEL ~ I Germany Germany Germany Germany Hungary Iceland Iceland Ireland Italy Italy Italy Italy Italy Italy Italy Italy Latvia Latvia Liechtenstein Liechtenstein Lithuania Lithuania Lithuania Lithuania EC/DA soc soc EC/DA soc soc ALOE UEL ALOE soc soc EC/DA EC/DA soc EC/DA EC/DA NR EC/DA ALOE ALOE ALOE soc soc EPP/CD Mr Gergely ARATO Ms Th6rhildur Sunna ~ARSD6TTI R Mr Bjami JONSSON Mr Paul GAVAN Ms Elena BONETTI Mr Piero FASSINO Ms Aurora FLORID lA Ms Elisabetta GARDINI Ms Lucrezia MANTOVANI Mr Andrea ORLANDO Mr Fabio PIETRELLA Mr Marco SCURR lA Ms leva BRANTE Mr Normunds DZINTARS Mr Hubert BOCHEL Mr
 Thomas HASLER Mr Arminas LYDEKA Ms Ausrine NORKIENE Mr Lukas SAVICKAS Mr Emanuelis ZINGERIS Mr Gusty GRAAS Luxembourg ALOE Ms Octavie MODERT Luxembourg EPP/CD Mr Chris BONETT Ms Naomi CACHIA Mr Joseph Beppe FENECH ADAMI Mr Thomas BREZZO Ms Margreet De BOER Malta Malta Malta Monaco Netherlands soc soc EPP/CD EPP/CD soc Mr Pieter OMTZIGT Netherlands EPP/CD Ms Ria OOMEN-RUIJTEN Netherlands EPP/CD Mr Bob van PARER EN Ms Lise CHRISTOFFERSEN Netherlands Norway EC/DA soc In favour In favour In favour In favo ur In favour In favour In favour In favour In favour In favour In favour In favour In favour In favour In favour In favour In f avour In favour In favour In favour In favour In favour In f avour In favour In favour In fav our In favour In fav our In favour In favour In favour Vtlting choice Member Country Political group In favour In favour In favour In favour In favour In favour In favour In favour In favour In favour In favour In favour In favour In favour In favour In favour In favour In favour In favour In favour In favour In favour In favour In favour In favou r In favour In favour In favour In favour In favour Ms Lise SELNES Mr Andreas Sjalg UNNELAND Ms lwona ARENT Mr Marek BOROWSKI Mr Kazimierz MATUSZNY Mr Aleksander POCIEJ Mr Jacek PROTASIEWICZ Ms Katarzyna SOJKA Mr Pedro CEGONHO Mr Botond CSOMA Mr Sarin-Titus MUNCACIU Ms Daniela OTE~ANU Ms Jelena MILOSEVIC Mr Dean PREMIK Ms Tamara VONTA Ms Laura CASTEL Mr Gustaf GOTH BERG Mr Kristoffer LINDBERG Ms Azadeh ROJHAN Mr Pierre-Aiain FRIDEZ Mr Jean-Pierre GRIN Ms Marianne MARET Mr Yunus EMRE Mr Pavlo BAKU NETS Ms Yevheniia KRAVCHUK Mr Andrii LOPUSHANSKYI Mr Oleksandr MEREZHKO Mr Serhii SOBOLIEV Mr Jeremy CORBYN Ms Ruth JONES Norway Norway Poland Poland Poland Poland Poland Poland Portugal Romania Romania Romania Serbia Slovenia Slovenia Spain Sweden Sweden Sweden Switzerland Switzerland soc UEL EC/DA EPP/CD EC/DA EPP/CD EPP/CD EC/DA soc EPP/CD EC/DA soc soc ALOE ALOE UEL EPP/CD soc soc soc ALOE Switzerland EPP/CD
 Ti.irkiye Ukraine Ukraine Ukraine Ukraine Ukraine United Kingdom United Kingdom soc EC/DA ALOE ALOE EC/DA EPP/CD soc soc t Parliamentary Assembly Assemblee parlementaire ~~ COUNCIL OF EURO PE ~ d'~t.m·~-~mmm.
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CONSE IL DE t.:EUROPE Doc.15593 18 August 2022 Addressing the specific challenges faced by the Belarusians in exile Motion for a resolution tabled by Mr Julian PAHLKE and other members of the Assembly This motion has not been discussed in the Assembly and commits only those who have signed it Some 200 000 to 500 000 Belarusians were forced to flee their country as a result of the repression that fell after the rigged elections of 9 August 2020.
While they have a common wish - return as rapidly as possible to a democratic Belarus - they do not necessarily describe themselves in the same way.

However, whether they are migrants, diaspora or refugees, these Belarusians now living abroad face common challenges stemming precisely from the very reason why they left their country.

The first challenge they face is to make it clear to the receiving States that being Belarusian does not make them representatives or supporters of the Lukashenko regime.
When this is not understood, their fundamental rights are affected , notably as regards the right to education (students cannot enrol in universities or are excluded on citizenship grounds), property rights (it is impossible to open or keep a bank account) and the right to liberty and security (arrests of opposition members are being carried out in EU member States on the basis of a Red Notice issued by Interpol at the request of the Ministry of Interior in Minsk).
A specific category concerns those Belarusians who found sanctuary in Ukraine and have had since to run away because of the aggression of Ukraine by the Russian Federation.

They do not get the same benefits provided by the EU Directive 2001/55/EC (Temporary Protection Directive) as Ukrainian citizens.

All in all, there are serious risks of discrimination and other human rights violations facing Belarusians in exile.
The Parliamentary Assembly should propose concrete solutions to Council of Europe member States so that they ensure those seeking shelter to stay legally and live decently pending the establishment of a democratic regime in Belarus.

Signed (see overleaf) -1!1!

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Doc.
15593 Motion for a resolution Signed1: PAHLKE Julian, Germany, SOC ALVES MOREIRA Isabel, Portugal, SOC BAYR Petra, Austria, SOC BEN CHIKHA Fourat, Belgium, SOC BOER Margreet, De, Netherlands, SOC CEGONHO Pedro, Portugal, SOC CILEVICS Boriss, Latvia, SOC ESTRELA Edite, Portugal, SOC GONCHARENKO Oleksii, Ukraine, EC/DA HAJDUKOVIC Domagoj, Croatia, SOC JUFEREVA-SKURATOVSKI Maria, Estonia, ALDE KRISPER Stephanie, Austria, ALDE LUCKS Max, Germany, SOC MEZENTSEVA Mariia, Ukraine, EPP/CD PISCO Paulo, Portugal, SOC POLAT Filiz, Germany, SOC ROCHA FERREIRA Catarina, Portugal, EPP/CD ROSSNER Tabea, Germany, SOC SCHWABE Frank, Germany, SOC SPELLERBERG Merle, Germany, SOC YASKO Yelyzaveta, Ukraine, EPP/CD 1.
ALOE: Alliance of Liberals and Democrats for Europe EC/DA: European Conservatives Group and Democratic Alliance EPP/CD: Group of the European People's Party SOC: Socialists, Democrats and Greens Group 2 ~ Parliamentary Assembly ttfL~ Assemblee parlementaire ~~ ~ d'ronml~·~-~-~.-~ .

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CONSEIL DE LEUROPE Doc.


15783 05 June 2023 Addressing the specific challenges faced by the Belarusians in exile Report1 Committee on Migration, Refugees and Displaced Persons Rapporteur: Mr Paul GALLES, Luxembourg, Group of the European People's Party Summary Several hundred thousand Belarusians, forced to flee their country to escape the repression exercised by the regime of Aliaksandr Lukashenka following the rigged elections of 9 August 2020, have found refuge in Council of Europe member States.
This situation of forced exile has created numerous situations resulting in the non-respect of their fundamental rights.

The report examines the various challenges faced by Belarusians in exile, from visa applications and legalisation of residence to access to education, employment and health care.

The consequences of these obstacles to daily life can be dramatic, in addition to the risks of reprisals on family members who remained in Belarus.
It stresses the importance of distinguishing Belarusians from the regime they have fled, and notes the fundamental role played by Sviatlana Tsikhanouskaya and the various bodies created by the democratic forces to meet the needs of their compatriots.

Another key aspect highlighted in the report is the revival of the Belarusian language and culture as vital elements of sovereignty and the need to support it.
Noting that the closer the host countries are geographically to Belarus, the more the respective authorities try to meet the needs of Belarusians in exile through the adoption of laws and the implementation of adequate practices, the report calls on Council of Europe member States to put in place, in close consultation with the democratic forces, measures that will make the exile of Belarusians less painful for them until their return to a democratic Belarus.

1.

Reference to committee: Doc.


15593, Reference 4680 of 10 October 2022.

L-------------------------------------------------------------- https://pace .coe .lnt -- Doc.

15783 Report Contents Page A.

Draft resolution ........................................................................................................................................ 3 B. Explanatory memorandum by Mr Paul Galles, rapporteur ....................................................................... 7 1.
Introduction ......................................................................................................................................... 7 2.

General context ................................................................................................................................... 8 3.

The situation of the Belarusians in exile .............................................................................................. 9 3.1.
Legal entry and stay .................................................................................................................. 11 3.2.

Threats to freedom of movement .............................................................................................. 14 3.3.

Denial of consular services ....................................................................................................... 15 3.4.
Threats to safety and security ................................................................................................... 15 3.5.

Solidarity with Belarus ............................................................................................................... 16 3.6.

Access to education .................................................................................................................. 17 3.7.
Pursuing a professional career in exile ..................................................................................... 18 3.8.

Preserving Belarusian identity and culture ................................................................................ 19 3.9.

Double exile after fleeing Ukraine ............................................................................................. 20 4.
Conclusions and recommendations .................................................................................................. 21 2 Doc.

15783 Report A.

Draft resolution2 The Parliamentary Assembly is deeply concerned by the fate of hundreds of thousands of Belarusians 1. who are in exile because they had no other choice than to flee the repressive regime of Aliaksandr Lukashenka.
If any doubts remained about the nature of the latter, the rigged presidential election of 9 August 2020 haS shown its true character, turning Belarus into an open-air prison where human rights have been reduced to nothing.

2.
2.

The Assembly recalls Resolution 2433 (2022) "Consequences of the Russian Federation's continued aggression against Ukraine: role and response of the Council of Europe" in which it expressed its resolve "to intensify its engagement with Belarusian ... civil society, human rights defenders, independent journalists, academia and democratic forces respecting the values and principles of the Organisation".

3.
3.

The Assembly is impressed by the resilience, courage and determination of the Belarusians in exile who are fighting for democracy to prevail in their country.

It is conscious that a new obstacle for them has emerged on 24 February 2022 with the large-scale aggression of the Russian Federation against Ukraine to which the Lukashenka regime actively participates.
It regrets that the more time that passes since 9 August 2020, the day Lukashenka in reality lost the elections, the further away in time the return of the Belarusians who find themselves in exile becomes.

The Assembly is convinced that a democratic Belarus will contribute to ensuring security in Europe.

4.
4.

Without prejudging the outcome of the current situation , and recognising that the Belarusians in exile should be part of the crisis solving process, the Assembly can only be impressed by the work and initiatives of Sviatlana Tsikhanouskaya, the very likely successful candidate against Aliaksandr Lukashenka in the 2020 election, which aim at providing her compatriots with the services the regime deliberately withholds.

5.
5.

Recognising that the Belarusian people cannot be equated with the Lukashenka regime, the Assembly considers that Belarusians in exile should not be treated in a discriminatory manner because of the participation of that regime in the war against Ukraine.

6.
6.

The Assembly emphasises that while most of the Belarusians who have been forced to leave their country in the context of the 2020 presidential election have only one wish: to return to a democratic Belarus, it is important that their host countries do their utmost to ensure that they can stay legally and are welcomed in dignified conditions respectful of their fundamental rights, as guaranteed by the European Convention on Human Rights (ETS No.
5) and other relevant Council of Europe instruments, pending the establishment of a democratic regime in Belarus.

7.

The Assembly deeply deplores that the Lukashenka regime is continuing to exercise pressure on those who have left the country, notably by refusing to provide consular services to its citizens and by threatening their security.

8.
8.

While many European countries have opened their borders to Belarusians, the Assembly notes that the closer those countries find themselves to Belarus, the greater is their understanding of the situation of those fleeing.

Applauding Lithuania's and Poland's efforts to find legal and practical solutions to welcome the 9.

Belarusians in exile, the Assembly notes that more can be done.

1 0.
1 0.

Regretting that too many obstacles and hurdles continue to affect those who have found themselves in other countries, the Assembly is convinced that better knowledge of the situation in Belarus and political will are the prerequisites to adopting measures which will alleviate as much as possible the fact of being in exile.

11.
11.

It calls upon member States to recognise the unique situation in which the Belarusians in exile find themselves, requiring out of the box solutions to ensure that they can live their lives as unimpeded as possible pending their return to a democratic Belarus.

12.

The Assembly hails the establishment by the Committee of Ministers of a Contact Group on co operation between the Council of Europe and the Belarusian democratic forces and civil society.
This sui generis co-operation model, the first established with the Belarus democratic forces by an international organisation, aims to provide the Organisation's support and expertise to strengthen Belarusian democratic society in line with Council of Europe core values.

The Assembly is also delighted to welcome representatives of the Belarus democratic forces in the work of its committees by decision of the Bureau of the Assembly.

2.

Draft resolution adopted unanimously by the committee on 11 May 2023.
3 Doc.

15783 Report 13.

The Assembly strongly believes that it is high time to translate the political support that the democratic forces of Belarus enjoy among the member States into concrete actions and that measures taken against the Lukashenka regime should not affect the people fighting it.

14.
14.

The Assembly is convinced that in order to ensure full respect for human rights of the Belarusians while they are in exile and ultimately to contribute to the democratic transition in their country, the Council of Europe member States should put in place relatively simple and non-costly measures within their own jurisdiction for those persons.

Legal entry and stay 15.
While respecting visa requirements and ensuring the necessary security checks, member States should seek to keep their borders open for those fleeing the Lukashenka regime by taking inter alia the following measures: issuing humanitarian visas in all embassies and consulates still operating in Minsk and 15.1. expanding the eligibility criteria for such visas to relatives of political prisoners; 15.2. opening up and guaranteeing the possibility of granting visas to EU countries in those member States where a visa is not required for Belarusian citizens, without requiring a residence permit in those countries; issuing multiple-entry Schengen visas for relatives of Belarusians in exile who come to visit them 15.3. on a short-term and temporary basis: issuing longer duration multiple-entry visas to be used as a back-up option for those who are at 15.4. risk of arrest in Belarus.
16.

Member States should also facilitate expert to expert talks between their relevant migration authorities and the relevant representatives of the Belarus democratic forces in exile to solve problems as they arise in a pragmatic way.

17.

Member States are encouraged to put in place measures to ensure transparency in the decision making process where credentials are issued by non-governmental organisations to support the issuance of visas or the legalisation process.
Those member States which have yet not done so should rapidly develop legal instruments allowing for 18. the legalisation of the stay of the Belarusians in exile.

19.

Recognising the importance of psychological stability and the feeling of safety for those who left their home involuntarily or forcibly, the Assembly calls upon member States to provide long-term legalisation for the Belarusians in exile, thus avoiding unnecessary hurdles and stress.

20.
20.

In order to support the work of their relevant migration offices, member States are encouraged to prepare a Belarus country factsheet and provide training for their staff on the actual situation in this country, so as to enable them to take prompt and sound decisions on individual cases.

Freedom of movement 21.


Member States are encouraged, in co-operation with the European Commission, to identify adequate solutions to allow Belarusians in exile to travel within the European Union, notably through systematising the use of foreigners' passport and/or continuing to recognise Belarus passports which have expired.

22.
22.

The Assembly also invites member States, again in close co-operation with the European Commission and the International Civil Aviation Organization (ICAO), to discuss with the relevant representatives of the Belarus democratic forces in exile the possibility to issue a passport for Belarus citizens in exile which would be recognised among member States.

Safety and security 23.
Underlining that deprivation of nationality should not lead to statelessness and that even if Belarus is not a State party to the United Nations Statelessness conventions, these are principles of international law and human rights law, which should be observed by all States; recalling that Belarus has accepted Georgia's recommendation under the 3rd cycle of the United Nations' Universal Periodic Review; and noting that Belarus pledged to accede to both United Nations statelessness conventions at the High-Level Segment on 4 Doc.
15783 Report Statelessness in 2019, the Assembly strongly encourages member States to do their utmost to recog nise the importance of establishing statelessness determination procedures, which in turn would provide protection in host States to those rendered stateless.

24.
24.

As addressing a request to a Belarus consulate, such as for certification of a clean criminal record necessary for the legalisation process, or the prolongation of a passport, can lead to reprisals or threats against the applicants' relatives who stayed in Belarus or to the applicants themselves, member States are strongly encouraged not to require documents obtainable only through Belarus official channels.

25.
25.

Member States should abstain from extraditing Belarusian citizens in exile on the basis of Red Notices issued by Interpol at the request of the Lukashenka regime, given the use of criminal prosecutions for political purposes.
If in doubt, they are encouraged to verify Interpol requests from Belarus through the Law and Order Restoration Office of the United Transitional Cabinet of Belarus, which includes former law enforcement officers staff dismissed for political reasons, thus possessing the necessary qualifications, experience, and access to databases.

26.
26.

The Assembly is concerned that information transferred by European banks to Belarus banks has been used by the Belarus Security Services to target human rights defenders in Belarus.
The Assembly calls on member States to encourage the private sector to pay due heed to human rights issues in their operations and undertake the necessary due diligence to protect Belarusian human rights defenders who are their clients from risks of further persecutions as a result of their operations or information exchanges.

Furthermore, member States should do their utmost to prevent the misuse of international criminal co-operation measures by the Lukashenka regime as an additional tool for repression.
27.

More generally, member States should not deem Belarus to be a safe country.
They are encouraged to send referral letters to the Prosecutor of the International Criminal Court expressing their concern for the situation in Belarus and asking him to respond to a Communication under Article 15(2) of the Rome Statute of the International Criminal Court entitled "The Situation in Belarus/Lithuania/Poland/Latvia and Ukraine: Crimes Against Humanity of Deportation and Persecution" filed by International Partnership for Human Rights, Norwegian Helsinki Committee, Global Diligence LPP and Truth Hounds on 19 May 2021.
Democratic forces in exile 28.

Given the tremendous role that the People's Consulates can play, notably as communication channels with national authorities, the Assembly strongly believes that member States should establish working relationships with them, as representatives of democratic Belarus, and envisage supporting them through the provision of organisational, information and material assistance, with the aim of developing their competences and sustainability.

29.
29.

The Assembly strongly encourages the parliaments of those member States which have not yet done so, to establish a parliamentary friendship group to create a network to exchange on the best measures to support the Belarusians in exile.

It is convinced that such a network would also faci litate the dialogue with the Belarus democratic forces in exile, including the Office of Sviatlana Tsikhanouskaya, the United Transition Cabinet of Belarus and the Coordination Council.
The Assembly also invites member States to provide funds for and contribute to the activities agreed in 30. the framework of the Council of Europe Contact Group on Belarus, in particular taking advantage of the activities proposed by the Secretariat of the Assembly on "Strengthening political dialogue".

Support to civil society 31.


The Assembly is convinced that it is indispensable to create conditions to ensure the sustainability of Belarusian civil society organisations in exile, in particular by providing them with the tools and means to mobilise their compatriots in exile, to carry out their activities and to remain visible.

This should be particularly the case for organisations aiming at developing and strengthening the Belarusian language and culture.

32.
32.

Underlining the role played by the Expert Council on NGO Law of the Conference of International Non Governmental Organisations of the Council of Europe (Conference of INGOs) in supporting freedom of association in Europe, the Assembly strongly encourages member States to request its opinions on measures adversely affecting the operation of Belarusians NGOs in exile and to adopt policies accordingly.

It also encourages the constituent members of the Conference of INGOs to co-operate and assist 33.
Belarusian NGOs in exile.

5 Doc.

15783 Report Support to lawyers in exile In the light of the repression faced by the legal profession in Belarus and the fact that many lawyers are 34. in exile abroad , the Assembly calls for the recognition of the Belarusian Association of Human Rights Lawyers as the organisation entrusted with the promotion and protection of the human rights of lawyers deprived of the right to exercise their profession in Belarus, and with improving provision of legal assistance.
Access to education and culture 35.

Recognising that children can be adversely affected by the forced exile of their parents, the Assembly encourages their prompt integration in the host country while strengthening their nationa l identity and culture.

When integrating recently arrived Belarusian children in ordinary classes, the Assembly recalls the pertinence of the language education and linguistic integration tools for children developed by the Council of Europe.
At the same time, it also supports the creation of classes in Belarusian in schools where there are sufficient Belarusian children, open not only to members of the Belarusian national minority but also to those who have recently arrived.

36.

The Assembly, impressed by the renaissance of the interest for Belarusian language and culture, strongly supports the initiatives by civil society organisations to preserve and strengthen these among the members of long-lasting diaspora and the more recent arrivals.
It therefore strongly encourages member States to facilitate the creation of publishing houses in Belarusian, the teaching of Belarusian language and culture in universities, the development of new tools supporting the dissemination of Belarusian language and culture among those in exile but also within Belarus.

It believes that it is crucial for Belarusian statehood that its culture and language find again their rightful place.

37.
37.

The Assembly, aware that academic freedom has been under attack for some years in Belarus, would welcome the creation of a scientific journal for liberal-minded scholars both in exile and in Belarus to be included in influential citation databases, such as Scopus, Web of Science or Google Scholar.

38.
Recognising the role played by the European Humanities University, the only Belarusian university able to operate on the basis of academic freedom and adherence to European values, in exile in Vilnius since 2005, the Assembly invites member States, as well as the European Union, to further support this institution and open up further opportunities so that it continues to develop creative, free and critical thinking among Belarusian students and is in a position to attract scholars and students from Eastern Partnership countries.
39.

Understanding the importance of terminology and adequate transliteration from Belarusian, the Assembly strongly encourages member States to correctly transliterate all terms relating to Belarus.

Access to financial services and the pursuit of economic activities 40.
Recognising the difficulties faced by individuals, businesses and civil society organisations to open a bank account in some member States, the Assembly asks the member States to encourage their banks to make the distinction between the Lukashenka regime and the people who have fled it, in particular by allowing the "Know Your Customer" procedure due diligence to be carried out by appropriate and relevant structures designated by the Belarus democratic forces in exile.
The Assembly is concerned that the bank accounts of Belarusian journalists who had found shelter in 41.

Ukraine and continued to provide independent information from there have been blocked since the large-scale war was launched by Russia against Ukraine.

Some have now been deblocked, and the Assembly strongly encourages the Security Service of Ukraine to allow for the deblocking of the remaining 50 bank accounts which their legal owners cannot access.

42.
42.

The Assembly welcomes the fact that many businesses were able to relocate from Belarus in particu lar to Georgia, Lithuania and Poland, but notes that difficulties persist.

The Assembly encourages measures to be taken which will ease processes of transfer, accreditation, acquisition, access to credit, to audit services etc.

In this context, it believes that the Poland Business Harbour could serve as a promising practice to be emulated by other member States.
Ultimately, the Assembly trusts that these businesses, be it in the IT, retail, logistics, small services or construction sectors, if allowed to operate and pay tax, will contribute to the economy of their host countries and alleviate the efforts made by them to welcome the Belarusians who found shelter from repression and violence.

6 Doc.

15783 Report B .

Explanatory memorandum by Mr Paul Galles, rapporteur 1.

Introduction 1.
Introduction 1.

The number of Belarusians forced to flee their country as a result of the repression unleashed in the context of the rigged presidential election of 9 August 2020 remains uncertain.

Figures vary between 300 000 and 500 000, undoubtedly the largest migration movement in the history of Belarus since Second World War.

While most of them have a common wish -to return as rapidly as possible to a democratic Belarus- they do not necessarily describe themselves in the same way.
However, whether they are migrants, diaspora, or refugees, these Belarusians now living abroad face common challenges stemming precisely from the very reasons which led them to leave their country.

This is the reason why I use the notion of "exile" in my report, as the Belarusians who left their country did so against their will, and because staying in Belarus would have led to their life, safety and security being seriously put at risk.3 All Belarusians in exile are not necessarily human rights defenders.
The situation of the latter has 2. already been well documented, notably by the Council of Europe Commissioner for Human Rights in a recent Comment, in which she proposes a number of measures as the way forward.4 However, the situation of other categories of persons; such as journalists and med ia workers, political opponents, lawyers, writers and artists, relatives of political prisoners, students and academics, businesspeople and athletes; who also face challenges preventing them from living a normal life, is less known and acknowledged.
3.

The first hurdle which Belarusians in exile must clear is to gain acceptance that being Belarusian does not make them representatives or supporters of the Lukashenka regime.

Perception has been a key factor contributing to the violation of the rights of the Belarusians in exile.
Applying a generic treatment to Belarusians is illustrative of the absence of an individualised understanding - and therefore assessment- of their situation, making the entire group face risks of discrimination and other human rights violations because of their mere nationality and presumed political affiliations.

4.

Recent developments in Belarus - notably the regime's involvement in the war against Ukraine, but also the signature on 6 February 2023 by Aliaksandr Lukashen ka of Decree No.
25, creating a special commission to work with "political" emigrants who want to return to their homeland -are clear indicators that those who found safety abroad are unlikely to be able to return home in the near future.5 5.

The plight of Belarusians in exile and a severe humanitarian crisis in Belarus have been somewhat overshadowed by the terrible consequences of the Russian aggression against Ukraine.
My report aims at highlighting the challenges which they face, the specific needs they have in the host countries, and more importantly, at proposing ways to address these, based wherever possible on already existing good practices.
I believe that our Assembly is well placed to propose concrete solutions to Council of Europe member States so as to ensure that those seeking shelter can stay legally in the country of asylum/exile and are hosted in dignified conditions respectful of their fundamental rights as guaranteed by the European Convention on Human Rights (ETS No.

5), pend ing the establishment of a democratic regime in Belarus.

6.
6.

During the preparation of this report, I have been impressed by the courage, determination, creativity and resilience of the Belarusians in exile I met, starting with the leader of the democratic forces, Sviatlana Tsikhanouskaya.

I have no doubt that the Belarus people's aspiration to democracy, human rights and the rule of law, of which they have been deprived for far too long, will one day soon be realised .
I consider that it is our duty, as fellow Europeans, to help them on this path, and I hope that my report will contribute to this.

7.

In order to prepare this report, the Committee on Migration, Refugees and Displaced Persons held a number of exchanges of views and authorised me to carry out a fact-finding mission to Warsaw and Vilnius (27-30 March 2023).
I am very grateful to all my interlocutors among the Lithuanian and Polish authorities as well as the Belarusians in exile themselves, who shared with both precision and passion their worries and hopes with me.

I hope that my report not only reflects their views, but also provides concrete solutions to help them rebuild their lives in Europe while the regime, which has destroyed all civil and political institutions, is still in place.
I have taken every precaution not to include information which could endanger them or their relatives.

In the French version of the report, the use of the 3rd person plural in the masculine refers also to the feminine "Support Russian and Belarusian civil societies and human rights defenders" - Commissioner for Human Rights 3. gender.

4.

(coe.int).

5. grazhdan-respubliki-belarus-po-voprosam-soversheniya-imi-pravonarusheniy.
https://president.gov.by/ru/events/podpisan-ukaz-o-rassmotrenii-obrashcheniy-nahodyashchihsya-za-rubezhom- 7 Doc.

15783 Report 8.

Sviatlana Tsikhanouskaya, whom I met in Vilnius underlined the importance of this report, stressing that the challenges faced by the Belarusians in exile is an overlooked issue.

Addressing it might help clarify the fact that the Belarusian people are not to be confused with the Minsk regime.
She expressed her concern that since the Russian aggression against Ukraine, Belarusians in exile have faced higher risks of discrimination if not threats to their security, as they are identified with the regime, ally to the Russian Federation.
She hoped that the report will contribute to alleviate the hurdles her compatriots face by enlightening the Council of Europe member States on ways to remedy existing shortcomings in law and practice in the welcoming of Belarusian people who did not choose to leave their country but were obliged to do so by a violent, dangerous and unpredictable regime.

2.

General context Estimates on the number of Belarusians living abroad6 vary depending on the sources.
While Belsat 9. gives a figure of 177 000 Belarusians who left the country between 1995 and 2016, other sources estimate this figure between 1,5 million and 3, 5 million for a total population of 9 349 645 as of 1 January 2021.7 1 0.

Most of those who left their country in the context of the 2020 presidential elections have chosen to stay in neighbouring countries, Lithuania and Poland.
While it is difficult to know with certainty their number, because of the high fluidity of arrivals and the absence of clear migration data, it is estimated that there are about 49 000 Belarusians in Lithuania at present and well above 100 000 in Poland .8 11.

As Belarusians do not need any visa to enter Georgia, this country has become a haven for a huge inflow of Belarusians escaping the 2020 State repressions and the 2022 Russian aggression against Ukraine.
Thus, in March 2022, 19 898 Belarusians entered Georgia from Ukraine, of which 14 030 remained.

In March 2022, compared to March 2019, the rate of entry of Belarusian citizens to Georgia had increased by 555%.9 12.

Many Belarusians in exile had to leave their first country of destination due to visa issues, personal security reasons or the outbreak of the war in Ukraine.

In other words, they experienced a double or triple displacement.
According to a recent quantitative and qualitative analysis carried out by Valdzis Fuhas, one of the founders of the human rights organisation "Human Constanta" and speaker at the meeting of the Committee on Migration, Refugees and Displaced persons on 24 January 2023 , the average amount of displacements per country per group was 2.1.

13.
13.

The moment Aliaksandr Lukashenka refused to admit his defeat at the presidential elections of 9 August 2020 marked the beginning of profound changes among Belarus society and the country itself.

His support and participation in the war in Ukraine has only exacerbated the fact that the Minsk regime is not in place to serve the people of Belarus, but to protect its own position and privileges.

At the same time, it is putting the independence and sovereignty of Belarus in jeopardy.
Meanwhile, the most likely winner of the election, Sviatlana Tsikhanouskaya, who was forced out of Belarus, has taken her role as leader of the democratic forces with all the commitment and competence appropriate for such a position.
More than two years after the elections, while in exile in Lithuania, she has turned her Office and the United Transitional Cabinet into a de facto government in exile, and with the limited means available, she carries out the functions which the Lukashenka regime fails to perform, for the sake of her compatriots who live abroad.

In practice, modern technologies are helping her to build a parallel State pending the establishment of a democratic regime in Belarus.
On 6 March 2023, a court in Minsk sentenced Ms Tsikhanouskaya in absentia to 15 years of imprisonment.

14.

The expulsion of the Russian Federation from the Council of Europe following the aggression of Ukraine led the Committee of Ministers also to suspend all relations with Belarus on 17 March 2022.10 This decision has opened the door to discuss co-operation with the democratic forces.
Sviatlana Tsikhanouskaya was then invited to address a high-level panel discussion organised by the Assembly on 21 June 2022, and several weeks later, on 7 July, to address the Committee of Ministers.

On this occasion , she encouraged the Committee of Ministers to think outside the box by establishing a formal channel of communication between the Organisation and the democratic forces of Belarus with the aim to "bring more Belarus into Europe and 6.
Bipart- The Art of public administration "Civil Society in Belarus in the Context of a Political Crisis: Current State and Challenges Research report", 2021.

7.

Belarus in figures 1 Official Internet Portal of the President of the Republic of Belarus.

8.

Eastern Europe Studies Centre, "Belarusian migrants in Poland and Lithuania: general trends and comparative analysis 2022", 30 November 2022 and https://news.zerkalo.io/life/36903.html.
9. https:l/idfi.ge/ge/border_crossing_statistics_of_citizens_of_ukraine_russia_and_belarus.

10.

"Committee of Ministers suspends relations with the Belarus ian authorities" - Portal (coe.int).

8 Doc.
8 Doc.

15783 Report more Europe into Belarus".11 This has resulted in the establishment by the Committee of Ministers of a Contact Group on co-operation between the Council of Europe and the Belarusian democratic forces and civil society, whose aim is to provide the Organisation's support and expertise to strengthen Belarusian democratic society in line with Council of Europe core values.
The work of the Contact Group has already resulted in the launching on 1 February 2023 of a 15-point action plan to support civil society and democracy representatives working toward s a future free and democratic Belarus.

12 15.

Since October 2020, the European Union has progressively imposed restrictive measures against Belarus.

The measures were adopted in response to the fraudulent August 2020 presidential elections.
A total of 195 individuals and 34 entities have been designated under the sanctions regime on Belarus, including key figures of the political leadership and of the government, high-level members of the judicial system and several prominent economic actors.13 The European Union has also imposed restrictive measures on Belarus following its involvement in Russia's military invasion of Ukraine on 24 February 2022.
Not only were prominent Belarusians hit by the freezing of their assets and travel bans, but the European Union also restricted financial, trade and technological flows with Belarus.
14 On 27 February 2023, the Council of the European Union decided to extend the application of sanctions so far imposed for an additional year, due to the "persistent gravity of the domestic situation in the country and Belarus' ongoing involvement in the Russian aggression against Ukraine" .15 Also, as of 28 June 2021, Belarus has suspended its participation in the Eastern Partnership.

16.
16.

On 24 November 2022, the European Parliament adopted a Resolution on "the continuing repression of the democratic opposition and civil society in Belarus", which inter alia highlighted the continued need "to continue assisting the democratic opposition, civil society and human rights defenders, trade union representatives and independent media in Belarus and abroad".
It also reiterated its call on the Commission and the Member States "to prepare rules and procedures to deal with cases where human rights defenders and other civil society activists are stripped of their citizenship in Belarus, as well as to provide support to those Belarusians residing in the EU whose identity documents are about to expire and who have no means of renewing them, since they cannot return to Belarus".16 17.
For many years, the only international protection mechanism afforded to Belarusians was through communications to the United Nations Human Rights Committee.

This avenue is no longer possible following Belarus' withdrawal from that procedure in November 2022.17 However, those Belarusians who find themselves under the jurisdiction of any of the 46 Council of Europe member States, are protected under Article 1 of the European Convention on Human Rights.
In her last report to the UN General Assembly, the UN's Special Rapporteur on Belarus, Ana'ls Marin, 18. has focused on "the situation of human rights of Belarusian nationals compelled to leave their country and unable to safely return home due to human rights violations" .18 As she provided a thorough analysis of the targeted persons and groups who were forced to leave their homeland by the regime in place, I invite interested readers to read her thorough report.
I also had the pleasure of meeting her during my mission and am very grateful for the additional insight this provided.

3.

The situation of the Belarusians in exile The nature of the Belarus diaspora is diverse.
While until 2020, diaspora organisations of various 19. orientations existed, some promoting a democratic agenda and others being loyal to the Minsk regime, the vast majority of those who fled in the context of the 2020 elections are democratically oriented and many of them - without necessarily having been engaged in civil society movements in Belarus - have become de facto activists.

11.

"Establish a governing committee on relations with Belarus".
Sviatlana Tsikhanouskaya addressed the Committee of Ministers of the Council of Europe f Official web-site of Sviatlana Tsikhanouskaya.

12.

"Council of Europe launches action plan to support Belarusian democratic forces and civil society" - Directorate of Programme Co-ordination (coe.int).

13.

"Belarus: EU prolongs restrictive measures for a year"- Consilium (europa.eu).

14.
14.

"Belarus' role in the Russian military aggression of Ukraine: Council imposes sanctions on additional 22 individuals and further restrictions on trade" - Consilium (europa.eu).

15.

"Belarus: EU prolongs restrictive measures for a year"- Consilium (europa.eu).

16.

Texts adopted - "The continuing repression of the democratic opposition and civil society in Belarus"- 24 November 2022 (europa.eu).

17. human.

18.

AJ77/195 (undocs.org).


www .ohch r .org/en/press-releases/2022/ 11/bela rus-withd raw a 1-individual-complaints-proced ure-serious-setback- 9 Doc.

15783 Report 20.

The poet in exile Dmitri Strotsev visited the Assembly Secretariat on the occasion of a trip to Strasbourg to present the French translation of his latest poetry book.19 Prior to this, he launched an appeal on his Facebook page calling for testimonies from Belarusians in exile.
In only few hours, he received more than 50 messages relating to individual experiences, which capture the issues that are outlined in this respect.

21.

His own experience is illustrative of some of the "Kafkaesque" situations faced by exiled Belarusians.

Dmitri Strotsev currently lives in Germany.

He was unable to extend his visa there or receive a new one, as Germany required that he return to the first country of visa issuance, namely Sweden.
However, to get a Swedish visa, he wou ld have been required to leave the European Union.

Eventually, Mr Strotsev received a visa in Lithuania thanks to the organisation Freedom House, which vouchsafed for him.

Such a guarantee provided by a non-governmental organisation is feasible in Lithuania, where the Ministry of Foreign Affairs specifically delegated the task of vouching to this organisation, and where Sviatlana Tsikhanouskaya's Office is based, but not in other Council of Europe member States .
This individual example reflects well what I heard in my exchanges with Belarusians in exile, be it in exchanges of views held with the committee or during my fact-finding mission.

22.

Other forms of discrimination may occur though insults and threats, denials of services, difficulties in accessing healthcare assistance, obtaining proper accommodation, getting a job contract or opening a bank account.
According to a recent quantitative analysis, 39% of the surveyed exiled Belarusians in Georgia, 31 % of those in Poland and 16% of those in Lithuania affirmed to have experienced various forms of discrimination in their countries of destination, especially since the Russian aggression against Ukraine.

Such cases have also been registered in other member States of the Council of Europe.20 23.
An array of challenges is facing this diaspora, both in legal and practical terms stemming from legislation, adm inistrative procedures or practice in the host countries.

These problems may start from birth, like in the case of children born from parents under a temporary visa regime: because they cannot obtain Belarusian documents, they are actually undocumented minors and at a risk of statelessness.
Other challenges are related to important milestones in life such as birth , marriage, or divorce, but also to everyday hassles such as changing a Belarusian driver's license with an expired expiry date.

24.

Belarusian women in exile may experience more forms of discrimination and barriers to integration than Belarusian men abroad.

These mainly revolve around difficulties in finding jobs, legalising their status, learning the local language or accessing healthcare services.
At times, their financial dependence on their husbands further magnifies these obstacles.21 25.

Belarusians are determined to help themselves in the first place.

As I write this report, the foundations are being laid to build a Digital State for Belarus though which medical doctors, lawyers, schoolteachers etc.

who were fired by the regime could be hired to provide online services.
This would also allow for better access to independent media within Belarus and for the development of tools for small businesses to increase their services.

These initiatives will allow remote jobs for people in and outside Belarus to be created.

26.
26.

An amendment to the Law on "Citizenship of the Republic of Belarus" of 10 January 2023 signed by Aliaksandr Lukashenka, which will enter into force on 10 June 2023, introduces the possibility of revoking the citizenship of a person residing abroad and convicted by a final judgment by a Belarus court for "extremist" activities or other acts threatening the security of the State.

Lukashenka himself will decide personally about such matters.
When this legislation is applied, many Belarusians in exile will face the risk of becoming stateless.
This will be a particular problem for Belarusians living in countries such as Poland, which have not ratified the 1954 Convention on the Status of Stateless Persons or the 1961 Convention on the Reduction of Statelessness.22 its observations of December 2022, UNHCR's key recommendations were that deprivation of nationality should not lead to statelessness and that even if the country (as is the case for Belarus) is not State party to the UN Statelessness Conventions, these are principles of international law and human rights law, which should be observed by States.23 It should be noted however that Belarus pledged to accede to both UN statelessness conventions at the High-Level Segment on Statelessness in 2019.24 In 19.
Ou j'etais pendant les quinze dernieres annees.

Je criais, Le Vera soie, 2023.

20.

19509.pdf (fes.de).

21.

Volha Kavalskaya, "Life in exile- a report on Belarusian women abroad", New Eastern Europe, 31 May 2022.

22.

UNHCR- UN Conventions on Statelessness (unhcr.org), and Convention on the Reduction of Statelessness, 1961 (un.org).

23.

"UNHCR Observations on the proposed amendments to the 'Law on citizenship of the Republic of Belarus"', Refworld, 1 September 2002, No.

136-3.

24.
136-3.

24.

Results of the High-Level Segment on Statelessness (unhcr.org).

10 Doc.

15783 Report 27.
On 21 May 2021, International Partnership for Human Rights (IPHR), Norwegian Helsinki Committee, Global Diligence LPP and Truth Hounds filed a Communication under Article 15(2) of the Rome Statute to the International Criminal Court (ICC) entitled "The Situation in Belarus/Lithuan ia/Poland/Latvia and Ukraine: Crimes Against Humanity of Deportation and Persecution" .25 The communication requested the ICC Prosecutor to launch an investigation into the situation in Belarus, notably regarding the fact that the regime has forcibly displaced thousands of civi lians beyond its borders, through violence, intimidation and other forms of coercion.
Whilst Belarus is not a State party to the ICC, the ICC has jurisdiction over Rome Statute crimes that take place - at least in part - on the territory of its neighbours.

The Communication requests the ICC Prosecutor to open a preliminary examination into the situation in Belarus (and in Lithuania , Poland, Latvia and Ukraine) with a view to investigating and prosecuting the alleged crimes.

This request has remained unanswered so far.

28.


National parliaments in Europe and beyond have played a significant role in supporting the democratic forces of Belarus .

Many parliamentarians, including members of our Assembly, have become godparents of political prisoners.

Furthermore , an increasing number of national parliaments, 17 to date, such as Belgium, Estonia, Georgia, France, Latvia, Lithuania and Ukraine, have established friendship groups with the democratic forces of Belarus.
A network is being built to unite them and co-ordinate their efforts.

3.1.

Legal entry and stay 3.1.1.

Access to visa 29.

Obtaining a visa to travel to EU member States has always been a challenge for Belarusians.

The mass repressions after the fraudulent 2020 elections impaired diplomatic relations between the European Union and the regime.

This has led to the downsizing of the staff of some embassies of EU member States, affecting their capacities to process visa applications.

30.
30.

When the massive repressions started after the elections, some neighbouring countries opened their borders to those fleeing, regardless of the Covid-19 pandemics still going on and sometimes in the absence of a valid visa.
Thus, a humanitarian corridor was opened by Lithuania, where people were admitted without a visa, after the US-funded organisation Freedom House provided a guarantee voucher for the persons concerned to the Ministry of Foreign Affairs, which in turn informed the respective border control points.
On behalf of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs, Freedom House continues to vouch for those seeking visas and temporary permits.26 Verifications are carried out in co-operation with Belarus NGOs, such as Human Constanta, the Belarus Helsinki Committee and Viasna.

Not all requesting a voucher from Freedom House receive it.
The issuance of visas by Lithuania will be significantly reduced after the entry into force of the laws on restrictive measures, aiming to safeguard Lithuanian national security and foreign policy interest (see infra) .

31.

Poland's aim is still to keep its border open for Belarusians.

The authorities make the distinction between the Minsk regime and the people who do not support Lukashenka.
However, after the expulsion of Polish diplomats, there is objectively a lesser capacity to issue visas in Minsk and the two Polish consulates in Brest and Grodno.

According to statistics provided by the Polish Min istry of Foreign Affairs , between 10 August 2020 and 31 December 2022, Poland issued 509 701 visas to Belarusians.

In 2022, of the 278 181 visas issued, 259 427 were of type D (domestic visas) et 18 754 of type C (Schengen visas).
The repression against Belarusians belonging to the Polish minority has exacerbated the tension between the two countries and has led to only one border crossing, at Tiraspol, remaining open for individuals, while freight crossings have been closed by Poland.27 For other European countries, most of them had already reduced their consulate capacities by June 32.

2021.28 Council of Europe countries which do not require a visa for entry are Armenia, Azerbaijan, Georgia, Turkiye and Ukraine.
This explains why many Belarusians went to Georgia and Ukraine, along with the quasi absence of a language barrier (see infra).

25.

"The Situation in Belarus: Crimes Against Humanity of Deportation and Persecution" - IPHR (iphronline.org).

26.

Freedom House I Expanding freedom and democracy.

27.

Notably after the 8-year prison sentence for incitement to hatred of Andrzej Poczobut, figure of the Polish minority.

28.
28.

UN General Assembly, A/77/195, "Report of the Special Rapporteur on the situation of human rights in Belarus, Ana'ls Marin", 20 July 2022, p. 6.

11 Doc.

15783 Report 33.

According to the United Transitional Cabinet of Belarus, since the start of the war against Ukraine, some member States have introduced new restrictions against Belarusian citizens.
In Latvia, Lithuania, Estonia, Finland, Poland, Norway and Sweden, Schengen visas are not issued or eligibility is limited, including to close relatives living in the European Union.

No visas are issued for Denmark and the Czech Republic.

Visas for Austria, the Netherlands, Portugal, Spain and Sweden can only be obtained in Moscow.
France, Germany, Greece and Italy issue visas after a long wait (up to 6-8 months), with excessive fees to be paid to officially assigned intermediaries (up to 450 Euros) and for a short duration, such as 15 days.29 34.

Some countries still consider Belarus as a safe country.

For example, Sweden has not updated its Belarus country report since 2019 and considers Belarus as a safe country.

As a result, people can be returned there, or can have their refugee status denied.
Belarusians in Germany also report that they are told that they can return safely to Belarus.

35.

Finally, the stringent visa regime applicable to Belarus citizens is detrimental to family reunification as there are no specific arrangements to facilitate it, even less the possibility for relatives to visit their family members who live abroad on a short-term basis.
A number of my interlocutors complained that no family reunification was possible on the basis of a humanitarian visa but only on the basis of a Schengen visa, which is difficult to obtain, and then only for a 90-day duration .

In some countries, such as Germany, the authorisation of landlords is needed to be able to request a visa.

People feel that they are hostages of chance situations preventing them from enjoying their right to family life.
All in all, Belarusians' chances to relocate outside of Belarus and to freel y circulate within the European 36.

Union have significantly decreased since 2020, while the need to do so is more important than ever.

3.1.2.

Legalisation of stay 37.

When they left in the aftermath of the elections, most of the Belarusians thought that they would be back in a couple of weeks, believing that reason would dictate that democracy prevail.
This was without counting on Lukashenka's determination to stay in power at any cost and Vladimir Putin's help to him do so (at the cost of losing the country's sovereignty).

However, after some time, it was clear their exile might last for some time and that they needed to legalise their stay abroad.

I can draw two clear conclusions from my work on this report.
First, the more time passes, the further away the prospects of Belarusians returning to their home country become, especially since 24 February 2022.

Second, the closer countries are to Belarus, the better they understand the issues at stake and are ready to adapt their legislation and practice to welcome those who try to escape the violence of Lukashenka's regime.

38.
38.

Thus, some good practices of legalisation can be found in Lithuania and Poland, where the largest numbers of Belarusians in exile live, and which authorities have a deep understanding of "what a headache it is to have such an unpredictable neighbour" as one of my Lithuanian interlocutors told me.

Let's remember that Belarus is situated less than 40 km from Vilnius.
Lithuania adopted favourable visa conditions after the 2020 elections granting 6-month visas for free, 39. humanitarian permits for those politically repressed , as well as national visas giving right to a temporary residence permit.

The procedure for transferring businesses (mostly IT) was also eased, allowing for the transfer to Lithuania for all employees.

40.
40.

The number of Belarusians living in Lithuania has steadily increased in the last years: there were 18 000 in 2020, 31 000 in 2021 and 49 000 in 2022.

There are three grounds for regularisation: with a work permit; on humanitarian grounds; or with a refugee status.

Different rights are attached to each status.

Very few Belarusians have asked for refugee status; 160 only because of a lengthy procedure, lasting from 12 to 15 months during which working is not permitted.
The temporary residence permit needs to be renewed every year, a cumbersome and costly procedure, which effectively prevents freedom of movement as the foreigner's passport is attached to it.

41.

My Belarusian interlocutors underlined how Lithuania had demonstrated huge solidarity towards their people, who had fled in standing for democracy and human rights, by welcoming them after the rigged elections.
However, the new draft legislation which was being discussed at the time of my visit in Vilnius, concerning restrictive measures to be adopted as a consequence of Russia's aggression against Ukraine, triggered deep concerns among them, because it was seen as "putting the Belarus people and the Minsk 29.

Non-paper prepared by the United Transitional Cabinet of Belarus, February 2023.

12 Doc.

15783 Report regime in the same basket".


Belarusians in Lithuania were worried because they took it literally as a reaction to them being in Lithuan ia.

One of them formulated it with this question: "why is Lithuania punishing us, what did we do wrong?"

42.
42.

The representatives of the Ministry of Interior I met in Vilnius reassured me that the authorities do not aim to negatively affect the lives of those people who are resisting the Minsk regime, who have found shelter in Lithuania, living, learning and working there , but that they had to take measures to preserve their national security after the Russian aggression against Ukraine.

For them, the Russian and Belarusian regimes are equally responsible for the war in Ukraine.

43.
43.

On 20 April 2023, rejecting a veto by the President, the Lithuanian Parliament adopted the Law on restrictive measures, aiming to safeguard Lithuanian national security and foreign policy interest.30 A previous draft established serious restrictions on Belarusians as regards the possibil ity of obtaining visas, applying for residence permits, citizenships, a-residency statuses and obtaining electronic signatures.

44.
44.

The law, as amended by the parliament, in the end does not affect those Belarusians already living in Lithuania.

Rather, it introduced limitations for Belarus citizens who do not reside in Lithuania.
Thus , it no longer provides for: visa applications at Lithuanian visa services abroad, unless the Ministry of Foreign Affairs mediates; national visa appl ications through an external service provider abroad (this restriction will enter into force on 1 July 2023); and applications for electronic resident status (except those who have Lithuanian permanent or temporary residence permit).

This new legislation thus will affect possible newcomers, including relatives of those already residing in Lithuania .
45.

In a meeting held on 5 April 2023, the Ministry of Interior and Sviatlana Tsikhanouskaya's Office agreed to form a working group to simplify procedures and address other practical issues of Belarusians in Lithuania.

This physical proximity is undoubtedly conducive to solving potential problems at their source.

46.

Such an ad hoc team for solving the problems of Belarusians in exile in Poland has already been in place since March 2022.
During my visit to Warsaw, the Ministry of Internal Affairs provided me with detailed information and statistical data.

Legislation and practice have been amended to allow Belarusians fleeing the regime to stay and work legally in Poland .

Since January 2023, Belarusians who came to Poland on the basis of a humanitarian visa have been allowed to legalise their continuing stay on the basis of a temporary residence permit.

47.
47.

This has opened up the possibility of granting them a Polish foreigner's travel document, usually issued to foreigners staying in Poland on the basis of indefinite residence permits in a situation when they have lost their travel document or it has been destroyed or has expired, and it is not possible to obtain a new travel document.31 48.
Moreover, pursuant to the Act of 9 March 2023 amending the Act on Foreigners and Certain Other Acts, as of 1 June 2023, the possibility of issuing this document will also be open to Belarusians staying in Poland on the basis of any temporary residence permit, subsidiary protection or a residence permit for humanitarian reasons.

The document, valid for one year, will be issued by the voivode32 free of charge.

49.
49.

Poland and Lithuania are the two only countries, which have adopted specific provisions to address the large number of arrivals of Belarusians.

Their efforts and good will have not, however, removed all the worries and hurdles which Bela rusians have to endure.

What to say then, about those who live in other Council of Europe member States, where there is no deep understanding of the situation in Belarus?
Most of them lack favourable legislation to legalise Belarusians on the humanitarian grounds on which they entered the European Un ion or to provide for the possibility to obtain legal grounds of stay on the basis of studies or work, including for highly qualified specialists.

50.

Let us never forget that if these persons left, it is because they had no other choice.

Many faced imprisonment, torture and threats.

They have one wish: return to their homeland to build a new democratic State.
Their life, while they are obliged to live abroad, should be facilitated as much as possible by the host countries.

There are numerous examples when delayed departure of experts, activists, journalists, human rights defenders, reluctant to leave their native country, resulted in arrests and lengthy imprisonment terms.

30.

XIV-1868 Lietuvos Respublikos ribojam4i4 priemoni4 del karines agresijos pries Ukrai nct nustatymo jstatymas (lrs.lt).

31.

Article 186, paragraph 1, point 9 of the Act on Foreigners.
32.

The Governor of a region.

13 Doc.

15783 Report 3.

1.

3.

Asking for refugee status or not?

51.

Very few Belarusians in exile have requested refugee status as they do not wish to sever their links with their home country which they did not leave by choice.

Getting refugee status also has practical consequences, such as making it impossible to sell real estate in Belarus.

52.
52.

In Poland , for example, which has a very liberal regime for granting international protection, between 9 August 2020 and 31 December 2022, 5 775 Belarusians applied for international protection.

This represents only 5% of the Belarusians applying for different types of residence permits in Poland .

More than 99% of the requests were accepted, while those dismissed were based on security concerns.

Poland has registered around 70% of applications for protection in Europe from Belarusian citizens.
Lithuania and Germany have accepted each about 1 0% of the other requests.

53.

But for those who wish to seek international protection, national internal rules and procedures often make it a lengthy journey during which working is not allowed.

In Lithuania, a country expensive for Belarusians, some are obliged to use illegal ways to earn money to survive during the procedure of obtaining refugee status, which takes more than a year, despite their wish to respect the law and pay taxes.

54.
54.

In countries such as France, Spain and Portugal, it is almost impossible to receive refugee status because the respective authorities are not aware of the situation in Belarus.

A migration officer once asked an applicant "what is the problem with Belarus?

".33 As long as national authorities and civi l servants deal ing with immigration files from Belarus applicants are not aware of the dire situation in Belarus, the situation is unlikely to improve.

3.2.

Threats to freedom of movement 55.


A very sensitive issue affecting many Belarusians abroad is their freedom of movement.

Even those who fulfil the necessary requirements to travel abroad face after some time a practical challenge: either their passport is expiring or does not contain sufficient pages for stamping.
We who are citizens from the Schengen area have almost forgotten what it is to have your passport stamped at each border crossing, but if we remember what it means, we realise how important blank pages can be in a valid passport.

This situation does not concern the beneficiaries of international protection who have a Geneva travel 56. document and those with a temporary residence permit accompanied by a foreigner's passport of the same duration, like in Lithuania and Poland.
However, they constitute a minority.

57.

There is significant anecdotal evidence that Belarusian consu lates abroad decline requests to prolong the validity of the passports of their citizens.

Instead, they require that they return to Bela rus to get a new travel document.

This is of course not feasible for all those who escaped the regime in place.

There have already been too many examples of Belarusians arrested upon their return, despite Lukashenka's siren song to lure them back home.
For the regime, keeping control of the passports is clearly used as a leverage to control the lives of those who live abroad.

This practice also constitutes a de facto refusal by Lukashenka's regime to provide one of the fundamental services of the State- documenting its citizens.

This dependence is detrimental to Belarusians living abroad, who have shown that they do not want to 58. lose their citizenship.

Their passports should not be used as an instrument by the authorities to control their lives.
59.

A possibility could be to allow Belarusian citizens to continue to use their travel documents even when expired.

However, the European Union treats the issuing of travel documents and their credibility with extreme caution.

The documents must also comply with the strict requirements of the International Civil Aviation Organization (ICAO) for travel safety.

Also, extending the period of validity of a travel document is an extremely time-consuming and delicate task to carry out in the European Union.
This wou ld be against the rules of ICAO, which are applied world-wide and foresee no derogations.

In order to respond to the people's demand not to be held hostage by an illegitimate regime preventing 60. them from enjoying freedom of movement, Sviatlana Tsikhanouskaya's Office and the United Transitional Cabinet of Belarus have come up with the idea of creating a new Belarusian passport which would be issued by them.
Many political, practical, financial, and security difficulties are attached to such an initiative, but the current situation where a de facto Belarus State in exile is being created , is unique.

It therefore requires a solution outside the box and I believe that Council of Europe member States, as well as the European Union, could find original ways to support these efforts.

33.

Exchange of views, 15 March 2023.

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15783 Report 3.3.

Denial of consular services 61.


Consular seNices are also denied when an apostille is needed , notably for the legalization process.

1 was told that after waiting in long queues, people are either told that they need to return to Belarus, which is of course not feasible since, as already noted , they would risk immediate arrest, or their request is never answered.

62.
62.

There is a particular concern regarding children born abroad who cannot obtain docu ments because consulates cannot deal with this issue.

As their parents are not in a position to go back to Belarus to ensure proper documentation, there is a risk that these children born abroad become stateless .

63.
63.

Because the regime continues to use this leverage against its citizens and because the host countries require documentation that is effectively impossible to obtain, Belarusians in exile find themselves either forced to return and risk being arrested for political reasons, or are unable to legalise their stay, or have their diplomas recognised and are denied access to social and healthcare seNices.
There is a contradiction in demanding an apostille from a non-recognised regime, and solutions should be found to avoid having to have recourse to consular seNices.

3.4.

Threats to safety and security 64.

Crossing the border is not always sufficient to ensure safety and security to those Belarusians who have fled the regime, but the bigger security risks remain for those who stayed beh ind.
Clearly, Belarus has become an immense open-air prison, where anyone could become the target of the reg ime, except for those who remain loyal to it.

Maintaining relationship with relatives and friends who stayed behind is difficult, precisely, because contact may put them in danger.

Many of my interlocutors underlined how one of the challenges is to reconnect Belarusians outside the country with those still in it.

65.

Simple communication becomes a real challenge.


The French sociologist Roman HeNouet tells a wonderful and touching example in his latest book, where he recounts his correspondence with an old friend who still lives in Minsk, and who feels like Charles Baudelaire's Albatross, "exiled on earth".34 66.

All Belarusians in exile fear trying to return back home, as any public statement or personal message could be used as evidence for their detention.
Every day, in Belarus, around 15-20 people get arrested, and, in 2022 alone, 5 000 politically motivated detentions were registered.

However, Belarusians in exile not on ly fear for their own lives, but also for any possible State reprisals against their relatives who are still inside the Belarusian territory.
Once Belarusians in exile are sentenced in absentia to imprisonment or civil sanctions, · the authorities undertake whatever action they consider necessary to force them to return to Belarus for immediate arrest.

For instance, there have been cases of the relatives of Belarusians in exi le being kidnapped or detained.35 Sometimes, relatives are tortured to force them to give information on the Belarusians abroad.
In other cases, the houses of Belarusians in exile were destroyed or searched for any evidence that could be used in their trials, while NGOs' offices were raided as a threatening message.36 67.

The organisations that support activists and political prisoners' families by providing them with financial support in the country have to operate very carefully to avoid the risk of the recipients getting arrested.
Some were recognised as "extremist organisations" and when Belarus banks leaked the list of people who have been donating through this channel, they were proclaimed extremists as well, resulting in arrests and blackmail.

68.

There are sufficient high-profile cases indicating that digital security is not addressed properly.
For example, the content of the computer and phone of the journalist Raman Pratasevich was used as evidence to arrest him and prosecute him after the hijacking of the Athens-Vilnius Ryanair flight in April 2021.

69.
I heard two different stories about the book "I am going out" containing pictures of the demonstrations held after the 9 August 2020 election37: that the pictures are used by the authorities to identify opponents to the regime and to arrest them, using the photos as evidence that they participated in anti-Lukashenka demonstrations, and on the contrary, that Freedom House uses the photos to find evidence that those seeking to enter Lithuania are genuine opponents to the regime, and not infiltrated agents.
34.

Ronan Hervouet, La Revolution suspendue, les Belarusses contre I'Etat autoritaire, Plein Jour, 2023.

35.

Pavel Slunkin, "A prison of the mind: Lukashenka's pursuit of exiled Belarusians", European Council on Foreign Relations, 30 January 2023; see also UN General Assembly, A/77/ 195, op cit., pp.

10-12.

36.

UN General Assembly, A/77/ 195, op cit.

, p. 13.

3 7. https:/ /euroradio.

fm/ru/v-mi nske-semeynuyu-paru-osudi li-za-protesty-po-foto-iz-knigi.

15 Doc.

15783 Report 70.


How much Belarusian special services are active abroad is difficult to say but I was told in different contexts that the use of false and discrediting narratives against activists is on the rise, which contributes inter alia to creating a feeling of distrust among different organisations.

71.
71.

In one case, a Lithuanian lawyer was accused of being recruited by the KGB to spy on a organisation based in Vilnius.38 I was also told there are cases of Belarusians in exile being recruited by the Belarusian KGB in exchange for a safe return to Belarus and acquittal of any possible charges against them.

According to one source, in December 2022 alone, 58 Belarusians in exile were arrested once they entered Belarus despite having been promised a safe return by the authorities.39 72.
The criminal procedures instigated in Belarus against political opponents can have huge repercussions for the lives of Belarusians in exile if Interpol issues a Red Notice at the request of the Lukashenka regime.

There have been already many cases where criminal proceedings were started as a pretext for political persecution.
For example, the prosecution of alleged economic crimes such as failure to pay taxes, giving or taking bribes, fraud, and money laundering is used to persecute political opponents both inside Belarus (at least 15 political prisoners were convicted under these respective provisions of the Criminal Code, including Nobel laureate Ales Bialiatski) and outside Belarus (Dmitri Glazer was accused of taking bribes but was released by a Slovenian court).4° Furthermore, criminal cases alleging threats to national security, extremism, high treason, inciting national hatred, disturbing public order, etc.
are filed against political opponents and journalists protesting against the war in Ukraine.41 73.

Following legislative amendments, since May 2022, the death penalty can be imposed not only for committing a terrorist act but also for preparing one.

The list of so-called terrorists in Belarus includes participants in the 2020 protests, including Sviatlana Tsikhanouskaya and Paval Latushka .
In 2022, people were detained for sabotaging the railway to prevent Russian military trains from traveling to Ukraine.

Most of those detained were charged with either an act of terrorism or preparation for it.

74.

Belarusians in exile can only feel safe if they know with certainty that they do not risk extradition as a result of an Interpol Red Notice.

Providing adequate information to the respective national authorities to which these Red Notices are addressed is therefore key.
Ministries of Justice and Internal Affairs should systematically be acquainted with relevant reports, which will justify a negative reply to an Interpol Red Notice or a request for extradition.421n this connection, it should be noted that Belarus is the on ly European country where a request to Interpol does not require a court decision ; the Prosecutor's Office uses this loophole to pursue political opponents.

3.5.

Solidarity with Belarus 75.


The links between the Belarusians in exile and their compatriots who have not left the country remain very tight even in the absence of physical contacts.

Social media and modern technologies have been instrumental in that respect.

There are many initiatives aiming at supporting different groups in Belarus, of which I will not compile a catalogue, they deserve a report in themselves.43 76.
Valentin Stefanovic, Viasna deputy chair, vice-president of the International Federation for Human Rights (FIDH) and long-term partner of the Council of Europe on the abolition of the death penalty, sentenced to 9 years in a colony, wrote in April 2023, "[i]mprisonment is like death ... You're maybe not dead, but you're erased from life for a long time, and life goes on ; it goes on but without you.

But I firmly intend to endure it all and return to this world".44 38.
Our House, "Extraterritorial attacks of special services of Russia and Belarus against Belarusian women human rights.

defenders, journalists and activists in exile in the territory of the Republic of Lithuania", 24 October 2022.

39.

Our House, "Europe's New Berlin Wall: invisible Belarusian Refugees Between Minsk and Vilnius", 1 March 2023.

40. www .24ur .com/novice/slovenija/slovenska-policija-pridrzala-belorusa-na-katerega-je-razpisana-tira lica .html.

41. www .dw.
41. www .dw.

com/ru/1 0-sutok-za-zhelto-golubye-cvety-kak-sudil i-belorusov-zaderzhannyh-za-a kcii-protiv-vojny/ a -61 00 17 58; https://humanconstanta .org/obzor -borby-s-ekstremizmom-v-belarusi-za-oktyabr -dekabr -2022/; https://prisoners.spring96.org/ru/person/vjaczaslau-lazarau.

42.
42.

The information pack could include the following: OSCE Rapporteur's Report under the Moscow Mechanism on Alleged Human Rights Violations Related to the Presidential Elections of 9 August 2020 in Belarus, OHCHR examination of the human rights situation in Belarus, Actions for which Belarusian citizens can be held criminally liable, Cases of political persecution of Belarusian activists through requests to Interpol.

43.

See for example https://inicyjatyva.com/initiatives.

44.
44.

Valiantsin Stefanovic: "I firmly intend to endure it all and return to the free world" (spring96.org).

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15783 Report 77.

With the daily increasing number of political prisoners, it has become of paramount importance to support them as well as their relatives.

Apart from the mere horror of being imprisoned, there are also many difficulties to endure after release.
The list of the different types of material support needed is endless, from food to money (to pay the bills of gas and electricity accumulated during the period of imprisonment), clothes, medicines etc.

A regular influx of donations is needed to be able to support all those in need, bearing also in mind that some 300 to 400 political prisoners who were sentenced in the aftermath of the elections to 2 or 3 years of prison should be released in 2023 - 2024.

78.
78.

After release, the mental and physical health of the political prisoners is often broken , and huge efforts are made to ensure their resocialisation.

I was told that because of their poor detention conditions, many have lost their teeth, and replacing them is seen as an important step towards resocialisation.45 79.
Another category of persons who need support from their compatriots abroad are those who were dismissed from employment and find themselves without any source of regular income, such as doctors and teachers.

80.

Secure and safe alternatives are being put in place to transfer money to Belarus to overcome obstacles linked to security concerns, bank regulations and sanctions.
The volume of money involved, divergent priorities and competing initiatives have caused some tensions between some of the Belarusian non governmental organisations in exile.

3.6.

Access to education Forced to flee the country without previously organising their departu res, many Belarusians often left 81. behind their diplomas and did not apostille their professional certificates.
The lack of official documentation thus represents an important barrier for Belarusians in exile to access qualified labour market or educational programmes.

In addition, not knowing local language(s) or needing to adapt to new contexts, Belarusians in exile often encounter difficulties in finding suitable schools for their children.

82.

Cases of discrimination have been registered in schools and academia, as well.
In particular, European universities have sometimes denied the possibility to Belarusians to enrol on their university courses, for instance by advancing security reasons.

Others are discussing the possible expulsion of Belarusians students in exile already enrolled in them.46 83.

The pupils of the Pranciskaus Skorinos Gymnasium have the privilege to study in the only 10-class school where teaching is carried out in Belarusian outside Belarus.

They follow the Lithuanian curriculum but in their language.
First opened in 1919, closed in 1944 and reopened in 1994, it has for this academic year 381 pupils, half of them having arrived after the 2020 elections.

Apart from their native language and Lithuanian, they learn English and Russian.47 Some of their teachers are themselves Belarusians in exile.

Integration is not an issue there, contrary to other schools where Belarusian pupils have to adapt to a new language and a new curriculum.
In Poland , for the current academic year, some Belarusians have studied in adaptation classes together with Ukrainian children, which has caused tensions and bu llying episodes in a number of cases.

I was also told that the classes for the Belarusian minority in Poland are not opened to the newcomers.

84.
84.

Because the Belarus science and academic world has existed in isolation for years, functioning with its own criteria , Belarusian scholars could almost never take part in international scientific projects.

As a result, they have no connections with their peers internationally, their CVs are irrelevant for the requirement of academic institutions outside of Belarus, and the recognition of their diplomas is problematic.

This has caused difficulties in relocating and working for the academics in exile.
85.

Deferment from military service will not be possible from this year for young men who study abroad.

Consequently, either the students will go to the army at the age of 18 and return to study two years later or, if they remain in their university, be considered as having evaded their military service.
The European Humanities University, the unique Belarusian university able to operate on the basis of academic freedom and adherence to European values, in exile in Vilnius since 2005, is particularly worried that the visas and residence permits of these young men will expire once they graduate.

45. https://bysol.org/ru/private/formerpoliticalprisonerinneed.

46.

European Students' Union, "BM81 : Resolution on inadmissibility of discrimination against students from Belarus", 15 July 2022.

47.
47.

P. Skorinos Gymnasium (skorinosgimnazija.lt).

17 Doc.

15783 Report 3.

7.

Pursuing a professional career in exile 86.

Apart from structural barriers, Belarusian exiles often experience discrimination at work on account of their nationality.
They report cases of increased workload, false information being spread about them and their applications for work being rejected.48 According to a recent quantitative analysis, 17% of surveyed Belarusians in exile in Poland experienced being refused employment.49 3.

7.

1.

Businesses 87.

More than 80 % of Belarus companies in exile are based in Poland thanks to the Poland Business Harbour.
Another 10% are based in Lithuania and the remainder, elsewhere in the world, particularly in Georgia with a large number of small businesses and self-employed persons.

88.

Relocating IT companies has usually been a success story.

For example, among the top three IT companies in Lithuania, two are Belarusian.

However, the majority of the relocated Belarusian businesses are in the retail sector, logistics and transport, small services, as well as construction.
89. International sanctions against the regime of Lukashenka have been welcomed by the democratic forces.

However, they have also impacted on the operation of businesses run by Belarusians not affiliated with the Minsk regime who have moved out of the country.5° 90.

Opening a bank account is the biggest challenge faced by these businesses.
Although two Polish banks are prepared to open accounts for these businesses, should a n application be rejected, the business would be placed on a blacklist, and a new application will in effect require a new company to be created.

Moreover, temporary addresses are not accepted, which is a particular challenge for IT companies that often function in a nomad mode.
The limitation on deposits is also problematic, affecting those who want to repatriate funds from the sale of property in Belarus to their host country.

Th is not only affects businesses but also those political prisoners who have been released and left the country.

91.

Belarus companies are less competitive because it is difficult for them to obtain a credit or accounting services.
Furthermore, in some countries such as Estonia or Latvia, local shareholders become the main shareholders because it is practically impossible for Belarusians to own a company there.
The Association of Belarus Businesses Abroad, established in 2021, provides support to Belarus 92. businesses who wish to relocate or already have relocated.51 A system of accreditation has been developed, where companies who wish to join need to sign a code of ethics, confirming that they are against the war in Ukraine and support democratic values.
Three of their members are part of Sviatlana Tsikhanouskaya's economic team and participated in the 2023 Daves Forum to present the needs of the Belarus private sector in exile.

While the association fully supports the EU sanctions against Belarus, it believes that those who are against the Lukashenka regime should be supported and allowed to pay taxes in their host countries.

3.

7.2.

Journalists 93.


The Belarusian Association of Journalists (BAJ) is a professional association of journalists from independent media , created in 1995 to protect freedom of speech, freedom of information, promote the professional standards of journalism, conduct monitoring of Belarusian press, and offer legal support to all media workers.52 Some 400 to 500 out of 1 300 of its members left the country after the BAJ offices were searched in February 2021.
In August 2021 , the Supreme Court of Belarus accepted the claim of the Ministry of Justice that it should be liquidated , but the association, of course, continues to function in exile.

In March 2023, BAJ and staff were designated as an "extremist formation" by the authorities.

53 48.
53 48.

Oleg Alampiyev and Philipp Bikanau, "Belarusians in Poland, Lithuania, Georgia: attitude to the war, help to Ukraine, discrimination", Friedrich Ebert Stiftung, August 2022, p. 17, and Volha Kavalskaya, "Life in exile- a report on Belarusian women abroad", New Eastern Europe, 31 May 2022.

49.

Oleg Alampiyev and Philipp Bikanau (2022), op.

cit., p. 13.

50.
cit., p. 13.

50.

"Map of Belarusian Business Abroad Has Appeared", Belarusian News, charter97.org, and www.txtreport.com/ business/2022-Q2-23-belarus-business-harbor-in-baltics-business-forum-takes-place-in-vilnius.ryiV22ml5.html.

51 .

ABBA- Association of Belarusian Business Abroad (abbabusiness.org).

52.

Belarusian Association of Journalists I baj.by.

53. www .hrw .org/news/2023/03/1 0/belarus-equates-rights-protection-extremism.

18 Doc.

15783 Report 94.


Most of the journalists in exile are in Georgia (some 50), Germany (between 20 and 30), Lithuania (some 150) and Poland (more than 200).

They work for Belarus media, their main aim being to provide objective and verified information within Belarus in order to break the propaganda machine.

For those who are not already imprisoned - 33 are political prisoners - working as an independent journalist in Belarus has become impossible, the risks are too high .54 95.
The journalists face the same challenges as their other compatriots in terms of legalisation, access to bank accounts etc.

There are frequent instances when their salaries are blocked until anti-money laundering checks are done.

During that time, they have no access to their salary.

96.

What would undoubtedly help their endeavours to keep their compatriots informed would be that search engines, such as Google, ensure that their news, rather than that from official sources, come at the top of searches.
The fact that Belarus is a small market should not deter the big IT companies from contributing to ensuring a fa ir and safe internet in Belarus itself by allowing independent and objective information to circulate.

3.

7.3.

Lawyers Lawyers are a professional category particularly under threat in Belarus.
They are being subjected to a 97. wide range of attacks by the regime: misuse of disciplinary proceedings; arbitrary detention and crimi nal prosecution ; treating their Telegram chats as "extremist"; interference with the confidential lawyer-client communications; and stripping them of their licence to practice .

98.

As a result, many of them have been forced to leave Belarus and now find themselves in exile.
Apart from the legalisation issue, their main challenge is to have their licence to practice recognised in their host country.

While there is no obvious simple solution, the recognition of the Belarusian Association of Human Rights Lawyers, a new type of bar association established in the territory of other States, could allow lawyers in exile to continue to provide legal services to their clients in Belarus.
Its main goal is to promote and protect the human rights of lawyers deprived of the right to exercise their profession in Belarus, as well as to raise the standards of legal assistance.
The report "The Crisis of the Legal Profession in Belarus: How to Return the Right to Defense" initiated 99. by the Center for Constitutionalism and Human Rights of the European Humanities University in partnershi p with the "Right to Defense" project (defenders.by), the human rights organisation "Human Constanta", and the Polish Helsinki Foundation for Human Rights contains an interesting "Action Program for the Restoration of the Institute of Advocacy in Belarus" and is thus a valuable road map for the future.
55 3.8.

Preserving Belarusian identity and culture 100.

For many years, Belarus language and culture have been in the shadow of Russia's.

Even its name was not properly transliterated into foreign languages, since there was no distinction made between «PYCbKIIllil I pycKi», which designates the people, languages, cultures and religion of the Eastern Slavs at the time of Rus', and «pocililcbKII1Lil I paceLilcKi» , which designates today the people, la nguage, culture and Russian State.
Thus, many countries still erroneously refer to Belarus as "Belorussia" or "White Russia" instead of BelarusiBelarusian which is the correct transliteration of 6enapycbl 6enapycKi in English.

101 .

The political crisis born after the 2020 elections has led to a renaissance of the interest for Belarusian language and culture among Belarusians in exile, while at the same time, it has been repressed in Belarus itself.
Thus, many artists and writers who joined the mass protests after the elections were detained on administrative charges or criminally prosecuted.

The regime has censored and prohibited the publishing of specific books considered as extremists, such as those of Sviatlana Aleksievich, Nobel Laureate for literature.

56 102.
56 102.

A number of initiatives have been launched to promote the learning of Belarusian language, history and culture, notably in the Belarus Youth Club, whose aim is to ensure that the Belarusians who will return to Belarus will do so with increased knowledge and competences .57 The Hub's priority is to preserve and 54.

P3np3cii cynpa4b )l(ypHanicTay i M€Abls:l y 2023 rO,Q3e, c nic 3H s:~soneHbiX 1 baj .by.

55.
55.

"The Crisis of the Legal Profession in Belarus: How to Return the Right to Defe nse" [WeHTp Ko HCTII1TY41110Hani13Ma 11 npaB 4eflOBeKa (cchr.online)).

56.

UN General Assembly , N77/195, op cit., p. 16.

57.

HELP REFUGEES!

(by hub.org).

19 Doc.

15783 Report strengthen the Belarusian identity among the Belarusians in exile and their children.

Apart from languages and music classes, the production of cartoons in Belarusian available on YouTube is one of its successful initiatives.

103.
103.

The Belarusian Council for Culture is a non-governmental organisation that unites cultural actors forming the sustainable infrastructure of the free Belarusian culture.

Its activities focus on the promotion of Belarusian culture (patronage of artists, performers, and art managers), development of new cultural projects, unification of the culture community, and promotion of Belarusian culture across the globe.
It is preparing a roadmap for the European Commission on the preservation of Belarusian culture, created to outline the needs of Belarusian civil society in the sphere of culture, to explain why this demand corresponds to the interests of European citizens, and to recommend to the donors how to act- how much money to allocate to this sphere, how to structure the aid and what results to expect.
The aim is that this proposal will be taken into consideration in the programming period of the European Commission for the next three years.

58 104.

Meanwhile, Belarusian literature and books in Belarusian have been practically erased in Belarus.

Efforts are being made to establish an Institute of the Belarusian Book abroad with the aim of making known Belarus literature and of translating more books into Belarusian.
A number of authors, illustrators and publishers are discussing the status of such an organisation, which would in the initial stage take the form of a platform.

Practical problems are facing the initiators of the Institute, such as the lack of space to store the books, but the first one is a financial one: which investors would be interested in investing in the very small Belarus book market?

105.

Culture should not be market-driven; it cannot be translated into figures on an Excel sheet.
It is crucial that support is given to allow theatre troops to perform their plays, musicians to play, books to be published and read, so that art becomes the cement of Belarusian identity, and that Belarusian language and culture again find their place in the sun, as they are key to Belarusian statehood.

3.9.

Double exile after fleeing Ukraine 1 06.


Ukraine was one of the countries which welcomed a large number of Belarusians, notably because of its visa free regime and of the absence of a serious language barrier.

It is estimated that 20 to 30 000 Belarusians crossed the border monthly from Belarus after the 2020 elections and that some 171 000 Belarusians lived there in 2021.
I was told that some 50 000 went to Poland after the Russian aggression against Ukraine, a large number to Georgia and Lithuania, and that perhaps 5 000 still remain in Ukraine.

107.
107.

Initially, Belarusians were allowed to stay in Ukraine for 90 days, but after some campaigning by civil society organisations, this duration was extended to 180 days, and then extended again, a year later.59 Despite a complicated legalisation process, most of the Belarusians who lived in Ukraine before the war integrated well and had no intention to leave.

They were forced to do so as a result of the Russian attack.

108.
108.

Like other third country nationals who fled Ukraine, these Belarusians did not get access to the same protection and reception scheme as provided to Ukrainian citizens by the EU Directive 2001/55/EC (Temporary Protection Directive) and found themselves in a situation of double exile.

1 09.

However, some Belarusians stayed in Ukraine to help the Ukrainians resist the Russian aggression, notably the Kastus Kalinouski Regiment and others.

110.
110.

There were about 100 Belarusian journalists in exile in Ukraine when the war started.

Most of them have left but a number of correspondents remain, covering the war for Belarusian media in exile, such as Belsat, Nasha Niva and Zerkalo.

I was alerted to a very specific problem affecting those journalists who live in Ukraine; their bank accounts were blocked by the Ukrainian security services, the SBU, and they could not access their money.
About half of these accounts have since been deblocked, but some 50 others continue to be inaccessible to their owners.

Different attempts have been made to reach out to the Ukrainian authorities on their behalf but so far without success.

I trust that if the accounts are properly checked and that there are no irregularities, they will be made accessible to their owners, whose situation of double exile makes access to their own resources even more crucial.

111.
111.

The participation of Lukashenka's regime in the war in Ukraine, the security threat he poses to Ukraine and beyond, with his agreement to host Russian nuclear tactical weapons, should not be seen as a justification to impose discriminatory measures on Belarusians, especially those who left the country for 58.

Belarusian Council for Culture (byculture.org).

59.

Interview with the Free Belarus Centre.

20 political reasons, in response to a situation for which they are not responsible.
The Belarusians have not spared their efforts to provide support to the Ukrainians, notably through fund-raising carried out by organisations in exile.60 While Ukraine understandably fears the opening of a northern front, it should acknowledge that the majority of Belarusians do not support Russia's aggression against Ukraine.61 Doc.

15783 Report 4.

Conclusions and recommendations 112.


Belarusians who left their country after the rigged presidential elections of August 2020 were forced to do so by the Lukashenka regime.

This imposed exile has led them to becoming victims of human rig hts violations in the host countries where they have found shelter, sometimes as the involuntary consequence of the sanctions imposed on the Lukashenka regime.

113.
113.

While their main wish is to return to a democratic Belarus, the more time passes, the more distant this prospect seems.

Removing the legal, administrative and practical obstacles they face and providing support to Belarusians in exile should be a priority for the Council of Europe member states because a democratic and safe Belarus is part of the solution to security in Europe.

114.

One cannot ignore the fact that the democratic forces are seeking to create "a new Belarus" in exi le.
Their efforts to alleviate the challenges their compatriots face should be supported.

At the same time, integration of Belarusians in exile in the host societies remains key to avoid ghettoization and psychological alienation.

115.

This report offers pragmatic and practical proposals to member States where Belarusians fleeing the Lukashenka regime have found refuge so that they can live as normally as possible, at least without any obstacles to the enjoyment of their fundamental rights.
It should be seen as a basis for the national parliaments of the States concerned and the competent authorities so that all 46 Council of Europe member States provide an equivalent, if not harmonised, level of protection to Belarusians in exile, enabling them to integrate while preserving and strengthening their national identity.

60.

HELP REFUGEES!

(byhub.org), Free Belarus Center.

61.

Rethinking Western policy towards Belarus 1 Chatham House - International Affairs Think Tank.
21 t Parliamentary Assembly Assemblee parlementaire ~"1?~ ~ d'~l~·~- ~-om.-~ .

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CONSEIL DE !.


:EUROPE Resolution 2499 (2023) 1 Provisional version Addressing the specific challenges faced by the Belarusians in exile Parliamentary Assembly The Parliamentary Assembly is deeply concerned by the fate of hundreds of thousands of Belarusians 1. who are in exile because they had no other choice than to flee the repressive regime of Aliaksandr Lukashenka.
If any doubts remained about the nature of the latter, the rigged presidential election of 9 August 2020 haS shown its true character, turning Belarus into an open-air prison where human rights have been reduced to nothing.

2.
2.

The Assembly recalls Resolution 2433 (2022) "Consequences of the Russian Federation's continued aggression against Ukraine: role and response of the Council of Europe" in which it expressed its resolve "to intensify its engagement with Belarusian ... civil society, human rights defenders, independent journalists, academia and democratic forces respecting the values and principles of the Organisation".

3.
3.

The Assembly is impressed by the resilience, courage and determination of the Belarusians in exile who are fighting for democracy to prevail in their country.

It is conscious that a new obstacle for them has emerged on 24 February 2022 with the large-scale aggression of the Russian Federation against Ukraine to which the Lukashenka regime actively participates.
It regrets that the more time that passes since 9 August 2020, the day Lukashenka in reality lost the elections, the further away in time the return of the Belarusians who find themselves in exile becomes .

4.

The Assembly can only be impressed by the work and initiatives of the Office of Sviatlana Tsikhanouskaya and the United Transitional Cabinet of Belarus, which aim at providing their compatriots with the services the regime deliberately withholds.
Recognising that the Belarusian people cannot be equated with the Lukashenka regime, the Assembly 5. considers that Belarusians in exile should not be treated in a discriminatory manner because of the participation of that regime in the war against Ukraine.
The Assembly emphasises that while most of the Belarusians who have been forced to leave their 6. country in the context of the 2020 presidential election have only one wish: to return to a democratic Belarus, it is important that their host countries do their utmost to ensure that they can stay legally and are welcomed in dignified conditions respectful of their fundamental rights, as guaranteed by the European Convention on Human Rights (ETS No.
5) and other relevant Council of Europe instruments, pending the establishment of a democratic regime in Belarus.

7.

The Assembly deeply deplores that the Lukashenka regime is continuing to exercise pressure on those who have left the country, notably by refusing to provide consular services to its citizens and by threatening their security.

8.
8.

While many European countries have opened their borders to Belarusians, the Assembly notes that the closer those countries find themselves to Belarus, the greater is their understanding of the situation of those fleeing.

1.

Assembly debate on 20 June 2023 (16th sitting) (see Doc.

15783, report of the Committee on Migration, Refugees and Displaced Persons, rapporteur: Mr Paul Galles).

Text adopted by the Assembly on 20 June 2023 (16th sitting).

-.

~~ I .
-.

~~ I .

1!1 _· Resolution 2499 (2023) Applauding Lithuania's and Poland's efforts to find legal and practical solutions to welcome the 9.

Belarusians in exile, the Assembly notes that more can be done.

1 0.
1 0.

Regretting that too many obstacles and hurdles continue to affect those who have found themselves in other countries, the Assembly is convinced that better knowledge of the situation in Belarus and political will are the prerequisites to adopting measures which will alleviate as much as possible the fact of being in exile.
It calls upon member States to recognise the unique situation in which the Belarusians in exile find 11. themselves, requiring out of the box solutions to ensure that they can live their lives as unimpeded as possible pending their return to a democratic Belarus.

12.

The Assembly hails the establishment by the Committee of Ministers of a Contact Group on co operation between the Council of Europe and the Belarusian democratic forces and civil society.
This sui generis co-operation model, the first established with the Belarus democratic forces by an international organisation, aims to provide the Organisation's support and expertise to strengthen Belarusian democratic society in line with Council of Europe core values.

The Assembly is also delighted to welcome representatives of the Belarus democratic forces in the work of its committees by decision of the Bureau of the Assembly.

13.
13.

The Assembly strongly believes that it is high time to translate the political support that the democratic forces of Belarus enjoy among the member States into concrete actions and that measures taken against the Lukashenka regime should not affect the people fighting it.
The Assembly is convinced that in order to ensure full respect for human rights of the Belarusians while 14. they are in exile and ultimately to contribute to the democratic transition in their country, the Council of Europe member States should put in place relatively simple and non-costly measures within their own jurisdiction for those persons.

Legal entry and stay 15.
While respecting visa requirements and ensuring the necessary security checks, member States should seek to keep their borders open for those fleeing the Lukashenka regime by taking inter alia the following measures: issuing humanitarian visas in all embassies and consulates still operating in Minsk and 15.1. expanding the eligibility criteria for such visas to relatives of political prisoners; 15.2. opening up and guaranteeing the possibility of granting visas to EU countries in those member States where a visa is not required for Belarusian citizens, without requiring a residence permit in those countries; issuing multiple-entry Schengen visas for relatives of Belarusians in exile who come to visit them 15.3. on a short-term and temporary basis; issuing longer duration multiple-entry visas to be used as a back-up option for those who are at 15.4. risk of arrest in Belarus.
The United Transitional Cabinet of Belarus shall bear the responsibility of identifying and recognising the individuals who are at risk of arrest in Belarus.

The clearly defined criteria should be jointly developed by the Cabinet with partners from member States.

16.

Member States should also facilitate expert-to-expert talks between their relevant migration authorities and the relevant representatives of the Belarus democratic forces in exile to solve problems as they arise in a pragmatic way.

17.
17.

Member States are encouraged to put in place measures to ensure transparency in the decision making process where credentials are issued by non-governmental organisations to support the issuance of visas or the legalisation process.

18.

Those member States which have yet not done so should rapidly develop legal instruments allowing for the legalisation of the stay of the Belarusians in exile.

19.
19.

Recognising the importance of psychological stability and the feeling of safety for those who left their home involuntarily or forcibly, the Assembly calls upon member States to provide long-term legalisation for the Belarusians in exile, thus avoiding unnecessary hurdles and stress.

20.
20.

In order to support the work of their relevant migration offices, member States are encouraged to prepare a Belarus country factsheet and provide training for their staff on the actual situation in this country, so as to enable them to take prompt and sound decisions on individual cases.

2 Resolution 2499 (2023) Freedom of movement 21 .


Member States are encouraged, in co-operation with the European Commission , to identify adequate solutions to allow Belarusians in exile to travel within the European Union, notably through systematising the use of foreigners' passport and/or continuing to recognise Belarus passports which have expired.

22.
22.

The Assembly also invites member States, again in close co-operation with the European Commission and the International Civil Aviation Organization (ICAO), to discuss with the relevant representatives of the Belarus democratic forces in exile the possibility to issue a passport for Belarus citizens in exile which would be recognised among member States.

Safety and security 23.
Underlining that deprivation of nationality should not lead to statelessness and that even if Belarus is not a State party to the United Nations Statelessness conventions, these are principles of international law and human rights law, which should be observed by all States; recalling that Belarus has accepted Georgia's recommendation under the 3rd cycle of the United Nations' Universal Periodic Review; and noting that Belarus pledged to accede to both United Nations statelessness conventions at the High-Level Segment on Statelessness in 2019, the Assembly strongly encourages member States to do their utmost to recognise the importance of establishing statelessness determination procedures, which in turn would provide protection in host States to those rendered stateless.
24.

As addressing a request to a Belarus consulate, such as for certification of a clean criminal record necessary for the legalisation process, or the prolongation of a passport, can lead to reprisals or threats against the applicants' relatives who stayed in Belarus or to the applicants themselves, member States are strongly encouraged not to require documents obtainable only through Belarus official channels.

25.
25.

Member States should abstain from extraditing Belarusian citizens in exile on the basis of Red Notices issued by Interpol at the request of the Lukashenka regime, given the use of criminal prosecutions for political purposes.
If in doubt, they are encouraged to verify Interpol requests from Belarus through the Law and Order Restoration Office of the United Transitional Cabinet of Belarus, which includes former law enforcement officers staff dismissed for political reasons, thus possessing the necessary qualifications, experience, and access to databases.

26.
26.

The Assembly is concerned that information transferred by European banks to Belarus banks has been used by the Belarus Security Services to target human rights defenders in Belarus.
The Assembly calls on member States to encourage the private sector to pay due heed to human rights issues in their operations and undertake the necessary due diligence to protect Belarusian human rights defenders who are their clients from risks of further persecutions as a result of their operations or information exchanges.

Furthermore, member States should do their utmost to prevent the misuse of international criminal co-operation measures by the Lukashenka regime as an additional tool for repression.
27.

More generally, member States should not deem Belarus to be a safe country.
They are encouraged to send referral letters to the Prosecutor of the International Criminal Court expressing their concern for the situation in Belarus and asking him to respond to a Communication under Article 15(2) of the Rome Statute of the International Criminal Court entitled 'The Situation in Belarus/Lithuania/Poland/Latvia and Ukraine: Crimes Against Humanity of Deportation and Persecution" filed by International Partnership for Human Rights, Norwegian Helsinki Committee, Global Diligence LPP and Truth Hounds on 19 May 2021 .
Democratic forces in exile 28.

Given the tremendous role that the People's Consulates can play, notably as communication channels with national authorities, the Assembly strongly believes that member States should establish working relationships with them, as representatives of democratic Belarus, and envisage supporting them through the provision of organisational, information and material assistance, with the aim of developing their competences and sustainability.

29.
29.

The Assembly strongly encourages the parliaments of those member States which have not yet done so, to establish a parliamentary friendship group to create a network to exchange on the best measures to support the Belarusians in exile.

It is convinced that such a network would also facilitate the dialogue with the Belarus democratic forces in exile, including the Office of Sviatlana Tsikhanouskaya, the United Transition Cabinet of Belarus and the Coordination Council.

3 Resolution 2499 (2023) 30 .


The Assembly also invites member States to provide funds for and contribute to the activities agreed in the framework of the Council of Europe Contact Group on Belarus, in particular taking advantage of the activities proposed by the Secretariat of the Assembly on "Strengthening political dialogue".

Support to civil society The Assembly is convinced that it is indispensable to create conditions to ensure the sustainability of 31.
Belarusian civil society organisations in exile, in particular by providing them with the tools and means to mobilise their compatriots in exile, to carry out their activities and to remain visible.

This should be particularly the case for organisations aiming at developing and strengthening the Belarusian language and culture.

32.
32.

Underlining the role played by the Expert Council on NGO Law of the Conference of International Non Governme!Jtal Organisations of the Council of Europe (Conference of INGOs) in supporting freedom of association in Europe, the Assembly strongly encourages member States to request its opinions on measures adversely affecting the operation of Belarusians NGOs in exile and to adopt policies accordingly.

It also encourages the constituent members of the Conference of INGOs to co-operate and assist 33.
Belarusian NGOs in exile.

Support to lawyers in exile 34.

In the light of the repression faced by the legal profession in Belarus and the fact that many lawyers are in exile abroad, the Assembly calls for the recognition of the Belarusian Association of Human Rights Lawyers as the organisation entrusted with the promotion and protection of the human rights of lawyers deprived of the right to exercise their profession in Belarus, and with improving provision of legal assistance.
Access to education and culture 35.

Recognising that children can be adversely affected by the forced exile of their parents, the Assembly encourages their prompt integration in the host country while strengthening their national identity and culture.

When integrating recently arrived Belarusian children in ordinary classes, the Assembly recalls the pertinence of the language education and linguistic integration tools for children developed by the Council of Europe.
At the same time, it also supports the creation of classes in Belarusian in schools where there are sufficient Belarusian children, open not only to members of the Belarusian national minority but also to those who have recently arrived.

36.

The Assembly, impressed by the renaissance of the interest for Bela rusian language and culture, strongly supports the initiatives by civil society organisations to preserve and strengthen these among the members of long-lasting diaspora and the more recent arrivals.
It therefore strongly encourages member States to facilitate the creation of publishing houses in Belarusian, the teaching of Belarusian language and culture in universities, the development of new tools supporting the dissemination of Belarusian language and culture among those in exile but also within Belarus.

It believes that it is crucial for Belarusian statehood that its culture and language find again their rightful place.

37.
37.

The Assembly, aware that academic freedom has been under attack for some years in Belarus, would welcome the creation of a scientific journal for liberal-minded scholars both in exile and in Belarus to be included in influential citation databases, such as Scopus, Web of Science or Google Scholar.

38.
Recognising the role played by the European Humanities University, the only Belarusian university able to operate on the basis of academic freedom and adherence to European values, in exile in Vilnius since 2005, the Assembly invites member States, as well as the European Union, to further support this institution and open up further opportunities so that it continues to develop creative, free and critical thinking among Belarusian students and is in a position to attract scholars and students from Eastern Partnership countries.
39.

Understanding the importance of terminology and adequate transliteration from Belarusian, the Assembly strongly encourages member States to correctly transliterate all terms relating to Belarus.

4 Resolution 2499 (2023) Access to financial services and the pursuit of economic activities 40.
Recognising the difficulties faced by individuals, businesses and civil society organisations to open a bank account in some member States, the Assembly asks the member States to encourage their banks to make the distinction between the Lukashenka regime and the people who have fled it, in particular by allowing the "Know Your Customer" procedure due diligence to be carried out by appropriate and relevant structures designated by the Belarus democratic forces in exile.

41 .
41 .

The Assembly encourages the Government of Ukraine to co-operate with the Belarusian democratic forces in exile, particularly with the United Transitional Cabinet of Belarus, to conduct detailed checks, and in the case of a positive outcome of such checks with regard to the national security of Ukraine, to proceed with deblocking of the remaining 50 bank accounts that are currently inaccessible by their owners.

42.
42.

The Assembly welcomes the fact that many businesses were able to relocate from Belarus in particular to Georgia, Lithuania and Poland, but notes that difficulties persist.

The Assembly encourages measures to be taken which will ease processes of transfer, accreditation, acquisition, access to credit, to audit services etc.

In this context, it believes that the Poland Business Harbour could serve as a promising practice to be emulated by other member States.
Ultimately, the Assembly trusts that these businesses, be it in the IT, retail, logistics, small services or construction sectors, if allowed to operate and pay tax, will contribute to the economy of their host countries and alleviate the efforts made by them to welcome the Belarusians who found shelter from repression and violence.

5 t Parliamentary Assemb ly ~ c:rr1iJIJ'Dll!

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:EURO PE Assemblee parlementai re :....:>-,---~ ::=--,~ ., / / / ../ .

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/ Doc.

15783 - Compendium of written amendments 20/06/2023 (Final version) Addressing the specific challenges faced by the Belarusians in exile Contents Page A.

Draft Resolution .......................................................................................................................................... 2 F- 67075 Strasbourg Cedex Tel: +33 3 88 41 2000 I pace.coe.int Doc.

15783 (Draft Resolution) A.

Draft Resolution 1.

2.

3.

4.

5.

6.


The Parliamentary Assembly is deeply concerned by the fate of hundreds of thousands of Belarusians who are in exile because they had no other choice than to flee the repressive regime of Aliaksandr Lukashenka.

If any doubts remained about the nature of the latter, the rigged presidential election of 9 August 2020 haS shown its true character, turning Belarus into an open-air prison where human rights have been reduced to nothing.
2433 (2022) The Assembly recalls Resolution "Consequences of the Russian Federation's continued aggression against Ukraine: role and response of the Council of Europe" in which it expressed its resolve "to intensify its engagement with Belarusian ... civil society, human journalists, academia and democratic forces respecting the values and principles of the Organisation".
rights defenders, independent Amendment 1 Tabled by Mr Oleksii GONCHARENKO, Ms Yevheniia KRAVCHUK, Mr Bob van PAREREN, Mr Serhii SOBOLIEV, Mr Dmytro NATALUKHA, Mr Markus WIECHEL, Mr Erkin GADIRLI In the draft resolution, replace paragraph 4 with the following paragraph: "The Assembly can only be impressed by the work and initiatives of the Office of Sviatlana Tsikhanouskaya, the United Transitional Cabinet of Belarus and the Coordination Council, which aim at providing the their compatriots with services the regime deliberately withholds. "
The Assembly is impressed by the resi lience, courage and determination of the Belarusians in exile who are fighting for democracy to prevail in their country.

It is conscious that a new obstacle for them has emerged on 24 February 2022 with the large-scale aggression of the Russian Federation against Ukraine the Lukashenka regime actively participates.
It regrets that the more time that passes since 9 August 2020, the day Lukashenka in reality lost the elections, the further away in time the return of the Belarusians who find themselves in exile becomes.

to which to ensuring security The Assembly is convinced that a democratic Belarus will contribute in Europe.
Without prejudging the outcome of the current situation, and recognising that the Belarusians in exile should be part of the crisis solving process, the Assembly can only be initiatives of Sviatlana impressed by the work and Tsikhanouskaya, the very likely successful candidate against Aliaksandr Lukashenka in the 2020 election, which aim at providing her compatriots with the services the regime deliberately withholds.
that the Belarusian people cannot be Recognising the Assembly equated with the Lukashenka regime, considers that Belarusians in exile should not be treated in a discriminatory manner because of the participation of that regime in the war against Ukraine.
that while most of the The Assembly emphasises Belarusians who have been forced to leave their country in the context of the 2020 presidential election have only one wish: to return to a democratic Belarus, it is important that their host countries do their utmost to ensure that they can stay legally and are welcomed in dignified conditions respectful of their fundamental rights, as guaranteed by the European Convention on Human 2 (Draft Resolution) Doc.

15783 Rights (ETS No.


5) and other relevant Council of Europe instruments, pending the establishment of a democratic regime in Belarus.

The Assembly deeply deplores that the Lukashenka regime is continuing to exercise pressure on those who have left the country, notably by refusing to provide consular services to its citizens and by threatening their security.
While many European countries have opened their borders to Belarusians, the Assembly notes that the closer those countries find themselves to Belarus, the greater is their understanding of the situation of those fleeing.

Applauding Lithuania's and Poland's efforts to find legal and practical solutions to welcome the Belarusians in exile, the Assembly notes that more can be done.
Regretting that too many obstacles and hurdles continue to affect those who have found themselves in other countries, that better knowledge of the situation in Belarus and political will are the prerequisites to adopting measures which will alleviate as much as possible the fact of being in exile.
the Assembly is convinced It calls upon member States to recognise the unique situation in which the Belarusians in exile find themselves, requiring out of the box solutions to ensure that they can live their lives as unimpeded as possible pending their return to a democratic Belarus.

The Assembly hails the establishment by the Committee of Ministers of a Contact Group on co-operation between the Council of Europe and the Belarusian democratic forces and civil society.
This sui generis co-operation model, the first established with the Belarus democratic forces by an international organisation, aims to provide the Organisation's support and expertise to strengthen Belarusian democratic society in line with Council of Europe core values.

The Assembly is also delighted to welcome representatives of the Belarus democratic forces in the work of its committees by decision of the Bureau of the Assembly.
The Assembly strongly believes that it is high time to translate the political support that the democratic forces of Belarus enjoy among the member States into concrete actions and that measures taken against the Lukashenka regime should not affect the people fighting it.
The Assembly is convinced that in order to ensure fu ll respect for human rights of the Belarusians while they are in exile and ultimately to contribute to the democratic transition in their country, the Council of Europe member States should put in place relatively simple and non-costly measures within their own jurisdiction for those persons.
While respecting visa requ irements and ensuring the necessary security checks, member States should seek to keep their borders open for those fleeing the Lukashenka regime by taking inter alia the following measures: 7.

8.

9.

10.

11.

12.

13.

14.

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15.1. issuing humanitarian visas in all embassies and consulates still operating in Minsk and expanding the 3 Doc.

15783 (Draft Resolution) 15.2.

15.3.
15.4. eligibility criteria for such visas to relatives of political prisoners; opening up and guaranteeing the possibility of granting visas to EU countries in those member States where a visa is not required for Belarusian citizens, without requiring a residence permit in those countries; issuing multiple-entry Schengen visas for relatives of Belarusians in exile who come to visit them on a short term and temporary basis; issuing longer duration multiple-entry visas to be used as a back-up option for those who are at risk of arrest in Belarus.
Amendment 2 Tabled by Mr Oleksii GONCHARENKO, Ms Yevheniia KRAVCHUK, Mr Bob van PAREREN, Mr Serhii SOBOLIEV, Mr Dmytro NATALUKHA, Mr Markus WIECHEL, Mr Erkin GADIRLI In the draft resolution, paragraph 15.4, after the words "those who are at risk of arrest in Belarus", insert the following words: the "The United Transitional Cabinet of Belarus shall bear responsibility of identifying and recognising the individuals who are at risk of arrest in Belarus.
The clearly defined criteria should be jointly developed by the Cabinet with partners from member States."

16.

17.

18.

19.

20.

21.

Member States should also facilitate expert to expert talks between their relevant migration authorities and the relevant representatives of the Belarus democratic forces in exile to solve problems as they arise in a pragmatic way.
Member States are encouraged to put in place measures to ensure transparency in the decision-making process where credentials are issued by non-governmental organisations to support the issuance of visas or the legalisation process.

Those member States which have yet not done so should rapidly develop the legalisation of the stay of the Belarusians in exile.
instruments allowing legal for Recognising the importance of psychological stability and the feeling of safety for those who left their home involuntarily or forcibly, the Assembly calls upon member the long-term States Belarusians in exile, thus avoiding unnecessary hurdles and stress.
to provide legalisation for In order to support the work of their relevant migration offices, member States are encouraged to prepare a Belarus country factsheet and provide training for their staff on the actual situation in this country, so as to enable them to take prompt and sound decisions on individual cases.
Member States are encouraged, in co-operation with the European Commission, to identify adequate solutions to allow Belarusians in exile to travel within the European the use of Union, notably through systematising Amendment 6 Tabled by Mr Oleksii GONCHARENKO, Ms Yevheniia KRAVCHUK, Mr Bob van PAREREN, Ms Lesia VASYLENKO, Mr Serhii 4 22.

23.

24.

25.

26. foreigners' passport and/or continuing Belarus passports which have expired.
to recognise SOBOLIEV, Mr Markus WIECHEL, Mr Dmytro NATALUKHA, Mr Emanuelis ZINGERIS (Draft Resolution) Doc.
15783 In the draft resolution, paragraph 21, replace the words "foreigners' passport" with the following words: "foreign passport" The Assembly also invites member States, again in close co-operation with the European Commission and the International Civil Aviation Organization (ICAO ), to discuss the Belarus with democratic forces in exile the possibility to issue a passport for Belarus citizens in exile which wou ld be recognised among member States.
representatives of relevant the Underlining that deprivation of nationality should not lead to statelessness and that even if Belarus is not a State party to the United Nations Statelessness conventions, these are principles of international law and human rights law, which should be observed by all States; recalling that Belarus has accepted Georgia's recommendation under the 3rd cycle of the United Nations' Universal Periodic Review; and noting that Belarus pledged to accede to both United Nations statelessness conventions at the High-Level Segment on Statelessness the Assembly strongly encourages member States to do their importance of establishing utmost statelessness determination procedures, which in turn would provide protection in host States to those rendered stateless.
recognise in 2019, the to As addressing a request to a Belarus consulate, such as for certification of a clean crim inal record necessary for the legalisation process, or the prolongation of a passport, can lead to reprisals or threats against the applicants' relatives who stayed in Belarus or to the applicants themselves, member States are strongly encouraged not to require documents obtainable only through Belarus official channels.
Member States should abstain from extraditing Belarusian citizens in exile on the basis of Red Notices issued by Interpol at the request of the Lukashenka regime, given the use of criminal prosecutions for political purposes.
If in doubt, they are encouraged to verify Interpol requests from Belarus through the Law and Order Restoration Office of the United Transitional Cabinet of Belarus, which includes former law enforcement officers staff dismissed for political reasons, thus possessing the necessary qualifications, experience, and access to databases.
The Assembly is concerned that information transferred by European banks to Belarus banks has been used by the Belarus Security Services to target human rights defenders in Belarus.

The Assembly calls on member States to encourage the private sector to pay due heed to human rights issues in their operations and undertake the necessary due diligence to protect Belarusian human rights defenders who are their clients from risks of further persecutions as a result of their operations or information exchanges.
Furthermore, member States should do their utmost to prevent the misuse of international criminal co- 5 Doc.

15783 (Draft Resolution) 27.

28.

29.

30.

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32. operation measures by the Lukashenka regime as an additional tool for repression.

More generally, member States should not deem Belarus to be a safe country.
They are encouraged to send referral letters to the Prosecutor of the International Criminal Court expressing their concern for the situation in Belarus and asking him to respond to a Communication under Article 15(2) of the Rome Statute of the International Criminal Court entitled "The Situation in Belarus/Lithuania/ Poland/Latvia and Ukraine: Crimes Against Humanity of Deportation and Persecution" International Partnership for Human Rights, Norwegian Helsinki Committee, Global Diligence LPP and Truth Hounds on 19 May2021 .
filed by Given the tremendous role that the People's Consulates can play, notably as communication channels with national authorities, the Assembly strongly believes that member States should establish working relationships with them, as representatives of democratic Belarus, and envisage supporting the provision of organisational, information and material assistance, with their competences and the aim of developing sustainability.
through them The Assembly strongly encourages the parliaments of those member States which have not yet done so, to establish a parliamentary friendship group to create a network to exchange on the best measures to support the Belarusians in exile.

It is convinced that such a network the Belarus would also democratic the Office of Sviatlana Tsikhanouskaya, the United Transition Cabinet of Belarus and the Coordination Council.
facilitate forces the dialogue with in exile, including The Assembly also invites member States to provide funds for and contribute to the activities agreed in the framework of the Council of Europe Contact Group on Belarus, in particular taking advantage of the activities the Secretariat of the Assembly on proposed by "Strengthening political dialogue".
The Assembly is convinced that it is indispensable to create conditions to ensure the sustainability of Belarusian civil society organisations in particular by providing them with the tools and means to mobilise their compatriots in exile, to carry out their activities and to remain visible.

This should be particularly the case for organisations aiming at developing and strengthening the Belarusian language and culture.
in exile, Underlining the role played by the Expert Council on NGO Law of the Conference of International Non-Governmental Organ isations of the Council of Europe (Conference of INGOs) in supporting freedom of association in Europe, the Assembly strongly encourages member States to request its opinions on measures adversely affecting the operation of Belarusians NGOs in exile and to adopt policies accordingly.

33.
33.

It also encourages the constituent members of the Conference of INGOs to co-operate and assist Belarusian NGOs in exile.

6 34.

35.

36.

37.

38.

39.

(Draft Resolution) Doc.


15783 In the light of the repression faced by the legal profession in Belarus and the fact that many lawyers are in exile abroad, the Assembly ca lls for the recognition of the Belarusian Association of Human Rights Lawyers as the organisation entrusted with the promotion and protection of the human rights of lawyers deprived of the right to exercise their profession in Belarus, and with improving provision of legal assistance.
integration Recognising that children can be adversely affected by the forced exile of their parents, the Assembly encourages their prompt the host country while in strengthening their national identity and culture.

When integrating recently arrived Belarusian children in ordinary the Assembly recalls the pertinence of the classes, language education and linguistic integration tools for children developed by the Council of Europe.
At the same time, it also supports the creation of classes in Belarusian in schools where there are sufficient Belarusian children, open not only to members of the Belarusian national minority but also to those who have recently arrived.

The Assembly, impressed by the renaissance of the interest for Belarusian language and culture, strongly supports the initiatives by civil society organisations to preserve and strengthen these among the members of long-lasting diaspora and the more recent arrivals.
It therefore strongly encourages member States to facilitate the creation of publishing houses in Belarusian, the in teaching of Belarusian universities, the development of new tools supporting the dissemination of Belarusian language and culture among those in exile but also within Belarus.

It believes that it is crucial for Belarusian statehood that its culture and language find again their rightful place.
language and culture The Assembly, aware that academic freedom has been under attack for some years in Belarus, would welcome the creation of a scientific journal for liberal-minded scholars both in exile and in Belarus to be included in influential citation databases, such as Scopus, Web of Science or Google Scholar.
Recognising the role played by the European Humanities University, the only Belarusian university able to operate on the basis of academic freedom and adherence to European values, in exile in Vilnius since 2005, the Assembly invites member States, as well as the European Union, to further support this institution and open up further opportunities so that it continues to develop creative, free and critical thinking among Belarusian students and is in a position to attract scholars and students from Eastern Partnership countries.
the importance of Understanding terminology and adequate transliteration from Belarusian, the Assembly to correctly strongly encourages member States transliterate all terms relating to Belarus.
7 Amendment 3 Tabled by Mr Oleksii GONCHARENKO, Ms Yevheniia KRAVCHUK, Mr Bob van PAREREN, Ms Lesia VASYLENKO, Mr Serhii SOBOLIEV, Mr Markus WIECHEL, Mr Dmytro NATALUKHA, Mr Erkin GADIRLI In the draft resolution, at the end of paragraph 39, add the following sentences: ", avoiding the use of outdated and misleading the consequence of terminology which is Doc.

15783 (Draft Resolution) • and propaganda disinformation.
Russian Specifically, member States are urged to use "Belarus" instead of "Belorussia", "Belarusian language" instead of "Belorussian", and to adopt accurate transliterations for other geographical names.

This is essential to counter Russian propaganda and prevent the intentional spread of disinformation associated with these incorrect terms."
Amendment4 Tabled by Mr Oleksii GONCHARENKO, Ms Yevheniia KRAVCHUK, Mr Bob van PAREREN, Ms Lesia VASYLENKO, Mr Serhii SOBOLIEV, Mr Markus WIECHEL, Mr Dmytro NATALUKHA In the draft resolution, at the end of paragraph 40, add the following sentence: to verify "The banks are also encouraged already-existing individual bank accounts, businesses and civil society organisations that are owned by Belarusians in Europe or where Belarusians might be involved via the Anti Money Laundering (AML) system. "
Amendment 5 Tabled by Mr Oleksii GONCHARENKO, Ms Yevheniia KRAVCHUK, Mr Bob van PAREREN, Mr Serhii SOBOLIEV, Mr Markus WIECHEL, Mr Dmytro NATALUKHA In the draft resolution, replace paragraph 41 with the following paragraph: "The Assembly encourages the Security Service of Ukraine to cooperate with the Belarusian democratic forces in exile, particularly, with the Office of Sviatlana Tsikhanouskaya, United Transitional Cabinet of Belarus and the Coordination Council to conduct detailed checks and in the case of a positive outcome of such checks with regard to the national security of Ukraine, to proceed with deblocking of the remaining 50 bank accounts that are currently inaccessible by their owners."
40.

41 .

42. faced by the difficulties Recognising individuals, businesses and civil society organisations to open a bank account in some member States, the Assembly asks the member States to encourage their banks to make the distinction between the Lukashenka regime and the people who have fled it, in particular by allowing the "Know Your Customer" procedure due diligence to be relevant structures carried out by appropriate and designated by the Belarus democratic forces in exile.
The Assembly is concerned that the bank accounts of Belarusian journalists who had found shelter in Ukraine and continued to provide independent information from there have been blocked since the large-scale war was launched by Russia against Ukraine.

Some have now been deblocked, and the Assembly strongly encourages the Security Service of Ukraine to allow for the deblocking of the remaining 50 bank accounts which their legal owners cannot access.
The Assembly welcomes the fact that many businesses were able to relocate from Belarus in particular to Georgia, Lithuania and Poland, but notes that difficulties persist.

The Assembly encourages measures to be taken which will ease processes of transfer, accreditation, acquisition, access to credit, to audit services etc.

In this context, it believes that the Poland Business Harbour could serve as a promising practice to be emulated by other member States.
Ultimately, the Assembly trusts that these businesses, be it in the IT, retail, logistics, small services or construction sectors, if allowed to operate and pay tax, will contribute to the economy of their host countries and alleviate the efforts made by them to 8 welcome repression and violence.

the Belarusians who found shelter from I (Draft Resolution) Doc.

15783 9 Vote on Amendment 1 - Doc.
15778 Assembly's voting results Public health emergency: the need for a holistic approach to multilateralism and health care 55 in favor, 0 against, 5 abstentions All participants in the vote Vot ing cho ice Member Country Pol itical group In fav our In f avour In favour Ms Etilda GJONAJ Ms Blerina GJYLAMETI Ms Bemadeta COMA In favou r Mr Cerni ESCALE In favour Ms Petra BAYR In favour In favour In favou r Ms Andrea EDER-GITSCHTHALER Mr Franz Leonhard ESSL Ms Agnes Sirkka PRAM MER Albania Albania Andorra Andorra Austria Austria Austria Austria Abstention Mr Erkin GADIRLI Azerbaijan In f av o u r In favou r In favou r In favou r In favou r Ms Karin BROUWERS Mr Andries GRYFFROY Mr Christophe LACROIX Mr Simon MOUTQUIN Belgium Belgium Belgium Belgium Ms Sabina CUDIC Bosnia and Herzegovina soc soc ALOE soc soc EPP/CD EPP/CD soc EC/DA EPP/CD NR soc soc ALOE In favour Ms Darijana FILIPOVIC Bosnia and Herzegovina EPP/CD Mr Sasa MAGAZINOVIC Bosnia and Herzegovina Ms Snjezana NOVAKOVIC BURSAC Bosnia and Herzegovina In fav o u r In favou r In f avou r In favou r In favour In favou r In fav o u r In favou r In favou r Ms Marijana BALIC Ms Zdravka BUS IC Ms Mireille CLAPOT Mr Emmanuel FERNANDES Ms Heike ENGELHARDT Mr Andrej HUNKO Mr Norbert KLEINWACHTER In favour Mr Harald WEYEL Croatia Croatia France France Germany Germany Germany Germany soc NR EPP/CD EPP/CD ALOE UEL soc UEL EC/DA EC/DA Voting choice Member Country Polit ical group In favour In favour Ms Elena BONETTI Ms Aurora FLORID lA Abstention Ms Elisabetta GARDIN!
Abstention Ms Lucrezia MANTOVANI In favour Mr Andrea ORLANDO Abstention Mr Fabio PIETRELLA Abstention Mr Marco SCURRIA In favour In favour Mr Francesco VERDUCCI Mr Hubert BOCHEL In favour Mr Thomas HASLER In favour Ms Naomi CACHIA In favour Mr Joseph Beppe FENECH ADAMI Italy Italy Italy Italy Italy Italy Italy Italy Liechtenstein Liechtenstein Malta Malta In favour Mr Darke KAEVSKI North Macedonia Mr Sarin-Titus MUNCACIU Romania In favour Ms Lise CHRISTOFFERSEN In favo u r In f avour Ms Lisa Marie Ness KLUNGLAND Ms lngjerd SCHOU In favour Ms Lise SELNES Mr Andreas Sjalg UNNELAND In favour In favour In favour Ms Laura CASTEL In fa vour Mr Anton GOMEZ-REINO In favour In favour In favour In favour In favour In favour In favour In favour In favour In favour In favour In favour In favour In favour Ms Luz MARTINEZ SEIJO Ms Esther PENA Ms Susana SUMELZO Mr Gustaf G6THBERG Mr Mattias JONSSON Mr Kristoffer LINDBERG Ms Azadeh ROJHAN Mr Pierre-Aiain FRIDEZ Ms Marianne MARET Ms Sena Nur <;ELIK Mr Yunus EMRE Ms Selin SAYEK B6KE Mr Pavlo BAKU NETS Ms Olena KHOMENKO Norway Norway Norway Norway Norway Spain Spain Spain Spain Spain Sweden Sweden Sweden Sweden Switzerland Switzerland Turkiye Turkiye Turkiye Ukraine Ukraine ALOE soc EC/DA EC/DA soc EC/DA EC/DA soc ALOE ALOE soc EPP/CD soc soc ALOE EPP/CD soc UEL EC/DA UEL UEL soc soc soc EPP/CD soc soc soc soc EPP/CD NR soc soc EC/DA EC/DA Vote on Amendment 2 - Doc.
15778 Assembly's voting results Public health emergency: the need for a holistic approach to multilateralism and health care 48 in favor, 8 against, 3 abstentions All participants in the vote Voting choice Member Country Politica l group In favour In favour In favou r Ms Etilda GJONAJ Ms Blerina GJYLAMETI Ms Bernadeta COMA In favour Mr Cerni ESCALE In favou r Ms Petra BAYR In favou r In favour In favou r A gainst In favou r In favou r In favou r In favou r In favour In favour Against In favou r Ms Andrea EDER-GITSCHTHALER Mr Franz Leonhard ESSL Ms Agnes Sirkka PRAM MER Mr Erkin GADIRLI Azerbaijan Ms Karin BROUWERS Mr Andries GRYFFROY Mr Christophe LACROIX Mr Simon MOUTQUIN Belgium Belgium Belgium Belgium Ms Darijana FILJPOVIC Bosnia and Herzegovina EPP/CD Mr Sasa MAGAZINOVIC Bosnia and Herzegovina Ms Snjezana NOVAKOVIC BURSAC Bosnia and Herzegovina Ms Marijana BALJC In favour Ms Zdravka BUSIC In favour Ms Mireille CLAPOT In favour In favour Mr Emmanuel FERNANDES Ms Heike ENGELHARDT Abstention Mr Andrej HUNKO Against Agai nst Mr Norbert KLEINWACHTER Mr Harald WEYEL In favou r Ms Elena BONETTI Albania Albania Andorra Andorra Austria Austria Austria Austria Croatia Croatia France France Germany Germany Germany Germany Italy soc soc ALOE soc soc EPP/CD EPP/CD soc EC/DA EPP/CD NR soc soc soc NR EPP/CD EPP/CD ALOE UEL soc UEL EC/DA EC/DA ALOE Voting choice Member Country Political group In favour MsAurora FLORIDIA Against Against Ms Elisabetta GARDIN!
Ms Lucrezia MANTOVANI In favour Mr Andrea ORLANDO Abstention Mr Fabio PIETRELLA Against Mr Marco SCURR lA In favour In favour Mr Francesco VERDUCCI Mr Hubert B0CHEL Abstention Mr Thomas HASLER In favour In favour Ms Naomi CACHIA Mr Joseph Beppe FENECH ADAMI Italy Italy Italy Italy Italy Italy Italy Liechtenstein Liechtenstein Malta Malta In favour Mr Darko KAEVSKI North Macedonia In favour In favour In favour In favour Ms Lise CHRISTOFFERSEN Ms Lisa Marie Ness KLUNGLAND Ms lngjerd SCHOU Mr Andreas Sjalg UNNELAND In favour Mr Pedro CEGONHO Against Mr Sarin-Titus MUNCACIU In favour Ms Laura CASTEL In favour Mr Anton GOMEZ-REINO In favour Ms Luz MARTINEZ SEIJO In favour Ms Esther PENA In favour In favour Ms Susana SUMELZO Mr Gustaf GOTH BERG In favour Mr Mattias JONSSON In favour In favour In favour In favour In favour Mr Kristoffer LINDBERG Ms Azadeh ROJHAN Mr Pierre-Aiain FRIDEZ Ms Marianne MARET Ms Sena Nur <;ELIK In favour Mr Yunus EMRE In favour Ms Selin SAYEK BOKE In favour In favour Mr Pavlo BAKUNETS Ms Olena KHOMENKO Norway Norway Norway Norway Portugal Romania Spain Spain Spain Spain Spain Sweden Sweden Sweden Sweden Switzerland Switzerland Turkiye Turkiye Turkiye Ukraine Ukraine soc EC/DA EC/DA soc EC/DA EC/DA soc ALOE ALOE soc EPP/CD soc soc ALOE EPP/CD UEL soc EC/DA UEL UEL soc soc soc EPP/CD soc soc soc soc EPP/CD NR soc soc EC/DA EC/DA Vote on Amendment 3 - Doc.
15778 Assembly's voting results Public health emergency: the need for a holistic approach to multilateralism and health care 51 in favor, 7 against, 3 abstentions All participants in the vote Voting cho ice Membe r Country Political group In favou r In f avou r In f avou r In f avou r In f avou r In favour In favour In f avour Ms Etilda GJONAJ Ms Blerina GJYLAMETI Ms Bernadeta COMA Mr Cerni ESCALE Ms Petra BAYR Ms Andrea EDER-GITSCHTHALER Mr Franz Leonhard ESSL Ms Agnes Sirkka PRAM MER Albania Albania Andorra Andorra Austria Austria Austria Austria A gainst Mr Erkin GAD IRLI Azerbaijan In favou r Ms Karin BROUWERS In favour Mr Andries GRYFFROY In favou r Mr Christophe LACROIX In fav o ur Mr Simon MOUTQUIN Belgium Belgium Belgium Belgium soc soc ALOE soc soc EPP/CD EPP/CD soc EC/DA EPP/CD NR soc soc In favour In favour In favou r Ms Sabina CUDIC Bosnia and Herzegovina ALOE Ms Darijana FILIPOVIC Bosnia and Herzegovina EPP/CD Mr Sasa MAGAZINOVIC Bosnia and Herzegovina Abstention Ms Snjezana NOVAKOVH_: BURSAC Bosnia and Herzegovina In favour In favour Ms Marijana BALIC Ms Zdravka BUSIC In fav o ur Ms Mireille CLAPOT In favour Mr Emmanuel FERNANDES In favou r Ms Heike ENGELHARDT A bstent ion Mr Andrej HUNKO Abstent ion Mr Norbert KLEINWACHTER Against Mr Harald WEYEL Croatia Croatia France France Germany Germany Germany Germany soc NR EPP/CD EPP/CD ALOE UEL soc UEL EC/DA EC/DA Voting choice Member Coun try Political gror.
p • Mr Darko KAEVSKI North Macedonia In favour Ms Elena BONETTI In favour Ms Aurora FLORIDIA Against Against Ms Elisabetta GARDIN!
Ms Lucrezia MANTOVANI In favour Mr Andrea ORLANDO Against Against Mr Fabio PIETRELLA Mr Marco SCURRIA In favour Mr Francesco VERDUCCI In favour Mr Hubert BOCHEL In favou r In favour In favour In favour In favour In favour In favour In favour In favour In favour Against In favour In favour In favour In favour In favour In favour Mr Thomas HASLER Ms Naomi CACHIA Mr Joseph Beppe FENECH ADAMI Ms Lise CHRISTOFFERSEN Ms Lisa Marie Ness KLUNGLAND Ms lngjerd SCHOU Ms Lise SELNES Mr Andreas Sjalg UNNELAND Mr Pedro CEGONHO Mr Sorin-litus MUNCACIU Ms Laura CASTEL Mr Anton GOMEZ-REINO Ms Luz MARTINEZ SEIJO Ms Esther PENA Ms Susana SUMELZO Mr Gustaf GOTH BERG In favour Mr Mattias JONSSON In favour Mr Kristoffer LINDBERG In favour Ms Azadeh ROJHAN In favour In favour In favour In favour In favour In favour Mr Pierre-Aiain FRIDEZ Ms Marianne MARET Ms Sena Nur CELIK Mr Yunus EMRE Ms Selin SAYEK BOKE Mr Pavlo BAKUNETS Italy Italy Italy Italy Italy Italy Italy Italy Liechtenstein Liechtenstein Malta Malta Norway Norway Norway Norway Norway Portugal Romania Spain Spain Spain Spain Spain Sweden Sweden Sweden Sweden Switzerland Switzerland TGrkiye TGrkiye TGrkiye Ukraine ALOE soc EC/DA EC/DA soc EC/DA EC/DA soc ALOE ALOE soc EPP/CD soc soc ALOE EPP/CD soc UEL soc EC/DA UEL UEL soc soc soc EPP/CD soc soc soc soc EPP/CD NR soc soc EC/DA Voting choice Member In favour Ms Olena KHOMENKO Country Ukraine Political group EC/DA Vote on Amendment 4 - Doc.
15778 Assembly's voting results Public health emergency: the need for a holistic approach to multilateralism and health care 52 in favor, 8 against, 1 abstention All participants in the vote Voting choic e Member Country Politi ca l gro up In favour Ms Etilda GJONAJ In favour Ms Blerina GJYLAMETI In favour Ms Bernadeta COMA In favour MrCerniESCALE In favour Ms Petra BAYR In favo ur In favour Ms Andrea EDER-GITSCHTHALER Mr Franz Leonhard ESSL In favou r Ms Agnes Sirkka PRAM MER A gainst Mr Erkin GADIRLI In favour In favour Ms Karin BROUWERS Mr Andries GRYFFROY In fav o ur Mr Christophe LACROIX Mr Simon MOUTQUIN Albania Albania Andorra Andorra Austria Austria Austria Austria Azerbaijan Belgium Belgium Belgium Belgium soc soc ALOE soc soc EPP/CD EPP/CD soc EC/DA EPP/CD NR soc soc In favou r In favou r In favour In fav o ur In favour Ms Sabina CUDIC Bosnia and Herzegovina ALOE Ms Darijana FILIPOVIC Bosnia and Herzegovina EPP/CD Mr Sa sa MAGAZINOVIC Bosnia and Herzegovina Ms Snjezana NOVAKOVIC BURSAC Bosnia and Herzegovina In favour Ms Marijana BALIC In favour Ms Zdravka BUSIC In favou r In favour Ms Mireille CLAPOT Mr Emmanuel FERNANDES In favour Ms Heike ENGELHARDT Abstentio n Mr Andrej HUNKO Agai nst Against Mr Norbert KLEINWACHTER Mr Harald WEYEL Croatia Croatia France France Germany Germany Germany Germany soc NR EPP/CD EPP/CD ALOE UEL soc UEL EC/DA EC/DA Voting choice Member Country Political grou ~ Mr Darko KAEVSKI North Macedonia In favour In favour Against Against Ms Elena BONETTI Ms Aurora FLORIDIA Ms Elisabetta GARDIN!
Ms Lucrezia MANTOVANI In favour Mr Andrea ORLANDO Against Agai nst In favour In favour In favour In favour In favour In favour In favour In favour In favour In favour In favour Mr Fabio PIETRELLA Mr Marco SCURRIA Mr Francesco VERDUCCI Mr Hubert BOCHEL Mr Thomas HASLER Ms Naomi CACHIA Mr Joseph Beppe FENECH ADAMI Ms Lise CHRISTOFFERSEN Ms Lisa Marie Ness KLUNGLAND Ms lngjerd SCHOU Ms Lise SELNES Mr Andreas Sjalg UNNELAND In favour Mr Pedro CEGONHO Against Mr Sorin-Titus MUNCACIU In favour In favour In favour In favour In favour In favour In favour In favour In favour In favour Ms Laura CASTEL Mr Anton G6MEZ-REINO Ms Luz MARTINEZ SEIJO Ms Esther PENA Ms Susana SUMELZO Mr Gustaf GOTH BERG Mr Mattias JONSSON Mr Kristoffer LINDBERG Ms Azadeh ROJHAN Mr Pierre-Aiain FRIDEZ In favour Ms Marianne MARET In favour Ms Sena Nur <;ELIK In favour In favour In favour Mr Yunus EMRE Ms Selin SAYEK BOKE Mr Pavlo BAKUNETS Italy Italy Italy Italy Italy Italy Italy Italy Liechtenstein Liechtenstein Malta Malta Norway Norway Norway Norway Norway Portugal Romania Spain Spain Spain Spain Spain Sweden Sweden Sweden Sweden Switzerland Switzerland Turkiye Turkiye Turkiye Ukraine ALOE soc ECIDA EC/DA soc EC/DA EC/DA soc ALOE ALOE soc EPP/CD soc soc ALOE EPP/CD soc UEL soc EC/DA UEL UEL soc soc soc EPP/CD soc soc soc soc EPP/CD NR soc soc EC/DA Voting choice Member In favour Ms Olena KHOMENKO Country Ukraine Political group EC/DA Vote on Amendment 5- Doc.
15778 Assembly's voting results Public health emergency: the need for a holistic approach to multilateralism and health care 53 in favor, 6 against, 0 abstention All participants in the vote Voting choice Member Country Political group In favour Ms Etilda GJONAJ Ms Blerina GJYLAMETI Ms Bernadeta COMA Mr Cerni ESCALE Ms Petra BAYR Ms Andrea EDER-GITSCHTHALER Mr Franz Leonhard ESSL Ms Agnes Sirkka PRAMMER Mr Erkin GADIRLI Azerbaijan Ms Karin BROUWERS Mr Christophe LACROIX Mr Simon MOUTQUIN Belgium Belgium Belgium Ms Sabina CUDIC Bosnia and Herzegovina ALOE Ms Darijana FILIPOVIC Bosnia and Herzegovina EPP/CD Mr Sasa MAGAZINOVIC Bosnia and Herzegovina Ms Snjezana NOVAKOVIC BURSAC Bosnia and Herzegovina In favour In favour In favour In favour In favour In favour In favour Against In favour In favour In favour In favour In favour In favour In favour In favour In favour In favour In favour In favour Ms Marijana BALIC Ms Zdravka BUSIC Ms Mireille CLAPOT Mr Emmanuel FERNANDES Ms Heike ENGELHARDT In favour Mr Andrej HUNKO Against In favour In favour Mr Norbert KLEINWACHTER Mr Harald WEYEL Ms Elena BONETTI Albania Albania Andorra Andorra Austria Austria Austria Austria Croatia Croatia France France Germany Germany Germany Germany Italy soc soc ALOE soc soc EPP/CD EPP/CD soc EC/DA EPP/CD soc soc soc NR EPP/CD EPP/CD ALOE UEL soc UEL EC/DA EC/DA ALOE Voting choice Member Country Political group In favour MsAurora FLORIDIA Against Against Ms Elisabetta GARDIN!
Ms Lucrezia MANTOVANI In favour Mr Andrea ORLANDO Mr Fabio PIETRELLA Mr Marco SCURR lA Mr Francesco VERDUCCI Mr Hubert BOCHEL Mr Thomas HASLER Ms Naomi CACHIA Mr Joseph Beppe FENECH ADAMI Italy Italy Italy Italy Italy Italy Italy Liechtenstein Liechtenstein Malta Malta Against Against In favour In favour In favour In favour In favour In favour In favour In favour In favour In favour In favour In favour In favour In favour In favour In favour In favour In favour In favour In favour In favour In favour In favour In favour In favour In favour In favour In favour Mr Darko KAEVSKI North Macedonia Ms Lise CHRISTOFFERSEN Ms Lisa Marie Ness KLUNGLAND Ms lngjerd SCHOU Ms Lise SELNES Mr Andreas Sjalg UNNELAND Mr Pedro CEGONHO Mr Sorin-Titus MUNCACIU Ms Laura CASTEL Mr Anton GOMEZ-REINO Ms Luz MARTINEZ SEIJO Ms Esther PENA Ms Susana SUMELZO Mr Gustaf GOTH BERG MrMattiasJONSSON Mr Kristoffer LINDBERG Ms Azadeh ROJHAN Mr Pierre-Aiain FRIDEZ Ms Marianne MARET Ms Sena Nur <;:ELIK Mr Yunus EMRE Ms Selin SAYEK B6KE Ms Olena KHOMENKO Norway Norway Norway Norway Norway Portugal Romania Spain Spain Spain Spain Spain Sweden Sweden Sweden Sweden Switzerland Switzerland Turkiye Turkiye Turkiye Ukraine soc EC/DA EC/DA soc EC/DA EC/DA soc ALOE ALOE soc EPP/CD soc soc ALOE EPP/CD soc UEL soc EC/DA UEL UEL soc soc soc EPP/CD soc soc soc soc EPP/CD NR soc soc EC/DA Vote on Amendment 6 - Doc.
15778 Assembly's voting results Public health emergency: the need for a holistic approach to multilateralism and health care 56 in favor, 3 against, 0 abstention All participants in the vote Voting choice Member Country Political group In favour Ms Etilda GJONAJ In favour Ms Blerina GJYLAMETI In favour Ms Bemadeta COMA In favour Mr Cerni ESCALE In favour Ms Petra BAYR In favour Ms Andrea EDER-GITSCHTHALER In favour Mr Franz Leonhard ESSL In favour Ms Agnes Sirkka PRAMMER Against Mr Erkin GADIRLI In favour Ms Karin BROUWERS In favour Mr Christophe LACROIX In favour Mr Simon MOUTQUIN Albania Albania Andorra Andorra Austria Austria Austria Austria Azerbaijan Belgium Belgium Belgium In favour Ms Sabina CUDIC Bosnia and Herzegovina soc soc ALOE soc soc EPP/CD EPP/CD soc EC/DA EPP/CD soc soc ALOE In favour In favour In favour Ms Darijana FILIPOVIC Bosnia and Herzegovina EPP/CD Mr Sasa MAGAZINOVIC Bosnia and Herzegovina Ms Snjezana NOVAKOVIC BURSAC Bosnia and Herzegovina In favour Ms Marijana BALIC In favour Ms Zdravka BUSIC In favour In favour In favour Ms Mireille CLAPOT Mr Emmanuel FERNANDES Ms Heike ENGELHARDT In favour Mr Andrej HUNKO Against In favour In favour Mr Norbert KLEINWACHTER Mr Harald WEYEL Ms Elena BONETTI Croatia Croatia France France Germany Germany Germany Germany Italy soc NR EPP/CD EPP/CD ALOE UEL soc UEL EC/DA EC/DA ALOE Voting c hoice Member Country Po liti cal g ro up In favour In favour In favour In favou r Mr Piero FASSINO Ms Aurora FLORID lA Ms Elisabetta GARDINI Ms Lucrezia MANTOVANI In favour Mr Andrea ORLANDO Against Mr Fabio PIETRELLA In favour In favour In favour In favour In favour Mr Francesco VERDUCCI Mr Hubert B0CHEL Mr Thomas HASLER Ms Naomi CACHIA Mr Joseph Beppe FENECH ADAMI Italy Italy Italy Italy Italy Italy Italy Liechtenstein Liechtenstein Malta Malta In favour Mr Darko KAEVSKI North Macedonia In favour In favour Ms Lise CHRISTOFFERSEN Ms Lisa Marie Ness KLUNGLAND In favour Ms lngjerd SCHOU In favour Ms Lise SELNES In favour Mr Andreas Sjalg UNNELAND In favour Mr Pedro CEGONHO In favour Mr Sorin-Titus MUNCACIU In favour Ms Laura CASTEL In favour In favour Mr Anton G6MEZ-REINO Ms Luz MARTINEZ SEIJO In favour Ms Esther PENA In favour In favour In favour In favour In favour In favou r In favour Ms Susana SUMELZO Mr Gustaf GOTH BERG Mr Mattias JONSSON Mr Kristoffer LINDBERG Ms Azadeh ROJHAN Mr Pierre-Aiain FRIDEZ Ms Marianne MARET In favour Ms Sena Nur CELIK In favou r Mr Yunus EMRE In favour In favour Ms Selin SAYEK BOKE Ms Olena KHOMENKO Norway Norway Norway Norway Norway Portugal Romania Spain Spain Spain Spain Spain Sweden Sweden Sweden Sweden Switzerland Switzerland Tiirkiye Tiirkiye Tiirkiye Ukraine soc soc EC/DA EC/DA soc EC/DA soc ALOE ALOE soc EPP/CD soc soc ALOE EPP/CD soc UEL soc EC/DA UEL UEL soc soc soc EPP/CD soc soc soc soc EPP/CD NR soc soc EC/DA Vote on Amendment 7 - Doc.
15778 Assembly's voting results Public health emergency: the need for a holistic approach to multilat eralism and health care 52 in favor, 8 against, 0 abstention All participants in the vote Voting choice Member Country Political group In favour Ms Etilda GJONAJ In favou r In favour In favou r Ms Blerina GJYLAMETI Ms Bemadeta COMA Mr Cerni ESCALE In favour Ms Petra BA YR In favour In favour Against In favour In favour In favour Ms Andrea EDER-GITSCHTHALER Ms Agnes Sirkka PRAM MER Mr Erkin GADIRLI Ms Karin BROUWERS Mr Christophe LACROIX Mr Simon MOUTQUIN Albania Albania Andorra Andorra Austria Austria Austria Azerbaijan Belgium Belgium Belgium soc soc ALOE soc soc EPP/CD soc EC/DA EPP/CD soc soc In favour Ms Sabina CUDIC Bosnia and Herzegovina ALOE In favour Ms Darijana FILIPOVIC Bosnia and Herzegovina EPP/CD Mr Sasa MAGAZINOVIC Bosnia and Herzegovina Ms Snjezana NOVAKOVIC BURSAe Bosnia and Herzegovina In favour In favour In favour In favour In favour In favour In favour In favour Against Against Ms Marijana BALIC Ms Zdravka BUSIC Ms Mireille CLAPOT Mr Emmanuel FERNANDES Ms Heike ENGELHARDT Mr Andrej HUNKO Mr Norbert KLEINWACHTER Mr Harald WEYEL In favour Ms Elena BONETTI In favour Mr Piero FASS INO Croatia Croatia France France Germany Germany Germany Germany Italy Italy soc NR EPP/CD EPP/CD ALOE UEL soc UEL EC/DA EC/DA ALOE soc Voting choice Member Country Political group In favour Ms Aurora FLORID lA Agai nst Against Ms Elisabetta GARDIN!
Ms Lucrezia MANTOVANI In favour Mr Andrea ORLANDO Mr Fabio PIETRELLA Mr Marco SCURR lA Mr Francesco VERDUCCI Mr Hubert BOCHEL Mr Thomas HASLER Ms Naomi CACHIA Mr Joseph Beppe FENECH ADAMI Italy Italy Italy Italy Italy Italy Italy Liechtenstein Liechtenstein Malta Malta Against Against In favour In favour In favour In favour In favour In favour In favour In favour In favour In favour In favour In favour Against In favour In favour In favour In favour In favour In favour In favour In favour In favour In favour In favour In favour In favour In favour In favour In favour Mr Darko KAEVSKI North Macedonia Ms Lise CHRISTOFFERSEN Ms Lisa Marie Ness KLUNGLAND Ms lngjerd SCHOU Ms Lise SELNES Mr Andreas Sjalg UNNELAND Mr Pedro CEGONHO Mr Sorin-litus MUNCACIU Ms Laura CASTEL Mr Anton G6MEZ-REINO Ms Luz MARTINEZ SEIJO Ms Esther PENA Ms Susana SUMELZO Mr Gustaf GOTH BERG Mr Mattias JONSSON Mr Kristoffer LINDBERG Ms Azadeh ROJHAN Mr Pierre-Aiain FRIDEZ Ms Marianne MARET Ms Sena Nur c;ELIK Mr Yunus EMRE Ms Selin SAYEK BQKE Mr Pavlo BAKU NETS Ms Olena KHOMENKO Norway Norway Norway Norway Norway Portugal Romania Spain Spain Spain Spain Spain Sweden Sweden Sweden Sweden Switzerland Switzerland Turkiye Turkiye Turkiye Ukraine Ukraine soc EC/DA EC/DA soc EC/DA EC/DA soc ALOE ALOE soc EPP/CD soc soc ALOE EPP/CD soc UEL soc EC/DA UEL UEL soc soc soc EPP/CD soc soc soc soc EPP/CD NR soc soc EC/DA EC/DA Vote on Amendment 8 - Doc.
15778 Assembly's voting results Public health emergency: the need for a holistic approach to multilateralism and health care 51 in favor, 1 against, 5 abstentions All participants in the vote Voting choice Member Country Political group In favour Ms Etilda GJONAJ In favour Ms Blerina GJYLAMETI In favour Ms Bernadeta COMA In favour Mr Cerni ESCALE In favour Ms Petra BAYR In favour Ms Andrea EDER-GITSCHTHALER In favour Mr Franz Leonhard ESSL In favour Ms Agnes Sirkka PRAM MER Abstention Mr Erkin GADIRLI Ms Karin BROUWERS Mr Christophe LACROIX Mr Simon MOUTQUIN Albania Albania Andorra Andorra Austria Austria Austria Austria Azerbaijan Belgium Belgium Belgium soc soc ALOE soc soc EPP/CD EPP/CD soc EC/DA EPP/CD soc soc ALOE Ms Sabina CUDIC Bosnia and Herzegovina Ms Darijana FILIPOVIC Bosnia and Herzegovina EPP/CD Mr Sasa MAGAZINOVIC Bosnia and Herzegovina Ms Snjezana NOVAKOVIC BURSAC Bosnia and Herzegovina Ms Marijana BALIC Ms Zdravka BUSIC Ms Mireille CLAPOT Mr Emmanuel FERNANDES Ms Heike ENGELHARDT Mr Andrej HUNKO Mr Norbert KLEINWACHTER Ms Elena BONETTI Mr Piero FASSINO Croatia Croatia France France Germany Germany Germany Italy Italy soc NR EPP/CD EPP/CD ALOE UEL soc UEL EC/DA ALOE soc In favour In favour In favour In favour In favour In favour In favour In favour In favour In favour In favour In favour In favour A gainst In favour In favour Voting choice Member Country Political group Mr Darko KAEVSKI North Macedonia In favour Ms Aurora FLORID lA Abstention Ms Elisabetta GARDINI Abstention Ms Lucrezia MANTOVANI In favour Mr Andrea ORLANDO Abstention Mr Fabio PIETRELLA Abstention Mr Marco SCURR lA In favour In favour In favour In favour In favour In favour In favour In favour In favour In favour In favour In favour In favour In favour In favour In favour In favour In favour In favour In favour Mr Francesco VERDUCCI Mr Hubert BOCHEL Mr Thomas HASLER Ms Naomi CACHIA Mr Joseph Beppe FENECH ADAMI Ms Lise CHRISTOFFERSEN Ms Lisa Marie Ness KLUNGLAND Ms lngjerd SCHOU Ms Lise SELNES Mr Andreas Sjalg UNNELAND Mr Pedro CEGONHO Ms Laura CASTEL Ms Luz MARTINEZ SEIJO Ms Esther PENA Ms Susana SUMELZO Mr Gustaf GOTHBERG Mr Mattias JONSSON Mr Kristoffer LINDBERG Ms Azadeh ROJHAN In favour Mr Pierre-Aiain FRIDEZ In favour Ms Marianne MARET In favour Ms Sena Nur ~ELIK In favour In favour In favour Mr Yunus EMRE Ms Selin SAYEK BOKE Mr Pavlo BAKU NETS Italy Italy Italy Italy Italy Italy Italy Liechtenstein Liechtenstein Malta Malta Norway Norway Norway Norway Norway Portugal Spain Spain Spain Spain Sweden Sweden Sweden Sweden Switzerland Switzerland Tiirkiye Tiirkiye Tiirkiye Ukraine soc ECIOA EC/DA soc EC/DA EC/DA soc ALOE ALOE soc EPP/CD soc soc ALOE EPP/CD soc UEL soc UEL soc soc soc EPP/CD soc soc soc soc EPP/CD NR soc soc EC/DA Vote on Amendment 9 - Doc.
15778 Assembly's voting results Public health emergency: the need for a holistic approach to multilateralism and health care 50 in favor, 7 against, 2 abstentions All participants in the vote Voting choice Member Country Political group In favour Ms Etilda GJONAJ In favour In favour In favour In favour In favour In favour In favour Ms Blerina GJYLAMETI Ms Bernadeta COMA Mr Cerni ESCALE Ms Petra BAYR Ms Andrea EDER-GITSCHTHALER Mr Franz Leonhard ESSL Ms Agnes Sirkka PRAM MER Against Mr Erkin GADIRLI In favour In favour Ms Karin BROUWERS Mr Christophe LACROIX In favour Mr Simon MOUTQUIN Albania Albania Andorra Andorra Austria Austria Austria Austria Azerbaijan Belgium Belgium Belgium soc soc ALOE soc soc EPP/CD EPP/CD soc EC/DA EPP/CD soc soc In favour Ms Sabina CUDIC Bosnia and Herzegovina ALOE Ms Darijana FILIPOVIC Bosnia and Herzegovina EPP/CD Ms Snjezana NOVAKOVIC BURSAC Bosnia and Herzegovina NR In favour In favour In favour In favour In favour In favour In favour In favour Ms Marijana BALIC Ms Zdravka BUSIC Ms Mireille CLAPOT Mr Emmanuel FERNANDES Ms Heike ENGELHARDT Mr Andrej HUNKO Abstention Mr Norbert KLEINWACHTER Against Mr Harald WEYEL In favour In favour Ms Elena BONETTI Mr Piero FASSINO Croatia Croatia France France Germany Germany Germany Germany Italy Italy EPP/CD EPP/CD ALOE UEL soc UEL EC/DA EC/DA ALOE soc Voting choice Member Country Political group In favour Ms Aurora FLORID lA Against Against Against Against In favour In favour In favour In favour In favour Ms Elisabetta GARDINI Ms Lucrezia MANTOVANI Mr Fabio PIETRELLA Mr Marco SCURR lA Mr Francesco VERDUCCI Mr Hubert B0CHEL Mr Thomas HASLER Ms Naomi CACHIA Mr Joseph Beppe FENECH ADAMI Italy Italy Italy Italy Italy Italy Liechtenstein Liechtenstein Malta Malta In favour Mr Darko KAEVSKI North Macedonia In favour In favour In favour In favour In favour In favour Against In favour In favour In favour In favour In favour In favour In favour In favour Ms Lise CHRISTOFFERSEN Ms Lisa Marie Ness KLUNGLAND Ms lngjerd SCHOU Ms Lise SELNES Mr Andreas Sjalg UNNELAND Mr Pedro CEGONHO Mr Sorin-Titus MUNCACIU Ms Laura CASTEL Mr Anton GOMEZ-REINO Ms Luz MARTINEZ SEIJO Ms Esther PENA Ms Susana SUMELZO Mr Gustaf GOTHBERG Mr Mattias JONSSON Mr Kristoffer LINDBERG In favour Ms Azadeh ROJHAN In favour Mr Pierre-Aiain FRIDEZ Abstention Ms Marianne MARET In favour Ms Sena Nur c;ELIK In favour In favour In favour In favour Mr Yunus EMRE Ms Selin SAYEK BOKE Mr Pavlo BAKU NETS Ms Olena KHOMENKO Norway Norway Norway Norway Norway Portugal Romania Spain Spain Spain Spain Spain Sweden Sweden Sweden Sweden Switzerland Switzerland Tiirkiye Tiirkiye Tiirkiye Ukraine Ukraine soc EC/DA EC/DA EC/DA EC/DA soc ALOE ALOE soc EPP/CD soc soc ALOE EPP/CD soc UEL soc EC/DA UEL UEL soc soc soc EPP/CD soc soc soc soc EPP/CD NR soc soc EC/DA EC/DA Vote on Amendment 10- Doc.
15778 Assembly's voting results Public health emergency: the need for a holistic approach to multilateralism and health care 54 in favor, 1 against, 5 abstentions All participants in the vote Vot ing choice Member Country Political group In favou r Ms Etilda GJONAJ In favou r In favour In favour In favour In favou r In favour In favour Ms Blerina GJYLAMETI Ms Bernadeta COMA Mr Cerni ESCALE Ms Petra BAYR Ms Andrea EDER-G ITSCHTHALER Mr Franz Leonhard ESSL Ms Agnes Sirkka PRAM MER Abstention Mr Erkin GADIRLI In favour In f avour Ms Karin BROUWERS Mr Christophe LACROIX In favour Mr Simon MOUTQUIN Albania Albania Andorra Andorra Austria Austria Austria Austria Azerbaijan Belgium Belgium Belgium soc soc ALOE soc soc EPP/CD EPP/CD soc EC/DA EPP/CD soc soc In favour Ms Sabina CUDIC Bosnia and Herzegovina ALOE Ms Darijana FILIPOVIC Bosnia and Herzegovina EPP/CD Mr Sasa MAGAZINOVIC Bosnia and Herzegovina Ms Snjezana NOVAKOVIG BURSAG Bosnia and Herzegovina In favour In favour In favour In favour In favour In favour In favour In favour Ms Marijana BALIC Ms Zdravka BUSIC Ms Mireille CLAPOT Mr Emmanuel FERNANDES Ms Heike ENGELHARDT Abstention Mr Andrej HUNKO Against Mr Norbert KLEINWACHTER In favour Mr Harald WEYEL In favour Ms Elena BONETTI soc NR EPP/CD EPP/CD ALOE UEL soc UEL EC/DA EC/DA ALOE Croatia Croatia France France Germany Germany Germany Germany Italy Voting choice Member Country Political group In favour Mr Piero FASSINO In favour Ms Aurora FLORID lA Abstention Ms Elisabetta GARDIN!
In favour In favour Ms Lucrezia MANTOVANI Mr Andrea ORLANDO Abstention Mr Fabio PIETRELLA Abstentio n Mr Marco SCURRIA In favour In favour Mr Francesco VERDUCCI Mr Hubert BOCHEL In favo ur Mr Thomas HASLER In favour Ms Naomi CACHIA In favour Mr Joseph Beppe FENECH ADAMI Italy Italy Italy Italy Italy Italy Italy Italy Liechtenstein Liechtenstein Malta Malta In favour Mr Darko KAEVSKI North Macedonia In favour In favour In favour In favour In favour In favour In favo ur In favour In favour In favour In favour In favour In favour Ms Lise CHRISTOFFERSEN Ms Lisa Marie Ness KLUNGLAND Ms Lise SELNES Mr Andreas Sjalg UNNELAND Mr Pedro CEGONHO Mr Sorin-Titus MUNCACIU Ms Laura CASTEL Mr Anton G6MEZ-REINO Ms Luz MARTINEZ SEIJO Ms Esther PENA Ms Susana SUMELZO Mr Gustaf GOTHBERG Mr Mattias JONSSON In favour Mr Kristoffer LINDBERG In favour Ms Azadeh ROJHAN In favour In favour In favour In favour In favour In favour In favour Mr Pierre-Ala in FRIDEZ Ms Marianne MARET Ms Sena Nur <;ELIK Mr Yunus EMRE Ms Selin SAYEK BOKE Mr Pavlo BAKUNETS Ms Olena KHOMENKO Norway Norway Norway Norway Portugal Romania Spain Spain Spain Spain Spain Sweden Sweden Sweden Sweden Switzerland SWitzerland Turkiye Turkiye Turkiye Ukraine Ukraine soc soc EC/DA EC/DA soc EC/DA EC/DA soc ALOE ALOE soc EPP/CD soc soc ALOE soc UEL soc EC/DA UEL UEL soc soc soc EPP/CD soc soc soc soc EPP/CD NR soc soc EC/DA EC/DA Vote on Amendment 11 - Doc.
15778 Assembly's voting results Public health emergency: the need for a holistic approach to multilateralism and health care 51 in favor, 7 against, 2 abstentions All participants in the vote Voting choice Member Country Political group In favour Ms Etilda GJONAJ In favour Ms Blerina GJYLAMETI In favour Ms Bernadeta COMA In favour Mr Cerni ESCALE In favour In favour In favour Ms Petra BAYR Ms Andrea EDER-GITSCHTHALER Mr Franz Leonhard ESSL In favour Ms Agnes Sirkka PRAM MER Albania Albania Andorra Andorra Austria Austria Austria Austria Against In favour In favour In favour Mr Erkin GADIRLI Azerbaijan Ms Karin BROUWERS Mr Christophe LACROIX Mr Simon MOUTQUIN Belgium Belgium Belgium In favour Ms Sabina CUDIC Bosnia and Herzegovina soc soc ALOE soc soc EPP/CD EPP/CD soc EC/DA EPP/CD soc soc ALOE In favour Ms Darijana FILIPOVIC Bosnia and Herzegovina EPP/CD Mr Sasa MAGAZINOVIC Bosnia and Herzegovina Ms Snjezana NOVAKOVIC BURSAC Bosnia and Herzegovina In favour In favour In favour In favour Ms Marijana BALIC Ms Zdravka BUSIC In favour Ms Mireille CLAPOT In favour Mr Emmanuel FERNANDES In favour Ms Heike ENGELHARDT In favour Mr Andrej HUNKO Abstention Mr Norbert KLEINWACHTER Against Mr Harald WEYEL In favour Ms Elena BONETTI Croatia Croatia France France Germany Germany Germany Germany Italy soc NR EPP/CD EPP/CD ALOE UEL soc UEL EC/DA EC/DA ALOE Voting choice Member Country Polit ical group Mr Darko KAEVSKI North Macedonia In favour Mr Piero FASSINO In favour Ms Aurora FLORID lA Against Against Ms Elisabetta GARDIN!
Ms Lucrezia MANTOVANI In favour Mr Andrea ORLANDO Against Against In favour In favour Mr Fabio PIETRELLA Mr Marco SCURRIA Mr Francesco VERDUCCI Mr Hubert BOCHEL Abstention Mr Thomas HASLER In favour In favour In favour In favour In favour In favour In favour In favou r In favour Against In favour In favour In favour In favour In favour In favour In favour In favour Ms Naomi CACHIA Mr Joseph Beppe FENECH ADAMI Ms Lise CHRISTOFFERSEN Ms Lisa Marie Ness KLUNGLAND Ms lngjerd SCHOU Ms Lise SELNES Mr Andreas Sjalg UNNELAND Mr Pedro CEGONHO Mr Sorin-Titus MUNCACIU Ms Laura CASTEL Mr Anton G6MEZ-REINO Ms Luz MARTINEZ SEIJO Ms Esther PENA Ms Susana SUMELZO Mr Gustaf GOTH BERG Mr Mattias JONSSON Mr Kristoffer LINDBERG In favour Ms Azadeh ROJHAN In favour Mr Pierre-Aiain FRIDEZ In favour In favour In favour In favour In favour Ms Marianne MARET Ms Sena Nur <;ELIK Mr Yunus EMRE Ms Selin SAYEK BOKE Ms Olena KHOMENKO Italy Italy Italy Italy Italy Italy Italy Italy Liechtenstein Liechtenstein Malta Malta Norway Norway Norway Norway Norway Portugal Romania Spain Spain Spain Spain Spain Sweden Sweden Sweden Sweden Switzerland Switzerland Tl.irkiye Tiirkiye Turkiye Ukraine soc soc EC/DA EC/DA soc EC/DA EC/DA soc ALOE ALOE soc EPP/CD soc soc ALOE EPP/CD soc UEL soc EC/DA UEL UEL soc soc soc EPP/CD soc soc soc soc EPP/CD NR soc soc EC/DA Vote on Amendment 12- Doc.
15778 Assembly's voting results Public health emergency: the need for a holistic approach to multilateralism and health care 54 in favor, 8 against, 0 abstention All participants in the vote Voting choice Member Country Political group In favour Ms Etilda GJONAJ In favour Ms Blerina GJYLAMETI In favour Ms Bernadeta COMA In f avour Mr Cerni ESCALE In favour Ms Petra BAYR In favou r In favou r In favou r Ms Andrea EDER-GITSCHTHALER Mr Franz Leonhard ESSL Ms Agnes Sirkka PRAM MER Albania Albania Andorra Andorra Austria Austria Austria Austria A gainst Mr Erkin GADIRLI Azerbaijan In favou r In favou r In favou r In favou r Ms Karin BROUWERS Mr Andries GRYFFROY Mr Christophe LACROIX Mr Simon MOUTQUIN Belgium Belgium Belgium Belgium soc soc ALOE soc soc EPP/CD EPP/CD soc EC/DA EPP/C D NR soc soc In favour Ms Sabina CUDIC Bosnia and Herzegovina ALOE Ms Darijana FILIPOVIC Bosnia and Herzegovina EPP/CD Mr Sasa MAGAZINOVIC Bosnia and Herzegovina Ms Snjezana NOVAKOVIC BURSAC Bosnia and Herzegovina In favour In favour In favour In favour Ms Marijana BALIC In f av our Ms Zdravka BUSIC In favour Ms Mireille CLAPOT In favour In favour In favour Against Against Mr Emmanuel FERNANDES Ms Heike ENGELHARDT Mr Andrej HUNKO Mr Norbert KLEINWACHTER Mr Harald WEYEL soc NR EPP/CD EPP/CD ALOE UEL soc UEL EC/DA EC/DA Croatia Croatia France France Germany Germany Germany Germany Voting choice Member Country Political group Mr Darko KAEVSKI North Macedonia In favour Ms Elena BONETTI In favour Mr Piero FASSINO In favour Ms Aurora FLORIO lA Against Against Ms Elisabetta GAROINI Ms Lucrezia MANTOVANI In favour Mr Andrea ORLANDO Against Against Mr Fabio PIETRELLA Mr Marco SCURRIA In favour Mr Francesco VERDUCCI In favour Mr Hubert BOCHEL In favour Mr Thomas HASLER In favour In favour In favour In favour In favour In favour Ms Naomi CACHIA Mr Joseph Beppe FENECH ADAMI Ms Lise CHRISTOFFERSEN Ms Lisa Marie Ness KLUNGLAN D Ms lngjerd SCHOU In favour Ms Lise SELNES In favour In favour Against In favour In favour In favou r In favour In favour In
 favour In favour Mr Andreas Sjalg UNNELAND Mr Pedro CEGONHO Mr Sarin-Titus MUNCACIU Ms Laura CASTEL Mr Anton GOMEZ-REINO Ms Luz MARTINEZ SEIJO Ms Esther PENA Ms Susana SUMELZO Mr Gustaf GOTHBERG Mr Mattias JONSSON In favour Mr Kristoffer LINDBERG In favour Ms Azadeh ROJHAN In favour In favour In favour In favour In favour Mr Pierre-Aiain FRIDEZ Ms Marianne MARET Ms Sena Nur <;ELIK Mr Yunus EMRE Ms Selin SAYEK BOKE Italy Italy Italy Italy Italy Italy Italy Italy Italy Liechtenstein Liechtenstein Malta Malta N01way Norway Norway Norway Norway Portugal Romania Spain Spain Spain Spain Spain Sweden Sweden Sweden Sweden Switzerland Switzerland Turkiye Turkiye Turkiye ALOE soc soc EC/OA EC/OA soc EC/DA EC/DA soc ALOE ALOE soc EPP/CD soc soc ALOE EPP/CD soc UEL soc EC/DA UEL UEL soc soc soc EPP/CD soc soc soc soc EPP/CD NR soc soc Voting choice Member In favour Mr Pavlo BAKU NETS In favour Ms Olena KHOMENKO Country Ukraine Ukraine Political group EC/DA EC/DA Vote on Amendment 13 - Doc.
15778 Assembly's voting results Public health emergency: the need for a holistic approach to multilateralism and health care 49 in favor, 5 against, 4 abstentions All participants in the vote Voting cho ice Member Cou nt ry Political group In favour Ms Etilda GJONAJ In favour In favour Ms Blerina GJYLAMETI Ms Bemadeta COMA In favour Mr Cerni ESCALE In favo ur Ms Petra BAYR In favour In favour In favo ur Ms Andrea EDER-GITSCHTHALER Mr Franz Leonhard ESSL Ms Agnes Sirkka PRAM MER Albania Albania Andorra Andorra Austria Austria Austria Austria Abstentio n Mr Erkin GADIRLI Azerbaijan In favo ur Ms Karin BROUWERS In favour Mr Andries GRYFFROY In favour Mr Christophe LACROIX In favour Mr Simon MOUTQUIN Belgium Belgium Belgium Belgium soc soc ALOE soc soc EPP/CD EPP/CD soc EC/DA EPP/CD NR soc soc In favour In favour Against Ms Darijana FILIPOVIC Bosnia and Herzegovina EPP/CD Mr Sasa MAGAZINOVIC Bosnia and Herzegovina Ms Snjezana NOVAKOVIC BURSAC Bosnia and Herzegovina In favour Ms Marijana BALIC In favo ur In favour In fav our In favour Ms Zdravka BUSIC Ms Mireille CLAPOT Mr Emmanuel FERNANDES Ms Heike ENGELHARDT In favo ur Mr Andrej HUNKO Aga inst Against Mr Norbert KLEINWACHTER Mr Harald WEYEL In favour Ms Elena BONETTI Croatia Croatia France France Germany Germany Germany Germany Italy soc NR EPP/CD EPP/CD ALOE UEL soc UEL EC/DA EC/DA ALOE Voting choice Member Country Political group In favour Ms Aurora FLORID lA Abstention Ms Elisabetta GARDIN!
Abstention Ms Lucrezia MANTOVANI In favour Mr Andrea ORLANDO Abstention Mr Fabio PIETRELLA Against In favour In favour In favour In favour Mr Marco SCURR lA Mr Francesco VERDUCCI Mr Hubert BOCHEL Mr Thomas HASLER Italy Italy Italy Italy Italy Italy Italy Liechtenstein Liechtenstein Mr Joseph Beppe FENECH ADAMI Malta In favour Mr Darko KAEVSKI North Macedonia In favour Ms Lise CHRISTOFFERSEN In favour In favour In favo ur In favour In favour Against In favour In favour In favour In favour In favour In favour In favour Ms Lisa Marie Ness KLUNGLAND Ms lngjerd SCHOU Ms Lise SELNES Mr Andreas Sjalg UNNELAND Mr Pedro CEGONHO Mr Sarin-Titus MUNCACIU Ms Laura CASTEL Mr Anton G6MEZ-REINO Ms Luz MARTINEZ SEIJO Ms Esther PENA Mr Gustaf G6THBERG Mr Mattias JONSSON Mr Kristoffer LINDBERG In favour Ms Azadeh ROJHAN In favour Mr Pierre-Aiain FRIDEZ In favour Mr Jean-Pierre GRIN In favour Ms Sena Nur <;:ELIK In favour In favour In favour In favour Mr Yunus EMRE Ms Selin SAYEK B6KE Mr Pavlo BAKUNETS Ms Olena KHOMENKO Norway Norway Norway Norway Norway Portugal Romania Spain Spain Spain Spain Sweden Sweden Sweden Sweden Switzerland Switzerland TGrkiye Turkiye Turkiye Ukraine Ukraine soc EC/DA EC/DA soc EC/DA EC/DA soc ALOE ALOE EPP/CD soc soc ALOE EPP/CD soc UEL soc EC/DA UEL UEL soc soc EPP/CD soc soc soc soc ALOE NR soc soc EC/DA EC/DA Vote on Amendment 14- Doc.
15778 Assembly's voting results Public health emergency: the need for a holistic approach to multilateralism and health care 49 in favor, 8 against, 2 abstentions All participants in the vote Voting choice Member Country Political group In favour Ms Etilda GJONAJ In favour In favour Ms Blerina GJYLAMETI Ms Bernadeta COMA In favour Mr Cerni ESCALE In favour Ms Petra BAYR In favour In favour Ms Andrea EDER-GITSCHTHALER Mr Franz Leonhard ESSL In favour Ms Agnes Sirkka PRAM MER Albania Albania Andorra Andorra Austria Austria Austria Austria Against Mr Erkin GADIRLI Azerbaijan In favour Ms Karin BROUWERS In favour In favour In favour Mr Andries GRYFFROY Mr Christophe LACROIX Mr Simon MOUTQUIN Belgium Belgium Belgium Belgium soc soc ALOE soc soc EPP/CD EPP/CD soc EC/DA EPP/CD NR soc soc In favour Ms Sabina CUDIC Bosnia and Herzegovina ALOE In favour Ms Darijana FILIPOVIC Bosnia and Herzegovina EPP/CD In favour Mr Sasa MAGAZINOVIC Bosnia and Herzegovina Abstention Ms Snjezana NOVAKOVIC BURSAC Bosnia and Herzegovina In favour Ms Marijana BALIC In favour Ms Zdravka BUSIC In favour Ms Mireille CLAPOT In favour Mr Emmanuel FERNANDES In favour Ms Heike ENGELHARDT Abstention Mr Andrej HUNKO Against Against Mr Norbert KLEINWACHTER Mr Harald WEYEL Croatia Croatia France France Germany Germany Germany Germany soc NR EPP/CD EPP/CD ALOE UEL soc UEL EC/DA EC/DA Voting choice Member Country Politic al g roup In favour In fav o ur Against Against Ms Elena BONETII Ms Aurora FLORID lA Ms Elisabetta GA RDINI Ms Lucrezia MANTOVANI In f avour Mr Andrea ORLANDO Against Against In favou r In favour In favour Mr Fabio PIETRELLA Mr Marco SCURRIA Mr Francesco VERDUCCI Mr Hubert BOCHEL Mr Thomas HASLER In favour Ms Naomi CACHIA In favou r Mr Joseph Beppe FENECH A DAMI Italy Italy Italy Italy Italy Italy Italy Italy Liechtenstein Liechtenstein Malta Malta In favour Mr Darko KAEVSKI North Macedonia In favour Ms Lise CHRISTOFFERSEN In favour In favour Ms Lisa Marie Ness KLUNGLAND Ms lngjerd SCHOU In favour Ms Lise SELNES In favour In favour Again st Mr Andreas Sjalg UNNELAND Mr Pedro CEGONHO Mr Sarin-Titus MUNCACIU In favour Ms Laura CASTEL In favour In favou r In favou r In favou r In favou r In favour In favour In favour Mr Anton G6MEZ-REINO Ms Luz MARTINEZ SEIJO Ms Susana SUMELZO Mr Gustaf GOTH BERG Mr Mattias JONSSON Mr Kristoffer LINDBERG Ms Azadeh ROJHAN Norway Norway Norway Norway Norway Portugal Romania Spain Spain Spain Spain Sweden Sweden Sweden Sweden Mr Pierre-Aiain FRIDEZ Switzerland In favour Ms Sena Nur c;:ELIK In favour Mr Yunus EMRE In favour Ms Selin SAYEK BOKE In fav o u r In favour Mr Pavia BAKU NETS Ms Olena KHOMENKO Turkiye Turkiye Turkiye Ukraine Ukraine ALOE soc EC/DA EC/DA soc EC/DA EC/DA soc ALOE ALOE soc EPP/CD soc soc ALOE EPP/CD soc UEL soc EC/DA UEL UEL soc soc EPP/CD soc soc soc soc NR soc soc EC/DA EC/DA Vote on Amendment 15- Doc.
15778 Assembly's voting results Public health emergency: the need for a holistic approach to multilateralism and health care 53 in favor, 8 against, 1 abstention All participants in the vote Voting choice Member Country Political group In favour Ms Etilda GJONAJ In favour In favour In favour In favour In favour In favour Ms Blerina GJYLAMETI Ms Bernadeta COMA Mr Cerni ESCALE Ms Petra BAYR Ms Andrea EDER-GITSCHTHALER Mr Franz Leonhard ESSL In favour Ms Agnes Sirkka PRAM MER Against Mr Erkin GADIRLI In favour In favour In favour In favour Ms Karin BROUWERS Mr Andries GRYFFROY Mr Christophe LACROIX Mr Simon MOUTQUIN Albania Albania Andorra Andorra Austria Austria Austria Austria Azerbaijan Belgium Belgium Belgium Belgium soc soc ALDE soc soc EPP/CD EPP/CD soc EC/DA EPP/CD NR soc soc In favour Ms Sabina CUDIC Bosnia and Herzegovina ALDE In favour In favour In favour Ms Darijana FILIPOVIC Bosnia and Herzegovina EPP/CD Mr Sasa MAGAZINOVIC Bosnia and Herzegovina Ms Snjezana NOVAKOVIC BURSAC Bosnia and Herzegovina In favour Ms Marijana BALIC In favour In favour In favour Ms Zdravka BUSIC Ms Mireille CLAPOT Mr Emmanuel FERNANDES In favour Ms Heike ENGELHARDT Abstention Mr Andrej HUNKO Against Against Mr Norbert KLEINWACHTER Mr Harald WEYEL Croatia Croatia France France Germany Germany Germany Germany soc NR EPP/CD EPP/CD ALDE UEL soc UEL EC/DA ECIDA Voting choice Member Country Political group Mr Darko KAEVSKI North Macedonia In favour In favour Ms Elena BONETTI Mr Piero FASSINO In favour Ms Aurora FLORID lA Against Against Ms Elisabetta GARDIN!
Ms Lucrezia MANTOVANI In favour Mr Andrea ORLANDO Against Against In favour In favour In favour In favour In favour In favour In favour In favour Mr Fabio PIETRELLA Mr Marco SCURRIA Mr Francesco VERDUCCI Mr Hubert BOCHEL Mr Thomas HASLER Ms Naomi CACHIA Mr Joseph Beppe FENECH ADAMI Ms Lise CHRISTOFFERSEN Ms Lisa Marie Ness KLUNGLAND In favour Ms lngjerd SCHOU In favour Ms Lise SELNES In favour In favour Mr Andreas Sjalg UNNELAND Mr Pedro CEGONHO Against Mr Sarin-Titus MUNCACIU In favour Ms Laura CASTEL In favour In favour Mr Anton G6MEZ-REINO Ms Luz MARTINEZ SEIJO In favour Ms Esther PENA In favour In favour In favour In favour In favour Ms Susana SUMELZO Mr Gustaf GOTHBERG Mr Mattias JONSSON Mr Kristoffer LINDBERG Ms Azadeh ROJHAN In favour Mr Pierre-Aiain FRIDEZ In favour Ms Marianne MARET In favour Ms Sena Nur <;ELIK In favour Mr Yunus EMRE In favour Ms Selin SAYEK BOKE Italy Italy Italy Italy Italy Italy Italy Italy Italy Liechtenstein Liechtenstein Malta Malta Norway Norway Norway Norway Norway Portugal Romania Spain Spain Spain Spain Spain Sweden Sweden Sweden Sweden Switzerland Switzerland Turkiye Turkiye Turkiye • \.i { ALOE soc soc EC/DA ECIDA soc EC/DA EC/DA soc ALOE ALOE soc EPP/CD soc soc ALOE EPP/CD soc UEL soc EC/DA UEL UEL soc soc soc EPP/CD soc soc soc soc EPP/CD NR soc soc Voting choice Member In favour In favour Mr Pavia BAKUNETS Ms Olena KHOMENKO Country Ukraine Ukraine Political group EC/DA EC/DA Vote on Resolution - Doc.
15778 Assembly's voting results Public health emergency: the need for a holistic approach to multilateralism and health care 54 in favor, 8 against, 0 abstention All participants in the vote Voting choice Member Country Political group In favou r Ms Etilda GJONAJ In favour Ms Blerina GJYLAMETI In favour Ms Bernadeta COMA In favou r MrCerni ESCALE In favour Ms Petra BAYR In favour In favour Ms Andrea EDER-GITSCHTHALER Mr Franz Leonhard ESSL In favour Ms Agnes Sirkka PRAMMER Albania Albania Andorra Andorra Austria Austria Austria Austria Against Mr Erkin GADIRLI Azerbaijan In favour In favour In favour In favour Ms Karin BROUWERS Mr Andries GRYFFROY Mr Christophe LACROIX Mr Simon MOUTQUIN Belgium Belgium Belgium Belgium soc soc ALOE soc soc EPP/CD EPP/CD soc EC/DA EPP/CD NR soc soc In favour Ms Sabina CUDIC Bosnia and Herzegovina ALOE In favour Ms Darijana FILIPOVIC Bosnia and Herzegovina EPP/CD In favour In favour Mr Sasa MAGAZINOVIC Bosnia and Herzegovina Ms Snjezana NOVAKOVIC BURSAC Bosnia and Herzegovina In favour Ms Marijana BALIC In favour Ms Zdravka BUSIC In favou r In favour In favour In favour Agai nst Agai nst Ms Mireille CLAPOT Mr Emmanuel FERNANDES Ms Heike ENGELHARDT Mr Andrej HUNKO Mr Norbert KLEINWACHTER Mr Harald WEYEL Croatia Croatia France France Germany Germany Germany Germany soc NR EPP/CD EPP/CD ALOE UEL soc UEL EC/DA EC/DA Voting choice Member Country Political group Mr Darko KAEVSKI North Macedonia In favour Ms Elena BONETII In favour Mr Piero FASSINO In favour Ms Aurora FLORID lA Against Against Ms Elisabetta GARDINI Ms Lucrezia MANTOVANI In favour Mr Andrea ORLANDO Against Against Mr Fabio PIETRELLA Mr Marco SCURRIA In favour Mr Francesco VERDUCCI In favour Mr Hubert BOCHEL In favour In favour In favour In favour In favour In favour In favour In favour In favour In favour Against In favour In favour In favour In favour In favour Mr Thomas HASLER Ms Naomi CACHIA Mr Joseph Beppe FENECH ADAMI Ms Lise CHRISTOFFERSEN Ms Lisa Marie Ness KLUNGLAND Ms lngjerd SCHOU Ms Lise SELNES Mr Andreas Sjalg
 UNNELAND Mr Pedro CEGONHO Mr Sorin-litus MUNCACIU Ms Laura CASTEL Mr Anton G6MEZ-REINO Ms Luz MARTINEZ SEIJO Ms Esther PENA Ms Susana SUMELZO In favour Mr Gustaf GOTH BERG In favour Mr Mattias JONSSON In favour Mr Kristoffer LINDBERG In favour In favour In favour In favour In favour In favour Ms Azadeh ROJHAN Mr Pierre-Aiain FRIDEZ Ms Marianne MARET Ms Sena Nur <;ELIK Mr Yunus EMRE Ms Selin SAYEK BOKE Italy Italy Italy Italy Italy Italy Italy Italy Italy Liechtenstein Liechtenstein Malta Malta Norway Norway Norway Norway Norway Portugal Romania Spain Spain Spain Spain Spain Sweden Sweden Sweden Sweden Switzerland Switzerland Ti.irkiye Ti.irkiye TGrkiye • ALOE soc soc ECIOA EC/DA soc EC/DA EC/DA soc ALOE ALOE soc EPP/CD soc soc ALOE EPP/CD soc UEL soc EC/DA UEL UEL soc soc soc EPP/CD soc soc soc soc EPP/CD NR soc soc Voti ng choice Member In favour Mr Pavlo BAKUN ETS In favour Ms Olena KHOMENKO Country Ukraine Ukraine Political group EC/DA EC/DA t Parliamentary Assembly = ~ ~ilU:ml'r.F.• -Rll·im·~-tu-.--------------· CONSEIL DE !
:EUROPE Assemblee parlementaire ~ ~- ~//./././// £ 2023 ORDINARY SESSION Third part 19- 23 June 2023 TEXTS ADOPTED BY THE ASSEMBLY Provisional versions F- 67075 Strasbourg Cedex I Tel:+ 33 3 88 41 2000 I Table of contents Opinion Opinion 301 (2023) Recommendations Budgets and priorities of the Council of Europe for the period 2024-2027 (Doc.

15780) Recommendation 2255 (2023) Health and social protection of undocumented workers or those in an irregular situation (Doc.
15784) Recommendation 2256 (2023) Ensuring free and safe access through the Lachin Corridor (Doc.

15796) Recommendation 2257 (2023) Transnational repression as a growing threat to the rule of law and human rights (Doc.

15787) Resolutions Resolution 2499 (2023) Addressing the specific challenges faced by the Belarusians in exile (Doc.
15783) Resolution 2500 (2023) Resolution 2501 (2023) Resolution 2502 (2023) Resolution 2503 (2023) Resolution 2504 (2023) Resolution 2505 (2023) Resolution 2506 (2023) Resolution 2507 (2023) Public health emergency: th e need for a holistic approach to multilateral ism and health care (Doc.

15778) Expenditure of the Parliamentary Assembly for the biennium 2024-2025 (Doc.

15781 ) Integration of migrants and refugees: benefits for all parties involved (Doc.
15785) Social inclusion of migrants, refugees and internally displaced persons through sport (Doc.

15786) Health and social protection of undocumented workers or those in an irregular situation (Doc.

15784) UK reform of its human rights legislation: consequences for domestic and European Human Rights protection (Doc.

15782) Political consequences of the Russian Federation's war of aggression against Ukraine (Doc.
15797) War of aggression against Ukraine - Participation of Russian and Belarusian athletes in the Paris 2024 Olympics and Paralympics?

(Doc.

15795) Resolution 2508 (2023) Ensuring free and safe access through the Lachin Corridor (Doc.

15796) Resolution 2509 (2023) Resolution 2510 (2023) Transnational repression as a growing threat to the rule of law and human rights (Doc.

15787) Closing the digital divide: promoting equal access to digital technologies (Doc.
15776) Opinion 301 ~ Parliamentary Assembly ~~ Assembh~e parlementaire ~"1?~ ~ --~hrn·s~.~·~Mo•~nMmmw.

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'EUROPE Opinion 301 (2023)1 Provisional version Budgets and priorities of the Council of Europe for the period 2024-2027 Parliamentary Assembly 1.

The Parliamentary Assembly's Opinion on the budget and priorities of the Council of Europe for the period 2024-2027 has been prepared under unprecedented circumstances.
The war of aggression waged by the Russian Federation against Ukraine, a Council of Europe member State, since 24 February 2022 is a violation of international law and a grave violation of the Statute of the Council of Europe (ETS No.

1 ), in particular of the principles enshrined in Article 3.

2.
2.

As a result of this war, the Russian Federation was expelled from the Council of Europe on 16 March 2022, by a unanimous decision of the Committee of Ministers acting under Article 8 of the Statute and on the basis of the unanimously adopted Opinion 300 of the Assembly.

3.

The 2024-2027 programming and budgeting process is thus taking place in the context of political, legal and international transformations unfolding in Europe and beyond.
These transformations requ ire a re examination and re-assertion of the place and role of the Council of Eu rope in today's European and global multilateral architecture and a new focus in its political and budget priorities.

4.

In this context, the Assembly welcomed the 4th Council of Europe Summit of Heads of State and Government held in Reykjavik on 16-17 May 2023.
It expresses appreciation of the political commitment of Council of Europe member States, witnessed by the participation, at the highest level, of their political leaders in the Summit and the adoption of the Reykjavik Declaration.

5.

The Assembly endorses the Reykjavik Declaration and its Appendices which give priority and direction to the Council of Europe's work.
It welcomes the recommitment by member States to the fundamental values enshrined in the Council of Europe Statute- democracy, human rights and the rule of law.

6.

The Assembly reiterates the importance of the member States' commitment to the European Convention on Human Rights (ETS No.

5) and their respect for the authority of the European Court on Human Rights, whose judgments they are bound to implement.
The implementation of the Court's judgments must remain one of the key priorities of the Council of Europe during the next quadrennial programme and budget period .

For its part, the Assembly shall continue to strengthen the parliamentary dimension of the implementation of judgments, in particular through high-level political dialogue and its regular thematic reports.
The Assembly stands together with the leaders of Council of Europe member States in unity for Ukraine 7. and accountability for the crimes committed against a member State.

It welcomes the establishment of an Enlarged Partial Agreement on the Register of Damage and calls on all member and observer States, as well as any other States that are eligible according to the Register's Statute, to join as a Participant or Associate Member.
At the same time, the Assembly believes that efforts to ensure accountability and prevent impunity should be further pursued, including through the establishment of an international ad hoc tribunal, as recommended in Resolution 2482 (2023).

1.

Assembly debate on 21 June 2023 (17th sitting) (see Doc.

15780, report of the Committee on Rules of Procedure, Immunities and Institutional Affairs, rapporteur: Ms lngjerd Schou).

Text adopted by the Assembly on 21 June 2023 (17th sitting).
~­- Opinion 301 (2023) Particular attention should be paid to addressing the situation of children of Ukraine, in line with the 8.

Declaration adopted at the 4th Summit, as well as to ensuring release of civilians, in particular children, forcibly transferred or unlawfully deported to the territory of the Russian Federation or areas under its temporary occupation or control, in accordance with Assembly Resolution 2495 (2023) and Recommendation 2253 (2023).

9.
9.

Equally, the Assembly supports the Council of Europe's commitment to provide concrete, tangible and targeted support to Ukraine through the Action Plan "Resilience, Recovery and Reconstruction" (2023-2026).

For its part, it will continue to support the Verkhovna Rada in fulfilling Ukraine's statutory obligations, and will provide relevant expertise and peer-to-peer exchanges for parliamentarians.
It calls on governments and parliaments of member States to support these co-operation activities by providing additional extrabudgetary resources.

10.

The Assembly welcomes the commitment of member States to strengthening democracy and good governance at all levels, as well as counteracting democratic backsliding.

It will support member States in delivering on the Reykjavik Principles of Democracy.
The Assembly believes moreover that among the political priorities for the next quadrennial cycle, efforts should be continued to provide early warning and rapid reaction, and to provide relevant and targeted support to member States.

In its support for more active engagement with civil society and democracy actors, the Assembly 11 .
emphasises the need to further invest into working with human rights defenders, democratic forces, independent civil society and free media from Belarus and the Russian Federation, who are fighting for the values and principles of the Organisation, including the territorial integrity of sovereign member States.
Similarly, the Assembly believes that the strengthening of the youth perspective in the Council of Europe should be given every priority as a means to revitalise democracy and enhance young people's participation in democratic and political processes.

12.

Addressing new and emerging human rights challenges must be among the Organisation's priorities during the 2024-2027 programme and budget cycle.
Special attention should be paid to initiatives to uphold a right to a clean, safe, healthy and sustainable environment as a human right, including through the strengthening of the relevant legal framework.

Equally, it supports the Summit's commitment to initiate the Reykjavik process and looks forward to contributing to it.
Legal and human rights aspects of the use of artificial intelligence and emerging digital technologies should remain in the focus of the Council of Europe agenda, including the finalisation of the Council of Europe's Framework Convention on Artificial Intelligence.

13.
13.

The Assembly is at the disposal of the Committee of Ministers to feed into the vision that will underpin the establishment of the intergovernmental committee on environment and human rights (Reykjavik Committee) , which the Assembly recommends be established as of 1 January 2024.
With a view to contributing to the realisation of the human ·right to a safe, clean, healthy, and sustainable environment at national, European and international level, the Assembly recommends that the Reykjavik Committee benefit from multidisciplinary and multisectoral expertise, start with a stock-taking exercise of existing instruments and mechanisms at European and international level to inspire synergies and avoid duplication of work, and serve as a platform for the exchange of good practice at all levels.
14.

Combating inequalities and discrimination, as well as upholding gender equality, including combating violence against women and promoting the ratification and implementation of the Council of Europe Convention on Preventing and Combating Violence Against Women and Domestic Violence (CETS No.

210, "Istanbul Convention"), must remain at the forefront of the Council of Europe agenda.
Alongside its work on this topic, the Assembly is committed to enhancing equality between women and men in its own structures and working arrangements.

The Council of Europe should continue to act as the United Nations Organisation's regional pilar 15. supporting the delivery of Sustainable Development Goals, which should continue to be mainstreamed in all Council of Europe activities.
It welcomes the Summit's commitment to strengthening institutional partnership with the European Union and calls for a speedy completion of the process of accession of the European Union to the European Convention on Human Rights.

16.

Given the depth and ambition of the priorities set by the leaders of the member States at the 4th Summit, it is clear that the Council of Europe should be granted resources that are commensurate with the level of member States' political ambition for the Organisation.
To effectively deliver on the Summit outcomes, the Organisation's resources should be increased over and above the zero real growth perspective.

The sustainability of the Council of Europe's action requires unwavering commitment and investment in the financial contributions from our member States.

2 Opinion 301 (2023) 17.

Therefore, the Assembly calls upon the member States to invest sufficient additional resources into the Organisation to allow it to deliver the results which the Summit has indicated.
It is convinced that the need to match resources to ambition will remain at the forefront of the discussions in the Committee of Ministers during the 2024-2027 budgetary process.

18.
18.

The Assembly welcomes all the work put in over recent years to modernise and reform the working methods and governance of the Council of Europe, led by the Committee of Ministers, the Secretary General and the Deputy Secretary General, including the introduction of the Result-based Management Strategy as well as the implementation of the People Strategy.
It welcomes the approval by the Committee of Ministers of the Capital Master Plan which, inter alia provides for the refurbishment and modernisation of the Assembly Chamber through 2023-2024.

19.
19.

The Assembly recalls its own initiatives to modernise the Assembly's tools and working methods, including through the pace-apps application, with a view to attain the objective of "paper-less" operation, thus reducing the Assembly's - and the Council of Europe's - costs as well as its carbon footprint in an overall effort to address the environmental challenge.
Digital modernisation will therefore continue to be high on the Assembly's own list of priorities during the 2024-2027 programme and budget period, as will the best-practice management of its staff and budgetary resources in line with the reforms put in place in the whole Organisation.

3 Recommendations 2255 to 2257 lLJ/- Parliamentary Assembly ttfL~ Assemblee parlementaire ~~ ~ --~h~•tffit•~•~•·m'AA~mru.

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: EUROPE Recommendation 2255 (2023)1 Provisional version Health and social protection of undocumented workers or those in an irregular situation Parliamentary Assembly 1.

The Parliamentary Assembly refers to its Resolution 2504 (2023) "Health and social protection of undocumented workers or those in an irregular situation" and underlines the responsibility of member States to prevent human rights violations against undocumented workers.
The currently prevailing national policies and legislation tend to render this category of workers invisible, extremely fragile and exposed to exploitation or even trafficking in human beings, including for the purpose of forced labour.

2.
2.

The Assembly supports the ongoing national efforts and institutional mobilisation to strengthen socio economic rights for all across Europe, notably through the work of the Committee of Ministers Ad hoc Working Party on improving the European Social Charter system (GT-CHARTE), the Rapporteur Group on Social and Health Questions (GR-SOC) and the European Committee of Social Rig hts.
In this context, the Assembly stresses the need to remove the restriction of the personal scope of application of the European Social Charter (ETS No.

35) (that is, the exclusion of persons from countries that have not ratified it, and of those not lawfully resident or working regularly on the territory of the Party concerned) and suggests adding new provisions to the Charter on enhanced protection of workers in non-standard forms of employment.

3.
3.

To this end, the Assembly calls on the Committee of Ministers to insist that all member States sign, ratify and fully implement as many provisions of the European Social Charter and its protocols as possible, and expand the reach of existing rights under the Charter to all persons de facto living under their jurisdiction.

4.

Considering the relevance of the European Convention on the Legal Status of Migrant Workers (ETS No.
93) with regard to the general conditions for entry and residence of migrant domestic workers and aiming to ensure treatment no less favourable than that afforded to nationals, the Assembly asks the Committee of Ministers to encourage among member States the greatest number of signatures to, and ratifications of, this Convention.

5.
Drawing on the experiences during the Covid-19 pandemic, the Assembly further asks the Committee of Ministers to recommend to member States to extend the criteria for access to permanent regularisation mechanisms and/or consider putting in place targeted regularisation programmes w hich would offer greater protection of socio-economic rights of undocumented workers, to facilitate their access to justice, which is the cornerstone of respect for their rights, by setting up procedures to ensure the non-cross-checking of data in the various services, and to facilitate their access to a universal healthcare system.
1.

Assembly debate on 21 June 2023 (17th sitting) (see Doc.

15784, report of the Committee on Social Affairs, Health and Sustainable Development, rapporteur: Ms Ada Marra; and Doc.

15794, opinion of the Committee on Migration, Refugees and Displaced Persons, rapporteur: Ms Arusyak Julhakyan).

Text adopted by the Assembly on 21 June 2023 (17th sitting).

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CONSEIL DE t:EUROPE COUNCIL OF EUROPE Recommendation 2256 (2023)1 Provisional version Ensuring free and safe access through the Lachin Corridor Parliamentary Assembly 1.
Referring to Resolution 2508 (2023) "Ensuring free and safe access through the Lachin Corridor'' and recognising the Committee of Ministers' role as the guarantor of the protection of human rights within the member States of the Council of Europe, the Parliamentary Assembly draws the Committee of Ministers' attention to the humanitarian and human rights crisis affecting the Armenians living in Nagorno-Karabakh, following Azerbaijan's unilateral actions at the Lachin corridor in contradiction with the ceasefire agreement signed on 9 November 2020 by President of the Republic of Azerbaijan llham Aliyev, Prime Minister of the Republic of Armenia Nikol Pashinyan and President of the Russian Federation Vladimir Putin, referred to as the Trilateral Statement.
2.

Regretting that the Assembly Rapporteur was not invited to Azerbaijan and was thus unable to gather first-hand information on the spot, the Assembly requests that a Council of Europe fact-finding mission be organised to Azerbaijan as early as possible, with the aim of assessing the situation where Armenians live and have been affected by the absence of a free and safe access throug h the Lachin corridor since 12 December 2022.
Acknowledging the feeling of insecurity and threat experienced by the Armenian population living in 3.

Nagorno-Karabakh, the Assembly believes that the Council of Europe may play an important role in fostering trust and dialogue between its two member States, notably through confidence-building measu res.
It therefore encourages the Committee of Ministers to develop new activities within the existing action plans or through a sui generis co-operation instrument, which would aim, inter alia, to tackle hate speech, in particular unacceptable language and rhetoric employed by members of the Government of Azerbaijan in relation to members of the Armenian population, and to contribute to building a climate of tolerance and mutual respect.

1.

Assembly debate on 22 June 2023 (18th sitting) (see Doc.
15796, report of the Committee on Migration, Refugees and Displaced Persons, rapporteur: Mr Paul Gavan).

Text adopted by the Assembly on 22 June 2023 (18th sitting).

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:EUROPE Assemblee parlementaire ~~ Recommendation 2257 (2023)1 Provisional version Transnational repression as a growing threat to the rule of law and human rights Parliamentary Assembly Referring to its Resolution 2509 (2023) "Transnational repression as a growing threat to the rule of law 1. and human rights", the Parliamentary Assembly recommends that the Committee of Ministers: 1.1. review and update the Guidelines on "Eradicating impunity for serious human rights violations" adopted on 30 March 2011 at the 111 Oth meeting of the Minister's Deputies, with a view to including transnational repression techniques; 1.2. consider drawing up a recommendation to member States on the fight against transnational repression , taking due account of international human rights law and in particular the case law of the European Court of Human Rights.
Such a recommendation would include a definition of transnational repression that could be later adopted by member States and other Council of Europe bodies; 1.3. when supervising the execution of the European Court of Human Rights' j udgments featuring transnational repression, underline the requirement of individual accountability of perpetrators and call on the States concerned to adopt general measures to prevent these practices in future and provide guarantees of non-repetition.

1.
1.

Assembly debate on 23 June 2023 (19th sitting) (see Doc.

15787, report of the Committee on Legal Affairs and Human Rights, rapporteur: Sir Christopher Chope).

Text adopted by the Assembly on 23 June 2023 (19th sitting).

---~-~~~------~-~~~-~~-----------'https://pace.coe.int -- Resolutions 2499 to 2510 t Parliamentary Assembly ~ s1'ilU'!IIJll!l•51!· mlf!l!rlmilll---------------------· CONSEIL DE !
:EUROPE Assemblee parlementaire ~~ Resolution 2499 (2023)1 Provisional version Addressing the specific challenges faced by the Belarusians in exile Parliamentary Assembly 1.

The Parliamentary Assembly is deeply concerned by the fate of hundreds of thousands of Belarusians who are in exile because they had no other choice than to flee the repressive regime of Aliaksandr Lukashenka.
If any doubts remained about the nature of the latter, the rigged presidential election of 9 August 2020 haS shown its true character, turning Belarus into an open-air prison where human rights have been reduced to nothing.

2.
2.

The Assembly recalls Resolution 2433 (2022) "Consequences of the Russian Federation's continued aggression against Ukraine: role and response of the Council of Europe" in which it expressed its resolve "to intensify its engagement with Belarusian ... civil society, human rights defenders, independent journalists, academia and democratic forces respecting the values and principles of the Organisation".

3.
3.

The Assembly is impressed by the resilience, courage and determination of the Belarusians in exile who are fighting for democracy to prevail in their country.

It is conscious that a new obstacle for them has emerged on 24 February 2022 with the large-scale aggression of the Russian Federation against Ukraine to which the Lukashenka regime actively participates.
It regrets that the more time that passes since 9 A ugust 2020, the day Lukashenka in reality lost the elections, the further away in time the return of the Belarusians who find themselves in exile becomes.

The Assembly can only be impressed by the work and initiatives of the Office of Sviatlana 4.

Tsikhanouskaya and the United Transitional Cabinet of Belarus, which aim at providing their compatriots with the services the regime deliberately withholds.
Recognising that the Belarusian people cannot be equated with the Lukashenka regime, the Assembly 5. considers that Belarusians in exile should not be treated in a discriminatory manner because of the participation of that regime in the war against Ukraine.

6.
6.

The Assembly emphasises that while most of the Belarusians who have been fo rced to leave their country in the context of the 2020 presidential election have only one wish: to return to a democratic Belarus, it is important that their host countries do their utmost to ensure that they can stay legally and are welcomed in dignified conditions respectful of their fundamental rights, as guaranteed by the European Convention on Human Rights (ETS No.
5) and other relevant Council of Europe instruments, pending the establishment of a democratic regime in Belarus.

7.

The Assembly deeply deplores that the Lukashenka regime is continuing to exercise pressure on those who have left the country, notably by refusing to provide consular services to its citizens and by threatening their security.

8.
8.

While many European countries have opened their borders to Belarusians, the Assembly notes that the closer those countries find themselves to Belarus, the greater is their understanding of the situation of those fleeing.

1.

Assembly debate on 20 June 2023 (16th sitting) (see Doc.

15783, report of the Committee on Migration, Refugees .

~ and Displaced Persons, rapporteur: Mr Paul Galles).

Text adopted by the Assembly on 20 June 2023 (16th sitting).

II I .
II I .

1!1 _· Resolution 2499 (2023) Applauding Lithuania's and Poland's efforts to find legal and practical solutions to welcome the 9.

Belarusians in exile, the Assembly notes that more can be done.

10.
10.

Regretting that too many obstacles and hurdles continue to affect those who have found themselves in other countries, the Assembly is convinced that better knowledge of the situation in Belarus and political will are the prerequisites to adopting measures which will alleviate as much as possible the fact of being in exile.

11.
11.

It calls upon member States to recognise the unique situation in which the Belarusians in exile find themselves, requiring out of the box solutions to ensure that they can live their lives as unimpeded as possible pending their return to a democratic Belarus.

The Assembly hails the establishment by the Committee of Ministers of a Contact Group on co 12. operation between the Council of Europe and the Belarusian democratic forces and civil society.
This sui generis co-operation model, the first established with the Belarus democratic forces by an international organisation, aims to provide the Organisation's support and expertise to strengthen Belarusian democratic society in line with Council of Europe core values.

The Assembly is also delighted to welcome representatives of the Belarus democratic forces in the work of its committees by decision of the Bureau of the Assembly.

13.
13.

The Assembly strongly believes that it is high time to translate the political support that the democratic forces of Belarus enjoy among the member States into concrete actions and that measures taken against the Lukashenka regime should not affect the people fighting it.

14.
14.

The Assembly is convinced that in order to ensure full respect for human rights of the Belarusians while they are in exile and ultimately to contribute to the democratic transition in their country, the Council of Europe member States should put in place relatively simple and non-costly measures within their own jurisdiction for those persons.

Legal entry and stay 15.
While respecting visa requirements and ensuring the necessary security checks, member States should seek to keep their borders open for those fleeing the Lukashenka regime by taking inter alia the following measures: issuing humanitarian visas in all embassies and consulates still operating in Minsk and 15.1. expanding the eligibility criteria for such visas to relatives of political prisoners; 15.2. opening up and guaranteeing the possibility of granting visas to EU countries in those member States where a visa is not required for Belarusian citizens, without requiring a residence permit in those countries; issuing multiple-entry Schengen visas for relatives of Belarusians in exile who come to visit them 15.3. on a short-term and temporary basis; 15.4. issuing longer duration multiple-entry visas to be used as a back-up option for those who are at risk of arrest in Belarus.
The United Transitional Cabinet of Belarus shall bear the responsibility of identifying and recogn ising the individuals who are at risk of arrest in Belarus.

The clearly defined criteria should be jointly developed by the Cabinet with partners from member States.

16.

Member States should also facilitate expert-to-expert talks between their relevant migration authorities and the relevant representatives of the Belarus democratic forces in exile to solve problems as they arise in a pragmatic way.

17.
17.

Member States are encouraged to put in place measures to ensure transparency in the decision making process where credentials are issued by non-governmental organisations to support the issuance of visas or the legalisation process.

Those member States which have yet not done so should rapidly develop legal instruments allowing for 18. the legalisation of the stay of the Belarusians in exile.

19.
19.

Recognising the importance of psychological stability and the feeling of safety for those who left their home involuntarily or forcibly, the Assembly calls upon member States to provide long-term legalisation for the Belarusians in exile, thus avoiding unnecessary hurdles and stress.
In order to support the work of their relevant migration offices, member States are encouraged to 20. prepare a Belarus country factsheet and provide training for their staff on the actual situation in this country, so as to enable them to take prompt and sound decisions on individual cases.

2 Resolution 2499 (2023) Freedom of movement 21 .


Member States are encouraged, in co-operation with the European Commission, to identify adequate solutions to allow Belarusians in exile to travel within the European Union, notably through systematising the use of foreigners' passport and/or continuing to recognise Belarus passports which have expired.

22.
22.

The Assembly also invites member States, again in close co-operation with the European Commission and the International Civil Aviation Organization (ICAO), to discuss with the relevant representatives of the Belarus democratic forces in exile the possibility to issue a passport for Belarus citizens in exile which would be recognised among member States.

Safety and security 23.
Underlining that deprivation of nationality should not lead to statelessness and that even if Belarus is not a State party to the United Nations Statelessness conventions, these are principles of international law and human rights law, which should be observed by all States; recalling that Belarus has accepted Georgia's recommendation under the 3rd cycle of the United Nations' Universal Periodic Review; and noting that Belarus pledged to accede to both United Nations statelessness conventions at the High-Level Segment on Statelessness in 2019, the Assembly strongly encourages member States to do their utmost to recognise the importance of establishing statelessness determination procedures, w hich in turn would provide protection in host States to those rendered stateless.
24.

As addressing a request to a Belarus consulate, such as for certification of a clean criminal record necessary for the legalisation process, or the prolongation of a passport, can lead to reprisals or threats against the applicants' relatives who stayed in Belarus or to the applicants themselves, member States are strongly encouraged not to require documents obtainable only through Belarus official channels.

25.
25.

Member States should abstain from extraditing Belarusian citizens in exile on the basis of Red Notices issued by Interpol at the request of the Lukashenka regime, given the use of criminal prosecutions for political purposes.
If in doubt, they are encouraged to verify Interpol requests from Belarus through the Law and Order Restoration Office of the United Transitional Cabinet of Belarus, which includes former law enforcement officers staff dismissed for political reasons, thus possessing the necessary qualifications, experience, and access to databases.

26.
26.

The Assembly is concerned that information transferred by European banks to Belarus banks has been used by the Belarus Security Services to target human rights defenders in Belarus.
The Assembly calls on member States to encourage the private sector to pay due heed to human rights issues in their operations and undertake the necessary due diligence to protect Belarusian human rights defenders who are their clients from risks of further persecutions as a result of their operations or information exchanges.

Furthermore, member States should do their utmost to prevent the misuse of international criminal co-operation measures by the Lukashenka regime as an additional tool for repression.
27.

More generally, member States should not deem Belarus to be a safe country.
They are encouraged to send referral letters to the Prosecutor of the International Criminal Court expressing their concern for the situation in Belarus and asking him to respond to a Communication under Article 15(2) of the Rome Statute of the International Criminal Court entitled "The Situation in Belarus/Lithuania/Poland/Latvia and Ukraine: Crimes Against Humanity of Deportation and Persecution" filed by International Partnership for Human Rig hts, Norwegian Helsinki Committee, Global Diligence LPP and Truth Hounds on 19 May 202 1.
Democratic forces in exile 28.

Given the tremendous role that the People's Consulates can play, notably as communication channels with national authorities, the Assembly strongly believes that member States should establish working relationships with them, as representatives of democratic Belarus, and envisage supporting them through the provision of organisational, information and material assistance, with the aim of developing their competences and sustainability.

29.
29.

The Assembly strongly encourages the parliaments of those member States which have not yet done so, to establish a parliamentary friendship group to create a network to exchange on the best measures to support the Belarusians in exile.

It is convinced that such a network would also facil itate the dialogue with the Belarus democratic forces in exile, including the Office of Sviatlana Tsikhanouskaya, the United Transition Cabinet of Belarus and the Coordination Council.

3 Resolution 2499 (2023) 30.


The Assembly also invites member States to provide funds for and contribute to the activities agreed in the framework of the Council of Europe Contact Group on Belarus, in particular taking advantage of the activities proposed by the Secretariat of the Assembly on "Strengthening political dialogue".

Support to civil society 31 .


The Assembly is convinced that it is indispensable to create conditions to ensure the sustainability of Belarusian civil society organisations in exile, in particular by providing them with the tools and means to mobilise their compatriots in exile, to carry out their activities and to remain visible.

This should be particularly the case for organisations aiming at developing and strengthening the Belarusian language and culture.

32.
32.

Underlining the role played by the Expert Council on NGO Law of the Conference of International Non Governmental Organisations of the Council of Europe (Conference of INGOs) in supporting freedom of association in Europe, the Assembly strongly encourages member States to request its opinions on measures adversely affecting the operation of Belarusians NGOs in exile and to adopt policies accordingly.

It also encourages the constituent members of the Conference of INGOs to co-operate and assist 33.
Belarusian NGOs in exile.

Support to lawyers in exile 34.

In the light of the repression faced by the legal profession in Belarus and the fact that many lawyers are in exile abroad, the Assembly calls for the recognition of the Belarusian Association of Human Rights Lawyers as the organisation entrusted with the promotion and protection of the human rights of lawyers deprived of the right to exercise their profession in Belarus, and with improving provision of legal assistance.
Access to education and culture 35.

Recognising that children can be adversely affected by the forced exile of their parents, the Assembly encourages their prompt integration in the host country while strengthening their national identity and culture.

When integrating recently arrived Belarusian children in ordinary classes, the Assembly recalls the pertinence of the language education and linguistic integration tools for children developed by the Council of Europe.
At the same time, it also supports the creation of classes in Belarusian in schools where there are sufficient Belarusian children, open not only to members of the Belarusian national minority but also to those who have recently arrived.

The Assembly, impressed by the renaissance of the interest for Belarusian language and culture, 36. strongly supports the initiatives by civil society organisations to preserve and strengthen these among the members of long-lasting diaspora and the more recent arrivals.
It therefore strongly encourages member States to facilitate the creation of publishing houses in Belarusian, the teaching of Belarusian language and culture in universities, the development of new tools supporting the dissemination of Belarusian language and culture among those in exile but also within Belarus.

It believes that it is crucial for Belarusian statehood that its culture and language find again their rightful place.

37.
37.

The Assembly, aware that academic freedom has been under attack for some years in Belarus, would welcome the creation of a scientific journal for liberal-minded scholars both in exile and in Belarus to be included in influential citation databases, such as Scopus, Web of Science or Google Scholar.

38.
Recognising the role played by the European Humanities University, the only Belarusian university able to operate on the basis of academic freedom and adherence to European values, in exile in Vilnius since 2005, the Assembly invites member States, as well as the European Union, to further support this institution and open up further opportunities so that it continues to develop creative, free and critical thinking among Belarusian students and is in a position to attract scholars and students from Eastern Partnership countries.
39.

Understanding the importance of terminology and adequate transliteration from Belarusian, the Assembly strongly encourages member States to correctly transliterate all terms relating to Belarus.

4 Resolution 2499 (2023) Access to financial services and the pursuit of economic activities 40.
Recognising the difficulties faced by individuals, businesses and civil society organisations to open a bank account in some member States, the Assembly asks the member States to encourage their banks to make the distinction between the Lukashenka regime and the people who have fled it, in particular by allowing the "Know Your Customer" procedure due diligence to be carried out by appropriate and relevant structures designated by the Belarus democratic forces in exile.

41.
41.

The Assembly encourages the Government of Ukraine to co-operate with the Belarusian democratic forces in exile, particularly with the United Transitional Cabinet of Belarus, to conduct detailed checks, and in the case of a positive outcome of such checks with regard to the national security of Ukraine, to proceed with deblocking of the remaining 50 bank accounts that are currently inaccessible by their owners.

42.
42.

The Assembly welcomes the fact that many businesses were able to relocate from Belarus in particular to Georgia, Lithuania and Poland, but notes that difficulties persist.

The Assembly encourages measures to be taken which will ease processes of transfer, accreditation , acquisition, access to credit, to audit services etc.

In this context, it believes that the Poland Business Harbour could serve as a promising practice to be emulated by other member States.
Ultimately, the Assembly trusts that these businesses, be it in the IT, retail, logistics, small services or construction sectors, if allowed to operate and pay tax, will contribute to the economy of their host countries and alleviate the efforts made by them to welcome the Belarusians who found shelter from repression and violence.

5 lLL;/- Parliamentary Assembly ~~ Assemblee parlementaire ~~ ~ rl'rnnm~lrn•rn.~·Rm··mrn .......................................... .

.
.

CONSEIL DE t:EUROPE Resolution 2500 (2023)1 Provisional version Public health emergency: the need for a holistic approach to multilateralism and health care Parliamentary Assembly 1.

Long before the outbreak of Covid-19, scientists and public health experts had warned that threats from infectious diseases would represent one of the primary international health challenges of our times.
Unfortunately, the Covid-19 pandemic hit a largely-unprepared world and revealed widespread lack of compliance with the International Health Regulations by States.

This has resulted in millions of deaths, a high disease burden, and severe disruption of the lives of billions of people across all regions of the world, as well as a major setback to the United Nations Sustainable Development Goals.

2.
2.

It is believed that the world has entered a new pandemic era, where Covid-19 is seen only as a forerunner of more - and possibly worse - public health emergencies to come.

New public health emergencies linked to the climate crisis, coupled with dwindling biodiversity and the consequences of the armed conflicts, are waiting to unfold, and will likely hit the world unexpectedly.
It is thus urgent that States learn the lessons from previous health emergencies by strengthening the global health architecture and developing necessary strategies at national levels, in order to react swiftly to emerging global health risks.

3.
3.

The Parliamentary Assembly considers that a holistic multilateral effort is needed , bringing together the World Health Organization (WHO), the World Trade Organization (WTO), and others in a multi-stakeholder dialogue to revisit the rules governing the health-care industry in the provision of essential med icines, vaccines, and health-care services at national and international levels, including a diversification of medical supply sources.
These rules should ensure that both the public and the private sectors in health care anchor their operations in human rights, notably the right to health, and guarantee equitable access to treatments and vaccinations of appropriate quality for all as public goods.
The Assembly welcomes the processes taking place at the international level to transform global health 4. governance, including to ensure sustainable financing of WHO, to reform the 2005 International Health Regulations, and to draft a legally binding instrument on pandemic preparedness, prevention, and response.
Moreover, the Assembly supports the reform of international trade agreements to correct and to prevent inequities in accessing public goods critical to preventing and controlling public health emergencies, contributing towards a safe, clean, healthy, and sustainable environment.

5.
5.

The Assembly strongly believes that the processes taking place to transform global health governance must build on the principle of equity and should explicitly refer to the relevant obligations of States to protect human rights and fundamental freedoms during public health emergencies.
In this regard, the Assembly supports calls from United Nations experts that the new instrument on pandemic preparedness should draw on Article 12 of the International Covenant on Economic, Social and Cultural Rights, and on Article 4 of the International Covenant on Civil and Political Rights.

It must be recognised that the right to health is indivisible from all other rights, and as such the new instrument must also impose clear obligations on States to protect 1.
Assembly debate on 20 June 2023 (16th sitting) (see Doc.

15778, report of the Committee on Social Affairs, Health and Sustainable Development, rapporteur: Ms Selin Sayek Bake).

Text adopted by the Assembly on 20 June 2023 (16th sitting).

....._ _____________________________ __;.;h..;.;:tt.::;.
;~=://pace.coe.lnt ~ - Resolution 2500 (2023) the full range of human rights, especially economic, social, and environmental rights, such as the right to housing, to social protection, to adequate nutrition, and to a safe, clean, healthy, and sustainable environment, which are essential to the enjoyment of the right to health.

6.
6.

The Assembly welcomes the participation of parliamentarians in the drafting process of this instrument but regrets that it has not included genuine and meaningful participation by marginalised groups, civil society and non-governmental organisations working to promote public health and human rights, and urges WHO member States to reconsider this process, so as to enable transparent and accessible opportunities for all relevant stakeholders to contribute to the development of this crucial new instrument.
Public health authorities must implement timely and appropriate measures to curb the effects of public 7. health emergencies, now and in the future.
Member States are invited to draw inspiration from the toolkit issued by the Secretary General of the Council of Europe, on respecting human rights, democracy and the rule of law during the Covid-19 crisis, as well as the relevant resolutions and recommendations adopted by Assembly, in particular Resolution 2329 (2020) "Lessons for the future from an effective and rights-based response to the Covid-19 pandemic", Resolution 2337 (2020) "Democracies facing the Covid-19 pandemic" and Resolution 2424 (2022) "Beating Covid-19 with public health measures".
8.

The Assembly regrets that the current system of global health security is not fit for purpose.

It is too fragmented, overly dependent on discretionary bilateral aid, and dangerously underfunded.
The Assembly thus believes this critical moment provides an opportunity to combat not just emerging threats, the Covid-19 pandemic, and the devastating effects it has had on the global economy, but also pre-existing fau lt-lines and inequities, including in access to health care, which have been brought to light by the pandemic.
It urges governments to embrace the "One Health" approach, which embraces the interactions between animals, humans and the environment, and which contributes to health and protects against disease.

9.

The Assembly thus calls on governments in Council of Europe member States and worldwide, to: 9.1 .

with respect to ongoing processes at WHO: 9.1.1 .
contributions so it can fulfil its essential functions; commit to ensuring sustainable financing of WHO and make it independent of voluntary 9.1.2. governance of the WHO; actively participate in the World Health Assembly with a view to ensuring good 9.1 .3. ensure inclusive decision making and full and equal participation of developing countries in the negotiating processes of the International Health Regulations and the Intergovernmental Negotiating Body to draft and negotiate a convention, agreement, or other international instrument on pandemic prevention , preparedness and response ("WHO CA+"); 9.1.4. ensure that the aforementioned WHO CA+ is developed through a transparent and meaningfully consultative process, involving, and taking into account the proposals of, civil society, non governmental organisations and human rights organisations, and define an active role for parliamentarians to oversee the transparency and effectiveness of the much needed consultative processes; 9.1.5. mainstream human rights in potential amendments to the International Health Regulations and in the drafting process of WHO CA+, and ensure in particular that such instruments are in line with the Principles and Guidelines on Human Rights and Public Health Emergencies (PHE Principles); 9.1.6. recognise that human rights are indivisible and impose clear obligations to protect human rights in the prevention of, during, and in the aftermath of public health emergencies, in line with the PHE Principles, paying particular attention to social, economic and environmental rights, such as the right to housing, social protection, adequate nutrition, and a safe, clean , healthy and sustainable environment, which are essential to the enjoyment of the right to health ; 9.1.7. non-state actors and companies operating within their jurisdiction and transnationally; impose clear obligations on States to regulate, monitor and protect against abuses by 9.1 .8. prohibit the undermining of other nations' access to health goods, facilities, services and
 technologies, including through stockpiling of scarce resources and entering into bilateral agreements by outbidding other nations; 2 Resolution 2500 (2023) 9.1.9. commit to supporting a "One Health" approach, which embraces the interactions between animals, humans and the environment, and which contributes to health and protects against disease, including through enhanced collaboration of the WHO with other relevant international organisations; 9.1.1 0. facilitate timely access to scientific knowledge and information to all stakeholders, including an open data-sharing and benefit-sharing system for epidemiological, genomic, clinical and anthropological evidence, from academia to the front line, as recommended in Resolution 2114 (2016) "The handling of international public-health emergencies"; 9.2. with respect to the WTO and international trade: interpret the Doha Declaration in the context of international legal obligations to ensure 9.2.1. access to public goods, including medicines, diagnostics, treatments and technologies, and recognise the need to limit intellectual property rights in public health emergencies; 9.2.2. make full use of the Trade-related Aspects of Intellectual Property Rights (TRIPS) flexibilities whenever possible to ensure equitable access to public goods; 9.2.3. commit to keeping supply chains open during public health emergencies; initiate a process of reform of international trade agreements, with the aim of correcting 9.2.4. and preventing inequities in accessing health goods, facilities, services and technologies critical to preventing, preparing for, responding to, and recovering from public health emergencies; 9.3. with respect to building stronger and more resilient health systems and responding to public health emergencies at national levels: 9.3.1. and working conditions; invest in primary health care and scale up the health workforce, ensuring decent pay develop human-rights compliant strategies to prevent and handle major
 public-health 9.3.2. hazards, including early detection, accurate data collection, availability of diagnostic and treatment tools, and real-time continuous monitoring to improve results in accordance with international recommendations; provide universal health coverage to everyone within their territory, regardless of legal 9.3.3. status, nationality, ethnicity, religion, gender, sexual orientation, disability, including mental disability, health status, socio-economic background, or any other relevant status; develop national prioritisation strategies to ensure equitable allocation of goods, such 9.3.4. as vaccines, medicines and protective equipment, in situations of scarce resources.
In doing so, member States should be guided by Article 3 of the Convention for the protection of Human Rights and Dignity of the Human Being with regard to the Application of Biology and Medicine: Convention on Human Rights and Biomedicine (ETS No.
164, Oviedo Convention), and are invited to consult Recommendation CM/Rec(2023)1 of the Committee of Ministers of the Council of Europe on "Equitable access to medicinal products and medical equipment in a situation of shortage", Resolution 2361 legal and practical considerations" and the statement adopted by the Committee on Bioethics (DH-BIO) entitled "Covid-19 and vaccines: ensuring equitable access to vaccination during the current and future pandemics"; "Covid-19 vaccines: ethical, (2021) identify vulnerabilities 9.3.5. for strengthening and diversifying supply sources, taking into consideration the recommendations set out in Resolution 2474 (2022) "Securing safe medical supply chains"; in medical supply chains and develop strategies 9.3.6. financed research between countries; enhance public investment in research and development and share results of publicly identify vulnerabilities 9.3.7. in medical supply chains and strengthen manufacturing capacities and competence to produce in accordance with standards of Good Manufacturing Practice; develop and maintain strong, efficient, transparent and sustainable regulatory systems 9.3.8. for the evaluation and control of medicines throughout their lifecycle, and promote reliance on recognised global expertise to harmonise and streamline the diffe rent steps of the process - from regulatory evaluation and approval, to batch acceptance; 3 Resolution 2500 (2023) 9.3.9. plan to deal with public health emergencies; promote community engagement and mobilisation as essential elements of any action 9.3.1 0. build up health literacy amongst all population groups and work with trusted non governmental organisations and/or local initiatives to reach out to marginalised groups; 9.3.11. regulate activities of non-state actors and companies within their j urisdiction, in line with the United Nations Guiding Principles on Business and Human Rights, Recommendation CM/ Rec(2016)3 of the Committee of Ministers of the Council of Europe (2016) on "Business and human rights" and Principle 5 of the PHE Principles on human rights duties of States relating to non-state actors; 9.3.12. in the event of a public health emergency, carefully design and implement public health measures that would mitigate transmission, and ensure they are compatible with human rights, taking into account the recommendations in Resolution 2424 (2022) "Beating Covid-19 with public health measures"; 9.3.13. continuously review public health measures put in place to ensure they are human rights compliant, relevant, proportionate, evidence-based and effective at all times, and enable parliamentary and judicial oversight; recognise the need to reach zero carbon emissions and to accelerate the transition to 9.3.14. clean renewable sources of energy as a public health priority and take measures at national and multilateral levels to reach these goals.
10.

The Assembly recalls the critical role parliaments play in moving the global public health agenda forward by enacting legislation , approving budgets, mobilising resources, and providing democratic oversight.
It calls on national parliaments to continue to play a key role in transforming global health governance, including through parliamentary representation at multi-stakeholder events leading up to the United Nations High Level Meeting on Pandemic Prevention, Preparedness and Response in September 2023 and open meetings of the Intergovernmental Negotiating Body to draft and negotiate a WHO CA+.

11 .
11 .

The Covid-19 pandemic exposed gross inequities in access to essential public goods, including medicines, vaccines, and personal protective equipment.

It revealed that the global health is only as strong as its weakest link.
The Assembly thus calls on all stakeholders, in particular the European Union and the United States of America, to support the proposals by developing countries to ensure equitable access to health products, technologies and know-how, the strengthening of health systems and an access and benefit sharing mechanism for genetic material.

4 l_{v::- Parliamentary Assembly ~~ Assemblee parlementaire ~~~ ~ ce~lm•m-~mmw.

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CONSEIL DE t:EUROPE Resolution 2501 (2023)1 Provisional version Expenditure of the Parliamentary Assembly for the biennium 2024-2025 Parliamentary Assembly 1.

In accordance with Committee of Ministers Resolution (53) 38 on the budgetary system of the Consultative Assembly and in line with Article 20 of the Financial Regulations, the Parliamentary Assembly issues an opinion on its expenditure on a bi-annual basis.
The sums allocated to the Assembly from the ordinary budget of the Council of Europe cover staff and operating costs, including those of the political groups.

Since 2010, the Assembly has presented its opinion concerning its own expenses in the form of a resolution.

The present resolution has been drafted within the framework of the 2024-2027 programme and quadrennial budget cycle and covers the Assembly priorities and expenditure needs during the period 2024-2025.
The 24 February 2022 war of aggression of the Russian Federation against Ukraine lead to the 2. expulsion of the Russian Federation from the Council of Europe on the grounds of serious violation of the Organisation's Statute (ETS No.

1 ).

This has had an impact on the activities of the Council of Europe, including the Assembly.

3.
3.

In terms of budgetary consequences, the expulsion of a major contributor member State required the remaining 46 member States to fill the gap in the 2022-2023 budget, as well as to reallocate available fund ing to priority activities, in particular in support of Ukraine, including within the framework of the Action Plan "Resilience, Recovery and Reconstruction" 2023-2026.

4.
4.

In terms of political consequences, the 4th Summit of Heads of State and Government of the Council of Europe highlighted in the Reykjavik Declaration and its Appendices the readjusted political direction and priorities for the Council of Europe's work.

The Assembly expressed support to these in Opinion 301 (2023) "Budget and priorities of the Council of Europe for the period 2024-2027".

5.
5.

Building upon the outcomes of the 4th Summit, during the 2024-2025 biennium, the Assembly will continue to play its role of the largest European multilateral political parliamentary platform for debating current challenges and emerging issues regarding human rights, democracy and the rule of law.

These values and principles are facing challenges on the European continent and beyond , not least in relation with the war of aggression of the Russian Federation against Ukraine.
The Assembly will continue to provide support to Ukraine, including through interparliamentary co-operation, and to address the political, legal and human rights consequences of the war, as well as to secure accountability.

6.

Moreover, the Assembly will focus on parliamentary co-operation and provision of support to member States and their parliaments in delivering on a number of key priorities identified in the Reykjavik Declaration.
Notably, its priorities will include the support to the implementation of judgments of the European Court on Human Rights, securing accountability and preventing impunity for the crime of aggression and war crimes, crimes against humanity and grave human rights violations committed during the Russian Federation's war against Ukraine, counteracting democratic backsliding and providing early warning and rapid reaction, as well 1.

Assembly debate on 21 June 2023 (17th sitting) (see Doc.
15781, report of the Committee on Rules of Procedure, Immunities and Institutional Affairs, rapporteur: Ms lngjerd Schou).

Text adopted by the Assembly on 21 June 2023 (17th sitting).

https://pace.coe.int -- Resolution 2501 (2023) as addressing the new generation of rights, including regarding the environment and the use of artificial intelligence and emerging digital technologies.
The Assembly's specific contribution to delivering the 4th Summit's agenda is outlined in the Appendix to the present draft resolution.

7.

Furthermore, during the 2024-2025 biennium, the Assembly will continue to promote the ratification and domestic implementation of Council of Europe key legal instruments by Council of Europe member States and to the the Organisation's neighbourhood and political proximity.
Notably, it will contribute within implementation of the United Nations Sustainable Development Goals through parliamentary involvement and co-operation .

Fulfilling its statutory role, the Assembly will ensure election of judges to the European Court of Human 8.

Rights and of Council of Europe high officials in accordance with the election schedule, as well as look into the membership application transmitted by the Committee of Ministers.
The Assembly's contribution to the implementation of the 4th Summit's outcomes as well as provision of 9. the enhanced support to Council of Europe member States, in particular Ukraine, in addressing consequences of the ongoing war, would require structural reinforcement of the Assembly's Secretariat, as described in the Appendix to the present draft resolution.

The Assembly expects due consideration to be given to these proposals.

10.
10.

At the same time, during the 2024-2025 period, the Assembly will continue its modernisation efforts, with a view to inter alia simplifying and improving accessibility of its working tools as well as optimising expenditure regarding in particular document production and printing, with the aim of transitioning to a full "paper-less" operation, thus reducing the carbon footprint of the Assembly and contributing to the Organisation's overall environmental effort.

11 .
11 .

Similarly, the Assembly welcomes the launch, in February 2023, of the long-awaited renovation of the Assembly Chamber, scheduled to be completed in 2024.

The renovation works are expected to modernise the Chamber's equipment (including IT, multimedia and voting systems) as well as upgrade it to modern safety, security and accessibility standards.

The Assembly looks forward to the timely completion of the works.

12.
12.

During 2024-2025, the Assembly budget should continue to contribute to the viability of the functioning of political groups.

The political groups are facing an increased financial pressure, especially relating to growing staff costs due to inflation as well as increase in travel costs.

This affects the entire Organisation, not least because of the current economic situation and the ongoing Russian war of aggression against Ukraine.
While the Assembly shall continue to cover the interpretation costs of the political groups' statutory meetings during part-sessions, it believes that it would be timely and appropriate to increase the overall allocations to the groups, so as to give them more flexibility to organise their activities.

13.
13.

Lastly, the Assembly reiterates its view that the sustainability of the Council of Europe's activities, as well as the full and effective implementation of the outcomes of the 4th Summit of Council of Europe Heads of State and Government requires strengthening the Council of Europe's financial basis.

It believes that member States' financial effort towards the Organisation should match their political ambition, as expressed in the Reykjavik Declaration .
In this context, the Assembly shall work closely with the Committee of Ministers and the Secretary General to achieving this goal, relying on the support of the parliaments of the Council of Europe 46 member States.

2 Resolution 2501 (2023) Appendix- Expenditure needs of the Parliamentary Assembly 1.

Staff expenditure 1.

The budget of the Parliamentary Assembly covers basic salaries, allowances (both non-recurrent and periodical) and social insurance for staff of the secretariat of the Assembly.
The information given is based on the present structure of the Assembly composed of nine committees.

2.

The entry into force, on 1 January 2023, of the new Staff regulations of the Council of Europe has given the possibility to stabilise jobs for staff currently employed on short-term, precarious, contracts, thus optimising the Assembly's structures and staff resources.

Ongoing processes of selection and appointment of staff will be finalised on 1 July 2023.

3.
3.

Thus, on 1 July 2023, the Assembly Secretariat will count 84 posts (including 3 A-grade national secondments) as well as 1 specially appointed official (Secretary General of the Parliamentary Assembly).

Overall, there will be 49 A-grade jobs and 35 B-grade jobs.

4.
4.

The Secretariat is organised around two Directorates, respectively responsible for Democracy and the Rule Law (Directorate 1) and Human Dignity and Sustainable Development (Directorate 2), the Table Office, Information Technologies and Events Department, as well as the Administration and Central Services Department.

5.

Directorate 1 provides secretariat services to 5 general committees and the Election observation Division.
Directorate 2 incorporates secretariats of 4 general committees and the Inter-parliamentary co operation Division.

6.

The President's Private Office, the Secretary General's Office (also providing secretariat services to the Bureau of the Assembly and the Joint Committee) as well as the Communication Division are directly subordinated to the Secretary General of the Assembly.

7.
7.

The existing structures and staff composition allow the Assembly Secretariat to provide required services to its bodies and members as well as to carry out its regular activities.
However, the implementation of additional priorities relating to, inter alia, addressing the consequences of the Russian Federation's war of aggression against Ukraine, delivering the outcomes of the 4th Summit, as well as fulfilling the Assembly's statutory responsibilities (namely consideration of a membership application transmitted by the Committee of Ministers), would require structural reinforcements.
Indeed, 3 jobs of committee secretaries (A2/A3 level) and 1 job of committee assistant (B1/B2 level) would be required.

These additional staff resources would be assigned flexibly to priority sectors through a horizontal "task-farce" approach in line with the People Strategy.

2.

Operational expenditure 8.


Thanks to the modernisation efforts, the Assembly has made savings in recent years by rationalising its work to reduce operational expenditure, notably by putting in place remote preparation of verbatim records and by introducing digital tools (Pace-Apps) with the aim of transitioning to a full "paper-less" operation.

9.
9.

That being said, the Secretariat is facing increasing operational costs, notably relating to travel and accommodation of parliamentarians and staff traveling on Assembly business, as well as increased use of interpretation services during the growing number of members' fact-finding visits.
Moreover, additional priorities relating to the 4th Summit's deliverables as well as the activities relating to the consequences of the war of aggression of the Russian Federation against Ukraine would increase the Assembly's operational expenditure.

10.

In this context, a zero real growth budgetary perspective is only the minimum requirement for the Assembly's financial stability and viability.
An increase of the Assembly's overall budgetary envelope for operational activities would be required in order to ensure the sustainability of the Assembly's activities.

11.
The functioning of the Assembly includes the following tasks: the holding of the ordinary session, divided into four part-sessions (held in January, April, June and September/October each year); the meetings of the Standing Committee, held three times a year between the part-sessions of the Assembly; meetings held outside the four part-sessions of the Assembly by each of the nine general committees, sub-committees and ad hoc committees of the Assembly or the Bureau ; 3 Resolution 2501 (2023) committee and sub-committee meetings held elsewhere than in Strasbourg or Paris; conferences, symposiums, seminars and parliamentary hearings; activities connected with the Assembly's interparliamentary co-operation programme; visits by rapporteurs to prepare reports, including visits to countries under the monitoring procedure or for post-monitoring dialogue; election observation; modernisation and digitalisation of the Assembly's working methods.
12.
Within the framework of its work programme, during 2024-2025, the Assembly will prioritise the following activities: supporting Ukraine's resilience against the Russian Federation's war of aggression, strengthening co operation with the Verkhovna Rada and raising awareness on the consequences of the war amongst national parliaments; ensuring accountability of the Russian Federation and addressing the legal, human rights and humanitarian consequences of the war of aggression against Ukraine, including the issue of forcibly deported Ukrainian children to the Russian Federation or temporarily occupied Ukrainian territories; contributing to delivering the outcomes of the 4th Summit, notably: upholding democracy and counteracting backsliding, including by promoting the implementation of the Reykjavik Principles of Democracy, fostering the participation of young people in democratic processes, and mainstreaming the youth dimension in its work; ensuring parliamentary contribution to the implementation of judgments of the European Court of Human Rights and continuing parliamentary efforts to promote ratification and domestic implementation of Council of Europe key conventions, within the Council of Europe geographic area as well as the Organisation's neighbourhood and political proximity; fostering exchange of good practices and developing legal standards and policy guidelines on the right to a safe, clean, healthy and sustainable environment; raising awareness amongst national legislators and informing national policies on the impact of new technologies, especially artificial intelligence, on human rights and the integrity of democratic processes; combating inequalities and discrimination, as well as further enhancing equality between women and men and promoting women's empowerment; strengthening co-operation with the European parliament, including in the context of the European Union enlargement process, as well as continuing active interaction with international partner organisations, in particular the United Nations Organisation, including regarding the implementation of the Sustainable Development Goals; continuing and further strengthening dialogue with democratic forces and civil society from Belarus and Russian Federation, who respect the values and principles of the Organisation , including the territorial integrity of sovereign member States.
13.

Where interparliamentary co-operation is concerned, the Assembly will continue to implement the different assistance and co-operation programmes adapted to the needs of the parliamentary institutions, in close collaboration with its committee secretariats.
It is worth noting here that it is currently engaged in a joint co-operation programme with the European Union specifically concerning the Parliament of Morocco (an Assembly partner for democracy), whose aim is to strengthen its role as a guarantor of parliamentary democracy.

14.
14.

During the 2024-2025 period, the Assembly will continue the implementation of its ongoing co-operation projects, notably with the aim of further integrating the parliamentary dimension into the overall co-operation activities of the Council of Europe, including within thematic and horizontal actions plans.
Priority projects will focus inter alia on strengthening relations and co-operation with the Ukrainian Parliament, strengthening political dialogue with democratic forces from Belarus, supporting parliamentary networks on "Women Free from Violence", "Contact Parliamentarians for a healthy environment", "No Hate Parliamentary Alliance", and the parliamentary platform for the rights of LGBTI People in Europe, as well as the rights of the child and social rights.

4 Resolution 2501 (2023) 15.
The Assembly will continue to observe parliamentary and presidential elections in countries under its monitoring procedure, in close collaboration with the European Commission for Democracy through Law (Venice Commission) as well as the Assembly's international partners (Office for Democratic Institutions and Human Rights of the Organization for Security and Cooperation in Europe (OSCE/ODIHR), OSCE Parliamentary Assembly, Parliamentary Assembly of the North Atlantic Treaty Organization (NATO) and the European Parliament) within the framework of International Election Observation Missions.
16.

Lastly, the Assembly will continue to support its political groups through their budgetary allowance, calculated on a lump-sum basis for each group for administrative assistance plus an additional per capita allowance which varies depending on the membership of the group.
In the face of increasing costs notably due to inflation and growing travel costs, the Assembly should consider increasing the overall allocation to political groups within its budget, so as to give political groups more flexibility to organise activities.

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CONSEIL DE t.:EUROPE COUNCIL OF EUROPE Resolution 2502 (2023)1 Provisional version Integration of migrants and refugees: benefits for all parties involved Parliamentary Assembly 1.

The Parliamentary Assembly is alarmed by the fact that migration into Europe in the last decade triggered numerous negative reactions, fuelled by a public discourse inducing fear and resentment towards people arriving from other countries.
The term "integration" identifies a dynamic process of mutual adaptation where both migrants and host societies bear some responsibilities in its fulfilment.

Integration is a long-term investment in human capital.

The ultimate aim is inclusion or an inclusive participation from both sides, which implies that all members of the society have the opportunity to participate in social, cultural and political life, encouraging a sense of togetherness.
The process of integration may demand special enabling measures to develop the ability of immigrants 2. to achieve the same social and economic outcomes as natives, taking into account their characteristics.

The Assembly notes that host countries benefit from the successful integration of migrants and refugees.

Successful integration benefits the whole society, maximising the advantages for all parties involved in that process.
Although the State has to invest money in integration, when the migrants arrive and a few years after, their macro-economic impact becomes positive as they become permanent residents, are integrated in the labour market and pay taxes.

Migrants and refugees boost the working-age population, arrive with skills, and therefore contribute to human capital development and to technological progress.
Furthermore, local communities can benefit greatly from the richness offered by the diversity of cultures, commitment to work hard to build a future for oneself and one's family, and the new social contract that clarifies the rights and responsibilities of all actors in society.

3.

Integration programmes can have positive outcomes only if, and when, they are well prepared and implemented in co-operation with all the relevant stakeholders.
To improve the benefits for all the parties involved in the process of refugees' and migrants' integration, integration policies should be designed in a way that takes into account the needs of all key actors.

This means that democratic processes allowing for consultations of relevant stakeholders should take place.
In addition to that, States should pursue an evidence-based approach to inclusion planning, through expanding the collection and analysis of socio economic data, building upon existing tools and programmes by national and sub-national authorities.

Through this they will obtain a detailed overview on refugees' and migrants' profiles and practical, legal and administrative barriers impeding the full enjoyment of their economic and social rights.
It is important to engage in effective consultations with stakeholders in national judicial, legislative and 4. human rights bodies, academia and civil society actors, including migrants' organisations, in the development, adoption, implementation and review of integration measures.

The experiences of migrants and refugees sl:lould be taken into account in devising future integration policies and programmes.
Civil society and non governmental organisations play a crucial role in the integration of migrants and refugees.

A long-term and independent funding of civil society organisations is, therefore, particularly important for successful integration of migrants and refugees.

1.

Assembly debate on 21 June 2023 (17th sitting) (see Doc.

15785, report of the Committee on Migration, Refugees and Displaced Persons, rapporteur: Mr Domagoj Hajdukovic).
Text adopted by the Assembly on 21 June 2023 (17th '"''"9)- II !

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_ · Resolution 2502 (2023) 5.

The Assembly calls upon the Council of Europe member States to take positive measures to enhance the integration of migrants and refugees aiming at their full inclusion in the host society.

Integration can be put in practice using a great variety of methods.

The exchange of best practices at local, national and European levels needs to be supported.
The following approaches can be promoted : 5.1.

Establish a new social contract: public authorities, when confronted with major changes in society, are often prompted to make significant changes.

Such changes may need to be better prepared.

Integration of migrants and refugees may benefit from a new social contract which sets out rights and responsibilities of all parties involved in refugees' and migrants' integration.
Acceptance of such a new social contract depends on democratic processes in place that build social support.

Highlighting the rights and responsibilities for the newly arrived groups of populations allows to clarify things from the start and build trust and respectful co-operation between local communities and the beneficiaries of resettlement programmes.
As regards the integration of refugees, member States should base their actions on the goals stipulated in the United Nations global compacts for migrants and refugees, as underscored in Resolution 2379 (2021) "Role of parliaments in implementing the United Nations global compacts for migrants and refugees" and Resolution 2408 (2021) "70th anniversary of the 1951 Refugee Convention: the Council of Europe and the international protection of refugees".

5.2.
5.2.

Support mentor programmes and integration guides: one solution that proved to improve the integration of migrants are mentor programmes with the participation of so-called "integration guides".
Through these programmes, local mentors accompany and support migrants and refugees when they first arrive in the host countries, support them in their cultural and social orientation, practice the language of the host country with them, and support them with personal relationships and networking in the new community.

It is important to raise employers' awareness of the refugees' and migrants' potential, which can be done through the networks of chambers of commerce.
Public-private partnerships should be developed to support integration.

5.3.

Develop nationwide interpretation services: another crucial factor for the successful integration of migrants and refugees is the availability of interpretation services during the entire integration process.

The possibility to understand and actively participate is especially important in the fields of health, justice, asylum and issues in the municipalities.

5.4.
5.4.

Enhance education - from language training to democratic citizenship and human rights education: Language training is crucial for being able to live in a new country, including for getting access to employment.

The better the training, the higher the likelihood that the person will become less dependent on support services and more autonomous in his/her daily life.
Language training should take into account and caters for different education levels, fluency levels, time commitments (accelerated or reduced hours), modalities (in person or remote) and care responsibilities.

In addition, specific programmes designed to educate about societal developments in the host country, including programmes promoting democratic citizenship and human rights education, would benefit both the newly arrived persons and host communities.
Improve recognition of skills obtained abroad: to ensure a successful integration into the labour 5.5. market and to enable migrants and refugees to participate, subsequently, in social security and pension systems, the recognition of qualifications and prior learning is of fundamental importance.

Whether partial or full, recognition opens up further education or employment opportunities and allows refugees and migrants to make more efficient use of their knowledge, skills and competences.
In that regard, member States should promote the implementation of the European Qualifications Passport for Refugees, an international project grounded in the Convention on the Recognition of Qualifications concerning Higher Education in the European Region (CETS No.

165, the "Lisbon Convention").

The Passport can improve access to employment or give the possibility to continue education, helping refugees integrate in the host societies.
Take into consideration the special needs of vulnerable groups: vulnerable groups like women, 5.6.

(unaccompanied) children, elderly people, people with disabilities, members of the LGBTQI+ community, stateless persons and others need specific support in order to successfully integrate into the host country.

Increasing the possibility for migrant children to attend kindergartens and other day care facilities would allow women to continue education and have access to employment.
Involvement of healthcare professionals with a migrant background in elderly homes and communal living can help improve the integration of elderly migrants and refugees into the society and allow them to age in dignity.

Empowering refugees and asylum seekers with disabilities and/or long-term illnesses would give them the tools they need to assert their human rights.

2 Resolution 2502 (2023) 5.7.


Create spaces to bring migrants, refugees, and the local community together: states should do their utmost to avoid building new retention camps.

This is contrary to the goal of integration and full inclusion of refugees and migrants in their host country.

Even without camps, segregation of refugees and migrants in certain urban areas is detrimental to societal progress.
Supporting the refugees' and migrants' diaspora to meet and share their experiences and form mutual support networks can be beneficial short-term in terms of local job opportunities, resilience, and social networks, but it can become problematic, as it prevents certain groups of people from accessing the opportun ities and services that would allow them to fully participate in economic and social development of the host country.
It is essential for successful integration to create spaces in the public sphere that bring the local community, migrants, and refugees together.

This allows to reduce tensions and strengthen social cohesion, building bridges between various groups in society.

5.8.

Improve financial settings: there is a need for a person-centred approach to integration support and adaptation of national services to take into account specific needs and circumstances.
Refugees and migrants require housing as well as support for other fundamental necessities, such as health care, and access to education for their children.

Significant upfront investments are needed to cover the costs of both immediate assistance for asylum seekers and education.

Funding therefore is an important tool for managing integration processes in a country and works as a strong leverage for co-ordination in this area.
More efficient and effective funding mechanisms should be designed and implemented based on dialogue between policy makers and the local authorities and actors in charge of finding solutions (mayors, municipal authorities, local civil society organisations, and service providers).
Refugees' and migrants' financial inclusion should also be strengthened, including access to basic services such as bank accounts, through awareness-raising and information provision, as well as support to refugee and migrant entrepreneurs through effective access to finance and business development services.

5.9.
5.9.

Develop targeted housing policies: an affordable and decent accommodation is a prerequisite for a successful integration of migrants, a smooth access to the job market as well as to basic services, such as healthcare and education.
In addition, there is a need for targeted settlement policies, aiming to distribute the migrant population in a fair and balanced way on the national territory, facilitate the connection between the newly arrived and the local population, prevent the development of ghettos or parallel societies thus reducing the likelihood for migrants to be involved in illegal activities.

Invest in social cohesion: Social Impact Bonds are a possible solution for efficient funding.
They 5.1 0. offer funding to solve societal issues and support preventative measures and connect financial success with achieving quantified social outcomes.

Partnerships can be built between private investors, the government, and civil society organisations.

5.11.

Match migrant skills with job opportunities: access to the labour market is key to integration and refugees' and migrants' economic contribution to the host nation.
Integration policies should ideally take into account the unique profiles of immigrants and their chances of integrating into local communities.

Newly arrived migrants can be advised of job opportunities in meetings with the state employment office after receiving their residence permit, where their placements are governed by agreements between municipalities and the central government.

5.12.
5.12.

Develop effective communication strategies: the public's impression of immigrants' actual outcomes may not match the facts.

Integration policies must have a communication component that encourages a fair and fact-based approach while identifying and addressing the benefits and challenges that migration can have for the host nation.

New media channels offer a variety of opportunities due to their ability to connect with audiences that traditional media do not reach.
But there are other difficulties, like the spread of misleading information and unfavourable stereotypes.

5.13.
5.13.

Ensure respect for refugees' and migrants' dignity in media: member States should take steps to encourage accurate and non-discriminatory portraying of migrants and refugees, help med ia gather and share accurate and non-discriminatory information about migration and the human rights implications of migrants' and refugees' integration, while avoiding messages that are stigmatising, xenophobic, racist, alarmist or inaccurate.

5.14.
5.14.

Fight against xenophobia and discrimination: specific programmes should be put in place for improving knowledge and addressing negative perceptions of migrants and refugees w ith the aim of protecting them from xenophobia, violence and discrimination.
States can undertake information campaigns in co-operation with civil society organisations, the media and other relevant actors to, inter alia, shed light on the situation of migrants and refugees and raise awareness of the risks and dangers of trafficking and transnational organised crime.

3 Resolution 2502 (2023) 5.15.


Develop welcoming programmes: various cities in Europe have welcoming programmes in place, as well as related communication campaigns that make use of photos, posters, press releases, and social media.

Communication emphasizes diversity as an advantage.

5.16.

Enhance public health support for vulnerable refugees and migrants: availability of public health support is an important issue.
Refugees, especially children, that fled high intensity conflict areas may need psychological support.

While the protection of the health of migrants and refugees has so far been linked solely to the guarantee of basic physical care, it is essential to recognise that mental health and psychological support are equally essential.
The World Health Organization's "Strategy and Action Plan for Refugee and Migrant Health in the WHO European Region" (2016) places improving the mental health of refugees and migrants on the political agenda.

6.

States should take measures at European level to promote integration of refugees and migrants based on the respect for the rights and dignity of every individual.
The Assembly calls upon member States to take into consideration, when devising public policies for refugees and migrants' integration, the recommendations put forward by the Council of Europe Commissioner for Human Rights in the issue paper "Time for Europe to get migrant integration right" (2016).

7.
7.

Bearing in mind the importance of best practice exchange at European level, the Assembly recommends enhancing international co-operation to promote integration of refugees and migrants at local, national and European levels.

8.

Participation in programmes aimed at managing diverse societies, such as the Council of Europe's Intercultural Cities programme, is highly recommended.
The programme supports cities and regions in reviewing and adapting their policies through an intercultural lens and developing comprehensive intercultural strategies to manage diversity as an advantage for the whole society.

9.

The Assembly welcomes co-operation with the Congress of Local and Regional Authorities of the Council of Europe in the implementation by the Congress of the Cities4Cities initiative - a new matchmaking platform launched to support Ukrainian local and regional authorities.

10.
10.

Finally, the Assembly underscores the importance of enhancing reception capacities and integration facilities for refugees and migrants.

Social projects responding to emergency situations can be financed with the support of financial instruments available through the Council of Europe Development Bank - a major instrument of the solidarity policy in Europe.

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CONSEIL DE I.: EUROPE Resolution 2503 (2023)1 Provisional version Social inclusion of migrants, refugees and internally displaced persons through sport Parliamentary Assembly 1.

The Parliamentary Assembly welcomes the universality of sport.

It notes that it can be a fantastic catalyst for empowerment and physical and psychological well-being.

Sport can heal and bring the best out of people, it contributes to reinforcing self-esteem.
Sport can help in developing a positive and fresh outlook on life, bringing communities together, as well as helping to build them.

Practising sport can build mutual respect and encourage team spirit.

2.

The Assembly notes that generating important positive values, sport has many advantages and can play an instrumental role in the integration of migrants, refugees and internally displaced persons in their host country or society.
Sport can also provide a sense of safety to persons on the move who faced numerous challenges during their migration journey.

3.

The Assembly notes that sport is often considered as an effective social policy tool which reduces anti social behaviour and increases community cohesion.
In this context, it underlines the importance of the active involvement of migrants, refugees and internally displaced persons, as well as of host authorities at central, regional, local and community levels, in building policies and mechanisms fostering the inclusion of these vulnerable groups through-sport.

4.
4.

The Assembly is well aware of the existing efforts at national and international levels in this respect notably in the context of the Global Compact on Refugees and its invitation to the United Nations High Commissioner for Refugees (UNHCR), States and sport entities to sign partnerships to foster access to sporting facilities, including in refugee-hosting areas.
It hails the efforts of the International Olympic Committee (IOC) to promote sport activities for refugees and to support the participation of refugee athletes at the Paris Olympics 2024 thanks to the Refugee Olympic Team.

It also welcomes the launch of the Olympic Refuge Foundation by UNHCR and the IOC.

5.
Last but not least, the Assembly underlines the Council of Europe's active role in promoting sport as a means of inclusion and peace through the adoption of legal instruments such as the European Sports Charter and relevant recommendations of the Committee of Ministers to member States such as Recommendation Rec(2001)6 sport, Recommendation Rec(2003)6 on improving physical education and sport for children and young people in all European countries, Recommendation CM/Rec(2015)2 on gender mainstreaming in sport, as well as Recommendation CM/Rec(2012)10 on the protection of child and young athletes from dangers associated with migration .
xenophobia and the prevention intolerance racism, racial on of in 6.
While the establishment of the Enlarged Partial Agreement on Sport (EPAS) by the Committee of Ministers in 2007 has been another paramount milestone in promoting sport within Council of Europe member States and beyond, the Assembly welcomes the outcome of the Council of Europe's Conference of Ministers responsible for Sport held in Antalya on 26 October 2022, where the Ministers called upon EPAS, inter alia, to "use sport as a tool for social integration of disadvantaged groups, such as migrants, refugees, persons with 1.
Assembly debate on 21 June 2023 (17th sitting) (see Doc.

15786, report of the Committee on Migration, Refugees and Displaced Persons, rapporteur: Ms Nigar Arpadarai).

Text adopted by the Assembly on 21 June 2023 (17th sitting).

Resolution 2503 (2023) disabilities and senior citizens; develop a toolbox based on best practices for inclusion of disadvantaged groups in all aspects of sport and devise a communication plan to promote it widely" (Resolution No.

1 ).
1 ).

The Assembly also hails the decision of the Governing Board to organise the EPAS 2023 Diversity Conference on the topic of the inclusion of migrant and refugee children through sport.

Conscious of the existing barriers challenging the success of inclusive programmes for migrants 7. through sport, the Assembly calls the Council of Europe member States to: 7.1 .
have due regard to the values and principles laid down in the European Sports Charter; access to the Enlarged Partial Agreement on Sport, for those which have not yet done so, so as 7.2. to ensure a better implementation of the European Sports Charter and benefit from a more effective international co-operation; 7.3. adopt and ensure the application of legislation prohibiting any discrimination in sports due to nationality, gender, sexual orientation, ethnicity, language or disability, or any other form of discrimination; facilitate travel to international sports events for refugee athletes, on the same basis as non- 7.4. refugee athletes through legal and practical measures; ensure that everyone is given the opportunity to practice sports and undertake specific action to 7.5. guarantee that the most vulnerable people, including migrants, refugees and internally displaced persons, have proper access to sporting facilities and activities, actively considering the financial costs required, but also the age, gender, ability and other diversity needs; ensure that coaches are trained to be able to detect migrants', refugees' and displaced persons' 7.6. vulnerabilities and overcome them, and put in place assistance services to allow them to feel safe and protected in sports centres: contribute, through the organisation of language courses, to ensuring that language differences 7.7. are no longer a barrier to inclusion.
8.

In line with the Global Compact on Refugees, the Assembly encourages States, sport entities, the UNHCR and the IOC to sign further partnerships to foster access to sporting facilities, including in refugee hosting areas, to promote sport activities for refugees, to support the participation of refugee athletes at the Paris Olympics 2024 and to harness the Olympic Refuge Foundation launched by UNHCR and the IOC.

9.
9.

Aware that structural and cultural barriers are harsher where vulnerable migrants, refugees and displaced persons, such as women, children, members of the LGBTQI+ community or disabled persons are concerned, the Assembly urges Council of Europe member States to develop specific targeted actions to promote their social inclusion in the receiving societies with the involvement of these target groups in the decision-making processes.

10.
As women can be prevented from practicing sports because of prejudices and also for logistical reasons, the Assembly recommends: 1 0.1. the organisation of wide media campaigns and coverage of women sports with the aim of reaching a larger number of young girls who are reluctant to enrol in sports due to cultural or psychological barriers and reducing stereotypes and discriminatory narratives; the setting-up of child-minding services within sports organisations in order to enable women 10.2. athletes to have their own time for sports practice.
11.

In order to fight against discrimination notably against members of the LGBTQI+ community and persons with disabilities, the Assembly calls on Council of Europe member States and sports organisations to develop awareness-raising campaigns spreading messages of tolerance and inclusion while deconstructing stereotypes and in particular to join the Council of Europe's Combating Hate Speech in Sport project.

12.
12.

The Assembly reckons that the wider migration flows in European countries require a strateg ic vision for the social inclusion of migrants, refugees and internally displaced persons.
For this purpose, it considers that Council of Europe member States should privilege long-term and sustainable projects, investing in cross sectoral initiatives leading to the further inclusion of migrants, refugees and internally displaced persons into the receiving societies, such as undertaking sport-based activities in parallel with educational programmes.
To 2 Resolution 2503 (2023) achieve this, the Assembly calls on Council of Europe member States to earmark greater funds to develop effective policies of social inclusion in order to avoid that the costs be borne by sports organisations, as their excessive amount could push them to limit sport-based operations.
As a result: 12.1. migrants, refugees and internally displaced persons should be granted free access to sport facilities and sport-based activities, including the supply of sport uniforms when required; 12.2. given the healing effects of sporting activities, sport organisations should be properly equipped with psychological and social assistance available to all enrolled individuals, in particular for migrants; 12.3. equal access to sports facilities, including for people with disabilities, should be ensured.
Further funds should be ring-fenced for the promotion of collaboration among sport and non-sport 13. organisations with the aim to setting up co-operative mechanisms and cross-sectoral societal actions.

14.

The Assembly is convinced that public awareness of the benefits of sport as a means of promoting the social inclusion of migrants should be pursued.
For this purpose, it calls on member States together with sports organisations to: 14.1. develop effective awareness-raising campaigns to highlight the importance of including migrants in societies, thus reducing cases of racism, discrimination and hate speech; 14.2. organise communication campaigns targeting migrants, refugees and internally displaced persons so that they are aware of specific projects aimed at their social inclusion.

15.
15.

Given the importance of exchanging knowledge and experience, the Assembly calls on Council of Europe member States to allocate adequate financial resources to maintaining the sustainability of the Council of Europe sport migrant integration platform.
Furthermore, it encourages them to upload their projects on the platform; so that they can benefit from a wider visibility at the international level but also create emulation among other local, regional, national and international sport organisations for the development of a larger number of sport-based programmes for the inclusion of migrants, refugees and internally displaced persons.

16.
16.

In accordance with the UNHCR's overall participatory and community-based approaches to refugee protection and assistance, the Assembly encourages all stakeholders to work together with refugee athletes and refugee-led organisations in the field of sport and to financially support refugee-led organisations.

Furthermore, the Assembly strongly calls for national sports organisations, Olympic and Paralympic Committees to be fully funded to support refugee athletes.
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CONSEIL DE !

:EUROPE Resolution 2504 (2023)1 Provisional version Health and social protection of undocumented workers or those in an irregular situation Parliamentary Assembly 1.

Europe is home to about 4-5 million undocumented persons.

However, this figure may be a gross underestimation because reliable data is lacking.
Many such persons de facto participate in the labour market as "invisible workers", including as migrant seasonal workers and migrant domestic workers, but remain very fragile socio-economically - with poor or no access to socio-economic rights.

Their vulnerability was highlighted during the Covid-19 pandemic, when this category of workers was exposed to a double hazard: high socio-economic precarity and haphazard , if any, access to basic health care.

2.
2.

By accepting the marginalisation of undocumented workers, member States tolerate inequality of treatment, discrimination and vulnerability which carry the potential for abuse and exploitation of persons.

Such situation also breeds precarity, trafficking in human beings and the risk of crime, harms safety at work, fuels the underground economy, reduces State revenue from social contributions and undermines fair competition.
Entire sectors of the national and international economy are based on an economic model that violates the fundamental rights of workers in general and more pronouncedly for people without residence permits.

We cannot intervene effectively in the protection of undocumented workers without changing the economic philosophy- lowering production costs by mistreating workers to increase the profit of a few- that leads to this situation.
The Parliamentary Assembly notes that the problem of labour exploitation affects both migration and 3. labour law.

The tightening by member States of the legal channels for third-country nationals to come and work in Europe exacerbates the precarity of the labour and residence rights of persons who have sometimes been living in our States for many years.

The Assembly recalls that asylum and migration policies themselves sometimes create situations of illegality for migrant persons.
One of the main reasons for the abuse and exploitation of undocumented migrants in particular and workers in general is a labour market without sufficient controls, a situation further exacerbated in the case of migrant domestic workers for whom inspections are difficult, another being the dehumanisation of migrants, particularly in certain political discourses.

4.
4.

The Assembly strongly supports dialogue between the key stakeholders (the State authorities, employers, associations, and trade unions) as the way of developing programmes to restore rights to invisible workers in national labour markets and society in general.
It considers that the "offence of solidarity", whether aimed at civil society organisations or private individuals in their efforts to help these vulnerable people on their arrival and during their stay in our countries, must be abolished where it still exists.

5.

In this context, the Assembly refers to its Resolution 1568 (2007) and Recommendation 1807 (2007) calling for regularisation programmes to be set up for irregular migrants.
It also recalls its Resolution 1922 (2013) "Trafficking of migrant workers for forced labour" and its Resolution 2323 (2020) "Concerted action 1.

Assembly debate on 21 June 2023 (17th sitting) (see Doc.

15784, report of the Committee on Social Affairs, Health and Sustainable Development, rapporteur: Ms Ada Marra; and Doc.

15794, opinion of the Committee on Migration, Refugees and Displaced Persons, rapporteur: Ms Arusyak Julhakyan).

Text adopted by the Assembly on 21 June 2023 (17th sitting).
See also Recommendation 2255 (2023).

h~://~ce.coe.int Resolution 2504 (2023) against human trafficking and the smuggling of migrants".

It notes that some European countries have taken measures aimed at improving the situation of undocumented workers or those in an irregular situation.
Partial regularisation programmes or other administrative facilities thereby put in place have enabled better access of such workers to health and social welfare programmes, or at least temporarily extended the health coverage for these vulnerable workers sometimes without going through the regularisation process, in particular since the Covid-19 crisis.
Nonetheless, the phenomenon of exploitation in economic sectors persists, especially for undocumented workers, and further bold human rights based measures are necessary to consolidate access to socio-economic rights for all across the Council of Europe member States in line with the standards set out in the European Social Charter (ETS No.
35) and the conventions of the International Labour Organization (ILO), as well as recommendations put forward by the European Commission against Racism and Intolerance (ECRI) in 2016.

6.

The Assembly notes that invisible workers are at high risk of exploitation by employers who do not declare them or only partially declare them, pay them inadequately low wages, and often do not offer decent working conditions.
These workers do not have the means to defend themselves against abuses in several areas (notably at work, regarding housing and access to basic medical care), because they feel that having recourse to the justice system would put them at risk of deportation and/or employer retaliation.

The violation of fundamental rights, including social rights, of invisible workers must stop, and States can do that by changing their policies in several ways.

7.
7.

The Assembly is concerned that many member States' regulatory frameworks are too strict or not transparent regarding the conditions to be met, and that they make access to regularisation procedures for invisible workers excessively difficult, burdensome, opaque, or unpredictable.

In addition , overly complex, costly, and slow administrative procedures often delay the issuance or prolongation of residence and work permits.
This not only blocks the regularisation of the invisible workers' status but also throws thousands of workers with temporary permits into an irregular situation when their permits are not renewed on time.

The Assembly also deplores the restriction of the personal scope of application of the European Social 8.
Charter (that is, the exclusion of persons from countries that have not ratified it, and of those not lawfully resident or working regularly on the territory of the Party concerned), as set out in the Appendix to the Charter.

The Assembly shares the view that this limitation is incompatible with the nature of the Charter as a human rights treaty.

This anomaly should be corrected to bring the treaty into line with the state of development of international human rights law.

9.
9.

In light of the above considerations, the Assembly recommends to member States the following good practices, whether in the context of ad hoc programmes of regularisation or permanent mechanisms aimed at the better integration of invisible workers: 9.1 .
information on official procedures to apply for national residence and work permits should be available in many languages to ensure it is accessible and understandable, and, to this end, should rely on civil society (trade unions, non governmental organisations, and associations); 9.2. for workers with temporary contracts, a change of employer should not affect residence status; the application should preferably be made by the undocumented worker himself/herself, without 9.3. intermediaries who could blackmail him/her; residence and work permits should be directly granted to all migrants in an irregular situation 9.4. who co-operate with the police to report abuses; 9.5. for any victim of criminal labour exploitation, trafficking in human beings and other violent crimes who would like to remain in the country, effective access to free legal assistance and to protection mechanisms should be guaranteed, expulsion procedures should be suspended , and access to specific permits facilitated, independently of their co-operation with the authorities and their involvement in judicial proceedings; 9.6. there should be a possibility of appeal to an independent body in the event of a negative response by the administrative decision-making body or of a decision by an authorised third party not to submit the application for regularisation to the decision-making body; 9.7. admissibility criteria such as a specific number of years of residence in the country (reasonable duration) should be as clear as possible, and the family situation of applicants should be taken into account; application and procedural fees should be as low as possible or be waived entirely in view of the 9.8. extremely low incomes of undocumented migrants; 2 Resolution 2504 (2023) support for associations that assist applicants in their regularisation process throughout the 9.9. procedure should be put in place; the number and type of documents to be produced by applicants should be reasonable and take 9.1 0. into account the discreet nature of undocumented migrants' lives; 9.11 .
once undocumented persons have had their situation regularised, measures must be put in place to support them (for example, language courses, help finding a new job); 9.12. access to healthcare must be ensured for all undocumented workers regardless of the advancement of their regularisation process.

10.

The Assembly notes that access to justice which is a key element of the protection of undocumented or irregular workers, is not sufficiently guaranteed by member States.
States should be encouraged to devise procedures that do not put the various courts in contact with the migration authorities, which constitutes the main subjective and objective obstacle to undocumented workers exercising their rights.

In order to eliminate the worst forms of exploitation of invisible workers, the Assembly urges member 11 .

States: to sign and ratify the European Convention on the Legal Status of Migrant Workers (ETS No.

11 .1.
11 .1.

93); 11 .2. to fully implement the Council of Europe Convention on Action against Trafficking in Human Beings (CETS No.
197) and the Committee of Ministers Recommendation CM/Rec(2022)21 on preventing and combating trafficking in human beings for the purpose of labour exploitation ; 11 .3. to enhance corporate social responsibility based on the United Nations Gu iding Principles on Business and Human Rights and the Committee of Ministers Recommendation CM/Rec(2016)3 on human rights and business; to better protect victims of human trafficking for sexual or labour exploitation purposes by 11.4. granting a temporary residence permit for the time of the proceedings, as soon as the abuses committed are reported to a competent judicial or civil authority (for example, labour inspectorate).
3 lLJ;?- Parliamentary Assembly ~~ Assemblee parlementaire ~~ ~ s:r1i'RJ'!Bll!l•ffi· rll· R•!Il·!lil.l·--------------------- CONSEIL DE t:EUROPE Resolution 2505 (2023)1 Provisional version UK reform of its human rights legislation: consequences for domestic and European Human Rights protection Parliamentary Assembly 1.
The Parliamentary Assembly recalls that the aim of the Council of Europe is to achieve greater unity between its member States, based on common values of respect for the rule of law, democracy and human rights.

The Assembly reaffirms its commitment to these values, which are the true source of individual 2. freedom, political liberty and the rule of law, principles which form the basis of all genuine democracy.

3.
3.

The Assembly emphasises that respect for the rule of law includes respect by States of their international legal obligations, including those under the European Convention on Human Rights (ETS No.

5).

4.

The Assembly recalls that, in line with the principle of subsidiarity, Council of Europe member States are primarily responsible for the effective implementation and enforcement of international human rights norms they have signed up to, in particular those of the European Convention on Human Rights.
The Assembly recalls the importance of embedding human rights education and ensuring improved 5. public understanding of the inherent value of core principles such as the rule of law, robust democratic institutions, and effective guarantees for the protection of human rights.
The Assembly considers that the UK system for giving effect to the European Convention on Human 6. rights through the operation of the Human Rights Act is, in many respects, an excellent example of an effective domestic mechanism for ensuring that Convention rights are respected and fully implemented at the national level.

It also ensures respect for the separation of powers and for democratic debate in determining how laws and rights should be developed and balanced.
The Assembly commends many of the features of the Human Rights Act as good examples for member States looking to successfully embed human rights, and in particular the Convention rights, within their national legal systems.
The Assembly therefore considers that it would be regrettable if the United Kingdom were to dispense with such an excellent system that has led to the UK having one of the lowest number of cases brought before the European Court of Human Rights, and in particular of findings of violations against it, of any State Party to the Convention.

7.
7.

Recalling its Resolution 1823 (2011) "National parliaments: guarantors of human rights in Europe", the Assembly is pleased that there are processes in place in the UK to consider the human rights and rule of law consequences of draft legislation before the UK Parliament, but considers that further thought might be given to ensuring that such processes and analysis benefit from sufficient independence, transparency and due consideration in the legislative process.

8.
8.

The Assembly is concerned that recent legislation introduced by the UK Government to Parliament, and in particular the Bill of Rights Bill and the Illegal Migration Bill, indicates an increased willingness on the part of the UK Government, and certain legislators, to legislate in a way that could risk breaching the UK's international legal obligations and thus the rule of law.
The Assembly is extremely concerned at such developments, and in particular what signal that may send both domestically and internationally.

1.

Assembly debate on 21 June 2023 (17th sitting) (see Doc.

15782, report of the Committee on Legal Affairs and Human Rights, rapporteur: Mr Kamal Jafarov).

Text adopted by the Assembly on 21 June 2023 (17th sitting).

•.

1!1 .

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;h~ttr._://pace.coe.int _· I 1!1 - Resolution 2505 (2023) 9.
The Assembly, moreover, expresses concern that both the Bill of Rights Bill and the Illegal Migration Bill would increase legal uncertainty and conflicts between UK domestic law and the requirements of the European Convention on Human rights - as well as a number of other international conventions.
The Assembly notes that these concerns have been similarly expressed by numerous civil society organ isations, the Joint Committee on Human Rights of the UK Parliament, the UK's National Human Rights Institutions, the Commissioner for Human Rights of the Council of Europe, the Group of Experts on Action against Trafficking in Human Beings (GRETA), and the United Nations High Commissioner for Refugees.

10.
10.

The Assembly therefore calls on the UK Government and Parliament to: 1 0.1. ensure that robust processes are in place to ensure respect for the rule of law and in particular respect for the UK's international legal obligations, in legislation proposed to parliament.

In particular, assessments of compatibility with the rule of law, including international law and human rights law, should be undertaken in respect of bills introduced into parliament.
Such assessments should be undertaken by a body that is sufficiently independent from government to be able to provide objective advice on the rule of law, should be available early in the legislative process, and should be made public to fully inform parliament and the public so that the legislature can take an informed decision on the implications of legislation before it.
Parliament must be allowed adequate time and information to assess the rule of law and human rights implications of the legislation before it; 10.2. carefully consider the content of the provisions that, were they to enter into force, could risk placing the UK in breach of its international obligations, including the provisions relating to: 1 0.2.1. positive obligations (clause 5 of the Bill of Rights Bill); 1 0.2.2. overseas military operations (clause 14 of the Bill of Rights Bill); 1 0.2.3.
Migration Bill); interim measures (clause 24 of the Bill of Rights Bill and clause 53 of the Illegal 1 0.2.4. restrictions on the protections for victims of modern slavery and human trafficking under the Illegal Migration Bill; 10.2.5. the Illegal Migration Bill; the adequacy of safeguards against indefinite or arbitrary detention of migrants under 10.2.6. protections for children under the Illegal Migration Bill, including as concerns detention, removal and standards of care for children, including unaccompanied children; 1 0.2.
7. protections for refugees and stateless persons under the Illegal Migration Bill; 1 0.2.8. for individuals affected by decision-making under the Illegal Migration Bill.

the adequacy of due process, appeal rights and the availability of an effective remedy 11 .
The Assembly calls on all member States of the Council of Europe to: 11 .1. ensure that the European Convention on Human Rights is fully embedded, applied and enforced within their domestic legal systems and to take adequate steps to support a culture of respect for human rights and the rule of law domestically; 11 .2. put in place adequate mechanisms for ensuring that the human rights and rule of law implications of draft legislation are fully and transparently assessed before legislation is passed, by systematically verifying the compatibility of draft legislation with Convention standards; 11 .3. ensure that adequate processes are in place to correct misunderstandings or misinformation relating to the rule of law and the impact of the European Convention of Human Rights system; and to make use of available information on the functioning of the European Convention on Human Rights system; 11.4. develop initiatives for education and training on human rights and the rule of law in order to foster culture which understands and respects the important role that the rule of law and human rights play in a healthy democracy.
12.

The Assembly calls on members States and the instances of the Council of Europe to develop improved tools in order to counteract misinformation in relation to human rights and the rule of law more effectively.

In this light, the Assembly welcomes initiatives such as the work to highlight the impact of the European Convention on Human Rights system and encourages greater use of such communications materials.
The Assembly also encourages further reflection on how best to strengthen communication work in relation to the role of the European Court of Human Rights and the implementation of its judgments.

2 lLJ/- Parliamentary Assembly ~~ Assemblee parlementaire ~~ ~ --~hm·t~.~·~•~··~t~Mmru.

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CONSEIL DE !

:EUROPE Resolution 2506 (2023)1 Provisional version Political consequences of the Russian Federation's war of aggression against Ukraine Parliamentary Assembly 1.
Seventeen months since launching the large-scale invasion, Putin's regime persists in its brutal war of aggression against Ukraine.

After the battle of Bakhmut (August 2022 - June 2023), which has been the longest in the war and has had a huge human cost, the Ukrainian counteroffensive is currently under way.

As the Ukrainians advance and liberate areas of their territory illegally occupied by the Russian Federation, it is to be feared that new evidence of war crimes will emerge.
The magnitude of the consequences of the destruction of the Kakhovka Dam, on 6 June 2023, will only be known in the coming weeks.

This attack, aimed at delaying the Ukrainian counteroffensive, confirms the barbarism of Putin's war machinery and constitutes a war crime and ecocide.

2.
2.

Recalling its previous resolutions and recommendations on this matter, the Parliamentary Assembly reiterates its firm condemnation of the Russian Federation's aggression against Ukraine as a violation of international law and an act of unprecedented gravity, in itself and because of its far-reaching political, geopolitical , legal, humanitarian , environmental and economic consequences, in Europe and beyond.

3.
3.

By defending the sovereignty, independence and territorial integrity of their country, Ukrainians are protecting the values of the Council of Europe;-and the basic principles enshrined in the Charter of the United Nations which are the foundations of the peaceful co-existence between States.

One of the main political consequences of the Russian Federation's war of aggression against Ukraine is that it has forged a renewed bond amongst democracies in support of Ukraine.
The 4th Summit of Council of Europe Heads of State and Government, held in Reykjavik on 16-17 May 4.

2023, is the expression of this unity around common values, of the resolve to support Ukraine for as long as it takes, and the willingness to ensure that the Russian Federation and its leaders are held to account for their crime of aggression and other manifold wrong-doings.
The Assembly welcomes the strong stance taken by European political leaders in Reykjavik, supports the Summit's Final Declaration and will participate in its follow up within its remit, competencies, and outreach.

The Reykjavik's Final Declaration sets the tone in unequivocal terms: for the Council of Europe and its 5. member States, supporting Ukraine should be a political imperative.
To turn this commitment into a reality, it is of the utmost importance to step up assistance to Ukraine, complete and give effective implementation to a comprehensive system of international accountability of the Russian Federation, tackle legal gaps and loopholes in the sanction system and isolate diplomatically the aggressor regime.

6.
6.

For Council of Europe member States, supporting Ukraine is important not only as an issue of rule of law and international justice but also to protect democratic security and stability in Europe.
Not only has the Russian Federation brought back to Europe a devastating war of aggression but it has also pushed the limits of what can be used as a weapon , from migrants to energy, from economic leverage to elite capture, from ecocide to kidnapping of Ukrainian children and other citizens and the Russian passportisation of Ukrainian citizens in temporarily occupied territories.

1.

Assembly debate on 22 June 2023 (18th sitting) (see Doc.
15797. report of the Committee on Political Affairs and Democracy, rapporteur: Mr Emanuelis Zingeris).

Text adopted by the Assembly on 22 June 2023 (18th sitting).

https://pace.coe.int II [!

]~ - .

Resolution 2506 (2023) 7.

The Russian Federation's war against Ukraine has caused significant global consequences- first of all food insecurity, extra high energy prices, poverty and hunger.

The resources that we cannot invest to - achieve the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) hinder global development.
More than a half out of 17 goals are negatively impacted by the Russian Federation's war.

Because of the Russian Federation we will see regress in achieving the SDGs, including concerning climate.

8.

The reach of the hybrid war of the Russian Federation is global and is felt in all corners of Europe.

The Republic of Moldova, Georgia, and the Western Balkans are subject to pronounced Russian-backed hybrid warfare methods that are designed to destabilise their democracies.
The Assembly is alarmed by the extensive and unscrupulous use of disinformation, energy blackmail, nuclear blackmail, economic levers, and disinformation by the Russian Federation to exacerbate existing tensions and fractures in democratic societies.
In addition, the aggression and the resulting new geopolitical context magnify security risks because of 9. their impact on the functioning of multilateral mechanisms aimed at preventing and resolving conflicts, including those established under the auspices of the Organization for Security and Co-operation in Europe (OSCE).

1 0.

At the same time, hard security is a grave concern.
The Russian leadership has brandished reckless threats of nuclear warfare and has increased the risk of nuclear accidents involving the Zaporizhzhia nuclear power plant, which is illegally under Russian control.

The Russian Federation uses the occupation of the Zaporizhzhia nuclear power plant for blackmail purposes in contravention of the Convention on Nuclear Safety and the safeguards regime of the International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA), of which the Russian Federation is a member.
The Assembly welcomes the visit of a delegation of the IAEA to the site on 15 June 2023 and calls for its recommendations to be fully executed.

The Assembly expresses its gravest concern that the Russian Federation may be planning to carry out a deliberate attack on or cause a deliberate accident at the Zaporizhzhia Nuclear Power Plant, as mentioned by President Zelenskyy on 22 June 2023.
This would risk provoking an escalation in the war, and lead to a radiation leak with devastating consequences for Europe.

11 .

The Assembly is deeply concerned by the deployment of Russian tactical nuclear weapons in Belarus, which started in May 2023, and by reports that the deployment of strategic weapons may be under consideration.

As Parties to the Treaty on the Non-Proliferation of Nuclear Weapons (NPD.
both the Russian Federation and Belarus are in violation of their non-transfer and non-possession obligations, under Articles 1 and 2 of that treaty, respectively-.- Similarly, the Assembly deeply regrets the withdrawal of the Russian Federation from the Conventional Armed Forces in Europe (CFE) Treaty, a cornerstone of European security and stability and of conventional arms control architecture.

12.
12.

Europe can only be durably at peace if the Russian Federation becomes a democracy and loses its military potential to attack its neighbours.
Thus, engagement and co-operation should be strengthened with Russian forces and civil society who aspire to a democratic change in the Russian Federation , who share the values of the Council of Europe, and who support the sovereignty, independence and territorial integrity of Ukraine as well as with those advocating for the principle that the Russian Federation, as a State, provide full compensation to Ukraine once the war is over, and endorsing the idea that the Russian regime should face an international tribunal for its actions.
Similarly, the Belarusian democratic forces and their leader, Sviatlana Tsikhanouskaya, as well as other forces ready to rise up against Lukashenka's regime in Belarus deserve the full support of the Council of Europe and its member States.

13.

Since the last time the Assembly debated the war of aggression, a number of peace initiatives have been launched.
In this regard, the Assembly reiterates its position laid down in its Resolution 2463 (2022) "Further escalation in the Russian Federation's aggression against Ukraine" that any peace talks can only take place on the conditions set by Ukraine.

It highlights, in this regard, that the Reykjavik Declaration expresses full support for the principles for a just and lasting peace as outlined in President Zelenskyy's Peace Formula.

14.
14.

As the Reykjavik Declaration points out, there cannot be peace without accountability.

The Assembly therefore welcomes the establishment of the Registry of Damage Caused by the Aggression of the Russian Federation Against Ukraine.
It shall continue to pursue its efforts in view of the establishment of an international compensation mechanism and a Special Tribunal for the Crime of Aggression to prosecute the political and military leadership of the Russian Federation, as requested by the Assembly in several texts and most recently in Resolution 2482 (2023) "Legal and human rights aspects of the Russian Federation's aggression against Ukraine".
The Assembly welcomes the launch of the International Centre for the Prosecution of the Crime of Aggression against Ukraine (I CPA).

2 Resolution 2506 (2023) 15.

The Assembly points out that international accountability must extend to all private military companies, proxies and allies linked to the Russian Federation who are committing crimes and illegal acts on the territory of Ukraine, including the Wagner Group and the military forces of Ramzan Kadyrov.
A Red Notice (Warrant) should be issued by Council of Europe member States against the leaders and members of these international terrorist groups.

16.

Supporting Ukraine also requires curtailing the Kremlin's ability to finance its war of aggression.
A large coalition of countries and the European Union have imposed an unprecedented range of diplomatic, financial and economic restrictive measures against the Russian Federation and should continue making joint efforts to increase sanction pressure and international isolation of the violating State.
The existence of loopholes in the sanction system, however, and the development of various techniques of sanction avoidance by the Russian Federation and private companies - especially involving third countries - have considerably reduced its effectiveness.

The Assembly believes that the international community should address this problem with resolve and without any further delay.
The issue of Council of Europe member States helping the Russian Federation circumvent sanctions should be examined by the Assembly Committee on the Honouring of Obligations and Commitments by Member States of the Council of Europe (Monitoring Committee) in its work.

In addition, helping the Russian Federation bypass sanctions should be a circumstance precluding future candidates to join the Council of Europe.

17.
17.

The Assembly condemns the biased and misleading narratives being spread by the Russian Federation, and amplified by some countries, about the war of aggression and the restrictive measures introduced against Putin's regime.

The Assembly considers that Council of Europe member States should be proactive in countering this pervasive misinformation and disinformation.

18.
In light of the above considerations, as regards accountability, the Assembly: 18.1. welcoming that 45 States and the European Union have already joined or indicated their intention to join the Enlarged Partial Agreement on the Register of Damage Caused by the Aggression of the Russian Federation Against Ukraine, invites the largest possible number of countries to join ; 18.2. calls on the countries represented in the Conference of Participants of the Register of Damage to clarify in the Register's Rules on admissibility that the Register applies also to acts committed by private military groups, paramilitary groups and other military groups fighting for the Russian Federation, including the Wagner Group and Kadyrov's forces; 18.3. calls on member States and other States having custody of the Russian Federation's assets to establish an international mechanism for compensation, making use of confiscated assets to pay for war damages to Ukraine without delay; 18.4. calls on member States of the Core Group on the establishment of a Special Tribunal for the crime of aggression against Ukraine to accelerate their negotiations to set up a Special international criminal tribunal for the crime of aggression against Ukraine, and calls on additional States to join the Core Group; 18.5. welcomes the launch of the International Centre for the Prosecution of the Crime of Aggression against Ukraine; 18.6. invites parliaments of Council of Europe member States to designate the Wagner Group and Kadyrov's Guard as terrorist organisations and to call for the full accountability of all those military and paramilitary groups who participate in the Kremlin's aggression against Ukraine; 18.7. supports the investigation of the situation in Ukraine by the International Criminal Court and calls on all States Parties to the Rome Statute to execute the arrest warrants issued by the Court; asks the Court to issue arrest warrants against the members and leaders of the above mentioned Wagner and Kadyrov Groups; 18.8. welcomes the adoption of the Ljubljana-The Hague Convention on International Cooperation in the Investigation and Prosecution of the Crime of Genocide, Crimes against Humanity, War Crimes and other International Crimes and urges the Council of Europe member States to ratify it as soon as possible to deliver justice to the victims of those crimes; 18.9. supports the call to enable supply of additional capabilities, including by means of re-export, for the self-defence purposes of Ukraine.
3 Resolution 2506 (2023) 19.

With a view to strengthening Europe's democratic security and resilience against soft and hybrid security threats, the Assembly calls on Council of Europe member States to: 19.1 .
enhance co-operation and political dialogue with countries and regions that are particularly exposed to the Russian Federation's interference, bilaterally, through the Council of Europe and through the international platforms they belong to; 19.2. redouble efforts to promote the further European integration of Ukraine, the Republic of Moldova, Georgia, Albania, Bosnia and Herzegovina, Montenegro, North Macedonia, Serbia and Kosovo*;2 19.3. step up international co-operation to fend off interference by the Russian Federation in their democratic processes and introduce a whole of society approach to building societal resilience against disinformation and misinformation; 19.4. step up diplomatic efforts to isolate the Russian Federation and Belarus as its accomplice in the war of aggression against Ukraine internationally and deprive them of support; 19.5. counter the false narratives about the war of aggression and the sanction system spread by the Russian Federation , its allies and partners; 19.6. set up a platform to reflect on mechanisms for conflict prevention and resolution in Europe, taking into account the new geopolitical context.
The Assembly also calls on Council of Europe member States that are NATO members to support the 20.

Ukrainian membership in NATO.

21.
As regards assistance to the reconstruction and democratic governance of Ukraine, the Assembly: 21.1. calls on all member States of the Council of Europe Development Bank to rapidly subscribe to the capital increase, approved in 2022, to endow the Bank with the means to pursue its support to Ukraine and to neighbouring countries hosting refugees and persons displaced by the war against Ukraine; 21 .2. calls on the widest number of countries and the European Union to contribute to the Action Plan for Ukraine "Resilience, Recovery and Reconstruction" 2023-2026 and make resources available to ensure the long-term democratic resilience of Ukraine.
22.
Also welcoming that the 11th package of sanctions to be adopted by the European Union aims at enhancing the effectiveness of the system of restrictive measures, the Assembly: 22.1. calls on countries aspiring to join the European Union, including its own member States, to ensure strict alignment with decisions taken under the European Union Common Foreign and Security Policy; 22.2. calls on European Union member States, in the course of such negotiations, to support robust deterrent measures and the introduction of secondary sanctions; 22.3. invites the European Union to expand efforts to withhold financial assistance to those who support the Kremlin in its war of aggression.
This should include also financial assistance which is provided to third countries, including in the context of partnership and co-operation agreements; 22.4. calls on the parliaments of Council of Europe member States to withdraw from the pending ratification of free trade agreement between the European Union and the Republic of Cuba (PDCA); 22.5. encourages Council of Europe member States to introduce full-scale political and economic sanctions against the Iranian regime; 22.6. supports the sanctions against the Russian Federation introduced by the United States of America.
23.

The anti-war movement in the Russian Federation calls on the member States who have passed "Magnitsky laws" and the European Union to add those responsible for the arbitrary prosecution of Vladimir Kara-Murza to the list of persons subject to targeted sanctions.

·Throughout this text, all reference to Kosovo, whether to the territory, institutions or population shall be understood in 2. full compliance w ith United Nations Security Council Resolution 1244 and without prejudice to the status of Kosovo.
4 24.
Believing that an effective framework to address sanction avoidance should rest on the following elements, the Assembly calls on Council of Europe member and observer States and the European Union to take them into account: Resolution 2506 (2023) 24.1. creating strategic European economic autonomy from Russian oil and gas that are used for Russian imperialistic geopolitical purposes; 24.2. introducing measures to reduce the resale of Russian oil and gas to Europe via third countries; 24.3. expanding the list of individuals and entities targeted by the restrictive measures in the Russian Federation and third countries; identifying the major categories of entities and individuals which play a significant role in 24.4. sanction avoidance, such as banks, insurance companies, financial advisers, financial institutions, transport and logistics companies, ports, and service companies; 24.5. setting up effective mechanisms to monitor sanctions compliance, for instance a dedicated Task Force; 24.6. introducing and implementing secondary sanctions, and monitoring compliance with them; 24.7. setting up a public Register of companies and individuals working for Russian interests; 24.8. setting up a public Register of companies and individuals involved in sanctions avoidance; introducing international guidelines for financial institutions to assess risks carefully for 24.9. customers and transactions prone to sanction avoidance.
These guidelines would require heightened scrutiny when dealing with individuals or entities operating in jurisdictions know n for evading sanctions; 24.1 0. strengthening co-operation and harmonising sanctions efforts amongst like-minded countries, in order to avoid loopholes; 24.11 .
enforcing robust tracking and verification systems to prevent sanctioned goods and materials from entering global markets through indirect channels, including by conducting regular audits and collaborating with industry partners to ensure compliance throughout the supply chain; 24.12. introducing significant financial penalties for sanction avoidance; 24.13. introducing criminal liability for the deliberate assistance by individuals and groups of individuals for the purpose of evading sanctions; 24.14. considering the establishment of a pan-European body w ith the authority to investigate and prosecute persons involved in sanctions avoidance.
Such a body (Task Force), like the Register of the States and entities, banks and firms that are circumventing sanctions, should be established as soon as possible and it should work in parallel with the Register of Damage; 24.15. introducing monetary incentives for whistle-blowers reporting specific details of sanction avoidance.

25.
As regards its own work, the Assembly: 25.1. resolves to establish channels of dialogue and co-operation with Russian forces and civil society who aspire to a democratic change in the Russian Federation, who share Council of Europe values, and who support the sovereignty, independence and territorial integrity of Ukraine, including the Russian Action Committee; 25.2. encourages further reflection on the issue of sanctions against the Russian Federation ; reiterates its concern at Russian abuse of the right to veto, wh ich is an international threat to the 25.3. international rule-based order and the democratic security of Council of Europe member States.
In th is respect, the Assembly supports all efforts and discussions seeking to unblock the situation at the United Nations and enabling it to deliver on its mandate.

5 lL/;?- Parliamentary Assembly ttfl~ Assemblee parlementaire ~~ ~ --"~hm•tffi.t•~-~··mt4~"~, .......................................... .. CONSEIL DE !

:EUROPE Resolution 2507 (2023)1 Provisional version War of aggression against Ukraine- Participation of Russian and Belarusian athletes in the Paris 2024 Olympics and Paralympics?
Parliamentary Assembly 1.

The Parliamentary Assembly condemns once more, in the strongest terms, the full-scale war of aggression waged by the Russian Federation against Ukraine, with the complicity of the Belarusian regime.

The consequences of this deliberate flouting of international law reverberate fa r beyond the borders of Ukraine or even of Europe: all regions of the world are affected.

2.
2.

No means can be spared to demonstrate our entire repudiation of the Russian and Belarusian leadership and regime.

Politicians and public authorities must lead the way, but major organisations and institutions acting in the public and private sphere should also stand up, bring ing the weight of their moral authority and renown to the public consciousness.

3.
3.

The sporting world is an influential societal actor which, at national, regional and global level, wields immense economic, social, and even political leverage and whose decisions have a huge resonance and deep global impact.

At its best, sport brings together countries, societies, people and cultures to a playing field where differences can be put aside and the exchanges are based on values such as mutual respect, diversity, equality and inclusion.
And for these same reasons, the Assembly considers that the sporting world must today play its role in responding to a situation in which a major world power has thrown aside its obligations under international law with such devastating consequences.

4.
4.

In April 2022, the Assembly's Committee on Culture, Science, Education and Media welcomed the calls by the International Olympic Committee (IOC), which urged all International Sports Federations to relocate or cancel their sports events planned in the Russian Federation or Belarus and recommended to International Sports Federations and sports event organisers not to invite or allow the participation of Russian and Belarusian athletes and officials in international competitions.
Moreover, the 17th Council of Europe Conference of Ministers responsible for Sport (Antalya, Ti.lrkiye) adopted on 26 October 2022 a Resolution in which the Ministers condemned the Russian Federation's aggression against Ukraine and considered that the Russian Federation and Belarus should not be represented in international sport as long as this aggression continues.

5.
5.

Concerned by the ongoing debate within the IOC on the possibility for athletes with a Russian or Belarusian passport to participate in the Paris 2024 Olympic and Paralympic Games as "neutral athletes", the same committee organised a hearing in April 2023 with the participation of invitees active in the ongoing discussions on this question.
At this hearing, Assembly members listened to different points of view, including positions on the need to ensure non-discrimination in sport, the wish to keep sport separate and independent from politics and State intervention, as well as further details about the criteria for neutral participation 1.

Assembly debate on 22 June 2023 (18th sitting) (see Doc.

15795, report of the Committee on Culture, Science, Education and Media, rapporteur: Ms Linda Hofstad Helleland).
Text adopted by the Assembly on 22 June 2023 (18th sitting).

https:l/pace.coe.int II _.

1!1 Resolution 2507 (2023) currently under examination by the IOC and how different sports bodies may ultimately take different stances on this matter.

The Standing Committee of the Assembly, meeting in Riga on 25 May 2023, held a current affairs debate on this question.

6.
6.

While recognising the complexity of the issues at stake, and that views may differ on the best approach, the Assembly holds that the participation of Russian and Belarusian athletes in the Olympic and Paralympic Games in the current context is unthinkable, would certainly be used as a tool of propaganda, and would de facto prevent other athletes, not least Ukrainian athletes, from participating.

7.
7.

Having taken into account all perspectives and arguments raised, the Assembly is convinced that the endeavour undertaken by the IOC to establish a set of acceptable criteria allowing for the participation of Russian and Belarusian athletes as neutral, individual competitors in the Paris Olympic and Paralympic Games cannot provide the necessary guarantees and will not constitute a response worthy of the values of human dignity and peace enshrined in the Olympic Charter.
Past experience at the Beijing and Sochi Olympics has shown that the Russian regime is more than 8. ready to misuse the Olympic truce.

Bearing in mind that Russian and Belarusian elite athletes receive State salaries and are often part of military sports teams, it seems impossible that they could demonstrate their neutrality and distance from these regimes, let alone making any declaration against the war.

Indeed, athletes wishing to do so would certainly be putting themselves in a dangerous situation.
Moreover, the individual decisions of each sports body on whether or not to allow Russian and Belarusian athletes to take part in the relevant competitions as neutral athletes could only lead to confusion and unequal treatment, and in recent weeks it has been shown that the Russian and Belarusian regimes will nonetheless use any victories of such "neutral" athletes in their propaganda, thus creating a narrative of acceptance and normalisation that downplays the gravity of the Russian and Belarusian governments' actions.
9.

Above all, the arguments for permitting participation of Russian and Belarusian athletes on the grounds of neutrality, independence of the sports movement, and non-discrimination, do not carry sufficient weight faced with the imperative of condemning and repudiating the atrocities being committed, and of demonstrating the international community's complete and unwavering support for Ukraine as the onslaught continues.
By imposing the ban in response to military aggression against Ukraine, the IOC would demonstrate its commitment to upholding the values of the Olympic Games, foster the pursuit of peaceful solutions to conflicts, and send a clear message to the Russian and Belarusian governments that their actions have consequences and that the international community stands in solidarity with Ukraine.
The Ukrainian fight for freedom is our fight; this should not be forgotten or overlooked, and should continue to guide our responses to the Russian war of aggression.

1 0.
The Assembly therefore: 1 0.1. strongly urges national IOC representatives and national and international sports federations to express their opposition to the IOC's proposal to allow Russian and Belf:!rusian athletes to participate, even as "neutral athletes" in the upcoming Paris Olympic and Paralympic games; 10.2. calls on the IOC and its constituent sports bodies to maintain the position expressed in 2022, and to prohibit the participation of Russian and Belarusian athletes in the Paris Olympic and Paralympic Games and in all other major sporting events, for as long as the war of aggression continues.
Such a ban can only enhance and further promote the worthy objectives of peace and equality embodied by the Olympic Movement and by sport in general.

It does not weaken or blur the independence and values of sport.

2 t Parliamentary Assembly Assemblee parlementaire ~~ ~ .-u~nm+m·R~«~··~tAAmurn• .......................................... .. CONSEIL DE !.

:EUROPE Resolution 2508 (2023)1 Provisional version Ensuring free and safe access through the Lachin Corridor Parliamentary Assembly 1.
The Parliamentary Assembly recalls that for more than 30 years, Armenia and Azerbaijan have been in conflict, and that both countries committed themselves to settle the conflict through peaceful means upon accession to the Council of Europe in January 2001.

2.
2.

The Assembly has dealt with many aspects of the conflict over the years, in particular in Resolution 1047 (1994) and Recommendation 1251 (1994) "Conflict in Nagorno-Karabakh", in Resolution 1416 (2005) "The conflict over the Nagorno-Karabakh region dealt with by the OSCE Minsk Conference" and in Resolution 2391 (2021 ) and Recommendation 2209 (2021) "Humanitarian consequences of the conflict between Armenia and Azerbaijan I Nagorno-Karabakh conflict".
It notes that Azerbaijan regained control of parts of its territory after a 44-day war, which ended with a Trilateral Statement signed on 9 November 2020 by President of the Republic of Azerbaijan II ham Aliyev, Prime Minister of the Republic of Armenia Nikol Pashinyan and President of the Russian Federation Vladimir Putin.

3.
3.

The Assembly welcomes the mutual recognition of the territorial integrity of Armenia and Azerbaijan and sees this as the first steps towards the end of a conflict which has already caused too many deaths and tragedies on both sides.

4.
4.

Following the 2020 war, which has allowed Azerbaijan to reclaim part of its territory by force, the Assembly is very concerned that that country's leadership has not made any effort to reassure the Armenian population living on this territory that they are welcome to stay and continue living their lives there.
On the contrary, the Assembly is extremely worried by events which have unfolded since the signature of the Trilateral Statement, and which culminated on 12 December 2022 with the interruption of the free and safe passage through the Lachin corridor and the subsequent deliberate cutting of electricity and gas supplies to the region.

5.
5.

While fully recognising Azerbaijan's concern to ensure security w ithin its territory and at its borders, the Assembly is struck by the fact that its leadership does not acknowledge the very serious humanitarian and human rights consequences stemming from the present situation.

6.

The Assembly is well-aware that this is a situation with two totally opposed narratives.
For this reason, and because it believes in the benefits of dialogue, it deeply deplores that the Rapporteur was not invited to Azerbaijan during his fact-finding visit, and was thus unable to travel to the Lachin corridor to see the situation on the ground and discuss further with the authorities of Azerbaijan.

7.
7.

The Assembly underlines that Azerbaijan has the responsibility to protect and ensure the security of everyone living within its internationally recognised borders and thus within its jurisdiction, pursuant to Article 1 of the European Convention on Human Rights (ETS No.

5), and believes that drawing international attention to the situation at the Lachin corridor and its human rights and humanitarian consequences is necessary in recalling this responsibility.

1.
1.

Assembly debate on 22 June 2023 (18th sitting) (see Doc.

15796, report of the Committee on Migration, Refugees and Displaced Persons, rapporteur: Mr Paul Gavan).

Text adopted by the Assembly on 22 June 2023 (18th sitting).

See also Recommendation 2256 (2023).

htt~:l/~ace.coe.int lR Ill Resolution 2508 (2023) 8.
Recognising that the absence of free and safe access through the Lachin corridor is part of a much broader issue, the Assembly is convinced that a humanitarian response alone is not sufficient and that a political solution is needed.
Welcoming the negotiations underway between Armenia and Azerbaijan under the auspices notably of the European Union and the United States of America, the Assembly stresses that the current situation is not sustainable and may well lead to the Armenian population being forced to leave their homes and communities if there is no resolution to the conflict.
In this context, it urgently calls for addressing the issues of the rights and security of the Armenian population of Nagorno-Karabakh through dialogue in any peace between Baku and Khakendi/Stepanakert and a neutral implementation mechanism to be put in place.
international involvement Noting the interim measures decided by the European Court of Human Rights on 21 December 2022 9. under Rule 39 of the Rules of the Court calling on the Government of Azerbaijan "to take all measures that are within their jurisdiction to ensure safe passage through the Lachin Corridor of seriously ill persons in need of medical treatment in Armenia and others who were stranded on the road without shelter or means of subsistence", the Assembly calls on Azerbaijan to implement this decision with no further delay.
10.

Noting that the International Court of Justice ordered Azerbaijan to urgently "take all measures at its disposal to ensure unimpeded movement of persons, vehicles and cargo along the Lachin Corridor in both directions", the Assembly calls on Azerbaijan to also comply with this order urgently.

11.
11.

While noting that the mirror applications brought by Azerbaijan against Armenia were rejected by both international courts, the Assembly believes that Armenia must also play a role in de-escalating the tensions, and that it should be open to some form of international monitoring with the aim of assessing the veracity of Azerbaijan's allegations regarding the illegal weapons being brought into Nagorno-Karabakh.

12.
12.

The Assembly calls on Azerbaijan to invite a Council of Europe delegation to visit the Lachin corridor and Nagorno-Karabakh for a fact-finding mission, to assess the situation on the ground.
It also calls on Azerbaijan to let other international organisations access the region, including United Nations agencies, in particular the United Nations High Commissioner for Refugees (UNHCR) and the United Nations Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organization (UNESCO), in line with their respective mandates and relevant principles regulating international humanitarian assistance.

13.
13.

The Assembly recognises the crucial role played by the International Committee of the Red Cross (ICRC) in transporting patients through the Lachin corridor, reuniting separated families and transporting medicines, medical equipment, seeds and food to the inhabitants of Nagorno-Karabakh, as far as it was able.
It recognises, as a key point, that such interventions should not be required, and that the fact that they are is a clear evidence that there is no free and safe access through the Lachin corridor.

14.

In the full recognition of Armenia's and Azerbaijan's territorial integrity, the Assembly calls Azerbaijan for a genuinely constructive and peaceful approach towards its neighbour Armenia and the Armenians living in Nagorno-Karabakh.
It strongly encourages Azerbaijan to invest all efforts for a free and safe movement both ways along the Lachin corridor.

In the meantime, it urges Azerbaijan to restore electricity and gas supplies without delay or impediment, and to agree with Armenians a new route for gas supplies and the electricity grid through Armenian and not Azerbaijani territory.

15.
15.

The Assembly is extremely worried by the hostile and threatening rhetoric used against Armenians at the highest level of Azerbaijan's leadership and urges Azerbaijan to repudiate such rhetoric and take steps to tackle both hate speech, including by public and high-level officials, and hate crimes.

To this end , Azerbaijan is encouraged to introduce and implement appropriate legislation with the assistance of the Council of Europe.
The Assembly is also aware of hate speech being used by individuals in Armenia and likewise urges Armenia's leadership to condemn such hate speech and the authorities to take appropriate measures to punish it.

16.
16.

Without anticipating the outcome of the peace negotiations, the Assembly believes that, regardless of the citizenship issue, which should in any case not be detrimental to the Armenians of Nagorno-Karabakh, innovative solutions could be found to protect the rights of the Armenians in Nagorno-Karabakh, within the toolbox provided by the Council of Europe, which includes standards, instruments and programmes.
The Assembly therefore calls on Armenia and Azerbaijan to take full advantage of the existing standards, instruments and programmes related to the enjoyment of minority rights, language and education, cultural heritage, decentralisation and local self-government options.

17.

The consequences of the absence offree and safe access through the Lachin corridor have shown that confidence-building measures would certainly be useful in addressing certain situations.
The Assembly therefore recommends Armenia and Azerbaijan to engage in confidence building measures under the 2 Resolution 2508 (2023) auspices of the Council of Europe, notably with the involvement of medical doctors, journalists, youth and civil society.

It also invites the Commissioner for Human Rights of the Council of Europe to offer her good services to establish and foster dialogue and co-operation between the Human Rights Defender of Armenia and the Commissioner for Human Rights of Azerbaijan.

18.
18.

As there is no one better placed, the Assembly invites both Armenian and Azerbaijani parliamentary delegations to discuss the possible steps towards the establishment of a conducive and fruitful dialogue based on topics of mutual interest, with a view to decreasing tensions and building sincere co-operation, which would help to dispel fears and mistrust.

3 lLJ/- Parliamentary Assembly ~~ Assemblee parlementaire ~~ ~ --u~trn•m-~mmru.

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:EUROPE Resolution 2509 (2023)1 Provisional version Transnational repression as a growing threat to the rule of law and human rights Parliamentary Assembly 1.

The assassination and dismemberment of a Saudi journalist, Jamal Khashoggi, inside Saudi Arabia's consulate in Istanbul in October 2018 brought transnational repression to light as a global phenomenon.
The Parliamentary Assembly notes that there are four main methods of transnational repression: direct attacks by which an origin State carries out a targeted physical attack against an individual 1.1. abroad, such as assassinations, assaults, disappearances, physical intimidation, and violent forced renditions; 1.2. co-opting other countries to act against a target through detention, unlawful deportation, and other types of forced renditions, which are authorised through pro forma but meaningless legal procedures.
This method includes misuse of Interpol Red Notices, extradition proceedings, and other forms of interstate legal assistance such as anti-money laundering and anti-terror financing measures; 1.3. mobility impediments such as passport cancellation and denial of consular services, preventing the target from travelling or causing them to be detained; threats from a distance, including online intimidation or surveillance and coercion by proxy, in 1.4. which a person's family, loved one, or business partner is threatened, imprisoned , or otherwise targeted.
Reportedly, the number of incidents of physical transnational repression committed since 2014 has 2. reached 854 by the end of 2022.

These acts were committed by 38 governments in 91 countries around the world .

The most prolific perpetrators of transnational repression are, according to the non-governmental organisation Freedom House, the governments of China, Turkiye, Russian Federation, Egypt and Tajikistan.

3.
3.

The Assembly is alarmed about the number and gravity of acts of transnational repression committed in Europe, including on the territory of some member States.
The most egregious example is the state sponsored programme to pursue dissidents abroad implemented by the Russian Federation, which includes notorious targeted assassinations, such as the poisoning and killing of former intelligence officer Alexander Litvinenko in 2006 and the poisoning and attempted assassination of former intelligence officer Sergei Skripal and his daughter Yulia in 2018 (also known as the "Salisbury attack"); both occurred in the United Kingdom.
With regard to Mr Litvinenko's targeted assassination , the European Court of Human Rights ("the Court") found in 2021 that the Russian Federation was responsible for the violation of his right to life under Article 2 of the European Convention on Human Rights (ETS No.

5, "the Convention"), after having established that the two persons who poisoned him in the United Kingdom were Russian agents.
Furthermore, there is strong evidence connecting attacks and killings targeting Chechen dissidents living abroad to the Chechen Republic and its head, Ramzan Kadyrov.

1.

Assembly debate on 23 June 2023 (19th sitting) (see Doc.

15787, report of the Committee on Legal Affai rs and Human Rights , rapporteur: Sir Christopher Chope).

Text adopted by the Assembly on 23 June 2023 (19th sitting).

See also Recommendation 2257 (2023).

.

.

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._ - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - httP-5://pace.coe.int II _· 1!1 Resolution 2509 (2023) 4.

The Assembly is also concerned about the fate of anti-war protesters and those fleeing forced military service in the Russian Federation, in the context of the Russian Federation's war of aggression against Ukraine and the wave of increasing repression within its borders.
These people fleeing the Russian Federation may become new targets of Russian transnational repression, particularly if they are unable to resettle safely or face obstacles applying for asylum in other countries.

5.

The Assembly is also extremely worried about Belarus.
The diversion and forced landing in Minsk of Ryanair flight 4978 on 23 May 2021 to arrest journalist and opposition activist Roman Protasevich and his companion Sofia Sapega, using a false bomb threat, should be condemned as a particularly heinous form of transnational repression akin to air piracy.

Belarus was reportedly responsible for 31 % of the transnational repression incidents recorded in 2021.
Some of the opposition leaders and protesters who fled Belarus following Aliaksandr Lukashenka's fraudulent re-election in 2020, particularly those who fled to the Russian Federation, were subject to unlawful deportations or renditions to Belarus, which shows how the Russian Federation facilitated Belarus' campaign of transnational repression.

6.
6.

The Assembly is concerned about the fact that TOrkiye has also used some of the tools of transnational repression, particularly following the coup attempt of July 2016 and its consistent policy of pursuing amongst others anyone allegedly related to the "GOlen movement", which is referred to as the "Fetullahist Terrorist Organisation (FETO)" by the Turkish authorities.
The Turkish campaign has been found to rely on renditions, abuse of extradition proceedings, Interpol Red Notices and anti-terror financing measures, and co-opting other States to deport or transfer persons unlawfully.
In this respect, the European Court of Human Rights found that in 2018 the Republic of Moldova had illegally transferred seven teachers of Turkish nationality to TOrkiye, circumventing all guarantees offered by domestic and international law and therefore breaching their right to liberty guaranteed by Article 5, paragraph 1, of the Convention.

Similar findings have been made by the United Nations Working Group on Arbitrary Detention regarding transfers from other territories, including outside Europe.
Turkish Government critics and journalists living in other member States have reportedly faced threats and intimidation, sometimes requiring police protection by the authorities of the host State.

The Assembly further notes that Azerbaijan has also been accused of using certain transnational 7. repression techniques such as renditions and cross-border abductions, mainly against journalists.
Some Azerbaijani journalists and opposition activists living abroad have reportedly been subject to threats and assaults.

The European Court of Human Rights has recently found Azerbaijan responsible for an extra-legal transfer to TOrkiye in circumvention of domestic and international law safeg uards.

8.
8.

The Assembly condemns all forms and practices of transnational repression, including those directly performed by an origin State outside its borders and those where an origin State co-opts other States to act unlawfully against a targeted person in their own territory.
It considers that these practices not only violate numerous non-derogable and fundamental human rights of the individuals targeted but are also a threat to the rule of law, democracy and national security of the States where those individuals live and have found refuge.

Acts of transnational repression that are performed by member States and those that occur or have effects in their territories undermine the values and principles which the Council of Europe stands for.
The Assembly considers that acts of transnational repression constitute breaches of international 9. human rights law, first and foremost of the Convention.
It recalls that the Convention applies to extra-territorial violations and that targeted violations of the human rights of an individual by one Contracting State in the territory of another Contracting State undermine the effectiveness of the Convention both as a guardian of human rights and as a guarantor of peace, stability and the rule of law in Europe.

10.

This also applies to extra-territorial violations perpetrated by a member State outside the Convention legal space.
Extra-judicial killings, assaults, enforced disappearances, forced renditions and abductions violate Articles 2 (right 'to life), 3 (prohibition of torture) and 5 (right to liberty) of the Convention.

Procedural obligations to investigate and punish the authors of such violations may arise with regard to the perpetrator State, the host State, or both.

In addition, there is a duty of co-operation between member States in transnational cases involving serious breaches of human rights.
The Assembly recalls that host States have a positive obligation to protect individuals within their 11. jurisdiction from acts of transnational repression, by providing specific protection to identified targets in case of real and immediate risks, and by not conniving in violations committed by foreign agents on their territory.
Host States also have the obligation, in accordance with the principles of non-refoulement and legality, not to render, transfer, deport or extradite persons vulnerable to transnational repression, including through the use of extra-legal channels, particularly if there is a real risk of a violation of one of the core Convention rights by the requesting State.

2 Resolution 2509 (2023) 12.


Finally, other forms of non-physical transnational repression, such as online intimidation and surveillance, may violate rights such as the right to respect for private life guaranteed by Article 8 of the Convention.
The misuse on politically motivated grounds of interstate legal co-operation mechanisms such as anti-money laundering and anti-terror financing measures may result in violations of the right to a fair trial guaranteed by Article 6 of the Convention and the right to property guaranteed by Article 1 of the Additional Protocol to the Convention (ETS No.

9).
9).

This may in turn lead to financial exclusion of targeted individuals and NGOs and effectively prevent them from conducting their human rights activities and participating in economic and social life.

13.

The Assembly therefore considers that the Convention, as interpreted by the Court, provides a robust legal framework under which acts of transnational repression should be condemned , investigated and, if appropriate, punished by member States.
For non-member States, such as Belarus, or forme r member States such as the Russian Federation , the Assembly recalls that similar obligations arise under the International Covenant on Civil and Political Rights and the United Nations Convention against Torture and Other Cruel, Inhuman or Degrading Treatment or Punishment to which they are both parties.

14.
14.

The Council of Europe and its member and observer States should recognise that transnational repression is a global phenomenon attacking the foundations of democratic societies and the rule of law, and that strengthened and more co-ordinated action is needed to prevent and fight it.

15.
The Assembly therefore calls on member States as well as other States in Europe that have reportedly engaged in transnational repression to: 15.1. carry out an effective investigation into all allegations of acts of transnational repression, particularly those concerning violations of the right to life, the prohibition of torture and the right to liberty such as killings, assassinations, enforced disappearances, assaults, ill-treatment, forced renditions, abductions and extra-legal transfers, and where appropriate, bring to justice those responsible for such acts, including any high-ranking officials; in case of extra-legal transfers, including renditions, to obtain information from the requesting 15.2.
State on the situation of the individual concerned and envisage the possible application of the Council of Europe Convention on the Transfer of Sentenced Persons (ETS No.
112) or other treaties, which could permit the return of the individual in case of conviction; 15.3. ensure that victims of transnational repression receive adequate reparation for the harm suffered, including rehabilitation and compensation; 15.4. reinforce oversight and accountability mechanisms over the actions and powers of intelligence agencies and send a message from the highest political level of zero tolerance towards extra-legal transfers, renditions, abductions, and other serious forms of transnational repression; 15.5. as regards member States and the Russian Federation, execute the judgments of the European Court of Human Rights in which acts of transnational repression have been found to breach the Convention, by taking the necessary individual and general measures under the supervision of the Committee of Ministers.
16.

The Assembly specifically calls upon TOrkiye to end its intimidation of BOient Kene!

?, to recognise and respect the decision of the Swedish Supreme Court and curtail its policy of using its veto on Sweden's membership to the North Atlantic Treaty Organisation (NATO) as a tool of transnational repression.

17.
The Assembly further calls on all member and observer States, and States whose parliament enjoys partner for democracy with observer or partnership status with the Assembly, to: 17.1. establish an official definition of transnational repression to be used by all government agencies (law enforcement, intelligence services, migration and asylum) and be incorporated in their actions and procedures; 17.2. establish a specific mechanism to report or track domestic incidents of transnational repression occurring within their borders and identify the perpetrator governments; review counterintelligence and law enforcement information-sharing practices to ensure that 17.3. vulnerable individuals receive adequate warning and protection; 17.4. apply additional vetting to extradition requests, Red Notices and other forms of interstate legal assistance, including anti-money laundering and anti-terror financing measures, from the governments that are known to engage in transnational repression or have a track record of frequently misusing Interpol and other co-operation mechanisms; 3 Resolution 2509 (2023) 17.5. consider further screening applications for diplomatic visas to avoid granting accreditation to diplomatic personnel who have harassed or intimidated exiles and diaspora members in the past, and expelling diplomats who have been directly involved in transnational repression incidents; 17 .6. impose targeted sanctions on perpetrators and enablers of transnational repression, using their Magnitsky-type laws or similar instruments, in accordance with Resolution 2252 (2019) "Sergei Magnitsky and beyond -fighting impunity by targeted sanctions"; 17.7. take into account the record of transnational repression of origin States when deciding on asylum applications, respect the right to seek asylum under the 1951 United Nations Convention Relating to the Status of Refugees and the principle of non-refoulement; 17.8. ensure that domestic laws provide the tools needed to apprehend , prosecute and punish perpetrators of transnational repression, including by increasing the penalties applicable and by exercising their criminal jurisdiction in cases where the acts of transnational repression have originated, occurred or produced effects in their territory, on the basis of the principles of territoriality, and active and passive personality; 17.9. make use of Council of Europe and other international instruments on mutual legal assistance to the widest extent possible, in connection with investigations and criminal proceedings concerning acts of transnational repression perpetrated in Europe or elsewhere; 17.1 0. restrict the export of surveillance technology to countries whose governments are known to engage in transnational repression, reiterate their commitment to privacy of communications and preservation of end-to-end encryption, and effectively investigate all cases of alleged digital transnational repression targeting persons living in their territory; 17.11. ensure that human rights defenders and activists who engage with international organisations including the Council of Europe are better protected from the risk of transnational repression.
18.

Regarding the abuse of Interpol, the Assembly refers to its Resolution 2315 (201 9) "Interpol reform and extradition proceedings: building trust by fighting abuse"' and calls on: 18.1 .
Interpol to: further improve transparency by disclosing data that would help to assess how effective 18.1.1. its review mechanisms are and by clarifying how Interpol's rules are interpreted, especially with regard to Article 2 of its Constitution which requires Interpol's systems to be used in ways that are compatible with international human rights standards; 18.1.2. diffusions; further improve preventive and subsequent review of Red Notices and wanted persons 18.1.3. ensure the effectiveness of the reforms of the Commission for the Control of Interpol's Files (CCF) to ensure better compliance with its decisions and directions, especially regarding the deletion of data; 18.2. all member States.to: 18.2.1. work with the CCF and comply with its decisions, for instance by deleting data in national databases where the CCF has decided to delete a Red Notice or diffusion; 18.2.2. help Interpol remove abusive Red Notices used against refugees and others in need of international protection, for instance by sharing information about their status with Interpol (with their consent); 18.2.3. put in place effective safeguards to ensure that decisions on immigration and asylum applications are not influenced by abusive Red Notices or diffusions; 18.2.4. support the internal review mechanisms of Interpol (Notices and Diffusions Task Force and the CCF) with additional funding and resources.
19.

The Assembly invites the Commissioner for Human Rights of the Council of Europe to pay specific attention to transnational repression when engaging with human rights defenders and civil society, particularly exiles from the Russian Federation and Belarus.
The Assembly invites its General Rapporteur on the situation of human rights defenders to take into 20. account the current trends and practices of transnational repression potentially targeting human rights defenders, including when they originate from non-member States.

4 21 .
4 21 .

The Assembly also invites the Court to fully apply and if need be develop its case law on extraterritorial jurisdiction to cover all possible acts of transnational repression having their origin or producing their effects in member States.

There should be no protection gap against transnational repression committed within the Convention legal space.

Resolution 2509 (2023) 5 l.{v:-- Parliamentary Assembly ~~ Assemblee parlementaire ~~ ~ r:rr1iH1!mlrn•rn.

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:EUROPE Resolution 2510 (2023)1 Provisional version Closing the digital divide: promoting equal access to digital technologies Parliamentary Assembly As early as 2001 , the Organisation for Economic Co-operation and Development (OECD) defined the 1.
"digital divide" as "the gap between individuals, households, businesses and geographic areas at different socio-economic levels with regard both to their opportunities to access information and communication technologies (ICTs) and to their use of the Internet for a wide variety of activities".

2.
2.

Since then, the continued expansion of the fields in which these technologies are used has broadened the situations where they create inequalities, with the Covid-19 pandemic casting a harsh light on the problem.

From the moment restrictions on the movement of people were imposed, digital communications quickly took on unprecedented importance in almost all areas of life.
Commercial exchanges , contacts with public administrations, certain types of work, interactions with family, education, medical appointments: even in spheres where information technologies had until recently played a modest role, their place quickly expanded.

3.

As the Secretary-General of the United Nations pointed out at the time, "the digital divide has become a matter of life and death for people who are unable to access essential healthcare information".
It is threatening to become the new face of inequality, reinforcing the social and economic disadvantages suffered by women and girls, the elderly and the young , ethnic minorities, socio-economically disadvantaged people, people with disabilities and people in particular situations such as prisoners, protected adults and asylum seekers.

Today, access to the internet and the material means required in order to be able to use it and 4 .
proficiency in basic digital tools have become fundamental needs; digital exclusion is a major barrier to equality.

Lack of access to digital technologies prevents those concerned from accessing public services, education and many of the opportunities that life has to offer.

Awareness of this must spur us to act now to adopt a truly inclusive approach to the digital realm.

5.
5.

People already suffering from inequality and discrimination and struggling to make their voices heard are left even more exposed by the digital divide.

As policy makers, we stand at a crossroads today: we can either continue to let technologies exacerbate exi sting disparities, or harness these technologies to build a safer, more sustainable, more equitable future for all.

6.

The digital transition cannot take place without State support.
In order to ensure equal access to rights in an increasingly digitalised world, States must take steps to combat digital illiteracy and to provide effective support to all those who are not proficient, or not yet sufficiently proficient, in digital technologies.
They must guarantee equal access for all to education and careers in science, technology, engineering and mathematics, and see to it that everyone has access to the infrastructure and tools needed in order to fully exercise their rights and participate in society on an equal footing.

They must ensure that digital technologies, tools and services that are essential to citizens' lives remain affordable for their users and that efforts are made to limit their environmental impact.
As it can prove particularly difficult for some children with disabilities to follow online education, States must provide the tools and mechanisms necessary to ensure that these children enjoy equal and unhindered access to such education, particularly in times of crisis.

1.

Assembly debate on 23 June 2023 (19th sitting) (see Doc.

15776, report of the Committee on Equality and Non- Discrimination, rapporteur: Ms Edite Estrela).

Text adopted by the Assembly on 23 June 2023 (19th sitting).
htt~ :llfJ..!ce.coe.int ill!]

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1!1 Resolution 2510 (2023) 7.

The Parliamentary Assembly further underlines that authorities have a special responsibility in this area when they themselves set about digitalising public services.
In fact, while objectives such as rationalising administrative costs, simplifying the management of casefiles or improving the efficiency or speed with which cases are processed may be legitimate, under no circumstances should those who do not have ready access to digital technologies be left behind in the pursuit of those goals.

To do so would deprive them of access to their rights and constitute an infringement of the obligation to ensure continuity of public services.

8.
8.

The Assembly refers to the texts which it has already adopted and which provide important solutions in this area, in particular Resolution 2256 (2019) "Internet governance and human rights", Resolution 2343 (2020) "Preventing discrimination caused by the use of artificial intelligence" and Resolution 2144 (2017) "Ending cyberdiscrimination and online hate".

It also draws States' attention to General Recommendation No.
1 of the Council of Europe Expert Group on Action against Violence against Women and Domestic Violence (GREVIO) on the digital dimension of violence against women, which contains crucial recommendations for governments, to ensure that the measures they take to implement the Council of Europe Convention on preventing and combating violence against women and domestic violence (GETS No.

210, "Istanbul Convention") fully reflect the digital dimension of the situations covered by the Istanbul Convention.

9.
In the light of these considerations, and in order to remedy the inequalities that already exist in this area and prevent them from deepening further, the Assembly calls on Council of Europe member and observer States, as well as on all States whose parliaments enjoy partner for democracy status to: 9.1. treat all policies for combating the digital divide as a priority; focus in these policies on making digital technologies, tools and services inclusive, equitable, 9.2. accessible, affordable and safe for all; 9.3. provide strong, structured and sustainable support to local initiatives that seek to achieve these aims, in order to avoid leaving behind all those who do not know how to use digital technologies, or who do not want to; 9.4. ensure that policies to combat the digital divide are accompanied by adequate funding; 9.5. subject these policies to regular scrutiny by national parliaments; remove any obstacles that prevent some children with disabilities from enjoying equal access to 9.6. education when the latter is based on digital tools and technologies.
10.
As regards the development of mobile telephone and high or very high speed internet services, the Assembly, referring to Resolution 2256 (2019) mentioned above, recommends that States: implement national public investment policies which are coherent, w ith the objective of ensuring 1 0.1. universal access to the internet; 1 0.2. aim in particular to remedy geographical imbalances (for example between urban and rural or remote areas); 1 0.3. implement policies for deploying networks that make it possible to achieve this objective.
11 .

As regards combating digital illiteracy and ensuring access to education and careers in science, technology, engineering and mathematics, the Assembly calls on States to: 11.1 .
consider the provision of digital training for everyone, regardless of gender, age, social status, economic situation, disability and any other personal characteristic, as an investment; 11.2. promote access for all to studies and careers in science, information technology, engineering and mathematics, along the lines already set out by the Assembly in Resolution 2343 (2020) mentioned above; 11.3. provide continuing training and make it accessible, so that the entire population can enjoy the benefits of digital tools; 11.4. ensure equal access to seed funding, venture capital funding and the acquisition of business skills in the field of digital technologies.
2 Resolution 2510 (2023) 12.
As regards the digitalisation of public services, and bearing in mind that exercising rights online requires the user to have, inter alia, an adequate internet connection, device, storage capacity, operating system and paid-up subscription, and public services to have correctly functioning devices, servers and tools that take into account the full variety of situations of all potential users, the Assembly calls on States to: 12.1. move from a logic of 100% digital public services to a logic of 100% accessibility of these services, including through maintaining non-digital access to public services wherever necessary to ensure equality of access to and continuity of public services and their adaptation to users; take into account, from the first steps in designing any new online service, the needs of and 12.2. obstacles faced by all potential users of the service, in order to guarantee equal access for all; 12.3. ensure that individuals always have access to proper support in carrying out their administrative procedures, not only to complete and submit online forms but also to get advice from public service staff able to answer specialised questions about the rights and procedures in question ; 12.4. develop free internet access points as well as services to support individuals in carrying out their administrative procedures online; 12.5. promote the development of a chain of production, reuse and repai r of digital devices and tools, provided that they work properly and are available at an affordable price; 12.6. guarantee to each individual the possibility of correcting, through simple and accessible procedures, any error in the data concerning them and in procedures carried out online.
13.

With around 3.6 billion people in the world having no access to internet, the Assembly further considers that States must take into account in development aid measures the importance of reducing the digital divide as a means of facilitating the achievement of the Sustainable Development Goals.

3 t Parliamentary Assembly Assemblee parlementaire '--"...,~ ==--~//.// =-- ....

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!,•I!Inillilllm·•----------------- CONSEI L DE t:EUROPE AS/Jur/DH (2023) OJ 03 6 June 2023 ajdhoj03 2023 Sub-Committee on Human Rights Committee on Legal Affairs and Human Rights Draft Agenda for the meeting to be held in Strasbourg (Palais de I'Europe): Tuesday 20 June from 8.30- 9.15 am (Room 8) This draft agenda, addressed to full members of the Sub-Committee and their alternates, is the convocation to the meeting Copy to secretaries of delegations and political groups Meeting documents will be published on PACE Apps (restricted access) 1.
Agenda [AS/Jur/DH (2023) OJ 03] Adoption of the agenda 2.

Minutes [AS/Jur/DH (2023) PV 02] Approval of the minutes of the meeting held in Strasbourg on 25 April 2023 3.
European Committee for the Prevention of Torture (CPT) [AS/Bur(2023)31 , 32, 33, 34, 35, 37,36 Rec 1323 (1997), Res 1248 (2001), Res 1540 (2007), Res 1808 (2011), Res 2160 (2017) Extract of the European Convention for the Prevention of Tortu re CPT note] Consideration of candidates to the CPT in respect of the Slovak Republic, Iceland, North Macedonia, Montenegro, Andorra, Ireland and Azerbaijan.

4.

Other business 5.


Next meeting During the Assembly's 4th part-session of 2023 (9 - 13 October 2023) Parliamentary Assembly Assemblee parlementaire ~~~ ~~/.//// ~ c:::1j'II1'!

'JJl assem .coe.1nt CONSEIL DE !
:EUROPE AS/Cult (2023) OJ 05 rev 16 June 2023 AAC OJ05_23 Committee on Culture, Science, Education and Media Draft agenda of the meeting to be held in Strasbourg, Palais de I' Europe, on: Monday 19 June 2023 from 1 pm to 2 pm (Room 8) Tuesday 20 June 2023 from 11 am to 12.30 pm (Room 10) Thursday 22 June 2023 from 10.30 am to 12.30 pm (Room 6) This draft agenda, addressed to members of the committee and their alternates, is the convocation to the meeting Copy to Secretaries of national delegations, of observer and partner for democracy delegations and of political groups Meeting documents will be published on PACE Apps (restricted access) Monday 19 June 2023 from 1 pm to 2 pm (Room 8) 1.
Draft agenda [AS/Cult (2023) OJ 05rev] Adoption of the agenda 2.

Minutes [AS/Cult (2023) PV 03 Add; AS/Jur-Cult (2023) PV 01] Approval and declassification of the separate minutes of the meeting held in Strasbourg on 25 and 27 April 2023, on: • Hearing on "Excluding the athletes and officials of the Russian Federation and Belarus from participating in the international Olympic movement"; Joint hearing on "Threats to life and safety of journalists and human rights defenders in Azerbaijan "; • 3.
Declaration of absence of conflict of interests1 Ms Nina Kasimati (Greece, UEL) rapporteur on ''The role of sites of remembrance: places of commemoration and education for democratic citizenship" (Doc.

15471) Mr Asim Mollazada (Azerbaijan, EC/DA), substitute to the European Commission against Racism and Intolerance- ECRI Ms Foteini Pipili (Greece, EPP/CD), representative to the Europa Nostra - Pan-European Federation for Heritage 4.
Urgent debate procedure: "War of aggression against Ukraine- Participation of Russian and Belarusian athletes in the Paris 2024 Olympics?
"2 Rapporteur: Ms Linda Hofstad Helleland (Norway, EPP/CD) [AS/Cult (2023) 08] Exchange of views with the participation of Mr Bj0rn Berge, Deputy Secretary General of the Council of Europe and adoption of a draft resolution and approval of a report for the urgent debate procedure 1 This point can be treated at any time 2 Subject to a decision by the Assembly f - 67075 StniStiOOra ceaex 1 asse AS/Cult (2023) OJ 05rev Tuesday 20 June 2023 from 11 am to 12.30 pm (Room 10) 5.
Joint hearing (open to the public) on "SLAPPs as a threat to media pluralism and measures implemented to counteract them" with the Committee on the Honouring of Obligations and Commitments by Member States of the Council of Europe (Monitoring Committee) With the participation of: Mr Pier Luigi Parcu, Director, Centre for Media Pluralism and Med ia Freedom, European University Institute, Florence, Italy Ms Giulia Lucchese, Media and Internet Governance Division, Information Society Department, Directorate General of Human Rights and Rule of Law, Council of Europe Mr Stefan Schennach , rapporteur on "Countering SLAPPS: an imperative for a democratic society", Committee on Culture, Science, Education and Media Thursday 22 June 2023 from 10.30 am to 12.30 pm (Room 6) 6.
Urgent debate procedure: "War of aggression against Ukraine- Participation of Russian and Belarusian athletes in the Paris 2024 Olympics?"

Rapporteur: Ms Linda Hofstad Helleland (Norway, EPP/CD) [Doc.

15795] Debate in the Assembly: Thursday 22 June afternoon (to be confirmed) Deadline for amendments: Wednesday 21 June at 4 pm (to be confirmed) Consideration of amendments to the draft resolution 7.
Hearing (open to the public) on: Countering the erasure of cultural identity in war and peace Rapporteur: Ms Yevheniia Kravchuk, Ukraine, ALOE [Doc.

15564] and Online education and special education needs of children with disabilities and learning difficulties Rapporteur: Mr Pavlo Sushko, Ukraine, ECIDA [Doc.
1544 7] With the participation of experts: Mr Sergii Gorbachov, Education Ombudsman, Ukraine (online) Mr Viktor Pendalchuk, Principal of Kakhovka's secondary school N21 , Kherson region, Ukraine (online) Ms Lesia Prokhorenko, Director of Mykola Yarmachenko Institute for Special Pedagogy and Psychology, NAPS of Ukraine (online) Ms Oksana Yakymiv, Director of the Vygoda Special School of the lvano-Frankivsk Regional Council, Ukraine (online) 2 AS/Cult (2023) OJ 05rev 8.
Committee work programme' [AS/Cult (2023) 01 ; AS/Cult/lnf (2023) 01] 8.1 References to the committee and appointment of rapporteurs 8.1.1 Appointment of new rapporteurs • The role of youth in revitalising democracy (Doc.

15756)3 8.1.2 Consultation of the committee • Socialising at schools, a means for students' well-being (Doc.
15702) 8.2 Reports on recent meetings 8.3 Approval of rapporteurs' fact-finding visits 8.4 Appointment of representatives for forthcoming events • Ad hoc committee for participation in a Side Event "Decent work: building a sustainable future" the High-Level Political Forum on Sustainable Development (United Nations Headquarters, New York, 18 July 2023,} • Ad hoc committee for participation in the launch of the Council of Europe Campaign for Safety of Journalists (Riga, 5-6 October 2023) • Ad hoc committee of the Bureau of the Assembly to participate in the World Forum for Democracy on "Democracy= Peace?"
(Strasbourg , 6-8 November 2023) 8.5 Requests or information from rapporteurs 8.6 Draft motions for a resolution and a recommendation 8.

7 Sub-committees 9.

Composition of the sub-committees' [AS/Cult (2023) 02] Approval of changes in the composition of the sub-committees 10.

Other business 11 .

Next meetings 41h part-session 2023 (9-13 October 2023) 4-5 December 2023, Paris 3 Subject to reference by the Bureau.
3 Assemblee parlementaire t Parliamentary Assembly ~ s1iJffiBll!f• -1mB· l!l·~· Iilii------------------- CONSE IL DE !
:EUROPE ~-~ =--"~///../ AS/Mon (2023) OJ 05 REV 2 19 June 2023 amonoj05 REV 2_2023 Committee on the Honouring of Obligations and Commitments by Member States of the Council of Europe (Monitoring Committee) Revised draft agenda 2 of the meeting to be held in camera in STRASBOURG on: -Tuesday, 20 June 2023, from 10.30 am to 11.00 am (room 10) -Tuesday, 20 June 2023, from 11.00 am to 12.30 pm (room 10) -Wednesday, 21 June 2023, from 10.30 am to 11.30 am (room 9) -Thursday, 22 June 2023, from 8.30 am to 9.30 am (room 11) This draft agenda, addressed to members of the Committee, is the convocation to the meeting.
It also constitutes the invitations foreseen in Resolution 1115 (1997) , paragraph 10 ("When a monitoring procedure is initiated , two members of the parliamentary delegation of the member State concerned (to represent the governing majority and the opposition) shall be invited to take part, without the right to vote, in the relevant debates of the Committee unless one or both are already represented on the Committee.
By analogy with Rule 6, paragraph 8, no member of the parliamentary delegation of the member State concerned shall participate in a vote on any question concerning this State.").

Copy to Secretaries of national delegations and of political groups.

Meeting documents will be published on PACE Apps (restricted access).

Tuesday, 20 June 2023, from 10.30 am to 11.00 am (room 10) 1.

Draft agenda [AS/Mon (2023) OJ 05 REV 2] Adoption of the revised draft agenda 2 2.

3.
Draft minutes [AS/Mon (2023) PV 04] [AS/Mon/lnf (2023) 1 0] Approval of the draft minutes of the meeting held on 30 May 2023 The honouring of membership obligations to the Council of Europe by Poland Co-rapporteurs: Ms Azadeh Rojhan, Sweden, SOC and Mr Pieter Omtzigt, Netherlands, EPPICD [Letter from the co-rapporteurs to the Chairperson of the Polish Delegation - 6.06.2023] Consideration of a request to the Venice Commission for an urgent opinion on the Law on the State Commission to investigate Russian influence on the internal security of the Republic of Poland between 2007 and 2022 F - 67075 Strasbourg Cedex 1 asmon@coe.int 1 Tel: + 33 3 88 41 29 05 AS/Mon (2023) OJ 05 REV 2 • 4.
The honouring of obligations and commitments by the Republic of Moldova Co-rapporteurs: Mr Pierre-Aiain Fridez, Switzerland, SOC and .. .

Appointment of a rapporteur to replace Ms lnese LTbiQa-Egnere (Latvia, EPP/CD) Tuesday, 20 June 2023, from 11.00 am to 12.30 pm (room 1 0) 5.
Joint hearing with the Committee on Culture, Science, Education and Media on SLAPPs as a threat to media pluralism and measures implemented to counteract them (public meeting) Joint hearing with the participation of: · Mr Pier Luigi Parcu, Director, Centre for Media Pluralism and Media Freedom, European University Institute, Florence, Italy · Ms Giulia Lucchese, Media and Internet Governance Division, Information Society Department, Directorate General of Human Rights and Rule of Law, Council of Europe · Mr Stefan Schennach, rapporteur of the Committee on Culture, Science, Education and Media on "Countering SLAPPs: an imperative for a democratic society" Wednesday, 21 June 2023, from 10.30 am to 11.30 am (room 9) 6.
Joint hearing with the Committee on Political Affairs and Democracy on the financing of political parties (public meeting) Joint hearing with the participation of: · Ms Julia Cage, Associate Professor of Economics, Sciences Po Paris (online) · Mr Nicos Alivizatos (Greece), Member of the European Commission for Democracy through Law (Venice Commission) · Ms Sophie Meudai-Leenders, Senior Legal Adviser, Secretariat of the Group of States against Corruption (GRECO), Council of Europe Thursday, 22 June 2023, from 8.30 am to 9.30 am (room 11) 7.
The honouring of obligations and commitments by Georgia Co-rapporteurs: Mr Claude Kern, France, ALOE and Ms Edite Estre/a, Portugal, SOC Consideration of a request to the Venice Commission for opinion on draft amendments to the organic Law on Common Courts 8.
Post-monitoring dialogue with Montenegro Co-rapporteurs: Mr Oamien Cottier, Switzerland, ALOE and Mr Nicos Tornaritis, Cyprus, EPPI CD [Statement by international observers] Exchange of views on recent developments following the parliamentary elections (1 1 June 2023) with Mr Reinhold Lopatka (Austria, EPP/CD) , Chairperson of the ad hoc Committee of the Bureau 9.
The honouring of obligations and commitments by Azerbaijan Co-rapporteurs: Mr /an Liddell-Grainger, United Kindgom, ECIOA and Ms Lise Christoffersen, Norway, soc [Final programme] [Statement by the co-rapporteurs] Oral report by the co-rapporteurs of their fact-finding visit to Azerbaijan (4-6 June 2023) 2 AS/Mon (2023) OJ 05 RE V 2 10.
Post-monitoring dialogue with Bulgaria Co-rapporteurs: Ms Th6rhildur Sunna 1Evarsd6ttir, Iceland, SOC and Ms Marfa Valentina Martinez Ferro, Spain, EPP/CO Exchange of views on recent developments 11. h Council of Europe Heads of State and Government Summit (Reykjavik -16-17 May 2023) 41 [Declaration] Exchange of views on the follow-up to the 41h Summit (continued) 12.

Post-monitoring dialogue with North Macedonia Co-rapporteurs: Ms Sibel Arslan, Switzerland, SOC and ...
Appointment of a rapporteur to replace Ms Ria Oomen-Ruijten (Netherlands, EPP/CD) 13.

World Forum for Democracy on "Democracy= peace?"

(Strasbourg, 6-8 November 2023) [Concept Note] Designation of members to the ad hoc Committee of the Bureau to partici pate in the Forum 14.

Authorisation of fact-finding visits 15.

Other business Monitoring Committee: Work overview [AS/Mon/lnf (2023) 09] 16.
Next meetings - Paris, 13 September 2023 - Strasbourg , 9-13 October 2023 [during the Assembly part-session] Paris, 13 December 2023 3 t Parliamentary Assembly Assemblee parlementaire :..:>-~ ~~.//.// ~ ~ ~j'!Ul]J/.mmil.lli''l!llH4rn:i•I¥ZIIIIillol - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - · CONSEIL DE !
:EUROPE AS/Jur (2023) OJ 05 Rev 2 19 June 2023 ajoj05 2023 Rev 2 Committee on Legal Affairs and Human Rights Draft Agenda for the meetings to be held in Strasbourg (Palais de I' Europe) on: -[Tuesday 20 June 2023 at 8.30am-9.15am (Room 8]1 -Tuesday 20 June 2023 at 9.15am-1 0.30am (Room 8) -Wednesday 21 June 2023 at 10.30am-12.30pm (Room 10) This draft agenda, addressed to full members of the Committee and their alternates, is the convocation to the meeting Copy to secretaries of delegations and political groups Meeting documents will be published on PACE Aoos (restricted access) [Tuesday 20 June 2023 at 08.30am-09.
15am (Room 8) - meeting of the Sub Committee on Human Rights - for information] Tuesday 20 June 2023 at 9.15am-1 0.30am (Room 8) 1.

Agenda [AS/Jur (2023) OJ 05 Rev 2] Adoption of the agenda 2.

Minutes [AS/Jur (2023) PV 03 and PV 04] Approval of the minutes of the meeting held during the April part-session, 24-28 April 2023 and of the meeting held on 22-23 May 2023 in Larnaca, Cyprus 1 The Sub-Committee on Human Rights will meet on Tuesday 20 June 2023 from 08.30-09.15am to examine CPT lists.
AS/Jur (2023) OJ 05 Rev 2 3.

UK reform of its human rights legislation: consequences for domestic and European Human Rights protection Rapporteur: Mr Kamal Jafarov, Azerbaijan, EC/DA [Doc.

15782 + amendments] Consideration of amendments to the draft resolution 4.
The right to freedom of information: ensuring access to historical documents Rapporteur: Ms Klotilda Bushka, Albania, SOC [AS/Jur(2023) 14] Exchange of views with Mr Boriss Cilevics, former Chairperson of the Committee on Legal Affairs and Human Rights 5.

6.

Appointment of a General Rapporteur on the situation of human rights defenders (AS/Jur/lnf (2022) 09] References transmitted to the committee [AS/Jur/lnf (2023) 08 -Appointment procedure document AS/Jur/lnf (2023) 19 -Rapporteur table Doc.

15728 Doc.
15728 Doc.

15720 Doc.

157711 1 Appointment of a Rapporteur for a report: Resolution 2494 (2023) Implementation of judgments of the European Court of Human Rights (Bureau decision) Call for Rapporteur: Commemorating the 901h anniversary of the Holodomor of 1932-1933 in Ukraine (Doc.

15728) On private military companies, mercenaries, foreign fighters and their impact on human rights (Doc.
15771) Reference for inclusion in other reports: The need to designate the Russian "Wagner Group" as a terrorist organization (Doc.

15720) - to be taken into account in the framework of the report on "Legal and human rights aspects of the Russian Federation's aggression against Ukraine 7.

Replies from the Committee of Ministers to recommendations emanating from the Committee [AS/Jur (2023) 18, Doc.
15725] Reply by the Committee of Ministers to Recommendation 2223 (2022) on "Ending enforced disappearances on the territory of the Council of Europe" 8.

World Forum for Democracy [Concept note] Proposal of members to the ad hoc committee of the Bureau attending the World Forum on Democracy on 6-8 November 2023 in Strasbourg 2 AS/Jur (2023) OJ 05 Rev 2 9.
Participation of members in conferences, meetings, seminars etc [AS/Jur/lnf(2023)21 -report by Mr Titus Corlatean , Romania, SOC] Reports by the following representatives: 94th plenary meeting of the Group of States against Corruption (GRECO), Strasbourg, 5 to 9 June 2023: Mr Titus Corlatean, Romania, SOC 771h meeting of the Venice Commission's Council for Democratic Elections, Venice (Italy) 8 June 2023 : Mr Davor lvo Stier, Croatia, EPP/CD) 1351h European Commission for Democracy through Law (Venice Commission), Venice (Italy) 9- 10 June 2023: Mr Sergiy Vlasenko, Ukraine, EPP/CD Wednesday 21 June 2023 at 10.30am-12.30pm (Room 10) 10.
Sub-Committee on Human Rights [AS/Jur/DH (2023) OJ 03] Report by the Chairperson of the Sub-Committee on the meeting held on Tuesday 20 June 2023 11.
References transmitted to the committee [AS/Jur/lnf (2023) 08- Appointment procedure document AS/Jur/lnf (2023) 19 - Rapporteur table] Appointment of a Rapporteur for an opinion: Transmission by the Committee of Ministers for consultation on the application for membership set out in the letter of 12 May 2022 addressed to the Secretary General of the Council of Europe (document DD(2022)200}, in line with Statutory Resolution (51 ) 30 (Bureau decision) (Reference to the Committee on Political Affairs and Democracy for report (for the preparation of the statutory Opinion to the Committee of Ministers on the application for membership)) 12.
Allegations of systemic torture and inhuman or degrading treatment or punishment in places of detention in Council of Europe member States Rapporteur: Mr Constantinos Efstathiou, Cyprus, SOC [AS/Jur (2023) 21] Consideration of a draft report and adoption of a draft resolution 13.

Sanctions of persons on the "Kara-Murza list" Rapporteur: Mr Eerik-Niiles Kross, Estonia, ALOE [AS/Jur(2023) 19] Consideration of an introductory memorandum 14.
Towards a transparency register within the Parliamentary Assembly Rapporteur: Ms Azadeh Rojhan, Sweden, SOC [AS/Jur (2023) 20] Consideration of an introductory memorandum 3 AS/Jur (2023) OJ 05 Rev 2 15.

Vaclav Havel Human Rights Prize 2023: call for nominations [Vaclav Havel Human Rights Prize website [AS/Jurllnf (2023) 03 Press release 2023 ) 16.

Hearings during the next meeting 17.

Other business Sub-Committees -proposals by the Danish, Swiss and Andorran delegations 18.
Transnational repression as a growing threat to the rule of law and human rights Rapporteur: Sir Christopher Chope, United Kingdom, ECIDA [Doc.

15787 + amendments] Consideration of amendments to the draft resolution and to the draft recommendation 19.

Next meetings Plenary Committee: - - - 8 September 2023, Paris Office during the Assembly's 41h part-sess ion of 2023 (9-13 October 2023) 1 December 2023, Paris Office (t.b.c.)
4 ~ Parliamentary Assembly ~~ Assemblee parlementaire ~~ ~ ..,..,..., ~ dilii!mll!

!• -1mllmllmll __ _ _________________ CONSEIL DE I.'
EUROPE AS/Mig (2023) OJ 05 REV 2 20 June 2023 Committee on Migration, Refugees and Displaced Persons Revised 2 draft agenda This draft agenda, addressed to full members of the Committee and their alternates, is the convocation to the meeting Copy to secretaries of delegations and political groups Meeting documents will be published on PACE Apps (restricted access) of the meetings to be held in Strasbourg, Palais de I' Europe, on: - Monday 19 June 2023, from 13:00 to 14:00, room 11; - Tuesday 20 June 2023, from 8:30 to 10:30, room 11; - Wednesday 21 June 2023, from 11:30 to 12:30, joint meeting with the Committee on Political Affairs and Democracy, room 9; - Thursday 22 June 2023, from 8:30 to 10:30, room 8; A. Monday 19 June 2023, from 13:00 to 14:00, room 11 1.
2.

3.

4.
Agenda [AS/Mig (2023) OJ 05 REV 2] Adoption of the agenda Minutes [AS/Mig (2023) PV 03, AS/Mig (2023) PV 04] Approval of the minutes of the meetings held during the second part session in Strasbourg Approval of the minutes of the meeting held on 11 May in Paris Statement by the Chairperson of the Committee Possible debate under urgent procedure on "Ensuring free and safe access through the Lachin Corridor" (t.b.c, subject to a decision by the Assembly) Rapporteur: Mr Paul Gavan, Ireland, UEL [AS/Mig (2023) 13 REV] Consideration of a revised draft report and adoption of a draft resolution and a draft recommendation 5.
Health and social protection of undocumented workers or those in an irregular situation Rapporteur for opinion: Ms Arusyak Julhakyan, Armenia, EPPICD [Doc.

15784, AS/Mig (2023) 11 REV] Consideration and approval of a revised draft opinion B. Tuesday 20 June 2023, from 8:30 to 10:30, room 11 6.

Addressing the specific challenges faced by the Belarusians in exile Rapporteur : Mr Paul Galles, Luxembourg, EPPICD [Doc.
15783 + amendments] F.-610 ~I AS/Mig (2023) OJ 05 REV 2 • Consideration of possible amendments tabled to the draft resolution Deadline for tabling amendments: Friday 16 June, 14:30 Debate in the Assembly will take place on Tuesday 20 June, afternoon • Exchange of views with Mr Valery Kavaleuski, Representative for Foreign Affairs, Deputy Head of the United Transitional Cabinet of Belarus 7.

8.
8.

Integration of migrants and refugees: benefits for all parties involved Rapporteur : Mr Domagoj Hajdukovic, Croatia, SOC [Doc.

15785 +amendments] Consideration of possible amendments tabled to the draft resolution Deadline for tabling amendments: Monday 19 June, 14:30 Debate in the Assembly will take place on Wednesday 21 June, afternoon Social inclusion of migrants, refugees and internally displaced persons through sport Rapporteur : Ms Nigar Arpadarai, Azerbaijan, EC!DA [Doc.
15786 +amendments] Consideration of possible amendments tabled to the draft resolution Deadline for tabling amendments: Monday 19 June, 14:30 Debate in the Assembly will take place on Wednesday 21 June, afternoon 9.
Appointment of representatives for forthcoming events: o Ad hoc committee of the Bureau of the Assembly to participate in a Side Event (to be confirmed subject to the agreement of the UN) "Decent work: building a sustainable future" at the High-Level Political Forum on Sustainable Development (18 July 2023, United Nations Headquarters, New York) [Concept paper AS/Soc/lnf (2023) 05] o Ad hoc committee of the Bureau of the Assembly to participate in the World Forum for Democracy on "Democracy = Peace?"
(Strasbourg, 6-8 November 2023) [Concept Note] o Ad hoc committee of the Bureau of the Assembly to participate in the Council of Europe Campaign for the Safety of Journalists (Riga, 5-6 October 2023) 10.

"Hope away from home: A world where refugees are always included", video, Council of Europe, UNHCR Screening of the video C. Wednesday 21 June, from 11:30 to 12:30, joint meeting with the Committee on Political Affairs and Democracy, room 9 (open to the public) 11.
Follow-up to Assembly Resolutions 2433 (2022) and 2473 (2022)1 Hearing on issues confronting Russians in exile, with the participation of: Mr Gennady Gudkov, Deputy of the State Duma of 3, 4, 5, and 6 convocations; Deputy Chairman of the Security Committee (2001-2012); Leader of the People's Party of Russia (2003-2008); Chairman of the NGO "For Free Russia" Ms Karinna Moskalenko, Russian lawyer; founder of the Centre de Ia Protection lnternationale 1 In its Resolution 2433 (2022) "Consequences of the Russian Federation's continued aggression against Ukraine: role and response of the Council of Europe", the Assembly resolved "to intensify its engagement with Belarusian and Russian civil society, human rights defenders, independent journalists, academia and democratic forces respecting the values and principles of the Organisation, including the territorial integrity of sovereign member States" (paragraph 18.2).
Subsequently, in its Resolution 2473 (2022) "Strengthening the role of the Council of Europe as a cornerstone of the European political architecture", the Assembly called on Council of Europe member States to "consider new initiatives to support Russian human rights defenders, democratic forces, free media and independent civil society that respect the values and principles of the Council of Europe, including the territorial integrity of sovereign member States" (paragraph 15.7).

.
2 AS/Mig (2023) OJ 05 REV 2 Ms Ekaterina Shulman , Russian political scientist; publicist Ms Daria Belova, Chairman of the initiative to help refugees "in Transit"; representative of the Ark (Kovcheg) Also present: Ms Mariia Novikova, human rights lawyer; Secretary of the Russian Democratic Club in France Ms Elena Colombo, Co-founder of the Association for assistance to Russian asylum seekers in France (Russie-Asile) Mr Alexey Obolenets, lawyer and human rights defender D. Thursday 22 June 2023, from 8:30 to 10:30, room 8 12.
Debate under urgent procedure on "Ensuring free and safe access through the Lachin Corridor" Rapporteur: Mr Paul Gavan, Ireland, UEL [Doc.

15796 + amendments] Consideration of possible amendments tabled to the draft resolution and to the draft recommendation Deadline for tabling amendments: Wednesday 21 June, 14:30 Debate in the Assembly will take place on Thursday 22 June, afternoon 13.
Precarious and irregular work situations of migrant seasonal workers and domestic migrant workers Rapporteur: Ms Diana Stoica, Romania, ALOE (AS/Mig (2023) 12] Consideration of a draft report and adoption of a draft resolution 14.

Parliamentary Platform for the rights of LGBTI people in Europe (Brussels, Belgium, 22 May 2023) Statement by Mr Domagoj Hajdukovic (Croatia, SOC) on his participation in the event 15.
Turning 18 with confidence- Supporting migrant and refugee children in transition to adulthood (18 April 2023, Strasbourg) Statement by Mr Pierre-Aiain Fridez (Switzerland, SOC) on his participation in the event 16.
The theme of migration and asylum in the election campaign and the consequences on the welcoming and rights of migrants Rapporteur : Mr Pierre-Ala in Fridez, Switzerland, SOC Statement by Mr Pierre-Aiain Fridez (Switzerland , SOC) on his fact-finding mission to Sweden on 24-26 May 2023 Exchange of views with the participation of: • Ms Kristina Stenman , Finnish Non- Discrimination Ombudsman, European Network of Equality Bodies (EQUINET) 17.
Work programme [AS/Mig/WP (2023) 05, AS/Mig/lnf (2023) 01 REV 04] 3 AS/Mig (2023) OJ 05 REV 2 17.1.

Consideration of the work programme; 17.2.

Appointment of a rapporteur for report on: o The use of explosive weapons as a major driver of justified displacement [Doc.

15698] 18.

Ad hoc Sub-Committee to carry out a fact-finding visit to Calais (France) (subject to the authorisation by the Bureau of the Assembly) Approval of the revised list of members of the ad hoc Sub-Committee (t.b.c) • '-.

19.
19.

Composition of the Sub-Committees Changes in the composition of the Sub-Committees 20.

Other business 21.

Next meetings - Reykjavik (Iceland), 21-22 September 2023; - Strasbourg, during the fourth part-session 2023 of the Assembly (9-13 October); - Paris, 8 December 2023 (Council of Europe Office).
Others: - Bucharest (Romania), 30-31 October 2023, joint meeting of the Sub-Committee on Refugee and Migrant Children and Young People and of the Sub-Committee on Migrant Smuggling and Trafficking in Human Beings (subject to the authorisation of the Bureau) .

4 Assembh~e parlementaire t Parliamentary Assembly ~ .1illmJlrn• .EJI· ~·[lll· !IDI-------------------· CONSEIL DE !
:EUROPE -'~ ~~/././,/ AS/Ega (2023) OJ 05 rev2 21 June 2023 Committee on Equality and Non-Discrimination Draft agenda (revised 2) This draft agenda, addressed to full members of the Committee and their alternates, is the convocation to the meeting.

Copy to secretaries of delegations and political groups.
Meeting documents will be published on PACE Apps (restricted access) All items will be taken in the order in which they appear on the agenda, with the exception of those for which a precise time is indicated.

All hearings are public unless specified otherwise.
of the meetings to be held in Strasbourg, Palais de I' Europe, on: - Tuesday, 20 June 2023, from 10.30am to 12.30pm (room 6) - Thursday 22 June 2023, from 8.30am to 10.30am (room 7) (CEST) A. Tuesday, 20 June 2023, from 10.30am to 12.30pm (room 6) 1.

2.

3.

4.

Agenda [AS/Ega (2023) OJ 05 rev2] Adoption of the draft agenda.
Minutes [AS/Ega (2022) PV 03; AS/Ega/Alliance (2023) PV 01] - Approval of the draft minutes of the meeting of the committee held on 25 and 27 April 2023 in Strasbourg ; - Approval of the draft minutes of the meeting of the No Hate Parliamentary Alliance held on 8 May 2023 in Vienna.
Statement by the Chairperson of the Committee 251h anniversary of the entry into force of the Framework Convention for the Protection of National Minorities Exchange of views with Ms Petra Rater, President of the Advisory Committee on the Framework Convention.

5.

Institutional racism of law enforcement authorities against Roma and Travellers [at 11.45am] Rapporteur: Mr Jean-Pierre Grin (Switzerland, ALOE) Exchange of views with Ms Sarah Mann , Director, Friends, Families and Travellers, United Kingdom.
I Tel: + 33 3 88 4 AS/Ega (2023) OJ 05 rev2 6.

Follow-up to the Council of Europe 41 [AS/Ega/lnf (2023) 21; Declaration] h Summit (Reykjavik, 16-17 May 2023) • 9 7.

Work programme [AS/Ega/lnf (2023) 01 rev.3; AS/Ega/lnf (2023) 17] 7.1.

Consideration of the work programme 7.2.


Requests for extensions of references: - Promoting inclusive participation in parliamentary and political life (Rapporteur: Ms Maryna Sardina, Ukraine, ALOE); - The situation of national minorities in Ukraine (Rapporteur: Ms Elvira Kovacs, Serbia, EPP/CD).

7.3.
7.3.

Consideration of draft motions for resolutions with a view to their adoption by the Committee and for tabling on its behalf: - Sexual violence against men and boys [AS/Ega (2023) 13]; - Preventing and fighting gender-based discrimination in the field of health [AS/Ega (2023) 19].

7.4.

Appointment of rapporteurs for report on: - Overcoming age-based discrimination against older persons, motion for a resolution tabled by the Committee on Equality and Non-Discrimination [Doc.
15735]; - Global rules to eliminate all forms of religious oppression, motion for a resolution tabled by Mr Gerardo Giovagnoli and other members of the Assembly [Doc.

15700].

7.5.

Appointment of a rapporteur for opinion on: - The situation in Iran, motion for a resolution, tabled by Mr Max Lucks and other members of the Assembly [Doc.

15688] (Rapporteur of the Committee on Political Affairs and Democracy: Mr Max Lucks, Germany , SOC).

7.6.
7.6.

Reference to the committee for opinion on: - Transmission by the Committee of Ministers for consultation on the application for membership set out in the letter of 12 May 2022 addressed to the Secretary General of the Council of Europe (document 00(2022)200) , in line with Statutory Resolution (51) 30, decision of the Bureau.

7.7.
7.7.

Reference to the committee for information: - Call for a change on rules relating to gender quota , motion for a resolution tabled by Ms Nicole Hochst and other members of the Assembly [Doc.

157 49].

8.

Sub-Committees [Lists] Approval of modifications in the composition of the Sub-Committees.

9.
9.

Council of Europe Campaign for the Safety of Journalists (Riga, 5-6 October 2023) Appointment of one or two members to the Ad Hoc Committee of the Bureau of the Assembly to participate in the Council of Europe Campaign for the Safety of Journalists, wh ich will take place in Riga, on 5-6 October 2023 (at ni:J cost to the Assembly).

10.
10.

World Forum for Democracy (Strasbourg, 6-8 November 2023) [Concept note] Appointment of members to the Ad Hoc Committee of the Bureau of the Assembly to participate in the World Forum for Democracy, which will take place in Strasbourg from 6 to 8 November 2023 and which will be dedicated to the theme "Democracy= Peace?"

(at no cost to the Assembly).

2 AS/Ega (2023) OJ 05 rev2 11.


Meeting of the Committee in Marrakesh, Morocco (14 and 15 September 2023) [AS/Egallnf (2023) 13] [AS/Ega/lnf (2023) 20] Consideration of a draft programme of the meeting and practical information.

B. Thursday 22 June 2023, from 8.30 to 10.30am (room 7) 12.

Closing the digital divide: promoting equal access to digital technologies Rapporteur: Ms Edite Estrela (Portugal, SOC) [ Doc.

15776, amendments] Consideration of possible amendments to the draft resolution.
Deadline for tabling amendments: Wednesday 21 June 2023 at 10am.

Debate in the Assembly will take place on Friday 23 June at 10am.

13.

Women in the economy: employment, entrepreneurship and gender budgeting Rapporteur: Ms Sena Nur c;elik (TOrkiye, NR) [AS/Ega (2023) 07] Consideration of an information memorandum.

14.
14.

Protecting the human rights and improving the lives of sex workers and victims of sexual exploitation Rapporteur: Ms Margreet De Boer (Netherlands, SOC) [AS/Ega (2023) 20] Consideration of an information memorandum.

15.

Preventing and combating violence against women with disabilities Rapporteur: Ms Beatrice Fresko-Rolfo (Monaco, ALOE) [AS/Ega/lnf (2023) 22] Communication by the Rapporteur.

16.
16.

Appointment of representatives (subject to the availability of funds) [CDADI(2023)3] Invitation to Ms Petra Bayr (Austria, SOC) to participate in the 71h Plenary Meeting of the Steering Committee on Anti-Discrimination, Diversity and Inclusion (CDADI) on 28 June 2023, in Strasbourg.

17.

Activities of the Parliamentary Network Women Free from Violence, the No Hate Parliamentary Alliance and the Parliamentary Platform for the rights of LGBTI people in Europe Communication by the General Rapporteurs.
18.

Reporting back Ms Beatrice Fresko-Rolfo (Monaco, ALOE) for her participation in the IDAHOT + Forum, hosted by the government of Iceland, on 11 May 2023 in Reykjavik.

19.

Other business 20.

Next meetings Committee: - Marrakesh, Morocco, 14-15 September 2023; - Strasbourg, during the fourth part-session 2023 of the Assembly (9-13 October); - Paris, 7 December 2023 (Council of Europe Office).

3 AS/Ega (2023) OJ 05 rev2 [at 9.30am] 4 • 21.


Freedom of expression and assembly of LGBTI people in Europe Rapporteur: Mr Christophe Lacroix (Belgium, SOC) Joint hearing with the Parliamentary Platform for the rights of LGBTI people in Europe, with the participation of: - Vladimir Simonko, Executive Director, LGL, Lithuania; - Florina Presada, Executive Director, Accept Romania; - Claire Vandendriessche, Spokesperson , Acceptess-T, France.
4 t Parliamentary Assembly Assembfee parlementaire ~~ ~ -'.-"///_.//_ / -~ / ~ di'ltrnJllliAmii'lmi· il!illl'JM!

!IOI!rit!#HIIIiiDn - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - CONSEil DE L'EUROPE 13 June 2023 Informal group Women@PACE Draft agenda for the meeting to be held in Strasbourg on Tuesday 20 June 2023, from i2h45 to i3h45 (room ii) p.m. refreshments will be served outside room 11 as from 12h30 1.

Opening of the meeting and adoption of the agenda 2.
Exchange of views with Ms Sviatlana Tsikhanouskaya, Leader of the Belarus democratic opposition , on women's political participation 3.

Other businesses 4.

Next meeting of the group: Tuesday , 1 0 October 2023 5.

Group photo at the end of the meeting This draft agenda, addressed to all women members of the Assembly, is the convocation to the meeting.

Copy for information to secretaries of political groups, secretaries of national delegations and of obse!Vers and partner for democracy delegations.
Parliamentary Assembly Assemblee parlementaire ~--~ ·~.//// ~- ~ ..-11J1'l]Jl/E.F.t.
'Rlml3ni· iili!l~MtKiim:l•''"illliill•i ____ __________ _ _ _ _ CONSEIL DE lEUROPE SECRETARIAT ASIJur (2023) CB 05 22 June 2023 To the members of the Committee on Legal Affairs and Human Rights Synopsis of the meeting held in Strasbourg on 20 and 21 June 2023 The Committee on Legal Affairs and Human Rights , meeting in Strasbourg on 20 and 21 June 2023 with Mr Damien Cottier (Switzerland, ALOE) in the Chair, • on Tuesday 20 June 2023 from 9.15am -10.30am, as regards, Minutes of the meeting held on 24-28 April 2023: agreed to declassify the minutes pertaining to the joint hearing held on the "Threats to life and safety of journalists and human rights defenders in Azerbaijan"; UK reform of its human rights legislation: consequences for domestic and European Human Rights protection (Rapporteur: Mr Kamal Jafarov, Azerbaijan, ECI DA): noted no amendments had been tabled to the draft resolution ; The right to freedom of information: ensuring access to historical documents (Rapporteur: Ms Kloti/da Bushka, Albania, SOC): held an exchange of views w ith Mr Boriss Cilevics, former Chairperson of the Committee on Legal Affairs and Human Rights; Appointment of a General Rapporteur on the situation of human rights defenders: appointed Mr Emanuelis Zingeris (Lithuania, EPP/CD) as General Rapporteur and heard from him a statement of no conflict of interest; References transmitted to the committee: -Appointment of a Rapporteur for a report: Implementation of judgments of the European Court of Human Rights- 12th report (Bureau decision): appointed Mr Constantinos Efstathiou (Cyprus, SOC) and heard from him a statement of no conflict of interest; - Call for Rapporteur: made a call for Rapporteur for the reports "Commemorating the 901h anniversary of the Holodomor of 1932-1933 in Ukraine" (Doc.
15728) and "Private military companies, mercenaries, foreign fighters and their impact on human rights" (Doc.

15771); - Reference for inclusion in other reports: agreed to take the reference on 'The need to designate the Russian "Wagner Group" as a terrorist organization " ( Doc.
15720) into account in the framework of the report on "Legal and human rights aspects of the Russian Federation's aggression against Ukraine" as proposed by the Bureau; Replies from the Committee of Ministers to recommendations emanating from the Committee: took note of the reply by the Committee of Ministers to Recommendation 2223 (2022) on "Ending enforced disappearances on the territory of the Council of Europe" and the Rapporteur's comments thereon ; ...._ ___ _ ,E:..;;-""'67075 StriiStiOUrg CiieliX assemb!v@co'eJ!nt 1 Jel: + 33 3 88 41 2000 I Fax: +33 3 88 4 1 2702 --~~---' • on Wednesday 21 June 2023 from 10.30am -12.30am, as regards: ,.
World Forum for Democracy: proposed Mr Constantinos Efstathiou (Cyprus, SOC), Mr Jean Pierre Grin (Switzerland, ALOE) and Mr Ziya Altunyaldiz (Turkiye, NR) to the ad hoc committee of the Bureau attending the World Forum on Democracy on 6-8 November 2023 in Strasbourg; Participation of members in conferences, meetings, seminars etc: took note of reports by the following representatives: Mr Titus Corlatean, Romania, SOC on the 94th plenary meeting of the Group of States against Corruption (GRECO), Strasbourg, 5-9 June 2023; Mr Davor lvo Stier, Croatia, EPP/CD on the 771h meeting of the Venice Commission's Council for Democratic Elections, Venice (Italy), 8 June 2023; Mr Sergiy Vlasenko, Ukraine, EPP/CD on the 135lh European Commission for Democracy through Law (Venice Commission), Venice (Italy) , 9-10 June 2023; Sub-Committee on Human Rights: took note of an oral report by the Chairperson of the Sub Committee on the meeting held on Tuesday 20 June 2023 and endorsed the proposals of the Sub-Committee concerning the lists of candidates to the European Committee for the Prevention ofTorture (CPT) submitted by the delegations of Iceland, North Macedonia, Montenegro, Andorra and Azerbaijan for transmission to the Bureau; References transmitted to the committee: - Appointment of a Rapporteur for an opinion: transmission by the Committee of Ministers for consultation on the application for membership set out in the letter of 12 May 2022 addressed to the Secretary General of the Council of Europe (document 00(2022)200), in line with Statutory Resolution (51) 30 (Bureau decision) ; appointed Ms Azadeh Rojhan (Sweden, SOC) and heard from her a statement of no conflict of interest; Allegations of systemic torture and inhuman or degrading treatment or punishment in places of detention in Council of Europe member States (Rapporteur: Mr Constantinos Efstathiou, Cyprus, SOC) : agreed to change the title of the report to "Allegations of systemic torture and inhuman or degrading treatment or punishment in places of detention in
 Europe "; considered a draft report and adopted a draft resolution ; noted the intention of Mr Ziya Altunyaldiz (Turkiye, NR) to submit a dissenting opinion; Sanctions of persons on the "Kara-Murza list" (Rapporteur: Mr Eerik-Nii/es Kross, Estonia, ALOE): considered and agreed to declassify an introductory memorandum and its appendices; agreed to a hearing with the following experts: Mr William Browder, the lead campaigner for the adoption of "Magnitsky laws", Mr Vadim Prokhorov, Vladimir Kara-Murza's lawyer and a representative of the investigative journalism consortium Belling cat, subject to the availability of funds; Towards a transparency register within the Parliamentary Assembly (Rapporteur: Ms Azadeh Rojhan, Sweden, SOC): considered an introductory memorandum, authorised the Rapporteur to carry out an online survey of civil society organisations and to hold a hearing at a future meeting with invited experts, subject to the availability of funds; Vaclav Havel Human Rights Prize 2023: made a call for nominations, noting the deadline of 30 June 2023; Hearings during the next meeting: agreed to hold the following hearings with invited experts at the next meeting, subject to the availability of funds, and that they be open to the public provided all invited speakers agree; 2 1) Reparation and reconciliation processes to overcome past conflicts and build a common peaceful future - the question of just and equal redress (Rapporteur: Lord Richard Keen, United Kingdom, EDI DA); 2) Legal and human rights aspects of the Russian Federation's aggression against Ukraine (this first hearing focusing on the Wagner group) (Rapporteur: Mr Davor lvo Stier, Croatia, EPPICD); Other business: - Sub-Committees: agreed to the following nominations: - Mr. Alexander Ryle (Denmark,ALDE) to become an alternate to Ms Mette Reissmann on the Sub-committee on Artificial Intelligence and Human Rights; - Mr Jean-Pierre Grin (Switzerland, ADLE) to replace Ms Carobbio Guscetti as titular
 member of the Sub-Committee on Human Rights; - Mr Cerni Escale (Andorra, NR) to become a titular member of the Sub-Committee on Artificial Intelligence and Human Rights; - Ms Etilda Gjonaj (Albania, SOC) to be added to the waiting lists as a titular member of the Sub-Committee on Human Rights and the Sub-Committee on the implementation of judgments of the European Court of Human Rights; Transnational repression as a growing threat to the rule of law and human rights (Rapporteur: Sir Christopher Chope, United Kingdom, ECI DA): took position on three amendments to the draft resolution; Next meetings: agreed that the interviews for the post of the Commissioner for Human Rights would be held at the end of the year before the plenary committee and not the Sub-Committee on Human Rights.
Plenary Committee: - - - - 8 September 2023, Paris Office during the Assembly's 41h part-session of 2023 (9-1 3 October 2023) 30 November 2023, afternoon, Paris Office or 2 December 2023, morning, Paris Office (t.b.c.)

1 December 2023, Paris Office (t.b.c.)


The Sub-Committee on Human Rights (of the Committee on Legal Affairs and Human Rights), meeting in Strasbourg on Tuesday 20 June 2023 at 8.30am, with Mr Kamal Jafarov, (Azerbaijan, EC/DA) in the Chair, as regards: ***** European Committee for the Prevention of Torture (CPT): considered the lists of candidates to the CPT in respect of Iceland, North Macedonia, Montenegro and Andorra.
Agreed on an order of preference amongst the candidates on each of those lists, With Ms Octavie Modert (Luxembourg, EPP/CD), Vice-Chairperson, in the Chair, as regards; European Committee for the Prevention of Torture (CPT) : considered the list of candidates to the CPT in respect of Azerbaijan.

Agreed on an order of preference amongst the candidates on this list, Next meeting: during the October 2023 part-session.
Gunter Schirmer, Guillem Cano-Palomares, Eleanor Hourigan, George Stafford, Laura Cestaro 3 .. cc: Secretary General of the Assembly Directors and all staff of the Secretariat of the Assembly Secretaries of National Delegations and of Political Groups of the Assembly Secretaries of observer and partner for democracy delegations Secretary General of the Congress Secretary to the Committee of Ministers Directors General Director of the Private Office of the Secretary General of the Council of Europe Director of the Office of the Commissioner for Human Rights Director of Communication Permanent Representations to the Council of Europe 4 t Parliamentary Assembly Assemblee parlementaire ~~ ~~ ////./ =z=- ~ st1i11liDIEJ.ImU1.ml.ll:·iilil.tril¥tlilhi_.
_____ __ _________ _ _ CONSEIL DE !
: EUROPE SECRETARIAT AS/Cult (2023) CB 05 23 June 2023 To the members of the Committee on Culture, Science, Education and Media Synopsis of the meeting held in Strasbouig on 19, 20 and 22 June 2023 The Committee on Culture, Science, Education and Media, meeting in Strasbourg on Monday 19 June 2023 from 1 pm to 2 pm, on Tuesday 20 April 2023 from 11 am to 12.30 pm and on Thursday 22 June 2023 from 10.30 am to 12.30 pm, with Ms Yevheniia Kravchuk (Ukraine, ALOE) and Mr Stefan Schennach (Austria, SOC) in the chair, Monday 19 June 2023 from 1 pm to 2 pm, as regards: Minutes: approved and declassified the separate minutes of the meeting held in Strasbourg on 25 and 27 April 2023, on: • Hearing on "Excluding the athletes and officials of the Russian Federation and Belarus from participating in the international Olympic movement"; Joint hearing on "Threats to life and safety of journalists and human rights defenders in Azerbaijan"; • Debate under urgent procedure: War of aggression against Ukraine - Participation of Russian and Belarusian athletes in the Paris 2024 Olympics?
(Rapporteur: Ms Linda Hofstad He/leland, Norway, EPPICD): held an exchange of views with the participation of Mr Bj0rn Berge, Deputy Secretary General of the Council of Europe; approved the rapporteur's request to change the title to War of aggression against Ukraine - Participation of Russian and Belarusian athletes in the Paris 2024 Olympics and the Paralympics?
; took note of the explanatory memorandum, then unanimously adopted a draft resolution, thereby approving the report; Tuesday 20 June 2023 from 11 am to 12.30 pm, as regards: SLAPPs as a threat to media pluralism and measures implemented to counteract them: held a joint public hearing with the Committee on the Honouring of Obligations and Commitments by Member States of the Council of Europe (Monitoring Committee), with the participation of Mr Pier Luigi Parcu , Director, Centre for Media Pluralism and Media Freedom, European University Institute, Florence, Italy; Ms Giulia Lucchese, Media and Internet Governance Division, Information Society Department, Directorate General of Human Rights and Rule of Law, Council of Europe; Mr Stefan Schennach, rapporteur on "Countering SLAPPS: an imperative for a democratic society", Committee on Culture, Science, Education and Media; Thursday 22 June 2023 from 10.30 am to 12.30 pm, as regards: Debate under urgent procedure: War of aggression against Ukraine - Participation of Russian and Belarusian athletes in the Paris 2024 Olympics and the Paralympics?
(Rapporteur: Ms Linda Hofstad He/leland, Norway, EPPICD): considered 3 amendments to the draft resolution, and adopted unanimously and tabled 1 oral amendment, following a proposal by the Rapporteur; AS/Cult (2023) CB 05 • • ... Countering the erasure of cultural identity in war and peace (Rapporteur: Ms Yevheniia Kravchuk, Ukraine, ALOE) and Online education and special education needs of children with disabilities and learning difficulties (Rapporteur: Mr Pavlo Sushko, Ukraine, ECIDA) : held a public hearing with the online participation of Mr Sergii Gorbachov, Education Ombudsman, Ukraine; Mr Viktor Pendalchuk, Principal of Kakhovka's secondary school N!
!1, Kherson region, Ukraine; Ms Lesia Prokhorenko, Director of Mykola Yarmachenko Institute for Special Pedagogy and Psychology, NAPS of Ukraine; and Ms Oksana Yakymiv, Director of the Vygoda Special School of the lvano-Frankivsk Regional Council, Ukraine; Committee work programme References to the committee and appointment of rapporteurs: • • appointed Ms Sana Ghazaryan (Armenia, ALOE) rapporteur on The role of youth in revitalising democracy and heard her declaration of absence of conflict of interests; took note that Ms Luz Martinez Seijo would prepare a new draft motion for resolution to replace the one on Socialising at schools, a means for students' well-being after the 26th session of the Standing Conference of Ministers of Education, with a view to focusing on the follow-up to the Reykjavik Declaration of May 2023 "United around our values" , as well as on the upcoming work of the Ministers of Education; Reports on recent meetings: heard from: • • • Mr Constantinos Efstathiou about his participation in the European Museum of the Year Award (EMYA) Ceremony (4-6 May in Barcelona); Ms Fiona O'Loughlin about her participation as Chairperson of the Sub-committee on Education, Youth and Sport, in The Global Forum for Inclusion - Partnering for Action, during the Special Olympics World Games Berlin 2023 (17-18 June 2023, Berlin); Ms Yevheniia Kravchuk (Ukraine, ALOE) about her online participation in the Conference on the Council of Europe Nicosia Convention : a criminal justice response to offences relating to cultural property (15-16 June, Riga); Appointment of representatives for forthcoming events: • • • proposed Ms Ester Mieli (Italy, EC/DA) and Ms Catia Polidori (Italy, EPP/CD) as members of the ad hoc committee of the Bureau of the Assembly to participate in a Side Event "Decent work: building a sustainable future" to the High-Level Political Forum on Sustainable Development (14 July 2023, United Nations Headquarters, New York); took note of the change of date from 18 July to 14 July and that Ms Eka Sepashvili (Georgia, EC/DA), who had previously been nominated, had been proposed by the Committee on Social Affairs, Health and Sustainable Development; proposed Ms Valentina Grippo (Italy, ALOE) and Lord George Foulkes (United Kingdom, SOC) as members of the ad hoc committee of the Bureau of the Assembly to participate in the launch of the Council of Europe Campaign for Safety of Journalists (5-6 October 2023, Riga); proposed Ms Mia Karamehic Abazovic (Bosnia and Herzegovina, NR) and Nina Kasimati (Greece, UEL) as members of the ad hoc committee of the Bureau of the Assembly to participate in the World Forum for Democracy on "Democracy= Peace?
(6-8 November 2023, Strasbourg); approved, subject to the availability of funds, the participation of: • • Mr Andi-Lucian Cristea, as Rapporteur on Risks and opportunities of the Metaverse, in the Informal meeting of the Committee of Ministers Human Rights and the societal impact of post-social media technologies (14 September 2023, Strasbourg); Ms Fiona O'Loughlin, as Chairperson of the Sub-Committee on Education, Youth and Sport, in the 26th Session of the Council of Europe Standing Conference of Ministers of Education (28-29 September 2023, Strasbourg); 2 Requests or information from rapporteurs: approved the request from Mr Pavlo Sushko (Ukraine, EC/DA), Rapporteur on Online education and special education needs of children with disabilities and learning difficulties, to seek the assistance of an expert in the preparation of his report; AS/ Cult (2023) CB 05 Composition of the sub-committees: approved the following changes: Sub-committee on Culture.
Diversity and Heritage: • • Mr Salom6 Benchluch (Andorra, ALOE) becomes a full member Ms Mia Karamehic Abazovic (Bosnia and Herzegovina, NR) becomes a full member Sub-committee on Education.
Youth and Sport: • Mr Salom6 Benchluch (Andorra, ALOE) becomes a full member Sub-committee on Media and Information Society: • Ms Mia Karamehic-Abazovic (Bosnia and Herzegovina, NR) becomes a full member Next meetings decided on the forthcoming meetings of the committee as follows: 41h part-session 2023 (9-13 October 2023, Strasbourg) 4-5 December 2023, Paris Roberto Fasino, Dana Karanjac, Silvia Arzilli cc: Secretary General of the Assembly Directors and all staff of the Secretariat of the Assembly Secretaries of National Delegations and of Political Groups of the Assembly Secretaries of observer and partner for democracy delegations Secretary General of the Congress Secretary to the Committee of Ministers Directors General Director of the Private Office of the Secretary General of the Council of Europe Director of the Office of the Commissioner for Human Rights Director of Communication Permanent Representations to the Council of Europe 3 t Parliamentary Assembly Assemblee parlementaire --~ ~~ ///// ~ c:1j'IIJ'!mti!
!• -1ml~lfill--------------------· CONSEIL DE I.: EUROPE SECRETARIAT AS/Ega (2023) CB 05 23 June 2023 To the members of the Committee on Equality and Non-Discrimination Synopsis of the meetings held in Strasbourg on 20 and 22 June 2023 The Committee on Equality and Non-Discrimination, meeting in Strasbourg on 20 and 22 June 2023, with Ms Mariia Mezentseva (Ukraine, EPP/CD), Chairperson , in the Chair: Tuesday 20 June, from 1 0.30am to 12.30pm, as regards: o 25th anniversary of the entry into force of the Framework Convention for the Protection of National Minorities: held an exchange of views with Ms Petra Rater, President of the Advisory Committee on the Framework Convention; o Protecting the human rights and improving the lives of sex workers and victims of sexual exploitation (Rapporteur: Ms Margreet De Boer, Netherlands, SOC): heard a communication by the rapporteur on her fact-finding visit to Belgium on 7-8 June 2023 and considered an information memorandum; o Follow-up to the Council of Europe 4th Summit (Reykjavik, 16-17 May 2023): took note of the information memorandum prepared by the Secretariat and held a discussion with members of the Committee; o Work programme: took note of the work programme; o Extension of references: decided to ask the Bureau of the Assembly to extend the validity of the reference for a period of 1 year for the following reports: Promoting inclusive participation in parliamentary and political life (Rapporteur: Ms Maryna Bardina, Ukraine, ALOE) until 21 June 2024 and The situation of national minorities in Ukraine (Rapporteur: Ms Elvira Kovacs, Serbia, EPP/CD) until 27 September 2024; o Motions for a resolution : adopted two motions for a resolution on Sexual violence against men and boys and Preventing and fighting gender-based discrimination in the field of health, for tabling in the name of the Committee; o Appointment of rapporteurs: appointed by acclamation: • Ms Andrea Eder-Gitschthaler (Austria, EPP/CD) as rapporteur for report on Overcoming age based discrimination
 against older persons; • Ms Arta Bilalli Zendeli (North Macedonia, SOC) as rapporteur for report on Global rules to eliminate all forms of religious oppression; • Ms Mariia Mezentseva (Ukraine, EPP/CD) as rapporteur for opinion on The situation in Iran (Rapporteur of the Committee on Political Affairs and Democracy: Mr Max Lucks, Germany, SOC); and heard their declarations of absence of conflict of interest; This document is available on PACE Apps (restricted area for PACE Members) AS/Ega (2023) CB 05 o References to the Committee: • • took note of the Transmission by the Committee of Ministers for consultation on the application for membership set out in the letter of 12 May 2022 addressed to the Secretary General of the Council of Europe (document 00(2022)200), in line with Statutory Resolution (51) 30, decision of the Bureau, transmitted to the Committee for opinion; took note of the motion for a resolution on Call for a change on rules relating to gender quota, transmitted to the Committee for information; o Council of Europe Campaign for the Safety of Journalists (Riga, 5-6 October 2023): appointed Mr Jean-Pierre Grin (Switzerland, ALOE) as member to Ad Hoc Committee of the Bureau of the Assembly to participate in the Council of Europe Campaign for the Safety of Journalists (at no cost to the Assembly); o Institutional racism of law enforcement authorities against Roma and Travellers (Rapporteur: Mr Jean-Pierre Grin, Switzerland, ALOE): held an exchange of views with Ms Sarah Mann, Director, Friends, Families and Travellers, United Kingdom; Thursday, 22 June, from 8.30am to 10.30am, as regards: o Sub-Committees: approved the following changes: • Sub-Committee on Gender Equality: Ms Etilda Gjonaj (Albania, SOC), Ms Susanna Vela (Andorra, SOC) and Ms Alessandra Maiorino (Italy, NR) join the Sub-Committee as full members; the Rights of Minorities : Mr Francesco Verducci (Italy, SOC) and • Sub-Committee on Ms Bernadeta Coma (Andorra, ALOE) join the Sub-Committee
 as fu ll members; • Sub-Committee on Disability, Multiple and Intersectional Discrimination: Ms Catia Polidori (Italy, EPP/CD) joins the Sub-Committee as full member; o World Forum for Democracy (Strasbourg, 6-8 November 2023): appointed Mr Jean-Pierre Grin (Switzerland, ALOE) and Mr Francesco Verducci (Italy, SOC) as members to the Ad Hoc Committee of the Bureau of the Assembly to participate in the World Forum for Democracy (at no cost to the Assembly); o Women in the economy: employment, entrepreneurship and gender budgeting (Rapporteur: Ms Sena Nur <;elik, TOrl<iye, NR): considered an information memorandum and took note that a questionnaire will be sent to the ECPRD; o Closing the digital divide: promoting equal access to digital technologies (Rapporteur: Ms Edite Estrela, Portugal, SOC): took position on 4 amendments and 2 oral amendments to the draft resolution and asked its Chairperson to propose that the amendments unanimously approved be declared as adopted by the Assembly under Rule 34.11 of the Assembly's Ru les of Procedure; o Preventing and combating violence against women with disabilities (Rapporteur: Ms Beatrice Fresko-Rolfo, Monaco, ALOE): heard a communication by the rapporteur on her fact-finding visit to Denmark held on 12-13 June 2023; o Appointment of representatives (subject to the availability of funds): appointed Ms Petra Bayr (Austria, SOC) to participate in the 7th plenary meeting of the Council of Europe Steering Committee on Anti-Discrimination, Diversity and Inclusion (CDADI), on 28 June 2023 in Strasbourg; o Activities of the No Hate Parliamentary Alliance and the Parliamentary Platform for the rights of LGBTI people in Europe: heard communications from the General Rapporteurs; o Reporting back: heard a report by Ms Beatrice Fresko-Rolfo (Monaco, ALOE) on her participation in the IDAHOT + Forum, hosted by the Government of Iceland on 11 May 2023 in Reykjavik ; o Next meetings: confirmed its next meetings as follows: Committee • Paris, 14
 (afternoon) and 15 September 2023; • Strasbourg, during the fourth part-session 2023 of the Assembly (9-13 October); • Paris, 7 December 2023 (Council of Europe Office); 2 o Freedom of expression and assembly of LGBTI people in Europe (Rapporteur: Mr Christophe Lacroix, Belgium, SOC): authorised the rapporteur to carry out a fact-finding visit to TOrkiye (subject to the availability of funds) and held a joint hearing with the Parliamentary Platform for the rig hts of LGBTI people in Europe, with the participation of: AS/Ega (2023) CB 05 • Vladimir Simonko, Executive Director, LGL, Lithuania; • Florina Presada, Executive Director, Accept Romania; • Claire Vandendriessche, Spokesperson, Acceptess-T, France.
Penelope Denu, Sarah Burton , Giorgio Loddo, Elodie Fischer, Solene Falk Copy to: Secretary General of the Parliamentary Assembly Directors and all staff of the Secretariat of the Parliamentary Assembly Secretaries of National Delegations and of Political Groups of the Assembly Secretaries of observer and partner for democracy delegations Secretary General of the Congress Secretary to the Committee of Ministers Directors General Director of the Private Office of the Secretary General of the Council of Europe Director of the Office of the Commissioner for Human Rights Director of Communication Permanent Representations to the Council of Europe 3 t Parliamentary Assembly Assemblee parlementaire ~~~-'///.//,/ ---~ ~ ,.ilrn.ml'l!l•~-rn!· ~·~-!fill-------------------- CONSEIL DE t:EUROPE SECRETARIAT AS/Mig (2023) CB 05 26 June 2023 To the members of the Committee on Migration, Refugees and Displaced Persons Synopsis of the meetings held in Strasbourg on 19, 20, 21 and 22 June 2023 The Committee on Migration, Refugees and Displaced Persons, meeting in Strasbourg, on 19, 20, 21 and 22 June 2023, • on Monday 19 June, from 13:00 to 14:00, with first Mr Paul Gavan (Ireland, UEL), 181 Vice-Chairperson, and then Mr Domagoj Hajdukovic (Croatia, SOC), 3ro Vice-Chairperson, in the Chair, as regards: Possible debate under urgent procedure on "Ensuring free and safe access through the Lachin Corridor"1 (Rapporteur: Mr Paul Gavan, Ireland, UEL) : considered a revised draft report and adopted a draft resolution and a draft recommendation, both as amended; Health and social protection of undocumented workers or those in an irregular situation (Rapporteur for opinion: Ms Arusyak Julhakyan, Armenia, EPPICD): considered and approved a revised draft opinion, including 6 amendments to the draft resolution and 1 amendment to the draft recommendation adopted by the Committee on Social Affairs, Health and Sustainable Development on 22 May 2023; • on Tuesday 20 June 2023, from 8:30 to 10:30, with Mr Paul Gavan (Ireland , UEL), 1 st
 Vice-Chairperson, in the Chair, as regards: - Addressing the specific challenges faced by the Belarusians in exile (Rapporteur: Mr Paul Galles, Luxembourg, EPPICD): took position on 6 amendments which had been tabled to the draft resolution and decided to present 2 oral sub-amendments; held an exchange of views with Mr Valery Kavaleuski, Representative for Foreign Affairs, Deputy Head of the United Transitional Cabinet of Belarus as well a hearing with the participation of: Mr Ivan Kravtsov, Executive Secretary, member of the Coordination Council, Razam 'Together' Party and Mr Anatol Liabedzka, Adviser to Sviatlana Tsikhanouskaya on constitutional reform and parliamentary co-operation , United Civil (Civic) Party; Integration of migrants and refugees: benefits for all parties involved (Rapporteur: Mr Domagoj Hajdukovic, Croatia, SOC): took note that no amendments had been tabled ; Social inclusion of migrants, refugees and internally displaced persons through sport (Rapporteur: Ms Nigar Arpadarai, Azerbaijan, ECIDA): took note that no amendments had been tabled; - Appointments of representatives for forthcoming events: o Ad hoc committee of the Bureau of the Assembly to participate in a Side Event "Decent work: building a sustainable future" at the High-Level Political Forum on Sustainable Development (14 July 2023, United Nations Headquarters, New York): appointed Mr Pierre-Aiain Fridez (Switzerland, SOC); 1 Subject to a decision by the Assembly.
\ AS/Mig (2023) CB 05 o Ad hoc committee of the Bureau of the Assembly to participate in the World Forum for Democracy on "Democracy = Peace?"
(Strasbourg, 6-8 November 2023) : appointed Mr Pierre-Aiain Fridez (Switzerland, SOC); o Ad hoc committee of the Bureau of the Assembly to participate in the Council of Europe Campaign for the Safety of Journalists (Riga, 5-6 October 2023): appointed Mr Paulo Pisco (Portugal, SOC) and Mr Branislav Borenovic (Bosnia and Herzegovina, EPP/CD); "Hope away from home: A world where refugees are always included", video, Council of Europe, UNHCR: the video was screened; Parliamentary Platform for the rights of LGBTI people in Europe (Brussels, Belgium, 22 May 2023): heard a statement by Mr Domagoj Hajdukovic (Croatia, SOC) on his participation in the event; Turning 18 with confidence- Supporting migrant and refugee children in transition to adulthood (18 April 2023, Strasbourg): heard a statement by Mr Pierre-Aiain Fridez (Switzerland, SOC) on his participation in the event; • on Wednesday 21 June 2023 from 11:30 to 12:30, with Mr Paul Gavan (Ireland, UEL), 1 st Vice Chairperson, in the Chair, as regards: Follow-up to Assembly Resolution 2433 (2022) "Consequences of the Russian Federation's continued aggression against Ukraine: role and response of the Council of Europe" and Resolution 2473 (2022) "Strengthening the role of the Council of Europe as a cornerstone of the European political architecture": held a joint hearing with the Committee on Political Affairs and Democracy on "Issues confronting Russians in exile" , with the participation of Mr Gennady Gudkov, Deputy of the State Duma of 3, 4, 5, and 6 convocations, Deputy Chairman of the Security Committee (2001-2012), Leader of the People's Party of Russia (2003-2008), Chairman of the NGO "For Free Russia"; Ms Karinna Moskalenko, Russian lawyer, founder of the Centre de Ia Protection lnternationale; Ms Ekaterina Shulman, Russian political scientist, publicist; Ms Daria Belova, Chairperson of the initiative to help refugees "inTransit", representative of the Ark (Kovcheg); Ms Mariia Novikova, human rights lawyer, Secretary of the Russian Democratic Club in France; Ms
 Elena Colombo, Co-founder of the Association for assistance to Russian asylum seekers in France (Russie-Asile); and Mr Alexey Obolenets, lawyer and human rights defender; with the participation also of Mr Tiny Kox, President of the Parliamentary Assembly; • on Thursday 22 June 2023, from 8:30 to 10:30, with first Mr Oleksii Goncharenko (Ukraine, EC/DA), 2 nd Vice-Chairperson , and then Mr Paul Gavan (Ireland, UEL), 1st Vice-Chairperson, in the Chair, as regards: Debate under urgent procedure on "Ensuring free and safe access through the Lachin Corridor" : took position on 55 amendments which had been tabled to the draft resolution and 7 amendments which had been tabled to the to the draft recommendation; Work programme: appointment of a rapporteur for report on "The use of explosive weapons as a major driver of justified displacement": appointed, by acclamation Mr Domagoj Hajdukovic (Croatia, SOC) and heard from him a declaration of absence of conflict of interest; Composition of the Sub-Committees: approved the following changes: Sub-Committee on Migrant Smuggling and Trafficking in Human Beings: o Ms Florence Reuter (Belgium, ALOE) to become an alternate member (of Mr Fourat Ben Chikha); Sub-Committee on Refugee and Migrant Children and Young People: o Ms Florence Reuter (Belgium, ALOE) to become an alternate member (of Mr Tom van Grieken); o Ms Marina Carobbio Guscetti (Switzerland, SOC) to become a full member; o Mr Branislav Borenovic (Bosnia and Herzegovina, EPP/CD) to become a full member; 2 AS/Mig (2023) CB 04 Sub-Committee on Diasporas and Integration: o Ms Charlotte Munch (Denmark, NR) to become a full member; o Ms Marina Carobbio Guscetti (Switzerland, SOC) to become an alternate member (of Mr Pierre-Aiain Fridez); Precarious and irregular work situations of migrant seasonal workers and domestic migrant workers (Rapporteur: Ms Diana Stoica, Romania, ALOE): postponed this item due to lack of time; The theme of migration and asylum in the election campaign
 and the consequences on the welcoming and rights of migrants (Rapporteur: Mr Pierre-A/ain Fridez, Switzerland, SOC): postponed this item due to lack of time; Next meetings: took note of its next meetings as follows: - Reykjavik (Iceland), 21-22 September 2023; - Strasbourg, during the fourth part-session 2023 of the Assembly (9-13 October); - Paris, 8 December 2023 (Council of Europe Office).
Others: - Bucharest (Romania), 30-31 October 2023, joint meeting of the Sub-Committee on Refugee and Migrant Children and Young People and of the Sub-Committee on Migrant Smuggling and Trafficking in Human Beings (subject to the authorisation of the Bureau).
Tatiana Termacic, Angela Garabagiu, Gael Martin-Micallef, Marie Martin cc: Secretary General of the Parliamentary Assembly Directors and all staff of the Secretariat of the Parliamentary Assembly Secretaries of National Delegations and of Political Groups of the Assembly Secretaries of observer and partner for democracy delegations Secretary General of the Congress Secretary to the Committee of Ministers Directors General Director of the Private Office of the Secretary General of the Council of Europe Director of the Office of the Commissioner for Human Rights Director of Communication Permanent Representations to the Council of Europe 3 Third part-session of the Assembly 2023 - Unofficial meetings/Side events1, Tuesday to Thursday, 12.45 to 13.45 pm Troisieme partie de session de I'Assemblee 2023 - Reunions non officielles/Side events, mardi au jeudi, de 12 h 45 h a 13 h 45 Date Room Salle 1:11 Title/ Titre " Tuesday 20 June Mardi 20 juin 8 Defending human rights across the seas Speakers: - Mr ldriss EL KAISSI, Consul General of the Kingdom of Morocco in Strasbourg - Ms lmane LAMAOUI, Member of Parliament, Mem ber of the Moroccan Parliamentary Delegation - Mr Driss EL YAZAM I, President of the Council of the Moroccan Community Abroad (CCME), former President of the National Council for Human Rights (CNDH) - Mr Julien PAH LKE, Rapporteur of the Committee on Migration, Refugees and Displaced Persons on "Missing migrants, refugees and asylum seekers - a call to clarify their fate".
- Ms Leyla KAYACIK, Special Representative of the Secretary General of the Council of Eu rope on Migration and Refugees Defendre les droits humains par-deJa /es mers lntervenant.e.s: - M. ldriss EL KAISS/, Consul General du Royaume du Maroc a Strasbourg - Mme /mane LAMAOUJ, Deputee, membre de Ia Delegation par/ementaire marocaine - M. Driss EL YAZAMI, President du Conseil de Ia Communaute marocaine a /'etranger (CCME), ancien President du Conseil National des Droits de /'Homme (CNDH) - M. Julien PAHLKE, rapporteur de Ia Commission des migrations, des refugies et des personnes deplacees sur « Migrants, retugies et demandeurs d'asi/e disparus - un appel a clarifier leur sort » - Mme Ley/aKA YACIK, Representante Speciale de Ia Secretaire Generate du Conseil de /'Europe sur les migrations et les retugies Member responsible for the event - organlser Membre responsable de 1'4v4nement- organlsateur(trlce) Ms lmane Lamaoui Member of the delegation of Morocco Membre de Ia delegation du Maroc 1 These meetings are not organised by the Parliamentary Assembly or its bodies.
They remain under the full responsibility of the PACE members sponsoring the meeting.

The list of speakers is mentioned with reservation .

Ces reunions ne sont pas organisees par I'Assembh3e parlementaire ni par ses entites.

Elles restent sous l'entiere responsabilite des membres de I'APCE qui les parrainent.

La lisle des intervenant.e.s est mentionnee sous reserve.
- - - - · - - - -·· ·- -~ X Wednesday 21 June Mercredi 21 juin 8 Revisiting the functioning of democratic institutions and rule of law in Turkiye.
Role of I Mr Paul Gavan international instruments in improving Turkiye's capacity to honour the obligations deriving from COE membership I Ireland, UEL /rlande, GUE Speakers: - Mariarosaria GUGLIELMI, judge, President of MEDEL (Magistrats europeens pour Ia democratie et les libertes) Luca PERILLI, judge, Vice-president of Justice for Rule of Law Association - - Muhittin KARATAS, Turkish judge in exile, board member of YARSAV Uudges association dissolved by the Turkish Government) Moderator: Ana URSACHI, Peace and Justice platform, Brussels Reexamen du fonctionnement des institutions democratiques et de I'Etat de droit en Tiirkiye.
Le role des instruments europeens et internationaux dans /'amelioration de Ia capacite de Ia Tiirkiye a remplir les obligations /iees a /'adhesion au Conseil de /'Europe lntervenant.e.s: - Mariarosaria GUGLIELMI, juge, presidente de MEDEL (Magistrats europeens pour Ia democratie et les libertes) - Luca PER ILL/, juge, Vice-president de /'Association Justice pour I'Etat de Droit - Muhittin KARATAS, juge turc en exil, membre du conseil d'administration de YARSAV (association des juges dissoute par le Gouvemement turc) Moderatrice: Ana URSA CHI, plateforme Paix et Justice, Bruxel/es Wednesday 21 June Mercredi 21 juin 11 Minority rights in Ukraine (in the light of the new Law on national Minorities of Ukraine) Mr Zsolt Nemeth Droits des minorites en Ukraine (a Ia lumii~re de Ia nouvelle loi sur les minorites nationales d'Ukraine) Chairperson of the delegation of Hungary, EC/DA President de Ia delegation de Ia Hongrie, CE/AD Thursday 22 June Jeudi 22 juin 11 Bring The Band Home- Voice of Ukrainian Prisoners of War and Reinforcement of International I Ms Olena Khomenko Humanitarian Law I "Bring the Band Home"- Voix des prisonniers de guerre ukrainiens et renforcement du droit international humanitaire I Ukraine, EC/DA- CEIAD I Ms Mariia Mezentseva Chairperson of the delegation of Ukraine, EPP/CD Presidente de Ia delegation de /'Ukraine, PPE/DC PROTOCOL/ PROTOCOLE COUNCIL OF EUROPE CONSEIL DE t:EUROPE PROT/2023/1116 SOCIAL PROGRAMME Parliamentary Assembly 2023 Ordinary Session Third part 19-23 June Strasbourg PROGRAMME DES MANIFESTATIONS SOCIALES Assemblee Parlementaire Session Ordinaire de 2023 Troisieme Partie 19-23 juin Strasbourg According to the information communicated to Protocol to this day Selon les informations communiquees au Protocole ace jour ... SUNDAY18JUNE/DIMANCHE18~ 19:00 WORKING DINNER of the Bureau of the Group of the Socialists, Democrats and Greens Maison Kammerzell 19:15 WORKING DINNER of the Bureau of the Group of the Unified European Left Brasserie Boehm 19:30 BUREAU meeting of the Group of the Alliance of Liberals and Democrats for Europe L'Eveil des Sens MONDAY 19 JUNE I LUNDI 19 JUIN 12:10 la medaille de remise de CEREMONIE de 1' Assemblee et du dip lome de membre honoraire a un ancien membre de 1' Assemblee Parlementaire Bureau du President de l' Assemblee Parlementaire (n° 1.070) 20:00 DINNER of Democrats and Greens the Group of the Socialists, Cafe Brandt 20:00 DINNER of the Group of the Unified European Left Brasserie Boehm 20:15 DINNER of the Group of the Alliance of Liberals and Democrats for Europe Au Gourmet de l'Orangerie TUESDAY 20 JUNE I MARDI 20 JUIN 12:30 13:00 !
'exposition « Choir INAUGURATION de STARO in the national costume » organisee par la Delegation la parlementaire Representation Permanente de la Lettonie lettone et Foyer du Comite des Ministres DEJEUNER offert par le President de l'Assemblee Parlementaire a !

'occasion de la Session de l'Assemblee Parlementaire Restaurant du Palais de I'Europe 14:15 CONCERT du « Volny Chor » Hemicycle du Parlement europeen 20:15 20:30 RECEPTION donnee par Ia Secretaire Generale du Conseil de I'Europe a !
'occasion de la Session de 1' Assemblee Parlementaire (sur invitation) Sa Residence CONCERT du « Volny Chor » organise par la Ville de Strasbourg et la Delegation parlementaire allemande Palais des Fetes WEDNESDAY 21 JUNE I l\1ERCREDI 21 JUIN 12:45 19:30 DEJEUNER offert par le President de l'Assemblee Parlementaire a !
'occasion de la Session de l'Assemblee Parlementaire Restaurant du Palais de I'Europe donnee par le Representant RECEPTION Permanent de la Slovenie et par la Presidente de la Delegation parlementaire slovene a 1' occasion de la fete nationale et du 30e anniversaire de !'

adhesion de la Slovenie au Conseil de !

'Europe Association Parlementaire europeenne 20:15 RECEPTION donnee par le Charge d'Affaires a.i.
de la Representation Permanente de 1 'Italie en l'honneur de la Delegation parlementaire italienne Hotel Leon or THURSDAY 22 JUNE I JEUDI 22 JUIN 12:30 CEREMONIE de remise du Don du Maroc au Conseil de 1 'Europe Terrasse du Restaurant du Palais de l'Europe FRIDAY 23 JUNE I VENDREDI 23 JUIN No social events foreseen I Pas de manifestations sociales prevues