The Council of Europe Parliamentary Assembly (PACE) is gathering in Strasbourg from January 27 to 31 to discuss pressing issues, notably the humanitarian crisis affecting women, children, and hostages in Gaza. This session will feature key presentations, including one from Marko Bošnjak, President of the European Court of Human Rights, emphasizing the urgency of a renewed rules-based international order.
Luxembourg’s Prime Minister, Luc Frieden, alongside Xavier Bettel, the Minister for Foreign Affairs, will address the assembly under Luxembourg’s Presidency. Spiritual wisdom will also grace the session as His All Holiness, Ecumenical Patriarch Bartholomew, and Alain Berset, the Secretary General of the Council of Europe, share insights with the parliamentarians.
The assembly will commemorate the 80th anniversary of the liberation of Auschwitz-Birkenau following a report on historical education. Topics of discussion will include parliamentary election observations in Georgia, immigration’s role in combating Europe’s demographic challenges, and the implications of mercenaries on human rights and the rule of law.
Other critical issues on the agenda include the regulation of social media content to protect freedom of expression and combat age discrimination against older individuals. Additionally, the assembly will deliberate on the draft convention for the protection of lawyers’ professions, with contributions from the Rt Hon Lord Hermer KC, the Attorney General for England and Wales. Reports on women’s rights in the economy and healthcare access for long Covid patients will also be presented, shedding light on the Assembly’s active monitoring.
The PACE winter session in Strasbourg, from January 27 to 31, will discuss humanitarian issues affecting Gaza, a renewed international order, and various other topics such as immigration, human rights, and age discrimination. Key speakers include leaders from Luxembourg and religious figures, highlighting the importance of collaborative governance and historical awareness.
This winter’s PACE session underscores the critical humanitarian crises affecting regions like Gaza and the interconnectedness of global governance and human rights. With prominent figures addressing vital issues ranging from women’s empowerment to historical remembrance, the assembly strives to foster a renewed commitment to democratic principles and protections across Europe.
Original Source: www.coe.int
