Debates on recent developments in the Middle East: Hamas’ terrorist attack on Israel and Israel’s response, and on allegations of systemic torture in places of detention in Europe, will be among highlights of the 2024 Winter Session of the Parliamentary Assembly of the Council of Europe (PACE), held from 22 to 26 January in Strasbourg. A request has also been made for a debate under urgent procedure on the situation of the children of Ukraine.
The President of the Republic of Cyprus Nikos Christodoulides and the President of Montenegro Jakov Milatović, as well as the Prime Minister of Liechtenstein, Daniel Risch, will address the parliamentarians. Liechtenstein’s Minister of Foreign Affairs, Education, and Sport, Dominique Hasler, Chair of the Committee of Ministers, and Council of Europe Secretary General Marija Pejčinović Burić will present their communications to the Assembly and will take questions from members. Sviatlana Tsikhanouskaya, leader of Belarusian democratic opposition, will address the Assembly during the debate “A democratic future for Belarus”.
At the opening of the session, the Assembly will elect its President. During the session parliamentarians will also elect the Council of Europe Commissioner for Human Rights. Dunja Mijatović, the outgoing Commissioner for Human Rights, will address the Assembly on Monday 22 January.
Also on the agenda is a debate on globalisation in times of crises and war, and the role of the OECD since the Russian Federation's aggression against Ukraine, with the participation of OECD Secretary-General Mathias Cormann.
Other debates include the theme of migration and asylum in the election campaign, countering SLAPPs as an imperative for a democratic society, and the prevention of child abuse in institutions in Europe.
The Assembly will adopt its final agenda at the opening of the Session.
