N° 44 | 31 Oct 08
    

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A prize to ‘speak truth to power’
Launch of PACE Human Rights Prize: call for nominations

The Parliamentary Assembly of the Council of Europe (PACE) has called for nominations for an annual Human Rights Prize, which will reward 'outstanding civil society action in the defence of human rights in Europe'.

Individuals and NGOs can be nominated for the prize, which will be selected by a seven-member panel from nominations put forward by at least five sponsors before 31 December 2008.

The first Prize will be awarded at a ceremony in Strasbourg during the summer plenary session (22-26 June 2009) of the Assembly.  (More)

PACE launches the Gender Equality Prize to encourage parity in politics


Concern at 'credible reports of acts of ethnic cleansing'
PACE calls for independent international investigation into the war between Georgia and Russia

Since the facts surrounding the outbreak of war between Georgia and Russia are disputed, there should be in independent international investigation into what happened, PACE said on 2 October after debating the consequences of the war. In a resolution, the Assembly declared that both Georgia and Russia had violated Council of Europe principles and values, and their commitment to settle conflicts by peaceful means. Both sides were responsible for violations of human rights and humanitarian law.  (More)

PACE’s Presidential Committee visits Tbilisi 
The news of the Autumn Session (29 September-3 October 2008)

'Additional efforts are necessary' 
Azerbaijan: considerable progress, but all election commitments were not met 

The Presidential election in Azerbaijan marked considerable progress, but did not meet all of the country's international commitments, observers from the OSCE Office for Democratic Institutions and Human Rights (ODIHR), PACE and the European Parliament (EP) concluded in a joint statement published on 15 October. (More)


'The tide is turning' 
A day for persuading the world to end judicial execution

“To die by order of the state, decreed by a judge or a politician as punishment for a crime, is thankfully a thing of the past in Europe,” said PACE President Lluís Maria de Puig, speaking as the EU joined the Council of Europe in marking 10 October as an annual European day against the death penalty.  (More)


Its Parliament has held observer status since 1999
Mexico can help to spread Council of Europe values in Latin America

PACE President Lluís Maria de Puig has ended a six-day official visit to Mexico (21 to 26 October 2008) by expressing the hope that the country can further contribute to advocating Council of Europe values in the region. Mexico has held observer status with the Assembly since 1999.  (More)


Research should be encouraged
Call on PACE to take initiatives with regard to e-parliament

At the end of the Council of Europe Forum on the Future of Democracy, organised in Madrid from 15 to 17 October, participants welcomed the current work of the Assembly on e-democracy and called on it to “take further initiatives”, in particular with regard to e-parliament as a way to “help parliaments at all levels to better fulfil their role as representatives of the people”. (More)
PACE News is the electronic newsletter of the Parliamentary Assembly. It is published monthly and sent by e-mail. Click here to subscribe or to unsubscribe. It is also available on the PACE website (http://assembly.coe.int/Newsletter/). PACE is not responsible for the content of external websites.

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IN BRIEF
Parliaments active in guaranteeing the right to water

PACE media freedom rapporteur reacts to Zagreb car bombing

Forced marriages and other forms of violence against women to be the focus of a fact-finding visit to Morocco

PACE co-rapporteurs welcome creation of fact-finding group in Armenia


 

Combating violence against women: strengthening co-operation between PACE and the EP

PACE rapporteur: now the ball is in Belarus’s court
 
PACE committee head: problem of IDPs in Europe far from eradicated