Progress report | Doc. 13608 Addendum 2 | 03 October 2014

Activities of the Assembly’s Bureau and Standing Committee (3 October 2014)

Rapporteur : Mr Tiny KOX, Netherlands, UEL

1. Decisions of the Bureau of 3 October 2014 requiring ratification by the Assembly

1.1. Election of a judge to the European Court of Human Rights in respect of the Slovak Republic

The Bureau took note of the report drawn up by the Sub-Committee on the election of judges which has assessed the qualifications of the three candidates to the post of judge to the Court in respect of the Slovak Republic. The Sub-Committee recommended, unanimously, that the list be rejected. This position shall be endorsed by the Assembly (see Appendix 1).

1.2. Election observations

1.2.1. Ukraine: early parliamentary elections (26 October 2014)

The Bureau approved the final composition of the ad hoc committee (Appendix 2)

1.2.2. Tunisia: parliamentary elections (26 October 2014) and presidential election (23 November 2014)

The Bureau approved the final composition of the ad hoc committees (Appendix 3 and 4)

1.2.3. Republic of Moldova: parliamentary elections (30 November 2014)

The Bureau approved the final composition of the ad hoc committee (Appendix 5)

1.3. References and transmissions to committees

1.3.1. References to committees

The Bureau considered and approved the following references to committees:

• Bureau decision, Modification of the Rules of Procedure (follow-up to Resolution 2018 (2014), reference to the Committee on Rules of Procedure, Immunities and Institutional Affairs for report
• Doc. 13555, motion for a resolution, Establishing genuine parliamentary dialogue with Algeria, reference to the Committee on Political Affairs and Democracy for report
• Doc. 13556, motion for a resolution, Political developments in Iran, reference to the Committee on Political Affairs and Democracy for report
• Doc. 13557, motion for a resolution, Transatlantic Trade and Investment Partnership, democracy, rights and the rule of law, transmission to the Committee on Social Affairs, Health and Sustainable Development for information
• Doc. 13558, motion for a resolution, The need to prevent and combat separatist practices, transmission to the Committee on Political Affairs and Democracy for information
• Doc. 13559, motion for a resolution, Foreign fighters in Syria, reference to the Committee on Political Affairs and Democracy for report
• Doc. 13560, motion for a resolution, Parliamentary scrutiny over corruption: parliamentary co-operation with investigative media, consultation of the Committee on Culture, Science, Education and Media on a possible follow-up to be given
• Doc. 13561, motion for a resolution, Non-discrimination and the right to use sign languages in Europe, reference to the Committee on Equality and Non-Discrimination to be taken into account in the preparation of the report on the “Equality and inclusion for people with disabilities” (Ref. 3986)
• Doc. 13562, motion for a resolution, Human Rights and ethical issues related to surrogacy,reference to the Committee on Social Affairs, Health and Sustainable Development for report and to the Committee on Equality and Non-Discrimination for opinion
• Doc. 13563, motion for a recommendation, Improving the prevention of socio-economic abortions in Europe, transmission to the Committee on Equality and Non-Discrimination for information
• Doc. 13564, motion for a resolution, Inquiring improper pressure and interferences by European Union officials to cause the Berlusconi government to resign in autumn 2011, no further action
• Doc. 13565, motion for a resolution, Urgent need to prevent human rights violations during peaceful protests, reference to the Committee on Legal Affairs and Human Rights for report
• Doc. 13566, motion for a resolution, Abusive use of the Interpol system: the need for more stringent legal safeguards, reference to the Committee on Legal Affairs and Human Rights for report
• Doc. 13567, motion for a resolution, The exploration and exploitation of non-conventional hydrocarbons in Europe, reference to the Committee on Social Affairs, Health and Sustainable Development for report
• Doc. 13568, motion for a resolution, Addressing tax avoidance by net firms, transmission to the Committee on Social Affairs, Health and Sustainable Development for information
• Doc. 13569, motion for a resolution, Drafting social indicators and issuing an annual report on social rights, reference to the Committee on Social Affairs, Health and Sustainable Development for report
• Doc. 13570, Motion for a resolution, Harassment of investigative journalists in Azerbaijan reporting on corruption, reference to the Committee on Culture, Science, Education and Media to be taken into account in the preparation of the report on the “Protection of media freedom in Europe” (Ref. 3943)
• Doc. 13571, motion for a resolution, Assessing the impact of measures to improve women’s political representation, reference to the Committee on Equality and Non-Discrimination for report
• Doc. 13573, motion for a resolution, The fate of critically ill prisoners in Turkish prisons, reference to the Committee on Legal Affairs and Human Rights for report
• Doc. 13574, motion for a resolution, Promoting gender education in the member States of the Council of Europe, consultation of the Committee on Equality and Non-Discrimination on the possible follow-up to be given
• Doc. 13575, motion for a resolution, Countries of transit: meeting new migration and asylum challenges, reference to the Committee on Migration, Refugees and Displaced persons for report
• Doc. 13576, motion for a resolution, Promoting Roma inclusion at the local level, consultation of the Committee on Equality and Non-Discrimination on the possible follow-up to be given
• Doc. 13589, motion for a resolution, Freedom of speech on the internet: promoting a uniform approach, reference to the Committee on Culture, Science, Education and Media for report and to the Committee on Legal Affairs and Human Rights for opinion
• Doc. 13592, motion for a resolution, Assessing the need for a comprehensive review of the Dublin regulation and its implementation, reference to the Committee on Migration, Refugees and Displaced persons for report and to the Committee on Legal Affairs and Human Rights for opinion
• Doc. 13607, motion for a resolution, Systematic collection of data on violence against women, reference to the Committee on Equality and Non-Discrimination for report
• Doc. 13615, motion for a resolution, Humanitarian consequences of the threats posed by the terrorist group called “Islamic State”, reference to the Committee on Migration, Refugees and Displaced persons for report

The Assembly is invited to ratify the above proposals made by the Bureau.

1.4. World Forum for Democracy (Strasbourg, 3-5 November 2014)

The Bureau approved the final composition of its ad hoc committee to participate in the Forum (Appendix 6).

Appendix 1

1. Report of the Sub-Committee on the Election of Judges to the European Court of Human Rights

The Sub-Committee held a meeting in Strasbourg on 1 October 2014, with Lord TOMLINSON, United-Kingdom, Socialist Group, in the Chair.

2. Introduction

In accordance with previous practice and with the decisions the Assembly adopted in its Resolution 1200 (1999) as modified by Resolution 1646 (2009), [(1) See document AS/Jur/Inf (2014) 03 rev 5 for details http://www.assembly.coe.int/CommitteeDocs/2014/ajinfdoc03_2014.pdf.] the Sub-Committee on the Election of Judges to the European Court of Human Rights assessed the qualifications of the list of three candidates to the Court in respect of Slovak Republic. [(2) See Appendix I for list of candidates submitted by the Government of the Slovak Republic. A full list and curriculum vitae of candidates can be found in Assembly document Doc. 13612.] A list of members of the Sub-Committee who participated in the meeting can be found in Appendix II.

3. Conclusion of the Sub-Committee on the list of candidates submitted by the Slovak Republic, Contracting State to the European Convention on Human Rights

After having assessed the candidatures in detail, the Sub-Committee considers that the three candidates do not appear to possess the appropriate professional experience and stature to meet the criteria specified in Article 21, paragraph 1, of the European Convention on Human Rights.

The Sub-Committee recommends, unanimously, that the list be rejected by the Assembly and that the Government of the Slovak Republic be requested to submit a new list of candidates.

Appendix I – List of candidates submitted by the Government of the Slovak Republic [(3) See footnote 2, above.]

• Ms Andrea Krišková
• Mr Ondrej Laciak
• Ms Marica Pirošíková

Appendix II – Members of the Sub-Committee who participated in the meeting

• Group of the European People’s Party (EPP/CD)

  • Mr Valeriu GHILETCHI, Republic of Moldova
  • Mr Kimmo SASI, Finland

• Socialist Group (SOC)

  • Mr Boriss CILEVIČS, Latvia
  • Mr Haluk KOÇ, Turkey
  • Mr Michael McNAMARA, Ireland
  • Mr Luc RECORDON, Switzerland
  • Lord John TOMLINSON, Chairperson, United Kingdom
  • Mr Klaas de VRIES, Netherlands

• Alliance of Liberals and Democrats for Europe (ALDE)

  • Ms Mailis REPS, Estonia
  • Mr Jordi XUCLÀ, Spain

• Ex-officio:

  • Mr James CLAPPISON, United Kingdom, Chairperson of the Committee on Legal Affairs and Human Rights

• Secretariat of the Parliamentary Assembly:

  • Mr Wojciech Sawicki, Secretary General of the Parliamentary Assembly
  • Mr Andrew Drzemczewski, Head of the Legal Affairs and Human Rights Department

Appendix 2 – Ad hoc committee for the observation of the early parliamentary elections in Ukraine (26 October 2014)

List of members

• Christopher CHOPE (EDG, United Kingdom), Head of the delegation
• Socialist Group (SOC)

  • Claude ADAM, Luxembourg
  • Arcadio DIAZ TEJERA*, Spain
  • Kostas TRIANTAFYLLOS, Greece
  • Tadeusz IWINSKI, Poland
  • Aleksandrs SAKOVSKIS, Latvia
  • Birute VESAITE, Lithuania
  • Fatma PEHLIVAN, Belgium
  • Deniz BAYKAL, Turkey
  • Stefan SCHENNACH, Austria
  • Annalore BAERBOCK, Germany
  • Frank SCHWABE, Germany

• Group of the European People’s Party (EPP/CD)

  • Pedro AGRAMUNT, Spain
  • Mónika BARTOS, Hungary
  • José Maria BENEYTO, Spain
  • Tinatin BOKUCHAVA**, Georgia
  • Lolita ČIGĀNE, Latvia
  • Jim D’ARCY, Ireland
  • Şaban DİŞLİ*, Turkey
  • Jacques LEGENDRE, France
  • Catherine NOONE, Ireland
  • José Ignacio PALACIOS, Spain
  • François ROCHEBLOINE, France 
  • Andrej ŠIRCELJ, Slovenia
  • Tobias ZECH, Germany
  • Emanuelis ZINGERIS, Lithuania

• Substitutes

  • Rubén MORENO PALANQUES, Spain

• European Democrat Group (EDG)

  • Richard BALFE, United Kingdom
  • Christopher CHOPE*, United Kingdom
  • Sir Roger GALE, United Kingdom
  • Ingebjørg GODSKESEN, Norway
  • Ömer SELVI, Turkey
  • Morten WOLD, Norway

• Alliance of Liberals and Democrats for Europe (ALDE)

  • Marieluise BECK, Germany
  • Karl GARDASSON*, Iceland
  • Alfred HEER, Switzerland
  • Jordi XUCLÀ, Spain
  • Kristyna ZELIENKOVÀ, Czech Republic
  • Judith OEHRI, Liechtenstein

• Substitutes

  • Chiora TAKTAKISHVILI, Georgia
  • Ms Liv HOLM ANDERSEN, Denmark

• Group of the Unified European Left (UEL)

  • Andrej HUNKO*, Germany
  • Nikolaj VILLUMSEN, Denmark

• Co-rapporteurs (ex officio)

  • Marietta de POURBAIX-LUNDIN*, Sweden
  • Mailis REPS*, Estonia

• Venice Commission

  • …

• Secretariat

  • Chemavon CHAHBAZIAN, Head of Secretariat a.i., Interparliamentary co-operation and election observation Daniele GASTL, Assistant, Interparliamentary cooperation and election observation
  • Véronique FREUND, Assistant, PACE Secretariat
  • Amaya UBEDA DE TORRES, Administrator, Venice Commission

* members of the pre-electoral delegation

** members of the pre-electoral delegation only

Appendix 3 – Ad hoc committee for the observation of the parliamentary elections in Tunisia (26 October 2014)

List of members

• Andreas GROSS (Switzerland, SOC), Head of the delegation
• Socialist Group (SOC)

  • Andreas GROSS, Switzerland
  • Carina HÄGG, Sweden
  • Ingrid ANTIČEVIĆ-MARINOVIĆ, Croatia

• Substitutes

  • Josette DURRIEU, France
  • Robert BIENDRON, Poland
  • Denis BAYKAL, Turkey
  • Fatma PEHLIVAN, Belgium

• Group of the European People’s Party (EPP/CD)

  • Elena CENTEMERO, Italy

• European Democrat Group (EDG)

  • Reha DENEMEÇ, Turkey
  • Adam HOFMAN, Poland

• Substitutes

  • Mehmet TEKELIOĞLU, Turkey
  • Ganira PASHAYEVA, Azerbaijan

• Alliance of Liberals and Democrats for Europe (ALDE)

  • André BUGNON, Switzerland
  • Adele GAMBARO, Italy

• Group of the Unified European Left (UEL)

  • Trine Pertou MARCH, Denmark

• Venice Commission

  • ...

• Secretariat

  • Bogdan TORCĂTORIU, Administrative Officer, Interparliamentary co-operation and election observation
  • Franck DAESCHLER, Principal Administrative Assistant, Interparliamentary co-operation and election observation
  • Serguei KOUZNETSOV, Head of Division, Neigbourhood cooperation, Venice Commission

Appendix 4 – Ad hoc committee for the observation of the presidential election in Tunisia (23 November 2014)

List of members

• Jean-Marie BOCKEL (France, EPP/CD), Head of the delegation
• Socialist Group (SOC)

  • Josette DURRIEU, France
  • Birute VESAITE, Lithuania
  • Maria GIANNAKAKI, Greece

• Substitutes

  • René ROUQUET, France
  • Robert BIENDRON, Poland
  • Carina HÄGG, Sweden
  • Denis BAYKAL, Turkey
  • Fatma PEHLIVAN, Belgium

• Group of the European People’s Party (EPP/CD)

  • José Maria BENEYTO, Spain
  • Jean-Marie BOCKEL, France
  • Jan KAŹMIERCZAK, Poland

• Substitutes

  • David BAKRADZE, Georgia
  • Rubén MORENO PALANQUES, Spain
  • Foteini PIPILLI, Greece
  • Yves POZZO di BORGO, France
  • François ROCHEBLOINE, France
  • Konstantinos TZAVARAS, Greece

• European Democrat Group (EDG)

  • Robert WALTER, United Kingdom
  • Judith WILCOX, United Kingdom

• Substitutes

  • Ingebjørg GODSKESEN, Norway
  • Brian BINLEY, United Kingdom

• Alliance of Liberals and Democrats for Europe (ALDE)

  • Adele GAMBARO, Italy
  • Luis Alberto ORELLANA, Italy

• Group of the Unified European Left (UEL)

  • Trine Pertou MARCH, Denmark

• Venice Commission

  • …

• Secretariat

  • Bogdan TORCĂTORIU, Administrative Officer, Interparliamentary co-operation and election observation
  • Franck DAESCHLER, Principal Administrative Assistant, Interparliamentary Co-operation and election observation

Appendix 5 – Ad hoc committee for the observation of the parliamentary elections in the Republic of Moldova (30 November 2014)

List of members

• Jean-Claude MIGNON (France, EPP/CD), Head of the delegation
• Socialist Group (SOC)

  • Stefan SCHENNACH*, Austria
  • Andreas GROSS, Switzerland
  • Paolo CORSINI, Italy
  • Jonas GUNNARSSON, Sweden
  • Sabir HAJIYEV, Azerbaijan
  • Joseph DEBONO-GRECH, Malta
  • Lennart AXELSSON, Sweden
  • Luc RECORDON, Switzerland
  • Kostas TRYANTAFYLLOS, Greece
  • Florin IORDACHE, Romania

• Substitutes

  • Predrag SEKULIĆ, Montenegro
  • Guguli MAGRADZE, Georgia
  • Maria YANNAKAKI, Greece
  • Philippe BLANCHART, Belgium
  • Fatma PEHLIVAN, Belgium
  • Jim SHERIDAN, United Kingdom
  • Joe BENTON, United Kingdom

• Group of the European People’s Party (EPP/CD)

  • David BAKRADZE, Georgia
  • Deborah BERGAMINI, Italy
  • Hans FRANKEN, The Netherlands
  • Inese LĪBIŅA-EGNERE, Latvia
  • Thierry MARIANI, France
  • José MENDES BOTA, Portugal
  • Jean-Claude MIGNON*, France
  • Marcel OBERWEIS, Luxembourg
  • Anne-Mari VIROLAINEN, Finland
  • Emanuelis ZINGERIS, Lithuania

• Substitutes

  • Damien ABAD, France
  • Volodymyr ARIEV, Ukraine
  • Viorel Riceard BADEA, Romania
  • Charlo BONNICI, Malta
  • Lolita ČIGĀNE, Latvia
  • Zsolt CSENGER-ZALÁN, Hungary
  • Şaban DİŞLİ, Turkey
  • Bernd FABRITIUS, Germany
  • Iryna GERASHCHENKO, Ukraine
  • Denis JACQUAT, France
  • Foteini PIPILI, Greece
  • Yves POZZO di BORGO, France
  • Cezar Florin PREDA, Romania
  • Senad ŠEPIĆ, Bosnia and Herzegovina
  • Andrej ŠIRCELJ, Slovenia
  • Attila TILKI, Hungary
  • Tobias ZECH, Germany

• European Democrat Group (EDG)

  • Reha DENEMEÇ*, Turkey
  • Adam ROGACKI, Poland
  • Ian LIDDELL-GRAINGER, United Kingdom
  • Mehmet Kasim GÜLPINAR, Turkey

• Substitutes

  • Ingebjørg GODSKESEN, Norway
  • Brian BINLEY, United Kingdom
  • Ganira PASHAYEVA, Azerbaijan

• Alliance of Liberals and Democrats for Europe (ALDE)

  • Marieluise BECK, Germany
  • Ionut-Marian STROE*, Romania
  • Luis Alberto ORELLANA, Italy

• Substitutes

  • Corneliu Mugurel COZMANCIUC, Romania
  • Irakli CHIKOVANI,Georgia
  • Mladen BOJANIĆ, Montenegro
  • Tudor-Alexandru CHIUARIU, Romania
  • Alfred HEER, Switzerland
  • Adele GAMBARO, Italy

• Group of the Unified European Left (UEL)

  • Nazmi GÜR*, Turkey

• Co-rapporteurs AS/MON (ex officio)

  • Lise CHRISTOFFERSEN*, Norway
  • Piotr WACH*, Poland

• Venice Commission

  • Manuel Gonzalez OROPEZA, Mexico

• Secretariat

  • Chemavon CHAHBAZIAN, Head of Secretariat a.i., Interparliamentary co-operation and election observation
  • Daniele GASTL, Assistant, Interparliamentary cooperation and election observation
  • Anne GODFREY, Assistant, Interparliamentary cooperation and election observation
  • Amaya UBEDA DE TORRES, Administrator, Venice Commission

* members of the pre-electoral delegation

Appendix 6 – Ad Hoc Committee to participate in the World Forum for Democracy on 3-5 November 2014 in Strasbourg

List of Members

• Chairperson

  • Ms Anne BRASSEUR (Luxembourg, ALDE)

• Presidential Committee

  • Mr Andreas GROSS (Switzerland, SOC)
  • Mr Pedro AGRAMUNT (Spain, EPP/CD)
  • Mr Christopher CHOPE (United Kingdom, EDG)
  • Mr Jordi XUCLÀ (Spain, ALDE)
  • Mr Tiny KOX (Netherlands, UEL)

• Committee on Political Affairs and Democracy

  • Lord ANDERSON (United Kingdom, SOC)
  • Mr Deniz BAYKAL (Turkey, SOC)
  • Mr Brian BINLEY (United Kingdom, EDG)
  • Mr Reha DEMENEÇ (Turkey, EDG)
  • Mrs Cheryl GILLAN (United Kingdom, EDG)
  • Mr Andreas GROSS (Switzerland, SOC)
  • Mr Mike HANCOCK (United Kingdom, ALDE)
  • Mr Jacob LUND (Denmark, SOC)
  • Mr João Bosco MOTA AMARAL (Portugal, EPP/CD) – Discussant Lab 19
  • Ms Marietta de POURBAIX-LUNDIN (Sweden, EPP-CD) – Moderator Lab 5
  • Mr Andrea RIGONI (Italy, ALDE)
  • Mr René ROUQUET (France, SOC)
  • Mr Robert WALTER (United Kingdom, EDG)
  • Ms Kristýna ZELIENKOVÁ (Czech Republic, ALDE)

• Committee on Legal Affairs and Human Rights

  • Mr Rafael HUSEYNOV (Azerbaijan, ALDE)
  • Mr Charles KENNEDY (United Kingdom, ALDE)
  • Mr Konstantinos TRIANTAFYLLOS (Greece, SOC) – Discussant Lab 5

• Committee on the Honouring of Obligations and Commitments by Member States (Monitoring Committee)

  • Mr Indrek SAAR (Estonia, SOC)

• Committee on Social Affairs, Health and Sustainable Development

  • Mr André BUGNON (Switzerland, ALDE)
  • Mr Igor KOLMAN (Croatia, ALDE)
  • Ms Milica MARKOVIĆ (Bosnia Herzegovina, SOC)
  • Mr Stefan SCHENNACH (Austria, SOC)

• Committee on Equality and Non-Discrimination

  • Ms Elena CENTEMERO (Italy, EPP/CD)
  • Ms Maria SPADONI (Italy, NR) – Discussant Lab 19

• Committee on Migration, Refugees and Displaced Persons

  • Ms Ivana DOBEŠOVÁ (Czech Republic, ALDE)
  • Mr Michele NICOLETTI (Italy, SOC)
  • Mr Marcel OBERWEIS (Luxembourg, EPP/CD)

• Committee on Culture, Science, Education and Media

  • Mr Paolo CORSINI (Italy, SOC)
  • Ms Adele GAMBARO (Italy, NR) – Discussant for Lab 14
  • Mr Francesco Mario GIRO (Italy, EPP/CD)
  • Mr André SCHNEIDER (France, EPP/CD)
  • Mr Gérard TERRIER (France, SOC)

• Committee on Rules of Procedure, Immunities and Institutional Affairs

  • Mr Jordi XUCLÀ (Spain, ALDE)