Progress report | Doc. 14796 | 19 January 2019

Activities of the Assembly’s Bureau and Standing Committee (12 October 2018-20 January 2019)

Bureau of the Assembly

Rapporteur : Mr Ian LIDDELL-GRAINGER, United Kingdom, EC

1. Introduction

At its meeting on 12 October 2018, the Bureau appointed me as rapporteur for this report, which covers its activities over the period from the last Bureau meeting of the fourth part-session of 2018 (Friday 12 October) to the first Bureau meeting of the first part-session of 2019 (Monday 21 January).

The following chapters include the decisions taken by the Bureau at its meetings of 12 October in Strasbourg, of 22 November in Helsinki and of 14 December in Paris. Chapter 2 presents a list of decisions that were either already ratified by the Standing Committee on 23 November or which do not require ratification. Chapter 4 lists the decisions taken on 14 December that require ratification at the opening of the first part-session of the Assembly.

An addendum to this report will be issued after the Bureau meeting of 21 January, which will also include decisions to be ratified on the same day. Another addendum will be issued after the Bureau meeting of 25 January. It will include only the decisions to be ratified by the Assembly on the same day, notably the references and transmissions which will have been approved by the Bureau.

The Bureau will hold its next meetings in Strasbourg on Friday 25 January at 8.30 am and then on 28 February in Paris. The next meeting of the Standing Committee will also be held in Paris on 1 March.

2. Activities of the Bureau since the last part-session and decisions not requiring ratification by the Assembly

2.1. Standing Committee (Helsinki, 23 November 2018)

On 12 October and 22 November, the Bureau considered and took note of the draft agenda.

On 14 December, the Bureau approved the proposal made by the Secretary General of the Parliamentary Assembly for the follow-up to be given to Resolution 2248 (2018) on the Procedure for the election of judges to the European Court of Human Rights and decided to refer the matter to the Committee on Rules of Procedure, Immunities and Institutional Affairs to be taken into account in the framework of the report on “Modification of various provisions of the Assembly’s Rules of Procedure”.

2.2. First part-session of 2019 (21-25 January)

2.2.1. Draft agenda

On 12 October, the Bureau drew up the preliminary draft agenda. On 22 November, the Bureau updated it and subsequently, on 14 December, the Bureau drew up the draft agenda.

2.2.2. Joint Committee (Strasbourg, 24 January 2019)

On 14 December, the Bureau took note of the draft agenda.

2.3. Communications

On 22 November, the Bureau took note of the communications by the President of the Assembly and by the Secretary General of the Council of Europe.

On 14 December, the Bureau took note of the communications by the President of the Assembly, the Secretary General and the Deputy Secretary General of the Council of Europe. It also observed a minute of silence in tribute to the victims of the terrorist attack in Strasbourg on 11 December 2018.

2.4. Revision of the list of rights of participation and representation whose exercise may be deprived or suspended in the context of a challenge of credentials under Rule 10.1.c with respect to voting rights in the procedure for electing personalities by the Assembly

On 22 November, the Bureau asked the Committee on Rules of Procedure, Immunities and Institutional Affairs to review the list of rights of participation and representation whose exercise may be deprived or suspended in the context of a challenge of credentials under Rule 10.1.c with respect to voting rights in the procedure for electing personalities by the Assembly.

On 14 December, the Bureau took note of the opinion of the Committee on Rules of Procedure, Immunities and Institutional Affairs and decided to declassify it.

2.5. Declaration of interests of Parliamentary Assembly members

On 14 December, the Bureau took note of the information provided in the letter by the Chairperson of the Committee on Rules of Procedure, Immunities and Institutional Affairs. It also took note that as regards the deadline for submitting declarations, the declarations of interest 2019 should be submitted by 28 February 2019 for members whose credentials are ratified at the opening of the session in January (and for the last day of February for subsequent years). With regard to new Assembly members whose delegations submit credentials during the session, declarations of interests shall be submitted by the end of the month which follows ratification of the credentials by the Assembly (e.g. 30 April 2019 for new members whose credentials are ratified at the meeting of the Standing Committee on 1 March; 31 May 2019 for those whose credentials are ratified at the April part-session, etc.).

2.6. Election observations

2.6.1. “The former Yugoslav Republic of Macedonia”: Referendum (30 September 2018) following the Final Agreement signed by Greece and “the former Yugoslav Republic of Macedonia” on 17 June 2018

On 12 October, the Bureau authorised the President of the Assembly to approve the list of members and appoint the Chairperson and authorised the conduct of a pre-electoral mission. On 22 November, the Bureau took note of the memorandum prepared by the Chairperson of the Election Assessment mission.

2.6.2. Bosnia and Herzegovina: general elections (7 October 2018)

On 12 October, the Bureau took note of the statement of the observation mission. On 22 November, it approved the report of the ad hoc committee.

2.6.3. Georgia: presidential election (28 October and 28 November 2018)

On 22 November, the Bureau took note of the statement of the election observation mission and of the fact that a second round would be held on 28 November 2018. On 14 December, it approved the report of the ad hoc committee.

2.6.4. Armenia: early parliamentary elections (9 December 2018)

On 22 November, the Bureau approved the list of members of the Ad hoc Committee to observe these elections and appointed Mr Aleksander Pociej (Poland, EPP/CD) as Chairperson of the Ad hoc Committee (Appendix 1). On 14 December, it took note of the statement of the election observation mission.

2.6.5. Republic of Moldova: parliamentary elections (24 February 2019)

On 22 November, the Bureau approved the list of members of the Ad hoc Committee to observe these elections and appointed Mr Claude Kern (France, ALDE) as Chairperson of the Ad hoc Committee (Appendix 2).

2.6.6. Schedule of elections for 2019

On 14 December, the Bureau took note of the document.

2.7. References and transmissions to committees

2.7.1. References and transmissions

At its meeting on 22 November, the Bureau approved the following references and transmissions, which were subsequently ratified by the Standing Committee:

Doc. 14594, Motion for a resolution, The use of innovative technologies for the benefit of migrants: transmission to the Committee on Migration, Refugees and Displaced Persons for information

Doc. 14637, Motion for a recommendation, Unaccompanied and separated migrant children: the need for effective guardianship: reference to the Committee on Migration, Refugees and Displaced Persons for report and to the Committee on Social Affairs, Health and Sustainable Development for opinion

Doc. 14638, Motion for a resolution, Urgent need to strengthen Financial Intelligence Units – Sharper tools needed to improve confiscation of illegal assets: reference to the Committee on Legal Affairs and Human Rights for report

Doc. 14639, Motion for a resolution, Fighting corruption – General principles of political responsibility: reference to the Committee on Legal Affairs and Human Rights for report and to the Committee on Political Affairs and Democracy for opinion

Doc. 14640, Motion for a resolution, Following up on the Genocide Convention and developing processes for reflecting on historic genocides in Council of Europe member States: no further action

Doc. 14641, Motion for a resolution, Forced and child labour in the sectors of cocoa, coffee and tea: no further action

2.7.2. Modification of a reference

At its meeting on 22 November, the Bureau approved the following modification of a reference, which was subsequently ratified by the Standing Committee:

Bureau decision, The evaluation of the partnership for democracy in respect of the Parliament of Morocco: reference to the Committee on Political Affairs and Democracy for report and to the Committee on Equality and Non-Discrimination and to the Committee on Legal Affairs and Human Rights for opinion

2.7.3. Reply after consultation

On 12 October, the Bureau considered and approved the following reply after consultation:

Doc. 14544, Motion for a resolution, The protection of freedom of religion or belief in the workplace: reference to the Committee on Legal Affairs and Human Rights for report and to the Committee on Equality and Non-discrimination for opinion

2.7.4. Extension of references

On 12 October, the Bureau considered and approved the following extensions of references:

Bureau decision, Activities of the European Bank for Reconstruction and Development (EBRD) (new title: Promoting democracy by developing market economy: does the EBRD model work?), Reference 4247 of 14 October 2016 – extension until 30 April 2019

Doc. 14101, Motion for a resolution, The need to enable the Committee of Ministers to give answers to the Assembly even in the absence of a consensus, Reference 4236 of 14 October 2016 – extension until 4 October 2019

On 22 November, the Bureau considered and approved the following extension of reference:

Doc. 13978, Motion for a resolution, The functioning of democratic institutions in Poland, Reference 4206 of 27 May 2016 – extension until 25 July 2019

At its meeting on 14 December, the Bureau considered and approved the following extensions of references:

Doc. 14072, Motion for a resolution, Setting minimum standards for electoral systems in order to offer the basis for free and fair elections (Reference 4222 of 24 June 2016 – validity: 24 December 2018): extension until 31 December 2019

Doc. 14185, Motion for a resolution, Air quality and diesel emissions in urban centres (Reference 4265 of 23 January 2017 – validity: 23 January 2019): extension until 30 June 2019

Decision of the Bureau, The situation in Syria and its effects upon surrounding countries (Reference 4275 of 27 January 2017 – validity: 27 January 2019): extension until 30 June 2019

Doc. 14243, Motion for a resolution, Towards an Internet Ombudsman institution (Reference 4278 of 10 March 2017 – validity: 10 March 2019): extension until 31 December 2019

Doc. 14246, Motion for a resolution, Labour migration from Eastern Europe and its impact on socio-demographic processes in these countries (Reference 4280 of 10 March 2017 – validity: 10 March 2019): extension until 30 June 2019

2.8. Issues raised by committees

2.8.1. Committee on Political Affairs and Democracy

On 12 October, the Bureau authorised Mr Adão Silva (Portugal, EPP/CD) to carry out a fact-finding visit to New York, USA, on 3 December afternoon and 4 December 2018, in the framework of the preparation of his report on Strengthening co-operation with the United Nations in implementing the 2030 Agenda for Sustainable Development, and in conjunction with the meeting of the Sub-committee on External Relations (5-6 December 2018).

2.9. European Committee for the Prevention of Torture and Inhuman or Degrading Treatment or Punishment (CPT)

On 12 October, the Bureau took note of the letter by the Chairperson of the Committee on Legal Affairs and Human Rights and drew up the list of candidates for the CPT in respect of Spain, which it forwarded to the Committee of Ministers.

2.10. 2018 World Forum for Democracy (Strasbourg, 19-21 November)

On 12 October, the Bureau approved the final composition of the ad hoc committee of the Bureau to participate in the Forum (Appendix 3).

2.11. Initiative by Ms Kasimati’s to propose to proclaim 18 September the European Day of Remembrance of the Victims and the Fight against Neo-Nazism and fascism

On 22 November, the Bureau took note of Ms Kasimati’s initiative expressed at the meeting of the Committee on Social Affairs, Health and Sustainable Development on 18 September 2018.

2.12. Expenditure of the Parliamentary Assembly for the 2019 financial year

On 14 December, the Bureau took note of the memorandum prepared by the Secretary General of the Assembly.

2.13. Parliamentary co-operation activities – work plan 2019

On 14 December, the Bureau took note of the memorandum prepared by the Secretary General of the Assembly.

2.14. Co-operation with the European Parliament and other European Union institutions

On 14 December, the Bureau took note of the memorandum prepared by the Secretary General of the Assembly, reflecting the various joint activities and meetings.

2.15. Apportionment of the allocation to political groups for 2019

On 14 December, the Bureau took note of the memorandum prepared by the Secretary General of the Assembly and approved the proposal for the apportionment of the allocation.

2.16. Meetings elsewhere than Strasbourg and Paris

On 22 November, the Bureau authorised the Committee on Rules of Procedure, Immunities and Institutional Affairs to hold a meeting in Brussels on 15 January 2019.

On 14 December, the Bureau authorised:

the Committee on Culture, Science, Education and Media to meet in Granada, Spain, on 4 March 2019;

the Sub-Committee on Integration of the Committee on Migration, Refugees and Displaced Persons to meet in Ankara in spring 2019 (exact dates to be confirmed);

the Monitoring Committee to meet in London on 16-17 May 2019.

2.17. European Conference of Presidents of Parliament 2019 (Strasbourg, 24-25 October)

On 14 December, the Bureau took note that the Conference would discuss the following themes:

“Our Common European Home”: the next 70 years;

Implementing the UN 2030 Agenda and its Sustainable Development Goals: contribution by Parliaments;

and that the third theme will be a current political issue to be chosen amongst proposals to be suggested by Presidents of Parliament.

2.18. 2019 Václav Havel Human Rights Prize

On 14 December, the Bureau took note of the calendar of the 2019 edition of the Prize.

3. Activities of the Standing Committee (Helsinki, 23 November 2018)

The Standing Committee heard a welcome address by Ms Paula Risikko, Speaker of the Parliament of Finland, and held an exchange of views with Mr Timo Soini, Minister for Foreign Affairs of Finland, Chairman of the Committee of Ministers of the Council of Europe and with Ms Anna Rurka, President of the Conference of the INGOs, Council of Europe.

The Standing Committee ratified the credentials of new members of the Assembly submitted by the delegations of the Czech Republic, Denmark, France, Germany, Poland and Slovenia and approved changes in the composition of Assembly committees.

It also took note of the draft agenda of the first part-session of the Assembly (21 – 25 January 2019) and ratified the references which are contained in chapter 2.7 above.

It took note of the report of the ad hoc committee of the Bureau on the “observation of the general elections in Bosnia and Herzegovina (7 October 2018)”.

The Standing Committee adopted the following texts on behalf of the Assembly:

Recommendation 2143 (2018), Protecting and promoting sign languages in Europe

Resolution 2247 (2018), Protecting and promoting sign languages in Europe

Resolution 2248 (2018), Procedure for the election of judges to the European Court of Human Rights

Resolution 2249 (2018), The provision of palliative care in Europe

Resolution 2250 (2018), Encouraging the movement of international students across Europe

In the margin of the debate on the report on “Protecting and promoting sign languages in Europe”, the Finnish rap artist “Signmark”, who was born deaf, performed songs in sign language for the parliamentarians.

The Standing Committee decided to hold its next meeting on 1 March 2019 in Paris.

4. Decisions of the Bureau requiring ratification by the Assembly

4.1. Election observations

4.1.1. Ukraine: presidential election (31 March 2019)

On 14 December, the Bureau, subject to receiving an invitation, decided to observe this election and constituted an ad hoc committee for this purpose composed of 30 members (EPP/CD: 10; SOC: 9, EC: 4, ALDE: 4, UEL: 2, FDG: 1 – in accordance with the D’Hondt system) as well as of the co-rapporteurs of the Monitoring Committee and authorised the conduct of a pre-electoral mission.

4.2. Rules on access to and movement and security within the Council of Europe during sessions of the Parliamentary Assembly and meetings of Assembly committees and sub-committees

On 22 November, the Bureau adopted the Rules on access to and movement and security within the Council of Europe during sessions of the Parliamentary Assembly and meetings of Assembly committees and sub-committees (Appendix 4).

4.3. References and transmissions to committees

4.3.1. References and transmissions to committees

On 14 December, the Bureau approved the following references and transmissions, subject to ratification by the Assembly:

Doc. 14642, Motion for a resolution, The use of explosive weapons as a key driver of justified displacement: no further action

Doc. 14643, Motion for a resolution, Deteriorating situation of national minorities in Ukraine: reference to the Committee on the Honouring of Obligations and Commitments by Member States of the Council of Europe (Monitoring Committee) to be taken into account in the framework of the report on the “Honouring of obligations and commitments by Ukraine”

Doc. 14645, Motion for a resolution, Pushback action by member States: reference to the Committee on Migration, Refugees and Displaced Persons for report

Doc. 14646, Motion for a resolution, Involuntary addiction to prescription medicines: reference to the Committee on Social Affairs, Health and Sustainable Development for report

Doc. 14650, Motion for a resolution, Judges in Poland and in the Republic of Moldova must remain independent: reference to the Committee on Legal Affairs and Human Rights for report

Doc. 14652, Motion for a resolution, Misuse of the Schengen system by Council of Europe member States as a politically-motivated sanction: reference to the Committee on Legal Affairs and Human Rights for report

Doc. 14653, Motion for a resolution, Follow-up to the Azerbaijani Laundromat investigation: reference to the Committee on Legal Affairs and Human Rights for report

Doc. 14654, Motion for a resolution, Humanitarian action for refugees and migrants in countries at the southern Mediterranean Sea: reference to the Committee on Migration, Refugees and Displaced Persons for report and to the Committee on Social Affairs, Health and Sustainable Development for opinion

Doc. 14655, Motion for a resolution, Role of parliaments in implementing the United Nations global compacts for migrants and refugees: reference to the Committee on Migration, Refugees and Displaced Persons for report

Doc. 14656, Motion for a resolution, The rights of the German minority in Romania: transmission to the Committee on Equality and Non-Discrimination for information

Bureau decision, Follow up to Resolution 2248 (2018) on the procedure for the election of judges to the European Court of Human Rights (paragraphs 8.3 and 8.4): reference to the Committee on Rules of Procedure, Immunities and Institutional Affairs to be taken into account in the framework of the report on “Modification of various provisions of the Assembly’s Rules of Procedure”

4.3.2. Lapse of a reference (Rule 26.4 of the Assembly’s Rules of Procedure)

On 14 December, the Bureau approved the following lapse of a reference:

Doc. 14599, Motion for a resolution, Undue influence of financial capital in political systems of microstates of the Council of Europe (Reference 4403 of 12 October 2018)

The Assembly is invited to ratify these Bureau decisions.

5. Gender equality in the functioning of the Assembly

1. Since 2012, following a Bureau decision, statistics on the gender breakdown of Assembly positions are prepared every year and included in the Progress report on the activities of the Assembly’s Bureau and Standing Committee presented during the January part-session. They provide a picture of the situation as of December of any given year. The publication of this information aims at enhancing transparency and raising awareness.

2. In 2018, the total number of women members of the Assembly continued to go down, albeit slightly: they represented 34% of members, compared to 37% in 2017 and 39% in 2016. It should be noted, however, that the total share of women members of parliament in Council of Europe member States as of 1 June 2018, according to data collected by the Inter-parliamentary Union, was lower: 25,92%. This shows that the provisions laid down in Rule 6.2 a. of the Assembly’s Rules of procedure, namely that ‘national delegations should include members of the under-represented sex at least in the same percentage as in their national parliaments’ have had a positive impact, since in many cases the national delegations to the Assembly have a higher representation rate of women than national parliaments.

3. Nevertheless, it should be noted that at the opening of the 2018 session, the still unratified credentials of the parliamentary delegation of Andorra were challenged on the grounds that the delegation comprised no female representative in violation of Rule 6.2.a of the Rules of Procedure, which provides that each delegation should include ‘at a very minimum, one member of the under-represented sex appointed as a representative’.

4. Bearing in mind the assurances provided by the Andorran delegation to ensure full compliance with the condition laid down by the Rules of Procedure at the earliest opportunity, the Assembly ratified the credentials of the delegation, while deciding for the automatic suspension of the voting rights of its members, with effect from the April 2018 part-session, if the composition of the delegation had not been brought into conformity with Rule 6.2.a of the Rules of Procedure. This did not happen, as the composition of the Andorran delegation was brought in conformity with the Rules in time.

5. In 2018, the Assembly’s presidency was held by a man, Mr Michele Nicoletti, from the January part-session to the opening of the June part-session, and subsequently by a woman, Ms Liliane Maury Pasquier. The percentage of women as Vice-Presidents of the Assembly decreased from 42% to 33% while the percentage of women as Bureau members increased from 43% to 47%. This reflects the increase in the number of women as Chairpersons of committees (6 out of 9 in 2018 or 67 %, up from 4 or 44% in 2017).

6. As regards the composition of committees, overall 35% of full members in 2018 were women, down from 40% in the previous year, while alternates remained stable at 33%. In 5 out of 9 committees, women’s representation as full members is below the average of 35%, including in the Committee on Rules of Procedure, Immunities and Institutional Affairs (21%), the Committee on Legal Affairs and Human Rights (25%), the Committee on Political Affairs and Democracy (31%), the Committee on Culture, Science, Education and Media (32%), the Monitoring Committee (32%).

7. On average, the representation of women as Rapporteurs for report improved from 22% in 2017 to 37% in 2018. It remains, however, rather low in some committees, and is as low as 14% in the Committee on Legal Affairs and Human Rights. It should also be noticed that all the reports presented by the Committee on Rules of Procedure, Immunities and Institutional Affairs in 2018 had women as rapporteurs. The representation of women as Rapporteurs for opinion overall increased from 48% last year to 62% this year.

OVERVIEW ASSEMBLY
Position	Men	Women	Total	Percentage of men		Percentage of women
				2017	2018	2017	2018
President	0	1	1	0%	0%	100%	100%
Vice-Presidents	12	6	18	58%	67%	42%	33%
Presidential Committee	6	2	8	75%	75%	25%	25%
Assembly Bureau	19	17	36	57%	53%	43%	47%

COMMITTEES		Men	Women	Total	Percentage of men		Percentage of women
					2017	2018	2017	2018
Committee on Political Affairs and Democracy
Members		56	25	81	64%	69%	36%	31%
Alternates		56	20	76	69%	74%	31%	26%
Chairperson		0	1	1	100%	0%	0%	100%
Vice-Chairpersons		2	1	3	67%	67%	33%	33%
Rapporteurs for report		3	1	4	90%	75%	10%	25%
Rapporteurs for opinion		1	0	1	50%	100%	50%	0%
Committee on Legal Affairs and Human Rights
Members		61	20	81	77%	75%	23%	25%
Alternates		58	20	78	75%	74%	25%	26%
Chairperson		0	1	1	0%	0%	100%	100%
Vice-Chairpersons		2	1	3	100%	67%	0%	33%
Rapporteurs for report		12	2	14	91%	86%	9%	14%
Rapporteurs for opinion		2	3	5	80%	40%	20%	60%
Committee on Social Affairs, Health and Sustainable Development
Members		46	35	81	53%	57%	47%	43%
Alternates		36	33	69	54%	52%	46%	48%
Chairperson		1	0	1	100%	100%	0%	0%
Vice-Chairpersons		2	0	2	100%	100%	0%	0%
Rapporteurs for report		5	4	9	63%	56%	37%	44%
Rapporteurs for opinion		1	2	3	67%	33%	33%	67%
Committee on Migration, Refugees and Displaced Persons
Members		51	28	79	54%	65%	46%	35%
Alternates		47	24	71	63%	66%	37%	34%
Chairperson		0	1	1	0%	0%	100%	100%
Vice-Chairpersons		2	1	3	33%	67%	67%	33%
Rapporteurs for report		5	5	10	63%	50%	37%	50%
Rapporteurs for opinion		0	2	2	0%	0%	100%	100%
Committee on Culture, Science, Education and Media
Members		55	26	81	64%	68%	36%	32%
Alternates		57	16	73	76%	78%	24%	22%
Chairperson		0	1	1	100%	0%	0%	100%
Vice-Chairpersons		3	0	3	100%	100%	0%	0%
Rapporteurs for report		3	3	6	63%	50%	37%	50%
Rapporteurs for opinion		1	0	1	100%	100%	0%	0%
Committee on Equality and Non-Discrimination
Members		42	39	81	53%	52%	47%	48%
Alternates		38	34	72	52%	53%	48%	47%
Chairperson		0	1	1	0%	0%	100%	100%
Vice-Chairpersons		2	1	3	33%	67%	67%	33%
Rapporteurs for report		4	5	9	33%	44%	67%	56%
Rapporteurs for opinion		0	1	1	0%	0%	100%	100%
Committee on Honouring of Obligations and Commitments by Member States (Monitoring Committee)
Members		50	24	74	59%	68%	41%	32%
Chairperson		1	0	1	100%	100%	0%	0%
Vice-Chairpersons		1	1	2	100%	50%	0%	50%
Rapporteurs for report		7	0	7	85%	100%	15%	0%
Committee on Rules of Procedure, Immunities and Institutional Affairs
Members	22		6	28	73%	79%	27%	21%
Chairperson	0		1	1	0%	0%	100%	100%
Vice-Chairpersons	2		1	3	67%	67%	33%	33%
Rapporteurs for report	0		4	4	83%	0%	17%	100%
Committee on the Election of Judges to the European Court of Human Rights
Members		13	7	20	61%	65%	39%	35%
Alternates		15	2	17	90%	88%	10%	12%
Chairperson		1	0	1	100%	100%	0%	0%
Vice-Chairpersons		3	0	3	100%	100%	0%	0%
Rapporteurs for report		1	0	1	0%	100%	0%	0%

OVERVIEW COMMITTEES
Position	Men	Women	Total	Percentage of men		Percentage of women
				2017	2018	2017	2018
Members	396	210	606	60%	65%	40%	35%
Alternates	307	149	456	67%	67%	33%	33%
Committee Chairpersons	3	6	9	56%	33%	44%	67%
Committee Vice‑Chairpersons	19	6	25	74%	76%	26%	24%
Rapporteurs for report	40	24	64	78%	63%	22%	37%
Rapporteurs for opinion	5	8	13	52%	38%	48%	62%

GENDER BREAKDOWN, BUREAUX OF SUB-COMMITTEES
Committees	Men	Women	Total	Percentage of men		Percentage of women
				2017	2018	2017	2018
Committee on Political Affairs and Democracy
Sub-Committee Chairpersons	1	1	2	50%	50%	50%	50%
Vice-Chairpersons of Sub-Committees	2	1	3	67%	67%	33%	33%
Committee on Legal Affairs and Human Rights
Sub-Committee Chairpersons	1	1	2	67%	50%	33%	50%
Vice-Chairpersons of Sub-Committees	2	1	3	100%	67%	0%	33%
Committee on Social Affairs, Health and Sustainable Development
Sub-Committee Chairpersons	1	3	4	25%	25%	75%	75%
Vice-Chairpersons of Sub-Committees	2	2	4	75%	50%	25%	50%
Committee on Migration, Refugees and Displaced Persons
Sub-Committee Chairpersons	2	0	2	67%	100%	33%	0%
Vice-Chairpersons of Sub-Committees	3	0	3	100%	100%	0%	0%
Committee on Culture, Science, Education and Media
Sub-Committee Chairpersons	2	1	3	33%	67%	67%	33%
Vice-Chairpersons of Sub-Committees	1	2	3	67%	33%	33%	67%
Committee on Equality and Non-Discrimination
Sub-Committee Chairpersons	2	0	2	67%	100%	33%	0%
Vice-Chairpersons of Sub-Committees	2	0	2	50%	100%	50%	0%
Committee on Honouring of Obligations and Commitments by Member States (Monitoring Committee)
Sub-Committee Chairperson	1	0	1	100%	100%	0%	0%
Vice-Chairpersons of Sub-Committees	0	1	1	100%	0%	0%	100%
Committee on Rules of Procedure, Immunities and Institutional Affairs
Sub-Committee Chairperson	1	0	1	-	100%	-	0%
Vice-Chairpersons of Sub-Committees	0	0	0	-	-	-	-

OVERVIEW – SUB-COMMITTEES
Position	Men	Women	Total	Percentage of men		Percentage of women
				2017	2018	2017	2018
Sub-Committee Chairpersons	11	6	17	53%	65%	47%	35%
Sub-Committee Vice-Chairpersons	12	7	19	76%	63%	24%	37%

GENDER BREAKDOWN – NATIONAL DELEGATIONS
National Delegations (Representatives and Substitutes)	Total	Men	Women	Percentage of men	Percentage of women
Albania	8	5	3	63%	37%
Andorra	4	2	2	50%	50%
Armenia	8	5	3	63%	37%
Austria	12	8	4	67%	33%
Azerbaijan	12	8	4	67%	33%
Belgium	14	9	5	64%	36%
Bosnia and Herzegovina	10	7	3	70%	30%
Bulgaria	12	9	3	75%	25%
Croatia	10	7	3	70%	30%
Cyprus	4	2	2	50%	50%
Czech Republic	14	11	3	79%	21%
Denmark	10	7	3	70%	30%
Estonia	5	4	1	80%	20%
Finland	10	4	6	40%	60%
France	35	22	13	63%	37%
Georgia	10	5	5	50%	50%
Germany	36	23	13	64%	36%
Greece	13	7	6	54%	46%
Hungary	14	9	5	64%	36%
Iceland	6	3	3	50%	50%
Ireland	8	6	2	75%	25%
Italy	36	25	11	69%	31%
Latvia	6	3	3	50%	50%
Liechtenstein	4	3	1	75%	25%
Lithuania	8	6	2	75%	25%
Luxembourg	6	4	2	67%	33%
Malta	6	5	1	83%	17%
Republic of Moldova	10	6	4	60%	40%
Monaco	4	3	1	75%	25%
Montenegro	5	3	2	60%	40%
Netherlands	12	6	6	50%	50%
Norway	10	5	5	50%	50%
Poland	24	21	3	88%	13%
Portugal	13	8	5	62%	38%
Romania	19	14	5	74%	26%
San Marino	4	3	1	75%	25%
Serbia	14	6	8	43%	57%
Slovak Republic	10	8	2	80%	20%
Slovenia	6	2	4	33%	67%
Spain	24	15	9	63%	38%
Sweden	12	5	7	42%	58%
Switzerland	12	9	3	75%	25%
''The former Yugoslav Republic of Macedonia''	6	4	2	67%	33%
Turkey	35	25	10	71%	29%
Ukraine	23	19	4	83%	17%
United Kingdom	36	26	10	72%	28%
Totals	600	397	203	66%	34%

GENDER BREAKDOWN – NATIONAL DELEGATIONS (REPRESENTATIVES ONLY)
National Delegations (representatives)	Total	Men	Women	Percentage of men	Percentage of women
Albania	4	3	1	75%	25%
Andorra	2	1	1	50%	50%
Armenia	4	2	2	50%	50%
Austria	6	5	1	83%	17%
Azerbaijan	6	3	3	50%	50%
Belgium	7	6	1	86%	14%
Bosnia and Herzegovina	5	3	2	60%	40%
Bulgaria	6	4	2	67%	33%
Croatia	5	3	2	60%	40%
Cyprus	2	1	1	50%	50%
Czech Republic	7	6	1	86%	14%
Denmark	5	4	1	80%	20%
Estonia	2	1	1	50%	50%
Finland	5	1	4	20%	80%
France	18	11	7	61%	39%
Georgia	5	2	3	40%	60%
Germany	18	12	6	67%	33%
Greece	7	2	5	29%	71%
Hungary	7	5	2	71%	29%
Iceland	3	1	2	33%	67%
Ireland	4	3	1	75%	25%
Italy	18	13	5	72%	28%
Latvia	3	1	2	33%	67%
Liechtenstein	2	1	1	50%	50%
Lithuania	4	3	1	75%	25%
Luxembourg	3	2	1	67%	33%
Malta	3	2	1	67%	33%
Republic of Moldova	5	4	1	80%	20%
Monaco	2	1	1	50%	50%
Montenegro	3	2	1	67%	33%
Netherlands	7	3	4	43%	57%
Norway	5	2	3	40%	60%
Poland	12	9	3	75%	25%
Portugal	7	5	2	71%	29%
Romania	10	7	3	70%	30%
San Marino	2	1	1	50%	50%
Serbia	7	3	4	43%	57%
Slovak Republic	5	4	1	80%	20%
Slovenia	3	2	1	67%	33%
Spain	12	8	4	67%	33%
Sweden	6	4	2	67%	33%
Switzerland	6	4	2	67%	33%
''The former Yugoslav Republic of Macedonia''	3	2	1	67%	33%
Turkey	18	13	5	72%	28%
Ukraine	12	9	3	75%	25%
United Kingdom	18	11	7	61%	39%
Totals	304	195	109	64%	36%

GENDER BREAKDOWN – NATIONAL DELEGATIONS (SUBSTITUTES ONLY)
National Delegations (substitutes)	Total	Men	Women	Percentage of men	Percentage of women
Albania	4	2	2	50%	50%
Andorra	2	1	1	50%	50%
Armenia	4	3	1	75%	25%
Austria	6	3	3	50%	50%
Azerbaijan	6	5	1	83%	17%
Belgium	7	3	4	43%	57%
Bosnia and Herzegovina	5	4	1	80%	20%
Bulgaria	6	5	1	83%	17%
Croatia	5	4	1	80%	20%
Cyprus	2	1	1	50%	50%
Czech Republic	7	5	2	71%	29%
Denmark	5	3	2	60%	40%
Estonia	3	3	0	100%	0%
Finland	5	3	2	60%	40%
France	17	11	6	65%	35%
Georgia	5	3	2	60%	40%
Germany	18	11	7	61%	39%
Greece	6	5	1	83%	17%
Hungary	7	4	3	57%	43%
Iceland	3	2	1	67%	33%
Ireland	4	3	1	75%	25%
Italy	18	12	6	67%	33%
Latvia	3	2	1	67%	33%
Liechtenstein	2	2	0	100%	0%
Lithuania	4	3	1	75%	25%
Luxembourg	3	2	1	67%	33%
Malta	3	3	0	100%	0%
Republic of Moldova	5	2	3	40%	60%
Monaco	2	2	0	100%	0%
Montenegro	2	1	1	50%	50%
Netherlands	5	3	2	60%	40%
Norway	5	3	2	60%	40%
Poland	12	12	0	100%	0%
Portugal	6	3	3	50%	50%
Romania	9	7	2	78%	22%
San Marino	2	2	0	100%	0%
Serbia	7	3	4	43%	57%
Slovak Republic	5	4	1	80%	20%
Slovenia	3	0	3	0%	100%
Spain	12	7	5	58%	42%
Sweden	6	1	5	17%	83%
Switzerland	6	5	1	83%	17%
''The former Yugoslav Republic of Macedonia''	3	2	1	67%	33%
Turkey	17	12	5	71%	29%
Ukraine	11	10	1	91%	9%
United Kingdom	18	15	3	83%	17%
Totals	296	202	94	68%	32%

OVERVIEW – NATIONAL DELEGATIONS
National Delegations	Total	Men	Women	Percentage of men		Percentage of women
				2017	2018	2017	2018
Total	600	397	203	64%	66%	36%	34%
Representatives	304	195	109	60%	64%	40%	36%
Substitutes	296	202	94	67%	68%	33%	32%

Appendix 1 – List of members of the ad hoc committee to observe the early parliamentary elections in Armenia (9 December 2018)

(open)

Chairperson / Président: Mr / M. Aleksander POCIEJ, Poland / Pologne

Group of the European People’s Party (EPP/CD) / Groupe du Parti populaire européen (PPE/DC)

Mr / M. Damien ABAD, France

Mr / M. Aleksander POCIEJ, Poland / Pologne

Mr / M. Jordi ROCA, Spain / Espagne

Socialists, Democrats and Greens Group / Groupe des socialistes, démocrates et verts (SOC)

Mr / M. José MONTILLA, Spain / Espagne

Mr / M. Roberto RAMPI, Italy / Italie

Ms / Mme Soraya RODRÍGUEZ RAMOS, Spain / Espagne

Ms / Mme Adriana Diana TUȘA, Romania / Roumanie

European Conservatives Group (EC) / Groupe des conservateurs européens (CE)

Mr / M. Alberto RIBOLLA, Italy / Italie (NR / NI)

Alliance of Liberals and Democrats for Europe (ALDE) / Alliance des démocrates et des libéraux pour l’Europe (ADLE)

Mr / M. Andrii LOPUSHANSKYI, Ukraine

Group of the Unified European Left (UEL) / Groupe pour la gauche unitaire européenne (GUE)

Ms / Mme Feleknas UCA, Turkey / Turquie

Free Democrats Group (FDG) / Groupe des démocrates libres (GDL)

Co-rapporteurs of the Monitoring Committee / Co-rapporteurs de la commission de suivi (ex-officio)

Ms / Mme Yuliya LOVOCHKINA, Ukraine

Mr / M. Andrej ŠIRCELJ, Slovenia / Slovénie

Venice Commission / Commission de Venise

Ms / Mme Katharina PABEL, Substitute Member / Remplaçante

Appendix 2 – List of members of the ad hoc committee to observe the parliamentary elections in the Republic of Moldova (24 February 2019)

(open)

Chairperson / Président: Mr / M. Claude KERN, France

Group of the European People’s Party (EPP/CD) / Groupe du Parti populaire européen (PPE/DC)

Mr / M. Jason AZZOPARDI, Malta / Malte

Mr / M. Corneliu Mugurel COZMANCIUC, Romania / Roumanie

Ms / Mme Alina Ştefania GORGHIU, Romania / Roumanie

Mr / M. Killion MUNYAMA, Poland / Pologne

Ms / Mme Maria Concepción de SANTA ANA, Spain / Espagne

Ms / Mme Elisabeth SCHNEIDER-SCHNEITER, Switzerland / Suisse

Mr / M. Ionuţ-Marian STROE, Romania / Roumanie

Mr / M. Stefaan VERCAMER, Belgium / Belgique

Mr / M. Volkmar VOGEL, Germany / Allemagne

Socialists, Democrats and Greens Group / Groupe des socialistes, démocrates et verts (SOC)

Mr / M. Titus CORLĂŢEAN, Romania / Roumanie

Mr / M. Stefan SCHENNACH, Austria / Autriche

Mr / M. Pierre-Alain FRIDEZ, Switzerland / Suisse

Mr / M. Antonio GUTIÉRREZ, Spain / Espagne

Ms / Mme Peta BAYR, Austria / Autriche

Mr / M. André VALLINI, France

European Conservatives Group (EC) / Groupe des conservateurs européens (CE)

Mr / M. Christian LANGBALLE, Denmark / Danemark

Mr / M. Yıldırım Tuğrul TÜRKEŞ, Turkey / Turquie

Mr / M. Markus WIECHEL, Sweden / Suède

Alliance of Liberals and Democrats for Europe (ALDE) / Alliance des démocrates et des libéraux pour l’Europe (ADLE)

Mr / M. Claude KERN, France

Ms / Mme Melisa RODRÍGUEZ HERNÁNDEZ, Spain / Espagne

Mr / M. Aleksandar STEVANOVIĆ, Serbia / Serbie

Mr / M. Andrii LOPUSHANSKYI, Ukraine

Group of the Unified European Left (UEL) / Groupe pour la gauche unitaire européenne (GUE)

Mr / M. Petter EIDE, Norway / Norvège

Ms / Mme Miren Edurne GORROTXATEGUI, Spain / Espagne

Free Democrats Group (FDG) / Groupe des démocrates libres (GDL)

Co-rapporteurs of the Monitoring Committee / Co-rapporteurs de la commission de suivi (ex-officio)

Mr / M. Egidijus VAREIKIS, Lithuania / Lituanie

Ms / Mme Maryvonne BLONDIN, France

Venice Commission / Commission de Venise

Appendix 3 – List of members of the Ad Hoc Committee to participate in the World Forum for Democracy on 19-21 November 2018 in Strasbourg

(open)

Chairperson / Présidente

Ms / Mme Liliane Maury Pasquier – President of the Parliamentary Assembly / Présidente de l’Assemblée parlementaire

Committee on Political Affairs and Democracy / Commission des questions politiques et de la démocratie

Mr / M. José Cepeda (Spain, SOC / Espagne, SOC)

Ms / Mme Ioanetta Kavvadia (Greece, UEL / Grèce, GUE)

Ms / Mme Patricia Riberaygua (Andorra, ALDE / Andorre, ADLE)

Mr / M. Jordi Roca (Spain, EPP/CD / Espagne, PPE/DC)

Committee on Legal Affairs and Human Rights / Commission des questions juridiques et des droits de l’homme

Ms / Mme Eka Beselia (Georgia, SOC / Géorgie, SOC)

Ms / Mme Klotilda Bushka (Albania, SOC / Albanie, SOC)

Mr / M. Emanuelis Zingeris (Lithuania, EPP/CD / Lituanie, PPE/DC)

Committee on Social Affairs, Health and Sustainable Development / Commission des questions sociales, de la santé et du développement durable

Ms / Mme Yolaine De Courson (France, NR/NI)

Ms / Mme Jennifer De Temmerman (France, NR/NI)

Ms / Mme Nina Kasimati (Greece, UEL / Grèce, GUE)

Ms / Mme Milica Markovic (Bosnia and Herzegovina, FDG /Bosnie-Herzégovine, GDL)

Mr / M. Stefan Schennach (Austria, SOC / Autriche, SOC)

Committee on Migration, Refugees and Displaced Persons / Commission des migrations, des réfugiés et des personnes déplacées

Ms / Mme Rósa Björk Brynjólfsdóttir (Iceland, UEL / Islande, GUE)

Mr / M. Killion Munyama (Poland, EPP/DC / Pologne, PPE/DC)

Committee on Culture, Science, Education and Media / Commission de la culture, de la science, de l’éducation et des médias

Mr / M. Rafael Huseynov (Azerbaijan, ALDE / Azerbaïdjan, ADLE)

Ms / Mme María Concepcíon de Santa Ana (Spain, EPP/CD / Espagne, PPE/DC)

Mr / M. Jordi Xucla (Spain, ALDE / Espagne, ADLE)

Committee on Equality and Non-Discrimination / Commission sur l’égalité et sur la non-discrimination

Ms / Mme Sahiba Gafarova (Azerbaijan, EC / Azerbaïdjan, CE)

Mr / M. Jean-Pierre Grin (Switzerland, ALDE / Suisse, ADLE)

Ms / Mme Zita Gurmai (Hungary, SOC / Hongrie, SOC)

Ms / Mme Petra Stienen (Netherlands, ALDE / Pays-Bas, ADLE)

Committee on the Honouring of Obligations and Commitments by Member States of the Council of Europe (Monitoring Committee) / Commission pour le respect des obligations et engagements des Etats membres du Conseil de l’Europe (Commission de suivi)

Ms / Mme Yuliya Lovochkina (Ukraine, SOC)

Committee on Rules of Procedure, Immunities and Institutional Affairs / Commission du Règlement, des immunités et des affaires institutionnelles

Ms / Mme Petra De Sutter (Belgium, SOC / Belgique, SOC)

Appendix 4 – Rules on access to and movement and security within the Council of Europe during sessions of the Parliamentary Assembly and meetings of Assembly committees and sub-committees

(open)

Adopted by the Bureau of the Assembly on 22 November 2018, subject to ratification by the Assembly on 21 January 2019

The following rules shall apply to all premises where Assembly sessions and Assembly committee meetings are held, in particular in the Palais de l’Europe and the Council of Europe Office in Paris, unless otherwise specified.

I. Access to the Council of Europe and movement within Council of Europe premises

1. Access to Council of Europe premises and in particular to the Palais de l’Europe is governed by general rules issued by the Secretary General of the Council of Europe and the Director General of Administration. During Parliamentary Assembly sessions, however, the specific rules below apply. The same rules apply to other Council of Europe premises, in the case of meetings of committees and sub-committees.

2. The general rules on security, as well as subsidiary rules issued by the Secretary General of the Council of Europe and the Director General of Administration, apply to the control of access to Council of Europe premises and to movement within those premises, and govern matters relating to the issuance and wearing of access badges, security checks, restrictions on movement, the carrying of weapons and the protection of personalities on official visits.

3. Responsibility for enforcing safety and security measures lies with the staff mandated to this effect by the Secretary General of the Council of Europe, in accordance with Rule No. 1388 of 21 February 2017 on the framework of accountability in matters of security. During Assembly sessions, this duty will be performed in close co-operation with the Secretary General of the Parliamentary Assembly.

4. Access badges are issued to members of the Assembly, members of observer, partner for democracy and special guest delegations, secretaries of national delegations and third parties in accordance with the rules laid down by the Director General of Administration, in agreement with the Secretary General of the Parliamentary Assembly. The wearing of badges is compulsory.

5. Any request by a parliamentarian to be accompanied by a bodyguard will be submitted to the President of the Assembly. Such bodyguard will not, however, be allowed access to the Chamber or the meeting rooms.

6. The carrying of weapons and the presence of armed bodyguards within Council of Europe premises is prohibited. Any request for an exemption, in exceptional circumstances, must be submitted in writing to the Secretary General of the Council of Europe, who decides in agreement with the President of the Parliamentary Assembly.

Palais de l’Europe

7. Areas of movement and right of access to different places of work (Chamber, meeting rooms, offices of national delegations, offices of Permanent Representations, etc.) and other areas (cafeteria, restaurants, etc.) will be determined by the issuing of distinctive badges for each category of people. The badge must be used exclusively by the person to whom it has been allocated, in strict respect of the areas to which it gives access. The person concerned is solely responsible for the use of the badge attributed to him/her.

8. All badge requests emanating from a parliamentarian, a delegation, a political group or a committee should be referred exclusively to the Secretary General of the Parliamentary Assembly. The Council of Europe’s Protocol will not proceed with any request for the issuance of a badge for Assembly members, their families or their relatives.

9. No parliamentarian may invite more than six people per day, irrespective of their capacity (family members, friend or relative, voter from the parliamentarian’s constituency, representative of an interest group). The parliamentarian concerned shall assume full responsibility for their movements, behaviour and for their departure from the building. Any requests for a bigger group of visitors will be submitted to the Council of Europe Visitors’ Service.

10. When it comes to organising events/side events, parliamentarians, national delegations, political groups or committees may make badge requests. No more than 30 persons can be invited to a side-event.

11. The maximum period for which badges may be issued is one day, except in the case of parliamentary assistants and national parliamentary officials drafted in as reinforcements for parliamentary delegations and political groups, as well as the Assembly honorary members and official guests of the political groups.

12. Requests should be submitted by the Wednesday before the part-session, and in any case not later than one working day before the desired date, by means of a form indicating in particular the identity of the requestor, the identity of the guest and his/her relationship with the requestor, and the precise time at which access is to begin and end.

Office of the Council of Europe in Paris

13. At the time of committee and sub-committee meetings, access is granted to persons mentioned in paragraph 20 below.

14. An access badge will be issued to experts and persons invited by the chairperson of the committee / sub-committee (see below chapter IV) whose name will have been communicated by the secretariat of the committee concerned to the Paris Office one working day at least before the meeting. For a meeting open to the public, in part or in full, the list of participants should be communicated at least 72 hours before the meeting. Anyone whose name has not been communicated in the forms and deadlines provided will be denied access to the premises.

II. Access to the Chamber

15. Article 23.1 of the Assembly Rules of Procedure shall be applied in such a way as to permit access to the Chamber by the following categories of individuals:

i. Members of national delegations

representatives and substitutes from national delegations, members of observer, partner for democracy and special guest delegations;

members of delegations of parliaments of Council of Europe non-member States covered by an agreement of the Bureau;

members of delegations of parliaments which participate in the annual debates on OECD activities.

ii. Government representatives and representatives of the Committee of Ministers (Rule 57 of the Rules of Procedure)

representative to the Committee of Ministers and minister of the government of a member State;

Permanent Representatives and their deputies;

representatives of non-member States who enjoy observer status with the Council of Europe or whose parliaments enjoy observer, partner for democracy or special guest status with the Parliamentary Assembly;

representatives of non-member States whose parliaments participate in the annual debates on OECD activities.

iii. Secretariat

Secretary General of the Parliamentary Assembly and staff of the secretariat of the Assembly;

Secretary General of the Council of Europe and Deputy Secretary General; members of the Private Office of the Secretary General;

secretaries of national delegations and of observer, partner for democracy and special guest delegations;

secretaries of political groups;

directors general and directors of the Council of Europe;

the Head of the Protocol Department and his/her deputy;

any other staff whose duties require their presence there.

iv. Other persons

personalities invited by the President or by the Secretary General of the Parliamentary Assembly;

the Commissioner for Human Rights of the Council of Europe, the President of the Congress of Local and Regional Authorities, the President of the European Court of Human Rights, the President of the Conference of INGOs.

16. Requests for access should be submitted to the Secretary General of the Parliamentary Assembly. He/she may grant other Council of Europe staff members access to the Chamber upon request (Protocol staff, press officers from the Directorate of Communication) or upon request for a specific debate (members of the secretariat of the Committee of Ministers when the communication from the Committee of Ministers is being delivered, or members of the secretariat of the Commissioner for Human Rights when the Commissioner is presenting the annual activity report). The Secretary General of the Parliamentary Assembly may also grant access to the Chamber to persons accompanying a personality invited by the President of the Assembly or by himself/herself.

III. Access to the Chamber gallery

17. Only persons wearing a badge that has been duly issued for this purpose by the Safety and Security Service of the Council of Europe will be admitted to the galleries. Priority shall be given to access requests signed by the Secretary General of the Parliamentary Assembly.

18. Members of the public who are admitted to the galleries must be appropriately dressed, remain seated and keep silent. Anyone expressing approval or disapproval will be removed immediately by the security agents.

IV. Access to the meeting rooms of committees

19. Rule 48 of the Assembly Rules of Procedure shall be applied as follows:

Committee meetings shall be held in private.

A committee may decide, at the latest at the time of adopting the meeting agenda, that part of the meeting or a specific item will be open to the public, and to divide the agenda into items that are open to the public and others that are not; only items concerning a hearing or an exchange of views with experts, ministers or members of a national parliament or government, representatives of an international organisation or representatives of civil society may be open to the public.

A committee may decide to hold all or part of a meeting in camera, i.e. with only members of the committee or its secretariat being present. The decision shall be taken by the Chair of the committee and shall appear in the draft agenda sent to members, or by the committee itself, at the latest at the time of adopting the agenda for the meeting in question. Where appropriate, checks may be carried out to ensure that only authorised persons are admitted to the meeting room.

The Monitoring Committee and the Committee on the Election of Judges to the European Court of Human Rights shall meet in camera, except in the case of joint meetings with other committees or hearings or exchanges of views if the committee so decides. Only their respective members shall take part.

20. The following persons have access to committee meetings (unless the Rules of Procedure stipulate otherwise ):

committee members and their substitutes;

other members of the Assembly, observers, partners for democracy, special guests and delegations / representations of parliaments of non-member states of the Council of Europe with the agreement of the Bureau, in those committees where they are allowed;

secretaries of national delegations, subject to a maximum of two secretaries per national delegation, i.e. one maximum official for each constituent assembly of the national parliament (for countries with bicameral parliaments), or one secretary per observer, partner for democracy or special guest delegation (whose name must appear in the Assembly list), carers accompanying parliamentarians with reduced mobility, in those committees where they are allowed;

secretaries of political groups, in those committees where they are allowed;

members of the Committee of Ministers or any other minister of the government of a member State;

Permanent Representatives/Ministers’ Deputies (including chargés d’affaires duly notified to the Secretary General of the Council of Europe), or one of their deputies, whose name will be, if possible, notified in advance to the chairperson of the committee concerned; only Permanent Representations of member States of the Council of Europe may be represented (no access either for other representatives of diplomatic missions of member or non-member states or for representatives of international organisations, unless specifically authorised by the committee concerned);

the Secretary General of the Council of Europe and the Deputy Secretary General;

the Secretary General of the Parliamentary Assembly and the staff of the secretariat of the committee concerned;

other members of the staff of the secretariat of the Parliamentary Assembly (except in the case of the Monitoring Committee, the Committee on Rules, Immunities and Institutional Affairs and the Committee on the Election of Judges to the European Court of Human Rights);

at the invitation of the Chair of the committee, for a specific agenda item, where appropriate: directors general and directors of the Council of Europe; secretaries of Council of Europe bodies (Committee of Ministers, Commissioner for Human Rights, Congress of Local and Regional Authorities, European Court of Human Rights) and steering committees and expert committees of the Council of Europe; the Private Office of the Secretary General; permanent representatives or ambassadors of States which have observer, partner for democracy or special guest delegations to the Assembly; representatives of other international organisations with which the Parliamentary Assembly has a co-operation agreement; representatives of the Conference of INGOs; subject to a maximum of one person per committee or body; guests and experts for a hearing.

21. Committee documents shall be distributed to parliamentarians having access to the committee concerned.

22. The above rules shall also apply to Assembly committee meetings which are held at venues other than the Council of Europe.

V. Parliamentarians’ Bar

23. During Assembly part-sessions, the Parliamentarians’ Bar shall be reserved, as a matter of priority, for parliamentarians, their guests and persons who have access to the Chamber.

VI. Use of electronic means of communication during sittings and meetings

24. Assembly members and individuals attending or participating in sittings or meetings shall exercise discretion when using mobile telephones and other electronic means of communication and shall refrain from any behaviour that might interfere with the smooth conduct of business. Anyone who fails to comply with these instructions will be asked to leave the Chamber or meeting room.

25. Committee meetings must not be filmed or recorded, even partially, by those attending or participating in the meetings.

VII. Press and media

26. During Assembly sessions, requests for press and media accreditation shall be handled by the Directorate of Communication of the Council of Europe, in line with the latter’s regulations. Journalists and representatives of the press and media are required to comply strictly with the instructions issued by the Directorate of Communication of the Council of Europe and the Assembly’s Communication Division. The wearing of badges is compulsory.

27. Media activities must not:

compromise security

interfere with the maintenance of order, the proper conduct of activities or the free movement of individuals

compromise people’s dignity and interfere with their privacy

cause damage to physical property and equipment

hinder television recording by the Assembly.

28. Journalists and representatives of the press and media will not be allowed into the Assembly Chamber, except for photographers accredited by the Directorate of Communication of the Council of Europe.

29. All plenary debates and speeches are recorded and broadcast by the Council of Europe's audiovisual department. There shall be no filming in the Assembly Chamber. Filming is permitted only from the galleries.

30. Photographs may be taken and video or audio recordings made in a committee room only if the meeting is open to the press. In the case of meetings which are not open to the press, the committee chair may give permission for such activities before the meeting starts or at the end of the meeting.

31. Interviews must not be conducted either inside the Assembly Chamber or in the committee meeting rooms.

32. Press briefings will be held in the designated locations, as indicated by the Assembly’s Communication Division. Only duly accredited journalists may attend.

33. Press conferences should preferably be held at times other than during plenary sittings and committee meetings. They should focus on subjects which fall within the Assembly’s mandate or otherwise fall within the scope of Council of Europe action. Authorisations are not given for press conferences where the subject for discussion could impair the good name or prejudice the impartiality of the Council of Europe, or otherwise run counter to its fundamental objectives. Press conferences will take place in the prescribed place, as indicated by the Assembly’s Communication Division (usually Room 1 in the Palais de l’Europe when the Assembly is in session). Only duly accredited journalists may ask questions.

34. Filming is permitted in the context of the parliamentary business and activities of the Assembly, except in areas duly indicated, in particular in the Parliamentarians’ Bar. Filming in the offices of a national delegation is subject to prior approval by the delegation concerned.

35. During periods when the Assembly is not in session, especially in the case of meetings of the Standing Committee and other Assembly committees which are held in venues other than the Palais de l’Europe, the Assembly’s Communication Division will determine the specific rules governing access and activities of journalists and representatives of the press and the media.

VIII. Enforcement measures

36. Any persons who are found or are observed to be without good reason in an area which they were not authorised to enter, or whose behaviour compromises the smooth conduct of Assembly business, may, at the request of the President of the Parliamentary Assembly or the Secretary General of the Assembly, be removed and permanently prohibited from entering the Council of Europe, including the Palais de l'Europe.

37. The President of the Parliamentary Assembly or the Secretary General of the Assembly may ask the Directorate General of Administration/Directorate of General Services to deny access to the Palais de l'Europe or any other Council of Europe building, in particular the Council of Europe Office in Paris, to any individuals in respect of whom he/she has been informed or has good reason to believe that their behaviour is liable to disrupt the activities of the Assembly or its committees.

38. Guidance on all matters covered by these rules and situations which may arise from their application may be sought from the Secretary General of the Parliamentary Assembly.