Progress report | Doc. 14911 | 19 June 2019
Activities of the Assembly’s Bureau and Standing Committee (12 April-23 June 2019)
Bureau of the Assembly
1. Introduction
At its meeting on 12 April 2019, the Bureau appointed me as rapporteur for this report, which covers its activities over the period from the last Bureau meeting of the second part-session of 2019 (Friday 12 April) to the first Bureau meeting of the third part-session of 2019 (Monday 24 June).
The following chapters include the decisions taken at the Bureau meetings of 12 April in Strasbourg and 23 May in Paris:
- decisions which do not require ratification (Chapter 2);
- decisions which have already been ratified by the Assembly on 12 April and by the Standing Committee on 24 May (Chapter 3);
- decisions taken on 23 May that require ratification at the opening of the third part-session of the Assembly (Chapter 4).
An addendum to this report is to be issued after the Bureau meeting of 24 June and is to be ratified by the Assembly through the present Progress report. Another addendum will be issued after the Bureau meeting of 28 June. It will include only decisions to be ratified by the Assembly on the same day, notably references and transmissions approved by the Bureau.
The Bureau will hold its next meetings in Strasbourg on Monday 24 June at 8 am and on Friday 28 June at 8:30 am, then on Tuesday 3 September in Bern. The next meeting of the Standing Committee will be held in Tbilisi on 29 November 2019.
2. Activities of the Bureau since the last part-session and decisions not requiring ratification by the Assembly
2.1. Follow-up to the second part-session of 2019 (Strasbourg, 8-12 April)
On 12 April, the Bureau approved the follow-up proposals to texts adopted by the Assembly, made by the Secretary General of the Assembly, as follows:
- as regards references
,
referred the revision of the Code of Conduct in accordance with §13.2 of Resolution 2274 (2019) on Promoting parliaments free of sexism and sexual harassment to the Committee on Rules, Immunities and Institutional Affairs for report;
referred § 24 of Resolution 2273 (2019) on the Establishment of a European Union mechanisms on democracy, the rule of law and fundamental rights and § 16 of Resolution 2277 (2019) on the Role and mission of the Parliamentary Assembly: main challenges for the future to the Committee on Political Affairs and Democracy to be taken into account in the preparation of a report on 10 years after the Lisbon Treaty: strengthening Council of Europe and European Union co-operation;
- as regards Resolution 2274 (2019) on Promoting parliaments free of sexism and sexual harassment: invited the Secretary General of the Parliamentary Assembly to ensure the adequate follow up to §13.1 and to submit to the Bureau revised Guidelines for the observations of elections taking into account §13.3;
- as regards Resolution 2273 (2019) on the Establishment of a European Union mechanism on democracy, the rule of law and fundamental rights: invited the Secretary General of the Parliamentary Assembly to prepare a concept paper on an annual parliamentary debate on the Rule of law (§ 22 of the Resolution);
- as regards Resolution 2277 (2019) on the Role and mission of the Parliamentary Assembly: main challenges for the future, invited the Secretary General of the Parliamentary Assembly to:
include §11 of the Resolution in his 2017 memorandum on Procedure for considering motions for resolutions and recommendations and its possible improvement;
prepare a memorandum for the Bureau containing follow-up proposals to § 12.1;
prepare, in coordination with the Secretary General of the Congress of Local and Regional Authorities of the Council of Europe, a memorandum on possible periodical consultations and permanent co-operation between the Parliamentary Assembly and the Congress of Local and Regional Authorities and their structures (§ 14 of the Resolution);
prepare a revised memorandum on External Relations of the Assembly (§ 17 of the Resolution);
- as regards Resolution 2278 (2019) on Modification of various provisions of the Assembly’s Rules of Procedure: invited the Secretary General of the Parliamentary Assembly to:
submit an updated memorandum on Procedure for considering motions for resolutions and recommendations and its possible improvement; to the Bureau for its approval and implementation (§ 3 of the Resolution);
prepare a memorandum defining possible criteria for the admissibility and selection of requests for debate under urgent procedure and current affairs debates, with a view for the Bureau to update the criteria it had approved in 2007 (§ 4 of the Resolution);
- took note that the President of the Assembly would address letters to the Chairpersons of Political Groups as well as to Presidents of national delegations inviting them to ensure, in their respective capacities, adequate follow-up to specific paragraphs of Resolution 2277 (2019) and Resolution 2278 (2019).
2.2. Standing Committee (Paris, 24 May 2019)
On 12 April, the Bureau took note of the draft agenda. On 23 May, the Bureau took note of the draft revised agenda.
2.3. Third part-session of 2019 (Strasbourg, 24-28 June)
On 12 April, the Bureau drew up the preliminary draft agenda. On 23 May, the Bureau drew up the draft agenda.
2.4. Communications
On 23 May, the Bureau took note of the communications by the President of the Assembly and the Secretary General of the Council of Europe.
2.5. Follow-up to the 129th Ministerial Session (Helsinki, 16-17 May 2019)
On 23 May, the Bureau held an exchange of views on the Committee of Ministers’ decisions on A shared responsibility for democratic security in Europe – Ensuring respect for rights and obligations, principles, standards and values and decided to ask the Committee on Rules of Procedure, Immunities and Institutional Affairs to take them into account in the preparation of the report on Strengthening the decision-making process of the Parliamentary Assembly concerning credentials and voting (Rapporteur: Ms Petra De Sutter, Belgium, SOC).
2.6. 2019 Václav Havel Human Rights Prize
On 23 May, the Bureau took note of the memorandum prepared by the Secretary General of the Assembly and, following a vote, appointed Ms Anne Brasseur and Mr Nils Muižnieks as members of the Selection Panel of the Václav Havel Human Rights Prize for a mandate of two years starting on 1 June 2019.
2.7. Election of the Secretary General of the Council of Europe
On 12 April, the Bureau defined the modalities for the interviews of the candidates for the post of Secretary General of the Council of Europe (Appendix 1). On 23 May, the Bureau interviewed Ms Marija Pejčinović Burić and Mr Didier Reynders, candidates for the post of Secretary General of the Council of Europe (in camera).
2.8. Formation of a new political group: New European Democrats/Europe of Nations and Freedom (NED/ENF)
On 23 May, the Bureau took note of the letter by the Chairperson of the Committee on Rules, Immunities and Institutional Affairs and, following a vote, decided not to acknowledge the formation of the Group of the New European Democrats/Europe of Nations and Freedom (NED/ENF).
2.9. Election observation
2.9.1. Ukraine: presidential election (31 March and 21 April 2019)
On 12 April, the Bureau approved the list of members of the ad hoc committee to observe the second round of this election (Appendix 2). On 23 May, the Bureau approved the report of the ad hoc committee.
2.9.2. North Macedonia: presidential election (21 April and 5 May 2019)
On 23 May, the Bureau approved the report of the ad hoc committee.
2.9.3. Kazakhstan: early presidential election (9 June 2019)
On 23 May, the Bureau took note of the invitation and decided not to observe this election.
2.9.4. Ukraine: early parliamentary elections (21 July 2019)
On 23 May, subject to receiving an invitation, the Bureau decided to observe these elections and constituted an ad hoc committee for this purpose composed of 40 members (EPP/CD: 13; SOC: 12, EC: 6, ALDE: 6, UEL: 2, FDG: 1 – in accordance with the D’Hondt system) as well as of the co-rapporteurs of the Monitoring Committee and authorised a pre-electoral mission.
2.9.5. Repeated local elections in Istanbul (23 June 2019) – request by the Monitoring Committee
On 23 May, the Bureau took note of the letter by the Chairperson of the Monitoring Committee asking the Bureau to explore the possibility for Assembly members, in particular the co-rapporteurs on Turkey, to be associated to the election observation mission of the Congress of Local and Regional Authorities, subject to receiving an invitation, and decided not to give a follow-up to this proposal.
2.10. Contingency plan of the Council of Europe: consequences for the Parliamentary Assembly
On 12 April, the Bureau took note of the information provided in the memorandum prepared by the Secretary General of the Parliamentary Assembly.
2.11. Extensions and lapse of references
On 12 April, the Bureau approved the following extensions and lapse of references:
- Doc. 13978, Motion for a resolution, The functioning of democratic institutions in Poland (Reference 4206 of 27 May 2016 (extended on 27 April 2018 and on 23 November 2018)) – validity: 25 July 2019: extension until 25 January 2020
- Doc. 14190, Motion for a resolution, Organ transplant tourism in China (new title: Organ transplant tourism) (Reference 4290 of 28 April 2017) – validity: 28 April 2019: extension until 31 December 2019
- Doc. 14271, Motion for a resolution, Protecting and supporting the victims of terrorism (Reference 4291 of 30 May 2017) – validity: 30 May 2019: extension until 30 September 2019
- Doc. 14296, Motion for a resolution, A two-State solution in Israel and Palestine (Reference 4295 of 30 May 2017) – validity: 30 May 2019: no extension
- Doc. 14357, Motion for a recommendation, Combating trafficking in human tissues and cells (Reference 4320 of 13 October 2017) – validity: 13 October 2019: extension until 31 December 2019
- Bureau decision, The implementation of judgments of the European Court of Human Rights (Reference 4313 of 30 June 2017) – validity: 30 June 2019: extension until 30 April 2020
- Doc. 14376, Motion for a resolution, The principles and guarantees of advocates (Reference 4329 of 13 October 2017) – validity: 13 October 2019: extension until 30 April 2020
- Doc. 14653, Motion for a resolution, Follow-up to the Azerbaijani Laundromat investigation (Reference 4418 of 21 January 2019) – validity: 21 January 2021: lapse of the reference.
On 23 May, the Bureau approved the following extension of reference:
- Doc. 14380, Motion for a resolution, Defining guidelines for international NGOs (new title: Rights and obligations of NGOs assisting refugees and migrants in Europe) (Reference 4331 of 10 October 2017 (extended on 15 March 2018)) – validity: 10 October 2019: extension until 30 April 2020.
2.12. Procedure for considering motions for resolutions and recommendations
On 23 May, the Bureau took note of the memorandum prepared by the Secretary General of the Assembly and approved the guidelines for consideration of motions for resolutions and recommendations (Appendix 3).
2.13. Rules on exhibitions in the Assembly lobby
On 23 May, the Bureau took note of the memorandum prepared by the Secretary General of the Assembly and decided to come back to this issue at one of its next meetings.
2.14. Issues raised by committees
2.14.1. Committee on Political Affairs and Democracy
On 23 May, the Bureau authorised Mr Corneliu Cozmanciuc (Romania, EPP/CD) to carry out a fact-finding visit to Bishkek (Kyrgyzstan) by the end of May/beginning of June 2019, in the framework of the preparation of his report on The evaluation of the partnership for democracy in respect of the parliament of the Kyrgyz Republic.
2.14.2. Monitoring Committee
On 23 May, the Bureau took note of the letter by the Chairperson of the Monitoring Committee asking the Bureau to request an opinion of the Commission on Rules of Procedure, Immunities and Institutional Affairs on its individual periodic review procedure, agreed to this request while asking the Committee on Rules of Procedure, Immunities and Institutional Affairs to also examine the decision-making processes developed by committees and assess their conformity with the Rules of Procedure of the Assembly.
2.15. European Committee for the Prevention of Torture and Inhuman or Degrading Treatment or Punishment (CPT)
On 12 April, the Bureau approved the lists of candidates in respect of Armenia, Cyprus, Czech Republic, Greece, North Macedonia to be forwarded to the Committee of Ministers and approved the recommendation of the Committee on Legal Affairs and Human Rights to invite the delegations of Azerbaijan and Poland to submit a new list of candidates to the CPT.
2.16. Institutional representation of the Parliamentary Assembly in 2019
On 12 April, the Bureau approved the appointment, as substitute, of Lord George Foulkes (United Kingdom, SOC) made by the Committee on Political Affairs and Democracy for the Council on Democratic Elections of the Venice Commission.
2.17. Participation of members in Parliamentary Assembly plenary sessions and committee meetings
On 12 April, the Bureau took note of the information memorandum prepared by the Committee on Rules of Procedure, Immunities and Institutional Affairs, and decided to:
- invite the President of the Assembly to notify in writing the chairpersons of the delegations and the speakers of the parliaments concerned by low participation rates (Rule 44.10 of the Rules of Procedure and paragraph 7.2 of Resolution 1583 (2007)) or to arrange a meeting with the chairpersons of the relevant delegations;
- make publicly available the statistics related to the participation of national delegations on the Assembly’s website.
2.18. Committees and sub-committees’ meetings elsewhere than Strasbourg and Paris
On 12 April, the Bureau authorised:
- the Sub-Committee on Diasporas (of the Committee on Migration, Refugees and Displaced Persons) to meet in Istanbul on 10 June 2019;
- the Sub-Committee on Culture, Diversity and Heritage and the Sub-Committee on Media and Information Society (of the Committee on Culture, Science, Education and Media) to meet in Bern on 21 June 2019.
2.19. Activities of the Standing Committee (Paris, 24 May 2019)
The Standing Committee:
- heard a welcome address by Ms Carole Bureau-Bonnard, Vice-President of the French National Assembly, in charge of international activities;
- held an exchange of views with Ms Amélie de Montchalin, Secretary of State for European Affairs, attached to the Minister for Europe and Foreign Affairs representing the French Presidency of the Committee of Ministers of the Council of Europe;
- ratified the credentials of new members of the Assembly submitted by the delegations of France, Greece and Romania;
- approved changes in the composition of Assembly committees;
- took note of the draft agenda of the third part-session of the Assembly (24-28 June 2019);
- ratified the references proposed by the Bureau referred to in Chapter 3.2.;
- took note of the reports of the Ad hoc Committees of the Bureau on the:
Observation of the presidential election in Ukraine (31 March and 21 April 2019)
Observation of the presidential election in North Macedonia (21 April and 5 May 2019);
- adopted the following texts on behalf of the Assembly:
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Evaluation of the partnership for democracy in respect of the Parliament of Morocco |
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Education and culture: new partnerships to recognise personal development and competences |
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Addressing the health needs of adolescents in Europe |
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Sustainable urban development fostering social inclusion |
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Air pollution: a challenge for public health in Europe |
decided to hold its next meeting in Tbilisi, Georgia on 29 November 2019.
3. Decisions taken by the Bureau at its meetings on 12 April and 23 May, and subsequently ratified by the Assembly on 12 April or the Standing Committee on 24 May
3.1. Bureau meeting on 12 April
Decisions taken by the Bureau at its meeting on 12 April which were subsequently ratified by the Assembly on 12 April can be found in Doc. 14855 Add.3 (see appendix 4).
3.2. References and transmissions to committees
On 23 May, the Bureau approved the following references and transmissions, ratified by the Standing Committee on the following day:
- Doc. 14864, Motion for a resolution, Gender aspects and human rights implications of pornography: reference to the Committee on Equality and Non-Discrimination for report;
- Doc. 14873, Motion for a resolution, Persecution of Christians worldwide – how to tackle the issue: transmission to the Committee on Political Affairs and Democracy for information.
3.3. Composition of the Committee on Rules of Procedure, Immunities and Institutional Affairs
On 23 May, the Bureau, on the basis of a proposal by the SOC Group, appointed Mr Piero Fassino and, on the basis of a proposal by the UEL Group, appointed Mr Hişyar Öszoy. The Standing Committee ratified these nominations on the following day.
4. Decisions of the Bureau requiring ratification by the Assembly through the Progress report
4.1. 2019 World Forum for Democracy (Strasbourg, 6-8 November)
On 23 May, the Bureau took note of the concept paper and decided to set up an ad hoc committee of the Bureau to participate in the Forum, subject to ratification by the Assembly through the Progress report.
4.2. Guidelines for the observation of elections by the Parliamentary Assembly: proposed amendment
On 23 May, the Bureau took note of the memorandum prepared
by the Secretary General of the Assembly and approved to amend the
guidelines as follows, subject to ratification
by the Assembly through the Progress report:
after paragraph 24, add the following new paragraph as follows:
“In assessing all stages of the electoral process, due attention should be given to the gender perspective, especially in terms of participation, balanced representation and the right to take part in the electoral process, as regards both voters and candidates, without being subjected to sexist hate speech, sexist acts or sexual harassment.”
Appendix 1 – Modalities of the interviews with candidates for the post of Secretary General of the Council of Europe, Thursday 23 May 2019 from 2.30 to 4.30 pm (in camera)
(open)As announced at its meeting of 21 January 2019 in Strasbourg, the Bureau will hold interviews with the two candidates for the post of Secretary General of the Council of Europe.
The Bureau will conduct the interviews in alphabetical order of the candidates, namely:
Ms Marija Pejčinović Burić – at 2.30 pm
Mr Didier Reynders – at 3.30 pm
Interviews will begin with a presentation by the candidate of up to 15 minutes followed by a 45 minute question and answer session.
Bureau members are invited to ask questions to candidates within 30 seconds.
Appendix 2 – List of members of the ad hoc committee for the observation of the presidential election in Ukraine (21 April 2019)
(open)Chairperson / Présidente: Ms / Mme Angela SMITH, United Kingdom / Royaume-Uni (SOC)
Group of the European People’s Party (EPP/CD) / Groupe du Parti populaire européen (PPE/DC)
Mr / M. Andres HERKEL, Estonia / Estonie
Mr / M. Emanuelis ZINGERIS, Lithuania / Lituanie
Socialists, Democrats and Greens Group / Groupe des socialistes, démocrates et verts (SOC)
Mr / M. Ervin BUSHATI, Albania / Albanie
Mr / M. Pierre-Alain FRIDEZ, Switzerland / Suisse
Mr / M. Ian MURRAY, United Kingdom / Royaume-Uni
Mr / M. Stefan SCHENNACH, Austria / Autriche
Ms / Mme Angela SMITH, United Kingdom / Royaume-Uni*
Mr / M. Gheorghe-Dinu SOCOTAR, Romania / Roumanie
Mr / M. André VALLINI, France
European Conservatives Group (EC) / Groupe des conservateurs européens (CE)
Lord Simon RUSSELL, United Kingdom / Royaume-Uni *
Alliance of Liberals and Democrats for Europe (ALDE) / Alliance des démocrates et des libéraux pour l’Europe (ADLE)
Ms / Mme Emilie Enger MEHL, Norway / Norvège *
Mr / M. Jacques LE NAY, France
Ms / Mme Alexandra LOUIS, France
Mr / M. Edmon MARUKYAN, Armenia / Arménie
Group of the Unified European Left (UEL) / Groupe pour la gauche unitaire européenne (GUE)
Ms / Mme Ulla SANDBÆK, Denmark / Danemark
Free Democrats Group (FDG) / Groupe des démocrates libres (GDL)
Mr / M. Nagif HAMZAYEV, Azerbaijan / Azerbaïdjan*
Co-rapporteurs AS/MON (ex officio)
Mr / M. Alfred HEER, Switzerland / Suisse
* Member of the pre-electoral mission / membre de la mission pré-électorale
Appendix 3 – Guidelines for consideration of motions for resolutions and recommendations
(open)a. the motion shall fall within the scope of the Council of Europe's competences;
b. the relevance of a motion should be taken into account, especially when it concerns new issues and challenges, with the aim of enhancing the political relevance and visibility of the Assembly; paragraph 11 of Resolution 2277 (2019) shall be used as a guiding line in this respect;
c. the previous work of the Assembly in given field concerned should be taken into account;
d. as well as the existence of previous motions tabled which are still under consideration by the committees.
Appendix 4 – Decisions taken by the Bureau at its meeting on 12 April 2019, and subsequently ratified by the Assembly on 12 April 2019
(open)14855
Add. 3
12 April 2019
Activities of the Assembly’s Bureau and Standing Committee (12 April 2019)
Progress report
Rapporteur: Ms Boriana ÅBERG, Sweden, Group of the European People's Party
1. Decisions of the Bureau of 12 April 2019 requiring ratification by the Assembly
1.1 References and transmissions to committees
The Bureau considered and approved the following references and transmissions:
- Doc. 14808, Motion for a resolution, Preventing discrimination caused by the use of artificial intelligence: reference to the Committee on Equality and Non-Discrimination for report – for a joint debate in 2020
- Doc. 14814, Motion for a resolution, The human being-machine connection: new rights or new threats to fundamental freedoms?: reference to the Committee on Legal Affairs and Human Rights for report;
- Doc. 14815, Motion for a resolution, For a European policy on diasporas: reference to the Committee on Migration, Refugees and Displaced Persons for report;
- Doc. 14816, Motion for a resolution, To put an end to enforced disappearances on the territory of the Council of Europe: reference to the Committee on Legal Affairs and Human Rights for report;
- Doc. 14818, Motion for a resolution, Transparency and regulation of donations to political parties and electoral campaigns from foreign donors: reference to the Committee on Political Affairs and Democracy for report;
- Doc. 14821, Motion for a resolution, Strengthening the fight against so-called “honour” crimes: reference to the Committee on Equality and Non-Discrimination for report;
- Doc. 14822, Motion for a resolution, The continuing violence against Christians in the Middle East: transmission to the Committee on Political Affairs and Democracy for information;
- Doc. 14823, Motion for a resolution, Countering ill democracies in Europe: reference to the Committee on Political Affairs and Democracy for report and to the Committee on Legal Affairs and Human Rights for opinion;
- Doc. 14839, Motion for a resolution, Legal aspects of “autonomous” vehicles: reference to the Committee on Legal Affairs and Human Rights for report;
- Doc. 14841, Motion for a resolution, How to put confiscated criminal assets to good use?: reference to the Committee on Legal Affairs and Human Rights for report;
- Doc. 14866, Motion for a resolution, Ten years after the Lisbon Treaty: strengthening Council of Europe and European Union co-operation: reference to the Committee on Political Affairs and Democracy for report, while taking into account § 24 of Resolution 2273 (2019) on Establishment of a European Union mechanisms on democracy, the rule of law and fundamental rights and § 16 of Resolution 2277 (2019) on Role and mission of the Parliamentary Assembly: main challenges for the future;
- Doc. 14868, Motion for a resolution, Need for democratic governance of artificial intelligence: reference to the Committee on Political Affairs and Democracy for report – for a joint debate in 2020
- Terms of reference of the Committee on the Honouring of Obligations and Commitments by Member States of the Council of Europe (Monitoring Committee), The honouring of membership obligations to the Council of Europe by France: no further action;
- Terms of reference of the Committee, The honouring of membership obligations to the Council of Europe by Hungary: reference to the Committee on the Honouring of Obligations and Commitments by Member States of the Council of Europe (Monitoring Committee) for report;
- Terms of reference of the Committee, The honouring of membership obligations to the Council of Europe by Malta: reference to the Committee on the Honouring of Obligations and Commitments by Member States of the Council of Europe (Monitoring Committee) for report;
- Terms of reference of the Committee, The honouring of membership obligations to the Council of Europe by Romania: reference to the Committee on the Honouring of Obligations and Commitments by Member States of the Council of Europe (Monitoring Committee) for report;
- Bureau decision, Revision of the Code of Conduct for Members of the Parliamentary Assembly in accordance with §13.2 of Resolution 2274 (2019) on Promoting parliaments free of sexism and sexual harassment: reference to the Committee on Rules, Immunities and Institutional Affairs for report.
1.2. Composition of the Monitoring Committee, the Committee on Rules of Procedure, Immunities and Institutional Affairs and the Committee on the Election of Judges to the European Court of Human Rights
1.2.1 Monitoring Committee
The Bureau, on the basis of a proposal by the FDG Group, appointed Mr Mustafa Yeneroğlu (Turkey).