Autumn plenary session of the Parliamentary Assembly

09-10-2023 

Sofía Medina Sánchez 

International Justice and Human Rights Researcher

Global Human Rights Defence

The Autumn plenary session of the Council of Europe’s Parliamentary Assembly (PACE) is taking place from the 9th to 13th of October 2023. Some of its notable highlights will be the announcement of the recipient of the 2023 Václav Havel Human Rights Prize and requests for urgent debates on the “Humanitarian situation in Nagorno-Karabakh” and the “Immediate release of Osman Kavala”. 

Additionally, the Assembly, comprising parliamentarians from the 46 member states of the Council of Europe, will engage in discussions on other significant topics. These topics encompass issues such as the use of spyware like Pegasus and secret state surveillance. Furthermore, a report examining the legitimacy and legality of the ad hominem term-limit waiver for Russia's current President will be a part of the agenda.

Moreover, there have been requests for debates, including one under urgent procedure, on “Ensuring a just peace in Ukraine and lasting security in Europe” and a current affairs debate will focus on “Migrants' deaths at sea”. 

During the session, parliamentarians will have the opportunity to exchange views with Didier Reynders, the European Commissioner for Justice. Latvian Foreign Minister Krišjānis Kariņš, who serves as the Chair of the Committee of Ministers, will provide a report on the Council of Europe's executive body's work. Furthermore, Council of Europe Secretary-General Marija Pejčinović Burić will engage in a question-and-answer session with members.

Sources and further Reading: 

Council of Europe, Newsroom, Parliamentary Assembly holds its autumn session, 6 October 2023 : https://www.coe.int/en/web/portal/-/parliamentary-assembly-holds-its-autumn-session

Council of Europe, Parliamentary Assembly, Autumn Session 2023: https://pace.coe.int/en/pages/session-202310