In recent times, there have been several allegations of corruption directed at current or former members of the Council of Europe’s Parliamentary Assembly (PACE). This has prompted the Nordic and Baltic delegations to write a joint letter to the Bureau, PACE’s principal body.

In the letter, the chairs of the Nordic and Baltic delegations urge the Bureau to “immediately launch an independent and external investigation” to scrutinize the allegations of corruption. The letter goes on to stress that the enquiry must be open and transparent. Further to this, the seven signatories recommend a thorough review of the organization’s ethical guidelines and of how PACE’s members adhere to these.

The letter makes it clear that, as an important element of Europe’s leading human rights organization, PACE’s integrity and zero tolerance of corruption should be unimpeachable. It adds that the strength and very essence of PACE lies in the integrity and moral values of its members.

Ingjerd Schou (Conservative Party), head of delegation, signed the letter on behalf of the Norwegian delegation.

Read the letter in full.

The Storting delegation to the Parliamentary Assembly of the Council of Europe (PACE).