A warning for human rights in Europe

One of the Council of Europe’s key institutions is the Commissioner for Human Rights, which is elected by the Parliamentary Assembly. The Commissioner’s role is to promote awareness of and respect for human rights among its 46 member states. Michael O’Flaherty, the current Commissioner, presented his annual activity report during the session. The report sounds the alarm about the scale of human rights violations, and identifies declining trust, rising inequality, the climate crisis, the war in Ukraine, and the impact of artificial intelligence as major challenges.

Head of delegation Lise Selnes (Labour Party) asked the Commissioner for Human Rights what contribution the Council of Europe could make to protect Ukrainian families after the end of hostilities, as soldiers return home with severe trauma. Experience from other wars has shown that domestic violence often increases.

“I’m very pleased that Mr O’Flaherty has already started to focus on the situation for veterans and their families. He also pointed out that these challenges can extend outside Ukraine’s own borders, since many veterans’ families now live in other European countries. The Istanbul Convention on preventing and combating violence against women and domestic violence is an important tool in efforts to ensure the safety of families,” said Ms. Selnes.

There was also a debate on how to improve the implementation of the Istanbul Convention during the session.

Harassment of politicians a threat to democracy

Harassment and hate speech directed at politicians was one of the many issues debated in Strasbourg. The report that prompted this debate revealed that the problem is growing in Europe, and is becoming a serious threat to democracy. Violence and intimidation can deter many people from becoming politically active. A high proportion of those who took the floor during the debate told powerful, first-hand stories involving threats and harassment. PACE adopted a resolution which called on member states to strengthen legislation, the police, and the justice system, and to work preventively to ensure that politicians receive more protection. At the same time, PACE also asked the Council of Europe to establish a mechanism to monitor incidents of violence against politicians, and to help provide early warning of democratic backsliding.

Protecting religious liberty

PACE also discussed the matter of discrimination on the basis of religion, something which is on the rise in many European countries. Jon Engen-Helgheim (Progress Party) took the floor during the debate.

“It’s important that we discuss discrimination on the basis of religion at a European level. During the debate here in Strasbourg, I stressed how vital it is that member states have room to adapt their own legislation in order to prevent such things as radicalization,” he said.

Justice for Ukraine

Since Russia’s full-scale invasion, the war in Ukraine has made a huge impact on the work of PACE. This session, PACE highlighted the two mechanisms that were recently established by the Council of Europe: a so-called Claims Commission, whose aim is to make sure that Ukrainians can apply for compensation for the loss and damage they have suffered as a result of the war; and a Special Tribunal for the Crime of Aggression against Ukraine. Norway has been one of the driving forces behind these mechanisms, which will come into force as soon as 25 member states have ratified the agreement. The Storting recently received the matter from the Government, and will deal with it before the summer recess.

Former PACE members honoured

Two former Members of the Storting received well-deserved recognition for their contributions to the Council of Europe’s Parliamentary Assembly: Ingjerd Schie Schou (Conservative Party) was the head of the Storting’s delegation for 12 years, while Lise Christoffersen (Labour Party) was a delegation member for 20 years, most of that time as deputy head. Both were warmly thanked by the Assembly’s President for their efforts. Ms Schou’s association with PACE will not cease entirely, however, since she will continue as a jury member for the Václav Havel Human Rights Prize, awarded by the organization on an annual basis.