Ref. DC 016 (2016)

Week in brief 8-14 February 2016

High-level conference on “Democratic security based on European unity and co-operation”

9 February, Sofia – In the framework of the Bulgarian Chairmanship of the Committee of Ministers, theNational Assembly and the Ministry of Foreign Affairs of Bulgaria will organise a high-level conference on “Democratic Security Based on European Unity and Co-operation”. PACE President Pedro Agramunt will address the opening session. Deputy Secretary General Gabriella Battaini-Dragoni will also attend the conference.

 

Seminar on Combatting Sexist Hate Speech

10-12 February, Strasbourg – Sexist Hate Speech will be the theme of a seminar co-organised at theEuropean Youth Centre by the Department of Equality and Dignity and the Youth Department of the Council of Europe. The event is held under the No Hate Speech Movement. Researchers, youth activists, journalists and officials from Sweden, Albania, Austria, Denmark, Canada, Bosnia and Herzegovina, France and the United Kingdom will review the causes and extent of sexist hate speech, especially among young people, and discuss what can be done to prevent, report and combat its manifestations. The seminar will pave the way for this year’s European Action Day on the 8^th of March that will focus on combatting online sexist hate speech. The seminar is open to media.

More information – Draft programme – Background information about sexist hate speech

 

European Prize for Eloquence

11 February, Strasbourg – The School for Young Orators of the Strasbourg Institute of Political Studies (Sciences Po) is co-operating with the Council of Europe to host the second European Prize for Eloquence. The competition will bring together six candidates from university political science faculties in six different European countries at the Palais de l’Europe in Strasbourg. Its goal is to draw attention to European construction and the European institutions and to debate political, philosophical, cultural and social issues in the course of an oratory contest. The competition is also intended to promote the French language, rhetorical skills and a mastery of public speaking by students.

 

also…

8 February, Paris – The matters on the agenda of the meeting of the Bureau of the Congress of Local and Regional Authorities include, in particular, the 2017-2020 priorities, preparation of the 30th Session (22-24 March 2016), as well as the Council of Europe Development Bank and its Migrant and Refugee Fund (MRF).

8-9 February, Poland – A delegation of the Venice Commission will visit Poland to discuss with the authorities the amendments to the Act on the Constitutional Tribunal adopted on 22 December 2015. The visit takes place in the framework of the preparation of an opinion requested by the Minister of Foreign Affairs on 23 December 2015. The delegation will meet the Administration of the President of Poland, the Ministry of Justice, the Constitutional Tribunal, the Supreme Court and Parliament, the National Council of the Judiciary and the Ombudsman.

8-12 February, Poland – The Commissioner for Human Rights Nils Muižnieks will discuss recent human rights developments in the country, focusing on administration of justice, the institutional and legal framework for the protection and promotion of human rights, and women’s rights and gender equality.

8-13 February, Jordan and Lebanon – Fact-finding visit of Annette Groth, rapporteur of the PACE Migration Committee, in the context of the preparation of her report on “A stronger European response to the Syrian refugees crisis”.

9 February, Brussels – The Congress of Local and Regional Authorities will organise, with the Committee of the Regions, their first “3+3” meeting of the High Level Group composed by the President of the Congress and the Presidents of its 2 Chambers and the Committee of the Region’s President, 1st Vice-President and President of the CIVEX Commission.

9 February, Strasbourg – The European Court of Human Rights will notify in writing 15 judgments concerning Belgium, Hungary, the Republic of Moldova, Poland, Russia, Switzerland and Turkey.

9-10 February, United Kingdom – The Council of Europe is organising a monitoring visit to the United Kingdom with a view to evaluating the country’s compliance with the Anti-Doping Convention. The mission is organised in co-operation with the UK Department for Culture and Sport and UK Anti-Doping (UKAD). The intention of the visit is to review the national anti-doping policy and practice, and in particular to support the United Kingdom in its preparations for the hosting of the IAAF 2017 World Athletics Championships.

9-10 February, Brussels – The first official meeting of EU/CoE joint project “Keep crime out of sport – Together against the manipulations of sports competitions (KCOOS)” will bring together the Secretariat with their partners to discuss the development of the project content and activities. KCOOS aims to raise awareness on the issues of match fixing and sports betting risks, as well as to promote the Council of Europe Convention on the Manipulation of Sports Competitions.

9-11 February, Kyiv – The Congress of Local and Regional Authorities will organise a seminar for young local leaders, in the framework of the project “Promoting Local Democracy in Ukraine”. Participants will be invited to discuss with members of the Congress as well as local and international experts, on the role of local elected representatives, citizen participation, ethic and fighting against corruption at local level.

10-11 February, Brussels – Secretary General Thorbjørn Jagland will carry out a working visit and hold high-level meetings.

10-11 February, Strasbourg – An expert meeting will be organised to develop training methodology for the police forces on Roma and Sexual orientation and gender identity issues, to further the fight against discrimination.

11 February, Strasbourg – The European Court of Human Rights will notify in writing 40 judgments and/or decisions concerning Azerbaijan, France, Georgia, Greece, Hungary, Latvia, “the former Yugoslav Republic of Macedonia”, the Netherlands, Poland, Russia, Serbia, Spain, The United Kingdom and Ukraine.

11-12 February, Strasbourg – Representatives of the Council of Europe member states will meet to discuss the effectiveness of education policies for the promotion of human rights, democracy and the rule of law. The meeting is organised in the framework of the Bulgarian Chairmanship of the Council of Europe Committee of Ministers.