The FINANCIAL — Strasbourg – The Magnitsky case, the impact of the internet on politics, and the integration of migrants in Europe will be among topics debated by the Parliamentary Assembly of the Council of Europe (PACE) during its Winter Session in Strasbourg from 27 to 31 January 2014, according to the Parliamentary Assembly.
Austrian Chancellor Werner Faymann and European Parliament President Martin Schulz will address the Assembly, while the President of the Italian Chamber of Deputies Laura Boldrini will participate in a joint debate on tackling racism and intolerance. PACE will also elect its next President for a two-year term of office.
Other topics on the agenda include combating climate change, the first ever evaluation of the Assembly’s “partnership for democracy” with the Palestinian National Council, and the accountability of international organisations for human rights violations. There has also been a request for an urgent debate on the functioning of democratic institutions in Ukraine.
Council of Europe Secretary General Thorbjørn Jagland will address the Assembly, and Austrian Foreign Minister Sebastian Kurz will present the traditional Communication from the Committee of Ministers, as well as answering parliamentarians’ questions.
On 28 January, PACE’s Social Affairs Committee will hold a hearing on the circumcision of young boys, following the adoption in October 2013 of the Assembly’s resolution on children’s right to physical integrity (programme to come).
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