PACE is holding an urgent debate on the deteriorating human rights situation in Azerbaijan

The Parliamentary Assembly of the Council of Europe (PACE) will hold an urgent debate on “The deteriorating situation of human rights, the rule of law and democracy in Azerbaijan” during its autumn session.

Other highlights include debates over the detention and sentencing of Julian Assange and their chilling impact on human rights; on propaganda and freedom of information in Europe. There will be a joint debate on a shared European approach to migrant smuggling and on clarifying the fate of missing migrants, refugees and asylum seekers.

The Minister of Foreign Affairs of the Republic of North Macedonia, Timcho Mucunski, and the new Secretary General of the Council of Europe, Alain Berset, will address the Assembly. Lithuanian Foreign Minister Gabrielius Landsbergis, Chairman of the Committee of Ministers, will present the body’s traditional communication and answer questions from members.

The Assembly will also debate the situation in Iran and the protection of Iranian human rights defenders in the Member States of the Council of Europe; preventing and combating violence and discrimination against lesbian, bisexual and gay women in Europe; and protecting human rights and improving the lives of sex workers and victims of sexual exploitation.

There will also be debates on the work of the Council of Europe Development Bank to implement the Reykjavik Declaration, with a statement from the Bank’s Governor Carlo Monticelli; on the fulfillment of obligations and commitments by Bosnia and Herzegovina; about the risks and opportunities of the metaverse; and on guaranteeing the human right to food.