PACE Spring Session focuses on the Assembly’s future role

NordenBladet — This week, the Estonian Delegation to the Parliamentary Assembly of the Council of Europe (PACE) participates in the Spring Session (Second Part of the Ordinary Session) of PACE in Strasbourg, where the focus issues are the challenges faced by the PACE in the future, and hate speech as well as the role of political leaders in combating hate speech.

Another topic to be discussed at the Session is the creation of a new EU mechanism on democracy, the rule of law and fundamental rights. Combating organised crime and money-laundering will also be spoken about. Besides that, strengthening co-operation with the UN and implementation of the sustainable development goals, and promoting of parliaments free of sexism and sexual harassment will be discussed.

“Which other organisation in Europe would stand for the values of the rule of law than the oldest international parliamentary assembly, the already 70 years old PACE? What would its creators, who emphasised the need to stand for common European values, think us? Noblesse oblige – nobility obliges,” Head of the Estonian Delegation to the PACE Marianne Mikko said.

Besides Marianne Mikko, members of the Estonian Delegation Andres Herkel and Tiit Terik participate in the PACE Spring Session.

Pace is the oldest international parliamentary assembly in Europe that held its opening session on 10 August 1949. The task of the Council of Europe is to protect the fundamental values of its member states: human rights, the principle of the rule of law and democracy.

Source: Parliament of Estonia