An urgent debate on "The situation of Ukrainian civilians, including children, forcibly displaced or transferred to the Russian Federation or Ukrainian territories under the de facto control of the Russian Federation", with the online intervention of Ukraine's First Lady Olena Zelenska, will be among topics debated at the Spring plenary session of the Parliamentary Assembly of the Council of Europe (PACE), taking place in Strasbourg from 24-28 April.
In the aftermath of the devastating earthquakes in Turkey and Syria, the Assembly will debate a report on political strategies to prevent, prepare for, and face the consequences of natural disasters.
On the #RoadToReykjavik, there has also been a request for a current affairs debate on the fourth Council of Europe Summit, which takes place in the Icelandic capital on 16-17 May 2023. Síofra O'Leary, President of the European Court of Human Rights, will deliver a statement during this debate. Parliamentarians will also hear an address by Icelandic President Guðni Th. Jóhannesson. Icelandic Foreign Minister Þórdís Kolbrún Reykfjörð Gylfadóttir will present the Communication from the Committee of Ministers, which Iceland currently chairs.
Council of Europe Commissioner for Human Rights Dunja Mijatović will present her annual activity report for 2022, while Council of Europe Secretary General Marija Pejčinović Burić will hold her usual question time with members. Other topics to be discussed include the implementation of judgments of the European Court of Human Rights, the European Convention on Human Rights and national constitutions, youth and the media, and safeguarding democracy, rights and the environment in international trade.
