Press Conference by the President of the Parliamentary Assembly, Peter SCHIEDER

Strasbourg, 22 April 2002

Speaking notes

Democracies facing terrorism – The Assembly recently co-organised, with the Inter-parliamentary Assembly of the Commonwealth of Independent States, a parliamentary forum on combating terrorism. The outcome of the conference in St Petersburg was a clear message of support for a common, internationally co-ordinated effort against terrorism. The participants also endorsed the Assembly’s position on the need to fully respect human rights in this endeavour, including by refusing to extradite suspects to countries which continue to apply the death penalty. This is a commitment of far reaching political importance, in particular given the composition of the participants at the forum. The next important event in this regard is the conference of presidents of European parliamentary assemblies, co-organised by the Assembly in Zagreb, on 10 and 11 May. The objective of this exercise is to exchange experience and views on national approaches in the fight against terrorism, with the view of consolidating the role of parliaments in this regard. This role is essential in ensuring the transparency and democratic accountability in national and international decision-making in combating terrorism, and in safeguarding the commonly shared values of human rights, democracy and the rule of law.

Middle East – the Assembly is gravely concerned by the escalating conflict in the Middle East. While the right of the Israel state to defend itself against the terrorist attacks is beyond questioning, the Assembly insists that all the anti-terrorist acts must be proportionate, aimed at terrorists and not the civilian population or democratically elected Palestinian leadership, and must comply with international humanitarian and human rights standards, neither of which is presently the case. The Palestinian leadership could, and should do more to end the attacks against Israelis, but at the same time, the Israeli government should immediately end its present military approach which is making it impossible for Chairman Arafat to exercise any meaningful authority. The Assembly – who observed the elections of the Palestinian Legislative Council s planning to hold an urgent procedure debate on Thursday, and we hope to have the attendance of representatives from both sides. The purpose of the debate is to add to the political pressure for an immediate cease-fire, and for launching of an internationally sponsored peace effort with a significant European contribution.

European Union Convention – Deliberations on the future of the European Union have begun, and the Assembly considers that this offers an opportunity to critically review all the aspects of political and legal co-operation in Europe. The objective should be to create a coherent, efficient, transparent, democratic and inclusive European architecture, with a place and a role for all European democracies. The relation between the Council of Europe and the European Union are at the heart of this debate, and the report by René van der Linden, offers several concrete proposals in this regard.

Minorities in Belgium - The Assembly has tried to further the rights of minorities for a long time. This is an issue which is not restricted to the so-called "new" member states of the Council of Europe, as the report on the protection of minorities in Belgium clearly demonstrates. However, in practically all member states of the Council - not just Belgium -, the issue of minority rights is a sensitive and thorny one. It is clear that more could be done to protect those rights in many member states. The Assembly has, in fact, repeatedly said that adequate protection for persons belonging to national minorities and their communities is an integral part of the protection of human rights. Thus, it is also in the interest of the Belgian state that all minorities in the country, at all levels, be adequately protected. The Committee on Legal Affairs and Human Rights, basing itself to a large extent on an advisory opinion of the Venice Commission, has made some suggestions on how such protection could work in Belgium. I expect we will all be in for a lively debate on this one!

Monitoring of Russia’s commitments – The report takes stock of Russia’s first six years in the membership of our organisation, on the basis of obligations and commitments the Russian authorities have undertook upon accession. The rapporteurs took note of the significant progress in the consolidation of democracy, the respect for human rights and the rule of law. Russia has ratified a number of key Council of Europe conventions – including the European Convention on Human Rights, the Convention for the Prevention of Torture and the Framework Convention for the Protection of National Minorities. Russian citizens have gained access to the European Court of Human Rights, and the country’s laws and administrative practices are being brought into line with Council of Europe standards. On the other hand, the events concerning the Russian media are causing concern with regard to the freedom of expression. Russian prisons are overcrowded and under funded with little, if any, adequate health care for the detainees. In spite of the moratorium on executions capital punishment has not yet been formally abolished. The most serious concern is the situation in the Chechen Republic, which will be also dealt later today in the context of the progress report of the Bureau.

Questions for monarchs – as of this session, all invitations to crowned heads of state that wish to speak to our Assembly will specifically ask our guests to answer questions from the floor. This is consistent with the democratic traditions this Assembly advocates and practice, and we shall no longer make any distinctions with regard to the constitutional status of our guest speakers. This afternoon, we shall have the honour to welcome His Royal Highness the Grand Duke Henry of Luxembourg who was the first to accept, enthusiastically, the opportunity to engage in dialogue with the members of the Assembly.