In a Declaration adopted on 28 October 2025, during its 49th session, the Congress expressed its deep concern at the increasing numbers of local and regional elected representatives who had been placed in detention in Council of Europe member States in recent years, the majority of whom belong to parties that are not in the majority at national level.
Presenting the Declaration, Véronique Bertholle (France, L, SOC/G/PD) and Peter Drenth (Netherlands, R, EPP/CCE) emphasised the particular importance of guaranteeing pluralism and the right to freedom of expression in democratic societies. They welcomed the commitment expressed by the Heads of State and Government of the Council of Europe member States at their 4th Summit, in Reykjavik in May 2023, to strengthening democracy and good governance at all levels throughout Europe, and to protecting the rule of law and human rights as enshrined in the European Convention on Human Rights.
The Declaration drew attention to the established case-law of the European Court of Human Rights, according to which the promotion of free political debate is an important feature of a democratic society, and which recognises that freedom of expression is of the highest importance in this context.
The Congress urged all Council of Europe member States to respect fully the standards of the European Convention on Human Rights, including those concerning freedom of expression, and emphasised in particular that criminal proceedings should never be used as reprisals against persons expressing views contrary to those of the authorities.
Mediabox interview with Véronique Bertholle and Peter Drenth on Vimeo
Attacks on freedom of speech in political assemblies
***
