Public Statements
Announced withdrawal of the United States of America from the Venice Commission of the Council of Europe – Statement by the President of the Venice Commission
I regret to learn of the President of the United States of America's decision to initiate the procedure to withdraw from the European Commission for Democracy through Law. The United States became a full member of the Venice Commission in April 2013, upon their request, after being an Observer...
Venezuela - Presidential elections - Statement by the Bureau of the Venice Commission
Following the presidential elections in Venezuela, the Bureau of the Venice Commission expresses its serious concern and recalls the importance of respecting international standards of electoral law, as defined in particular by Article 25 of the International Covenant on Civil and Political...
Bosnia and Herzegovina – Constitutional Court – Statement by the Venice Commission
"The Venice Commission is seriously concerned about a call for resignation issued by the Assembly of Republika Srpska to the Vice-President of the Constitutional Court of Bosnia, Mr Zlatko Knežević, who is one of the two judges elected by the National Assembly of RS - and also a member of the...
Israel - Justice reform should not jeopardise meaningful judicial review by independent courts - Statement by President Bazy Malaurie
Today, the President of the Venice Commission, Ms Claire Bazy Malaurie, made the following statement: "Israel has been a member of the Venice Commission since 1 May 2008. The Venice Commission has consistently stated that in a democratic country governed by the rule of law and respectful of...
Montenegro – The Constitutional Court should become operational with no further delay - Statement by the President of the Venice Commission
The President of the Venice Commission, Ms Claire Bazy Malaurie, has made the following statement: "Constitutional courts are the guardians of constitutions. It is essential and urgent that the Constitutional Court of Montenegro be allowed to exercise its role at this time of deep institutional...
Central African Republic - World Conference on Constitutional Justice - Statement in support of the Constitutional Court
Today, Mr Gianni Buquicchio, President Emeritus, Special Representative of the Venice Commission, made the following statement, on behalf of the World Conference on Constitutional Justice, in support of the Constitutional Court of the Central African Republic: “On behalf of the World Conference...
Ukraine - Statement by the Venice Commission
During its 130th plenary session, the Venice Commission made the following statement: "The Venice Commission fully supports the public statement on “the aggression of the Russian Federation against Ukraine” made by its President on 1 March 2022. The Commission expresses its firm condemnation of...
Aggression of the Russian Federation against Ukraine – Statement by President Bazy Malaurie
The President of the Venice Commission, Ms Claire Bazy Malaurie, made the following statement: “Following consultation with the Bureau of the Venice Commission, I express the deep shock and dismay generated by the aggression against Ukraine. Using violence instead of dialogue goes against...
Ukraine - Urgent need to set up the Ethics Council - Statement by President Buquicchio
Today, the President of the Venice Commission, Mr Gianni Buquicchio, made the following statement: "Judicial reform was at the centre of my recent fruitful exchange with the President of Ukraine, Volodymyr Zelenskyy. That reform is crucial for the future of the country, it raises very high...
Tunisia - The state of emergency - Statement by the President of the Commission
Today the President of the Venice Commission, Mr Gianni Buquicchio, made the following statement: "Since the declaration of the state of emergency on 25 July 2021, the President of Tunisia has concentrated in his hands the legislative, executive and, partially, judicial powers. Tunisia does not...
Constitutional Crisis in the Republic of Moldova – Call for restraint and dialogue – Parliament should repeal today’s decision - Statement by President Buquicchio
"I am extremely alarmed by the present situation in the Republic of Moldova. I call on all state institutions to exercise restraint, to enter into a dialogue and to de-escalate this worrying situation in order to ensure the operation of the Constitution of the Republic of Moldova, which is what...
The Venice Commission is concerned by the risk of paralysis of the Ombudsman institution of Poland
Today the Venice Commission of the Council of Europe issued the following statement: “The term of office of the current Polish Human Rights Commissioner expired on 9 September 2020. While the successor has not yet been elected, on 17 September 2020 some MPs requested the Constitutional Court to...
Belarus - International electoral standards must be respected - Statement by President Buquicchio
"Democratic elections are an expression of the sovereignty belonging to the people of a country. It is the free expression of the will of the people that provides the basis for the authority and legitimacy of government. The rights of citizens to vote and to be elected at periodic, democratic...
Ukraine - The President of the Venice Commission welcomes the judgment of the Constitutional Court
Today the President of the Venice Commission of the Council of Europe Mr Gianni Buquicchio made the following statement: “I welcome that the judgment of the Constitutional Court of Ukraine of 11 March declares unconstitutional the amendment to the Law on the Judiciary and the Status of Judges...
Armenia – All sides need to exercise restraint, mutual respect and constructive institutional co-operation - Statement by President Buquicchio
"Following my statement of 29 October 2019, I remain preoccupied about the open conflict involving the Constitutional Court of Armenia. I share the concerns of the rapporteurs of the Parliamentary Assembly of the Council of Europe in this respect. I would like to recall the recommendations made...
Republic of Moldova - The President of the Venice Commission calls on the institutions to work together to ensure the independence and integrity of the judiciary
Today the President of the Venice Commission made the following statement: “Following my meeting with the Minister of Justice of the Republic of Moldova, I am very concerned about the current conflicts among the different institutions of the state. Self-serving and divisive attitudes must be...
Armenia – All sides need to exercise restraint, mutual respect and constructive institutional co-operation - Statement by President Buquicchio
"I have been closely following the situation in Armenia for several months already. I am very preoccupied about the open conflict between on the one side the Government and Parliament and on the other side the Constitutional Court. The quick succession and mediatisation of recent events do not...
Georgia - Statement by the President of the Venice Commission
"The Venice Commission has received a request for an opinion from the Speaker of the Georgian Parliament regarding the appointment of Supreme Court judges. I welcome the willingness of the Georgian authorities to cooperate with us in order to establish clear and transparent criteria and...
Tunisia - The Constitutional Court must be established without delay - Statement by President Buquicchio
The President of the Venice Commission Mr Gianni Buquicchio has made the following statement: "Constitutional courts are the guardians of constitutions. It is essential that the Constitutional Court provided for by the Constitution of Tunisia be established and begin to exercise its functions as...
Armenia - Statement of the President of the Venice Commission
The President of the Venice Commission: “Following the discussions between the Venice Commission and the First Deputy Prime Minister of Armenia at the 116th session of the Venice Commission - Acknowledges and supports the peaceful manner in which the Armenian people is carrying out change; -...
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