You have to know what you want!
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At the beginning of May 2018, Viktor Orban was sworn in as Prime Minister following another clear victory after the parliamentary elections in Hungary. His subsequent speech contained the following key message: "The era of liberal democracy is over." It had proved unsuitable for defending human dignity, freedom and physical security. His answer and that of the Hungarians is "to have to build the Christian democracy of the 21st century instead of the shipwrecked liberal democracy". "We are Christian Democrats and we want a Christian democracy."
Peace is each step
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In the conception of the conference we were inspired by the Messages for the World Day of the Peace of the last four pontiffs, both for reasons of merit and method. From 1968 to the present day, in fact, these messages, addressed not only to the ecclesial community, but to all men of good will, have offered a range of positive declensions of the term "peace" that hold different dimensions together. Each contributes to building peace through peace, according to a reversal of the classical paradigm that saw war as a necessary way to peace. "Our" Paul VI had well expressed this intention in his 1965 speech to the UN, of which this passage seems emblematic to us: "And you know that peace is not built only by politics and the balance of forces and interests, but with the spirit, ideas, works of peace".
Faith and politics: a cultural service
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The historical passage we are going through is described, on the political level, by a lexicon dominated by the binomial sovereignty/populism, with which we try to mean a radical change in the balances and dynamics with which we build the political decision, especially within democratic and liberal institutional systems. However, this semantic choice, which takes as its qualifying trait the emphasis placed on the absolute primacy of the interest of the sovereign people, resorts to concepts that now belong to the history of the previous century and that are not able to fully restore the radicality of a historical change in which we are directly involved.
Excluded-included. Immigration and Democracy in Europe
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Inclusion or exclusion? The boundary is born as an inclusive idea and ends as an exclusive idea. Where the border is considered as frontier then it is exclusion and disregard of otherness and the other. Is it conceivable, today, a project of commercial globalization and at the same time a policy of insurmountable barriers that separate peoples and states?
Deliberative democracy to regenerate participation
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"Politics is based on the fact of the plurality of men... it is about the coexistence of the different... it is born among men... it is born in the infra and is affirmed as a relationship". Luciano Manicardi quotes H. Arendt in the opening pages of "Spirituality and Politics", adding that "in the empty space between men, between me and the other, between me, the other and the third, between us and the others, therefore in the interpersonal and social space, politics also meets the spiritual dimension".
No to barbarization!
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As a missionary, I denounce the cynicism with which the yellow-green government rejects the "shipwrecked of development". I would never have thought that an Italian Government could give us a poisoned morsel such as the Decreto sicurezza bis, a decree whose clauses violate the fundamental principles of our Constitution, law and ethics. It is precisely ethics that is hit to death because this Decree declares it a crime to save lives at sea. But above all I appeal to Catholic associations to join the secular forces and say no to the barbarization of our society.
An ecclesial cloth to repair
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The success of the “Lega” in the recent European elections was no surprise, even though the extent of the consensus received was not easily imaginable. Politicians and political journalists have extensively reasoned about the causes of this small earthquake, which, while it has not significantly shifted the European balance, on the other hand has changed the Italian political framework making it even more problematic. The support for Matteo Salvini came largely from the North, where the League was born and has always had a strong consensus, but this time also from the areas of Central and Southern Italy, where in the past there was a strong hostility towards the “Lega” project; it came from the middle class, but also from the urban suburbs until a few years ago in favor of left-wing parties; and it came from a substantial part of the Catholic world.
CoE : Questionnaire: Study on NGO activities, particularly humanitarian efforts targeting refugees and other migrants
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Message from the President of the INGOs Conference of the Council of Europe
Dear NGO representative,
In 2008 the Conference of INGOs created the Expert Council on NGO Lawin order to contribute to the enabling legal environment for NGOs. Our Expert Council carries out thematic and country studies on specific aspects of NGO legislation and legal opinions on specific piece of legislation.
Considering its mandate, the Expert Council is currently preparing a thematic study on the impact on NGO activities, particularly humanitarian efforts targeting refugees and other migrants, of changing criminal law approaches or provisions in Council of Europe Member States. The aim is to cover as many national contexts as possible, including those which are already known as threatening NGOs helping migrants.
Obviously, the results of the study will depend on the available data. That’s why we solicit your help, asking you to answer the enclosed questionnaire (in English) related to the relevant legislation and practice in the field of migration. We know that NGOs are at the forefront when it comes to respond to the human rights challenges of asylum and migration in Europe.
We really count on your help. Thank you in advance for kindly sending your responses by email to before 2 September 2019.
As always, you will be informed about the progress and final results of the study.
Yours sincerely,
Anna RURKA
President of the Conference of INGOs
Enclosed: Questionnaire on State Practice
CoE : 3rd session of the PACE (cont'd)
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The Assembly today elected Marija Pejcinovic Buric (Croatia) Secretary General of the Council of Europe for a five-year term beginning on 18 September 2019.
In the first round of the election Marija Pejcinovic Buric obtained 159 votes, an absolute majority, and Didier Reynders (Belgium) 105 votes. There were 264 votes cast.
Ms Pejcinovic Buric is Deputy Prime Minister and Minister of Foreign and European Affairs of the Republic of Croatia.
PACE ratifies Russian delegation’s credentials
- 26/06/2019
- SESSION
PACE has voted to ratify the credentials of the Russian delegation after they were challenged on substantial grounds on the second day of its plenary session in Strasbourg, declaring that it remained “committed to dialogue as a means of reaching lasting solutions”.
However, in return the Assembly called on Russia to fulfil a series of recent Assembly recommendations, citing among other things the release of Ukrainian sailors, co-operation on bringing to justice those responsible for downing Flight MH17, and taking measures to end violations of the rights of LGBTI people, especially in Chechnya.
In a resolution based on a report by Sir Roger Gale (United Kingdom, EC), the parliamentarians pointed out that the Assembly was a place where “political dialogue on the Russian Federation’s obligations under the Statute of the Council of Europe can take place with the participation of all those concerned” and where the Russian delegation could be “kept accountable” on the basis of the Organisation’s values and principles.
The Assembly said it expected its “clear offer of dialogue” to be reciprocal and to lead to concrete results. It resolved to debate a report on the honouring of obligations and commitments by Russia no later than the April 2020 part-session.
Vote on Resolution, Web page of the session, Adopted resolution
CoE : PACE, Russian delegation
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Russian delegation’s credentials challenged
The credentials of the new Russian delegation to the Parliamentary Assembly of the Council of Europe (PACE), presented this morning on the second day of the summer plenary session in Strasbourg, have been challenged on both substantive and procedural grounds.
Nino Goguadze (Georgia, EC), making the challenge on substantial grounds, cited Russia’s “persistent failure to honour obligations and commitments”. She was supported by at least thirty members of the Assembly present in the Chamber, belonging to at least five national delegations.
Volodymyr Ariev (Ukraine, EPP/CD), making the challenge on procedural grounds, cited irregularities in the composition of the delegation. He was supported by at least ten members of the Assembly present in the Chamber, belonging to at least five national delegations.
The challenges were referred without debate to the relevant committees for report to the Assembly, which will consider the question tomorrow at 3.30 pm, the opening of the afternoon sitting.
The members of the Russian delegation are entitled to sit provisionally with the same rights as other members until the Assembly has reached a decision but may not vote on their own credentials.
CoE : Amélie de Montchalin, representing the French Presidency of the Committee of Ministers, addressing the Assembly
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"We must preserve the pan-European dimension of the Council of Europe"
PARLIAMENTARY ASSEMBLY SESSIONSTRASBOURG24 JUNE 2019
“As we celebrate the 70th anniversary of the Council of Europe, we can measure the progress made since 1949 and the fact that this organisation is more essential than ever to promote our common values and foster economic and social progress on our continent,” said Amélie de Montchalin, French Secretary of State in charge of European Affairs, representing the French Presidency of the Committee of Ministers, addressing the Assembly today.
Ms de Montchalin praised the “close dialogue” between the Assembly and the Committee of Ministers, a co-operation which “will enable the Council of Europe to continue to give life to the hope of progress born in 1949” and “to overcome the current crisis”. In this context, she stressed the importance of making the new joint procedure operational, which will make it possible to “react in a more effective, clear and coordinated manner when a member State fails to fulfill its statutory obligations". A window of opportunity is “open, and we must seize it, collectively, in order to preserve the pan-European dimension of the Council of Europe,” she said.
In her address, Ms de Montchalin also mentioned the main developments within the Committee of Ministers since its previous session on 17 May in Helsinki, and announced a number of events organised in the framework of the French Presidency with regards to its priorities, namely: preserving and consolidating the European system of human rights protection – recalling that the system of the European Convention on Human Rights was an unparalleled asset in the world – promoting equality and living together , and respond to new challenges in the field of human rights and the rule of law, particularly in the field of digital technology and artificial intelligence.
CoE : Clarification of PACE's Rules
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"PACE affirms its members’ rights ‘to vote, to speak and to be represented in the Assembly and its bodies"
PARLIAMENTARY ASSEMBLY SESSIONSTRASBOURG25 JUNE 2019
The Parliamentary Assembly of the Council of Europe (PACE) has decided that its members’ “rights to vote, to speak and to be represented in the Assembly and its bodies shall not be suspended or withdrawn in the context of a challenge to or reconsideration of credentials”.
In a resolution based on a report by Petra de Sutter (Belgium, SOC), the Assembly said this clarification of its Rules was to “ensure that member States’ right and obligation to be represented and to participate in both statutory bodies of the Council of Europe is respected”.
Citing the “exceptional context” of a recent decision by the Committee of Ministers, the Assembly also decided, in a derogation from its Rules of Procedure, to invite the parliaments of Council of Europe member States “which are not represented by a delegation to the Assembly” to present their credentials at the June 2019 part-session. Normally, credentials can only be presented at the opening of the ordinary session in January.
CoE : 3rd part of the Ordinary session of the Parliamentary Assembly
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"We must shoulder our responsibilities to defend the common interests of all Europeans"
PARLIAMENTARY ASSEMBLY SESSIONSTRASBOURG24 JUNE 2019
“The part-session which we are starting today is taking place in extraordinary circumstances. Our Organisation is going through a crisis which has serious implications for the European human rights protection system and for the stability and sustainability of our own institutions,” the PACE President stressed at the opening of the session.
“We must therefore find a way to move forward. We all have the same objective: to defend the common interests of 830 million Europeans who expect to be able to enjoy – without any exclusion whatsoever – the protection of the European Convention on Human Rights. Let us always keep this in mind,” Liliane Maury Pasquier said.
“In taking our decisions today, we must all remember the origins of the crisis we are experiencing because there are incontrovertible facts which the Assembly can neither ignore nor accept. We are therefore going to continue to defend with conviction and determination our positions and the principles of international law that are so important to us. At the same time, we must also shoulder our institutional and political responsibilities,” she stressed.
ILO: Building global chains of Decent Work for no one to be left behind !
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By celebrating its 100 years anniversary, the ILO is putting its mark on one of the most celebrated pages of human history, illustrated by its fundamental declarations for a world where “work is not a commodity” and in which there is “no lasting peace without social justice” !
The 200 international labour standards, established in the tripartite system of Governments – Employers – Workers, are testimonies of the lucidity, courage and fertility of this “participative democracy”, unique within the United Nations. The eight ILO Fundamental Conventions set clearly as “banned by humanity” the “children and forced labour”, “disrespect of the collective bargaining rights” and “discriminations” of all sorts. The fruits collected from this ILO’s centenary are an invaluable set of tools that have been created to develop “decent work” in the 187 member countries !
COE : Exchange of views between the candidates for the post of Secretary General
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Exchange of views between the candidates for the post of Secretary General of the Council of Europe and the Conference of INGOs
On 11 April the Conference of INGOs held an exchange of views with the two candidates for position of Council of Europe Secretary General: Minister Didier Reynders (Belgium) and Minister Marija Pejčinović Burić (Croatia). It was an excellent opportunity for the members of the Conference to find out more about the candidates' political vision for the future of the Council of Europe. For the candidates it was an occasion to listen the main concerns and ideas aiming at restoring public trust in democratic institutions and reinforcing the impact of Council of Europe standards.
During the exchange, several questions from the floor addressed issues such as how to face the political and financial crises in the Council of Europe, how to prevent corruption, promote equality, fight against LGBTI discrimination and how to reinforce the implementation of Council of Europe standards and human rights.
We wish both candidates a lot of success for their campaign!
COE : "NGOS PROVIDE VALUABLE SUPPORT TO THE DEMOCRATIC SYSTEM"
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Meeting between the President of the Congress and the President of the Conference of INGOs STRASBOURG3 APRIL 2019
On the 3rd April, the President of the Conference of INGOs met with the President of the Congress of Local and Regional Authorities.
During this first bilateral meeting, Anna Rurka stressed the importance and interest of the Conference of INGOs to reinforce its interactions with the Congress of Local and Regional Authorities. She informed the President on the INGOs decision to hold the Conference of INGOs autumn session in parallel of the Congress session, in order to foster interactions and common debate.
The Conference of INGOs and the Congress of Local and Regional Authorities is working together on the updating of the Code of good practice for Civil Participation in the Decision-Making Process. The draft of the amended Code should be presented for adoption by the Congress and the Conference of INGOs during their reciprocal sessions in autumn.
The President of the Congress underlined the importace of the NGOs contribution to the work of the Congress in the Member States of the Council of Europe. Both highlighted interdependence between the participation of the NGOs in the decision-making process at the local, national and intergovernmental levels and the importance for the Council of Europe to continually focus its attention on the enabling environment for civil society organizations.
CoE : The future of the Council of Europe: Civil Society’s commitment
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The future of the Council of Europe: Civil Society’s commitment
At its plenary session on 12 April 2019, the Conference of INGOs adopted Resolution CONF/PLE(2019)RES1 on the future of the Council of Europe and Civil Society’s commitment.
Whilst affirming that the future of the Council of Europe as a pan-European standard-setting, monitoring and co-operating intergovernmental Organisation is of great concern to its members, it called for a stronger Council of Europe with greater impact of its conventions and treaties.
The Conference of INGOs emphasised the continued need to safeguard and achieve genuine democracy and strengthen public trust in democratic institutions by supporting meaningful participation in the democratic decision-making process, which can empower citizens and NGOs and help young people to be confident in a common European future. It also underlined that reinforced interaction with civil society through a space for substantial, formal, honest and open debates on the strategic orientations of the Organization represents a real opportunity and strength for the Council of Europe.
CoE : Priorities of the French Presidency of the Committee of Ministers
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Priorities of the French Presidency of the Committee of Ministers of the Council of Europe (17 May – 27 November 2019)
The French Presidency will be marked by the official celebration of the Council of Europe's 70th anniversary in Strasbourg, on the margins of the Parliamentary Assembly October part-Session, as well as the taking of office of a new Secretary General.
France will ensure that the Organisation’s cohesion is maintained . With its 47 member States, the Council of Europe forms the main platform for dialogue and co-operation on the scale of the European continent and has contributed to the creation of a shared legal space. Confronted with the rise of populism and extremism, we must gather around common values, build on the foundation of the European Convention on Human Rights and uphold the authority of the Court that guarantees compliance with the Convention.
The French Presidency will work in a spirit of trust and dialogue with the Parliamentary Assembly to overcome the difficulties of the last few years and boost the capacity of those two bodies to act jointly in
crisis situations, within the framework of the principles that guide our Organisation.
France wishes to use the opportunity afforded by its Presidency to help build the Council of Europe of tomorrow. This means consolidating the achievements of the past 70 years and responding to new
challenges linked to the development of technologies and of societies.
The Council of Europe has always demonstrated its ability to innovate and anticipate, devising new instruments to protect rights and freedoms. It must continue in this pioneering role for the benefit of our
continent's 830 million inhabitants. This also presupposes that the Organisation's financial sustainability is guaranteed.
With all this in mind, France has selected three priorities for its Presidency: 1) preserving and consolidating the European system of human rights protection, 2) promoting equality and living together,
3) meeting the new challenges facing human rights and the rule of law.
Read the complete text CM/Inf(2019)1710/05/2019 in attachment
Humanity, our true cathedral
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The fire that devastated Notre Dame Cathedral painfully struck not only Christians, who saw a place of their faith wounded, but the entire human community, who saw this dramatic event as a sign of loss; because even those who profess other religions or, as for example a large part of the French people, do not recognize themselves in any religion, perceived that a good belonging to the history of France and Europe, a piece of those roots that nourished it culturally and socially, has been damaged. The human community, beyond any nation, religious belief, political feeling, has united to share the commitment to reconstruction, also through very concrete gestures of solidarity.
Europe's future depends on the values we prioritise
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What are we talking about when we talk about populism?
Populism is on everyone's lips. For better or for worse. Some people hate them. Others, although they don't like the term, applaud its pretensions. Populism has several components. In these lines I only reflect on the opposition of populisms to what they call elites, who would only seek their own profit, in front of the people, good by nature, subjugated by them.
