Secretary General also emphasised the role of the Council of Europe in promoting the freedom of expression, privacy and Global Internet Governance.

Additionally, he emphasised the ability of Council of Europe to respond quickly to political developments in member states, offering them an actual help when necessary.

Parliamentary Assembly of the Council of Europe elected Mr Jon Fridrik Kjølbro as judge to the European Court of Human Rights in respect of Denmark, for a term of office of nine years.

Today’s discussion was focused on the case of Mr Sergei Magnitsky. Parliamentary Assembly of the Council of Europe adopted the Resolution “Refusing impunity for the killers of Sergei Magnitsky” based on the report of Mr Andreas Gross (Switzerland, Socialist Group), inviting thus Russian authorities to fully investigate the circumstances and background of the death of Sergei Magnitsky and to enable the initiation of criminal liability against all those involved in the case. Parliamentary Assembly of the Council of Europe would attentively monitor the course of the case in the future.

Parliamentarians said that they were terrified by the death of Mr Magnitsky, in Moscow custody in 2009 and the fact that none of the responsible persons has been punished yet.  Mr Magnitsky, who investigated the mass frauds against Russian fiscal authorities, spent almost a year in custody, in extremely difficult conditions, which resulted in the deterioration of his health, it was stated at today’s meeting of the Council of Europe.

At today’s meeting, the parliamentarians discussed the fight against racism and intolerance in Europe. The conclusion has been reached – it is necessary to fight against terrorism and intolerance through strategic approach which strengthens the legal framework and includes greater efforts in order to provide its efficient implementation. 

It was emphasised that the Strategy for fight against racism and intolerance should be focused on preventing such incidents, raising awareness, education and human rights, provided that Internet and media should contribute to spreading the idea on fight against racism among people.

Acknowledge of the problem is the first step in its solving. Thus, the Parliamentary Assembly of the Council of Europe invited today European governments to have “courage” to recognise the existence of racism in police service in order to solve the issue. According to the Resolution adopted today, none institution has been completely immune to the racism, so the police was not an exception. Racism may be present in positions and behaviour of police officers and in their relations with citizens and other public officials.

In the Resolution based on the Report of Mr David Davis (Great Britain, European Democratic Group) states that impunity for racism of police and police officers must not be allowed, instead they have to be responsible for their behaviour. A few Council of Europe member states established mechanisms of independent police application. The Resolution highlights that efficient and independent investigations of racist crimes should be enforced, with the aim of maintaining confidence in police. Parliamentary Assembly of the Council of Europe proposed that European governments should undertake a set of measures for preventing racist discrimination, which, inter alia, include: revision of the existing legislation and police practice in order to identify and amend the regulations which may contain the racist connotation and establishment of independent application to the work of the police.  

At today’s meeting of the Parliamentary Assembly of the Council of Europe the Partnership for Democracy with Palestinian National Council, which has been implemented for two years, was discussed. The Assembly welcomes efforts of Palestinian National Council aimed at accomplishing political obligations, despite all difficulties they have been facing with. The Assembly regrets that the Palestinian government of national unity has not been formed yet and that the date of holding parliamentary and presidential elections has not been determined. In that context, parliamentarians voiced concern for the lack of legislative power which has caused a serious disbalance in Palestinian public structures. PACE welcomes the achieved progress and encourages Palestinian National Council to accelerate the reform process.

The following committees had meetings today: Committee on Political Affairs and Democracy, Committee on Social Affairs, Health and Sustainable Development, Committee on Legal Affairs and Human Rights and Committee on Equality and Non-Discrimination, which were attended by the members of Montenegrin delegation.

Tomorrow, the following will be discussed at the plenary session of the Parliamentary Assembly of the Council of Europe: Internet and politics i.e. influence of new information and communication technologies on democracy; Syrian refugees; migrants and how to solve their problems and Mr Martin Schulz, President of the European Parliament, will address PACE MPs.

Montenegrin delegation in the Winter Session is composed of Mr Zoran Vukčević PhD, Head of the delegation, and members of the delegation: Ms Draginja Vuksanović, PhD, Mr Mladen  Bojanić, Mr Predrag Sekulić, PhD and Ms Snežana Jonica.