Speaking on freedom of expression, he pointed out that the member states of the Council of Europe could use the rich case-law of the European Court of Human Rights as a guide for determining the limits of freedom of expression. Speaking on the crisis in Ukraine, he recalled the role of the Council of Europe in providing support to democratic and constitutional reforms in Ukraine. Regarding Russia, he highlighted the need to support the development of civil society in that country, emphasising that calling NGOs foreign agents had no place in the 21st Century. The Secretary General of the Council of Europe called for a decisive, international response to the threat of terrorism in Europe. He confirmed the Council of Europe is currently drafting an additional Protocol to its Convention on the Prevention of Terrorism aimed at criminalising the recruitment, training, preparation and travel for the purpose of committing terrorist acts. The Secretary General of the Council of Europe announced the publication of his Second Annual Report on the State of Human Rights, Democracy and the Rule of Law in Europe which will focus on a shared responsibility for democratic security.

During the day, the debates were held on the protection of media freedom in Europe, tackling intolerance and discrimination in Europe with a special focus on Christians, and post-electoral shifting in members’ political affiliation and its repercussions on the composition of national delegations.

Pointing out that democracy and protection of human rights depend on the media freedom, the Parliamentary Assembly of the Council of Europe invited its member states to undertake a series of activities to ensure safety of journalists and to enable them to work freely. In the Resolution, drafted on the basis of the Report by Mr Flego from Croatia, the Assembly referred a series of concrete recommendations to the authorities of a number of member states, including: Ukraine, Russian Federation, Turkey, Azerbaijan, Serbia, Great Britain, Italy, Hungary, and Georgia. The parliamentarians emphasised the need to undertake special measures to protect journalists who work in conflict zones or follow violent demonstrations. The PACE pointed out that it was necessary to also conduct proper investigations on murders and attacks on the journalists. Additionally, it invited its member states to adopt adequate laws to regulate work and financing of media, diversity and transparency of media ownership, and provision of sufficient funds for public broadcasting services. The PACE proposed to its member states to hold annual debates on freedom of media in their national parliaments.

During debate on tackling intolerance and discrimination in Europe, the Parliamentary Assembly of the Council of Europe expressed concern regarding numerous acts of hostility, violence and vandalism recorded in the past few years against Christians and their places of worship, pointing out that those acts are often overlooked by national authorities in Europe. In the Resolution adopted today, the PACE called on the member states to promote culture of tolerance and co-existence based on the acceptance of religious pluralism, protect the peaceful exercise of freedom of assembly, as well as the right to freedom of expression.

Members of Montenegrin delegation to PACE participated in the meetings of the following working bodies: Committee on Culture, Science, Education and Media, Committee on Legal Affairs and Human Rights, Committee on Equality and Non-Discrimination, Committee on Social Affairs, Health and Sustainable Development, and Committee on Migration, Refugees and Displaced Persons.

On the final day of PACE Winter Session, there will be debates on the following: “Witness protection as an indispensable tool in the fight against organised crime and terrorism in Europe” and “Equality and inclusion for people with disabilities “.

Montenegrin Delegation at the Winter Session is composed of: Mr Predrag Sekulić, Head of Delegation, and members: Ms Draginja Vuksanović, Mr Goran Tuponja, Mr Damir Šehović and Ms Snežana Jonica.