On the second working day in PACE, at the morning Plenary Session, the Report on Post-Monitoring Dialogue with Turkey, by the rapporteur Ms Josette Durrieu (France), was adopted. She pointed out that the process of legislative and institutional changes in Turkey was underway, but that it was incomplete. She noted that there had been many reforms in Turkey, especially with regard to the political transition that included the military, judiciary, the issue of Kurds and the instability in the region. The Report highlighted the very significant economic results of Turkey in view of the global economic crisis, stressing that the Turkey had become a regional power and a benchmark for the less stable Muslim countries in the region. The Report welcomed the progress of Turkey in many areas, especially with regard to the transposition of the European Convention on Human Rights, promotion of the peace process, promotion of the cultural and language rights of Kurds, intensification of dialogue with the religious communities and establishing the institution of Ombudsman. It was pointed out that if Turkey wanted to successfully complete its reform programme, it was necessary for it to work on the reform of Constitution and reform of the Criminal Code, as well as to affirm the freedom of speech and invest additional efforts in resolving the issue of Kurds. The Assembly decided to continue its Post-Monitoring Dialogue with Turkey and offered it full support aimed at further intensification of democratic reforms. The Report had been adopted by a majority of votes. The Delegation of Montenegro voted in favour of this Report.  

At the Plenary Session, the MPs were addressed by the Prime Minister of Georgia, Mr Bidzina Ivanishvili, who in his address appealed to the members of PACE in order to ensure aid to his country aimed at better relations with Russia and pointed out that he recently begun the dialogue between Tbilisi and Moscow. He noted that there could be no progress in the region if Georgia was expected to abandon its legitimate interests, pointing out that in 2008 20% of the territory of Georgia had been occupied by Russia. Concluding his address Mr Ivanishvili appealed once more for the aid to Georgia.

The following were also considered: Draft Resolution on child sex tourism, by the rapporteur Mr Valeriu Ghiletchi, Draft Resolution “Parliamentarians United in fighting sexual violence against children”, mid-term overview of the campaign “One in Five” by the rapporteur Mr Sylvio Eloise as well Draft Resolution on fighting discrimination against Roma children, by Ms Nursuna Memecan. These resolutions were adopted unanimously.

Draft Resolution on child sex tourism caused major interest with the members of PACE. In discussion on the said document 32 MPs participated. Sexual exploitation of children in travel and tourism, also known as “child sex tourism”, affects tens of thousands of children across the world. Europe is concerned with this phenomenon as well as the region of origin and region of destination of “travelling sex offenders”.

Members of PACE took a position that Member States of the Council of Europe should protect children from all types of sexual exploitation with the aim to fight against child sex tourism in the efficient manner and should start to implement regional and international standards in the area of protection of children from sexual exploitation, and the ensure that their laws are compliant with these standards. Additionally, the mechanisms to prevent high risk sexual offenders to travel abroad should be established and the international cooperation in prosecution of “travelling sex offenders” in order to combat impunity should be increased. Additionally, the necessity of investing endeavours in raising awareness and continuation of stimulation of sustainable and ethical tourism had been pointed out.

At the end of discussion regarding this item of the Agenda it was concluded that there could be no fight against “travelling sex offenders” without following a global approach.                  
                   
A country by itself cannot overtake the effective actions against tourism involving children, since the measures regarding only to its territory cannot have a sustainable effect. Isolated national actions, for instance by strengthening legislation, would only relocate the problem to neighbouring countries, due to the fact that sex tourist would turn to destinations where laws in that field are more flexible.

Therefore, the number of sexual tourists (or child victims) worldwide would not decrease. Second item of the Agenda caused a great interesting among parliamentarians, and 32 MPs participated at the discussion on proposed Draft Resolution. It is estimated that one in five child children becomes a victim of sexual violence.

Following the opening of the process for signing the Lanzarote Convention of the Council of Europe in 2007 – stating a set of laws and policies for protection of children and bringing offenders to justice – campaign “One in Five” of the Council of Europe for ending sexual violence against children has been initiated in 2010, with the purpose of promoting the Convention and raising awareness of the need for action. It was concluded that the Council of Europe could be proud of achievements during the first two years of campaign, but that it was possible to accelerate its results and efficiency. The ultimate goal of the Campaign should be fulfilled: all Member States in Europe (and other states outside) are not only shareholders in the Lanzarote Convention, but also implement provisions and develop a series of measures for awareness rising. Our Delegation also supported the Resolution.

It was also concluded that adequate financing from general budget of the Council of Europe, including expenses for staff, represented precondition for success on the European level. In this manner more time can be invested in achieving achievable goals of the Campaign, and providing Campaign not to be too donor. It was emphasised that it was necessary to increase cooperation among various levels of power at the national level, as well as full engagement of the Parliament, NGO sector, institutions, ombudsmen/child Commissioners, academies and children, young people and parents.

This cooperation should be more than just a dialogue, and include actual measures for achieving results in the field.

During the discussion on the Draft Resolution on prohibition of discrimination against Roma children, 22 MPs participated. It was emphasised that Roma discrimination in Europe stated before their birth due to lack of adequate prenatal and maternal health care. It is estimated that half of Roma population in Europe, five or six million people, is under 18 years of age. This figure highlights the urgency of breaking the vicious circle of discrimination as early as possible: Roma children should be given an equal start in life, with a view to their full inclusion in society, as a precondition for their future inclusion as adults. To this end, it is crucial to address the material living conditions of Roma families, introduce policies and affirmative measures to ensure non-discriminatory access to health care and education, while promoting knowledge and respect for Roma identity, culture and language, also through political discourse. To be successful, policies must be developed and implemented with the involvement of Roma communities themselves.

Proposed items of the Agenda were supported by Members of PACE and unanimously adopted as such. In addition to Prime Minister of Georgia, MPs were addressed by Mr Didier Burkhalter, Vice President of the Federal Council, Head of the Federal Department of Foreign Affairs of Switzerland. On the second day, sessions of the following committees were held: Committee on Political Issues and Democracy, where the Head of the Delegation Mr Zoran Vukčević participated; Committee on Social Issues, Health and Sustainable Development, where Mr Predrag Sekulić Dr participated; Committee on Culture, Science, Education and Youth where Mr Damir Šehović MA participated as well as Committee on Legal Issues and Human Rights where Ms Draginja Vuksanović PhD participated.

The members of Delegation also attended the meeting of the Socialist Group.