Moldova: statement by PACE co-rapporteurs following changes to Electoral Code
Strasbourg, 17.06.2009 – Josette Durrieu (France, SOC) and Egidijus Vareikis (Lithuania, EPP/CD), co-rapporteurs of the Council of Europe Parliamentary Assembly (PACE) for the monitoring of Moldova’s obligations and commitments, made the following statement today:
“We take note of the positive changes to the Electoral Code which the Moldovan Parliament adopted on Monday and which tend in the direction of the Venice Commission’s and the Assembly’s recommendations.
These changes, which were adopted by 59 out of 101 votes, the opposition having declined to associate itself with the ballot, are intended to reduce the electoral threshold from 6% to 5%, and the participation threshold from 50% plus one vote to 33% plus one vote.
Moldova: Commissioner Hammarberg to assess post-electoral human-rights situation
Strasbourg, 24.04.2009 – The Council of Europe Commissioner for Human Rights, Thomas Hammarberg, will carry out a visit to Moldova from 25 to 28 April to assess the human rights situation following the recent post-electoral events. “I want to obtain a first-hand, complete picture of the recent events and their implications for human rights” he said. “It is essential to establish an accurate description of what actually happened and take all necessary measures to protect human rights.”
Joint statement by Secretary General Terry Davis, PACE President Lluís Maria de Puig and Committee of Ministers Chairman Miguel Angel Moratinos
Strasbourg, 4 May 2009 - In the first sixty years of its existence, the Council of Europe has helped to reconcile a continent after decades of ideological divide, created a Europe-wide court in which individuals can seek protection of their human rights, outlawed the death penalty in Europe, and produced an arsenal of more than 200 international treaties to defend and extend the Council of Europe values of democracy, human rights and the rule of law. Political stimulus is provided through a Parliamentary Assembly which also elects the organisation’s most important officials through an open and competitive vote. Grassroot democracy is cultivated by the Congress of Local and Regional Authorities.
