On April 7, 2025, the Spring Session of the Parliamentary Assembly of the Council of Europe (PACE) commenced in Strasbourg, France. The agenda includes critical issues such as the human rights situation in Türkiye, the arrest of Istanbul Mayor Ekrem İmamoğlu, political developments in Georgia, the fight against impunity in Ukraine, and the ongoing humanitarian crisis in Gaza.
Human rights defender Ahmad Shahidov, who is following the session on site, stated in an interview with Akit TV that double standards in the approach to human rights and democracy are clearly visible within the PACE framework.
The session also covers topics such as relations with Serbia, Hungary, Kosovo, and Latin America, as well as the legal protection of the environment.
According to the agenda, on April 9, the arrest of Istanbul’s mayor and the state of democratic institutions in Turkiye will be discussed under an urgent procedure. Presentations on the issue will be delivered by the Monitoring Committee co-rapporteurs – Stefan Schennach (Austria, SOC) and Lord David Blencathra (United Kingdom, ECPA).
