MP Kostis Efstathiou, member of the Cypriot delegation to the Parliamentary Assembly of the Council of Europe (PACE), presented yesterday to the members of the Legal and Human Rights Committee his conclusions from his participation, as a representative of the PACE, in the 131st session of the Venice Commission of the Council of Europe.
Mr Efstathiou informed the Commission of the discussion held during the Summit on the political dimension of the enforcement of judgments of the European Court of Human Rights (ECHR) and the need to ensure the independence of the judiciary. Mr Efstathiou pointed out that there was a convergence of views with the European Commissioner for Justice, Mr Didier Reynders, on the need to establish a culture of upholding human rights and the rule of law and a common approach between the Court of Justice of the European Union and the European Court of Human Rights on these issues. As a conclusion of the meeting, Mr Efstathiou noted the need to balance the independence of the courts with the requirement for accountability as an internal control measure.
Mr Eustathiou also noted the negative Opinion issued by the Venice Commission on the electoral legislation recently adopted by the National Assembly of Turkey, in particular regarding the conditions of participation of political parties in the electoral process, as it conflicts with key provisions of the European Convention on Human Rights.
(Text as sent by the House of Representatives)
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