
newsitems
French Assembly President Bartolone to EuroFora: Human Rights Values important for Europe's Future

*Strasbourg/CoE/Angelo Marcopolo/- Citizens' basic Freedoms and Human Rights' respect is of fundamental importance for the Future of Europe stressed in reply to an "EuroFora" question the new President of France's National Assembly, Claude Bartolone, after crucial PanEuropean debates at the CoE.
The new French Assembly's President reacted immediately positively to an "EuroFora"s question on the potential importance of basic Human Rights' respect as a means to overcome the recent "Crisis" of representative Parliamentary Democracy also by developing Parliament's potentially effective role in helping to ensure the effective implementation of ECHR's judgements in real practice :
- "Certainly : Europe cannot speak to Citizens only through Economic issues", Bartolone replied from the start.
- Simply because, already from the start, "Europe wasn't build only on the idea of allowing a free movement of Merchandises", as he observed, speaking at the CoE, near the ECHR.
+ Indeed,"there are also (Political) Values of Freedom and Democracy, which were at the origins of the European construction", the French Assembly's President reminded.
- "And they should find anew all their importance, also today and in the Future", he stressed in conclusion.
- Because "this Europe of Values, is of Fundamental importance", as President Bartolone pointed out earlier.

=> - "The Europe of the 21st Century must be the Europe of Human Rights and of Citizens' Freedom", he optimistically stressed with voluntarism, speaking at the conclusion of CoE's 2012 Bi-Annual Summit of Parliament's Presidents in Strasbourg.
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He was welcomed earlied by his compatriot and friend, CoE Assembly's President Jean-Claude Mignon, who anounced also that, after these days' debates in Strasbourg on the above mentioned issues, the PanEuropean Summit of Parliaments' Presidents intends to work, during the next 2 years also in order to find innovative ways to let Citizens have a chance to express their views, not only each 5 years, just in Elections, but also everyy time that important decisions are going to be taken by Public Auhorities :

- For that purpose, Parliaments should use any efficient and adequate, "Innovative" measure, f.ex. the Internet, Social Media and Forums, etc., be it through Referenda, Citizens' Initiatives, etc., and/or otherwise, the experienced President of CoE's PanEuropean Assembly suggested in conclusion, resuming several such ideas expressed by various National Parliament Presidents these 2 last Days in Strasbourg.
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(NDLR : "DraftNews", as already sent earlier to "EuroFora"s Subscribers/Donors. A more accurate, full Final Version may be published asap).
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German Bundestag President Lammert to EuroFora: Starting Process for Structural moves to EU Future
*Strasbourg/CoE/Angelo Marcopolo/- A fresh Will to "Start a New Process" of "Serious", "Structural" Advances in European Integration, also on the Political field, seems to be behind Germany's active involvement in CoE's 2012 Bi-Annual PanEuropean Summit of Parliaments' Presidents, these days in Strasbourg, marked by an influential Reception hosted by the German Ambassador/Permanent Representative to the CoE, at the eve of an Historic Franco-German Summit's Anniversary at nearby Stuttgart, and other parallel moves, as it results also by the statements of Bundestag's President, Dr. Norbert Lammert to "EuroFora" :
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- At first, "EuroFora" asked in substance Lammert if he believed that Parliaments, both at National and European level, should play a particularly important role in view of the current need for a desicively enhanced European Political Union, able to stimulate a much needed Popular Support.
- "This is a Question for a whole Conference", and not a short scoop "to Answer in a Minute", President Lammert begun, Smiling, in his Repy to "EuroFora"s Question, making clear from the outset that he really considers the matter to be of great Importance today.
- In fact, "the Parliaments play a Crucial Role, for the European Integration, because nothing can be done Seriously without Formal (i.e. Legal) Agreements !", the experienced German Top EuroPolitician observed.
- "And for for Any Kind of Fomal Agreements, we Need the Support of those (National) Parliaments", Bundestag's President explained, particularly after the recent Judgement by the German Constitutional Court at nearby Karlsruhe, on the New "€uroArea" Treaty, signed by 26 Heads of States/Governments at Brussels' EU Summits of December 2011, and January - March 2012, (See "EuroFora"s NewsReports from Brussels' EU Summits of 12/2011 and 1/2012, etc).
- "Fortunately, We have this Support, and this makes Europe going on", noted, with realistic satisfaction., Lemmert; who has already managed in the Past to be personaly elected by an astonishingly wide Majority.
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+ "EuroFora" went on to ask President Lammert about his view concerning recently unveiled Plans and/or suggestions (f.ex. also by the experienced former French President and f. Chairman of the EU Convention, currently Academician ,Valery Giscard d' Estaign, who was recently speaking also to Hanover, in Germany), to prepare a New, Systematic Cooperation between EU and National Parliaments, in the run up towardss a stronger Political Union in Europe.
- Even if we already have some Tools for that purpose, we certainly are for a very Stronger Role of the European Parliament, also as a (Public) Forum (in relation with EU Citizens too), and all the other (National) Parliaments, as well", he confirmed.
=> - That's why "we are Starting a Process of Organizing again, some kind of Formal Structures, in the Future Cooperation between the European and the National Levels of the Parliaments", President Lammert revealed.

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Significantly, the Head of Germany's powerful Bundestag, (which is also very Popular, considering the surprisingly large Number of People who gather Daily in front of the Historic Building, restored and renovated in the middle of a splendid Green Park, facing Chancellor Merkel's office, as Lammert often observes, similing, to his visitors in Berlin), has reportedly scheduled to meet and discuss EU's current projects to boosta stronger EU Poliical Union, with the President of the Parliament of Poland, who's just left from Strasbourg for Bonn.
Meanwhile, Chancellor Merkel and President Hollande are due to join together, the popular celebrations for the 50th Anniversary of the Historic General De Gaule - Chancellor Adenaouer meeting, at nearby Ludwigsburg (Germany), which marked the beginning of a long period of reconciliation and Political WIll to build the Franco-German "motor" of EU's development, as if to search fresh, new Inspiration at the Sources of what had alredy started to make the European Integration possible.
Angie Merkel, who remains, by far, the most Popular German political leader, has recently launched a series of Popular Debates on the Future of Germany, and on Europe, which is naturally discussed at Ludwisburg's preparatory Franco-German events, including with mainstream MEPs Brok and Goulard, etc. f.ex. this Friday afternoon, at the eve of an Anniversary which obviously searches to find in its Historic Sources an inspiration for a much neded new Stimulus.
The moves came while CoE's 2012 Bi-Annual Summit of Parliament's Presidents was disussing, for 2 Days in Strasbourg, mainly how to better apply, in real practice, the principles of Human Rights, and how to overcome a recent "Crisis" of "classical" representative Parliaments.
Naturally reminding, inter alia, also EU's immense potential to attract strong Popular support among most EU Citizens, if it succeeds to guarantee ementary Respect of People's basic Human Rights, according f.ex. to Pope Benedict's main message to the French EU Presidency, back on 2008, (See "EuroFor"s NewsReports from Elysee Palace and Lourdes popular sanctuary), that he objectively recalled today by a topical call to fight for the protection of Human Life and Dignity, as well as of Family Values, conditions of genuine Development of Human Persons, by actively engaging in Socio-Political Debates and Action against any perceived current Threats at the foreseable Horizon.
(.../...)
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(NDLR : "DraftNews", as already sent earlier to "EuroFora"s Subscribers/Donors. A more accurate, full Final Version may be published asap).
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Nordic Council's President, Kimo Sassi to EuroFora: Transparency versus Corruption on 2014 Horizon ?

*Strasbourg/CoE/Angelo Marcopolo/- Experienced EuroPolitician, long-time mainstream MEP at CoE's PanEuropean Asembly in Strasbourg, Chair of PACE's Human Rights Committee, the President of the Nordic Council of Ministers, Kimmo Sassi from Finland, (ChristianDemocrat/EPP), speaking to "EuroFora", stressed that Scandinavian Countries' traditional attachement to Transparency becomes very Topical today, as a means to address the current so-called "Crisis of Parliamentarianism", as well as in order to Fight against Corruption, while Norway will take over the preparation of CoE's National Parliament's Presidents' Summit in Oslo on 2014.

- In Nordic Countries it's functioning quite well, as well as Rue of Law, since in Scandinavia we are following Laws even in sensitive, very carefully dealt matters, President Sassi stressed from the outset.
- In particular, - "Transparency is very much developed in Nordic Countries", swhere "We have a relevant Swedish Law since about the 1730ies" : Indeed, "Sweden was the 1st Country to start guaranteeing Transparency" (of Public Administration, etc), since about 1730", he reminded.
- "That practically means that, since then, in principle, all Information must be Accessible to the People. That's the basic Rule".
=> - "Thus, f.ex., Citizens Participation to Elections is quite High, it is between 60% and 80%, (i.e. much better than in what it was for EU Parliament back on 1999-2005, i.e. during the period of the "Nos" to EuroReferenda, notoriously provoked mainly by Turkey's controversial and unpopular EU bid, etc)....

+ Even "as far as Environment is concerned, we don't take Decisions only for a week or so. On the contrary, we think about the Future, i.e. not to spoil Nature, so as to ensure taking sustainable, wise decisions, as he said evoking Finland's Presidency's main agenda at the Nordic Council in favor of Climate protection, which is one among the Popular concerns....
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Nordic Council naturally reminds the Ancient "Scandia", the "Scandinavia" of Modern Times, i.e. attempts to bring together the Scandinavian Countries, (Norway, Sweden, Finland, Denmark/Goenland and Iceland, etc), who are not only controlling the strategic Baltic Sea, but provide also EU's outlet towards the Arctic Ocean, of growing both Economic and Ecological value.

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+ - "Democracy is an idea which was originaly developed from the (Ancient) Greek" socio-political archetype (which notoriously gave a special importance also to "Direct" Participation by all interested Citizens to Public Debates on imminent Decisions affecting the Society), blent "also with the French Revolution"'s input during the "Enlightnement", etc., reminded meanwhile, (during CoE's debate on the question whether Representative Democracy is on Crisis), the President of the Norwegian Parliament ("Stortinget"), Dag Andersen, who is together with Sassi at the Nordic Council.

Andersen will chair, from now on, CoE's Bi-Annual, PanEuropean Conference of National Parliament's Presidents, that he will host on September 2014, anounced officialy CoE Assembly's President, French MEP Jean-Claude Mignon, after a selection among various candidate countries, decided at the conclusion of the 2012 event.

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+ CoE's Secretary General, Thornbjorn Jagland, (2009-2015) who is also a former Foreign and Prime Minister from Norway, and Chairman of NOBEL Peace Prize Committee, stressed earlier in Strasbourg on this occasion, (before departing for New York to attend UNO's General Assembly), that the "Question" whether "Representative Democracy was in Crisis", is "very Important and Timely", (apparently agreeing with "EuroFora"s main line of Questioning, during an earlier Press Conference at the CoE on the forthcoming, No 1 "World Democracy Forum", scheduled for the beginning of October in Strasbourg : Comp. previous "EuroFora"s NewsReport on that).
- "There can be No Doubt that we are witnessing a Crisis of Trust", Jagland stressed from the outset. Indeed , "Public Confidence .. is trickling away", he observed, citting f.ex. recent Polls by the EU.
- Because, "Europe is faced with ... an even more Corrosive Threat than ... the (Global) Financial Crisis : A Threat on our Fundamental Values, and the Moral Foundations of the Society" CoE's Secretary General warned.

-Since, "sadly, there are too many cases of Corrupt Poiliticians HIDING behind their Immunity", "from Investigation and Prosecution", which has become in certain cases, (together with "Time Deadlines"), "a Major Obstacle in the Fight against Corruption", "one of the most Widespread and Sinister Social Evils, ... Detrimental to the Administration of Public Affairs", because it also "Undermines the Trust and Confidence.. necessary for sustainable Economic and social relations". (As, f.ex. in the case of former "Greek" Governments, mainly PASOK, during 30 crucial years : 1981-2011, which provoked the Huge Debt, particularly since the 1999-2001 Deal exchanging Turkey's controversial and unpopular EU bid with Greece's precocious entry to €uroZone, even before it does the required Reforms, so that a former PASOk Government would snatch the April 2000 Elections : See relevant "EuroFora"s analysis, published several times since December 2009).
=> "Therefore, Immunity must Not be Unlimited, Nor can it (as well as the "Obstacle" of inflexible "Time Deadlines", as COE's Anti-Corruption watchdog "GRECO" has recently denounced, f.ex. on the occasion of Greece's case) be allowed to Obstruct thec ourse of Justice", COE's Secretary General stressed, expressing, in this regard, his "Support" for "the Recommendations made by .. GRECO, the COE's Group against Corruption", (comp. Supra).
>>> Therefore, Jagland launched a call to "Take Action against the Corrupt Few", in whom "Power corrupted", "so that our Institutions don't suffer the Consequences", he pointed out, adding also to check "Corrupt - sometimes Camouflaged - Political Financing", which "Threatens our Democratic Principles", and "the Spirit of our Parliamentary Democracy".

- To tackle that Risk, States must, in particular, "set up Transparent systems for Party and Election campaign Financing", as well as " a truly Independent Supervisory body", while also "publishing" "Books and Accounts", "in an Accessible and Timely manner", excluding "Anonymous Donations", and/or "too influential, or (even) corrupt Lobbying", which makes "only the Voices of the Powerful and Wealthy" to be "Heard", "presentinng a Rea Danger", CoE's head pointed out, according to GRECO's well-known and recently reiterated Guidelines.
=> Thus, the Norwegian-origin EuroPolitician and Head of CoE, found, in "the spirit of the (Pan)European Conference of Presidents of Parliament", "a unique Opportunity to Iron out Inconsistencies", .. "that have Fuelled Anger and Distrust among a Wider Public", requiring now to "look at the Future and take Bold Decisions", before the forthcoming next Summit of Parliaments' Presidents at Oslo, on 2014 (comp. Supra).
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(NDLR : "DraftNews", as already sent earlier to "EuroFora"s Subscribers/Donors. A more accurate, full Final Version may be published asap).
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CoE Justice Head Leyenberger to EuroFora : Fight Corruption + Help Victims + Economies = Efficiency

*Strasbourg/CoE/Angelo Marcopolo/- Judges' active contribution to the fight against Corruption and to Help Victims of Crimes, certainly is a core part of the "Efficiency and Quality of Justice", that CoE's PanEuropean Organization for Human Rights, Democracy and Rule of Law, in cooperation with the EU, is regularly Monitoring, including by a landmark Comparative Study and critical Analysis with Recommendations on Data systematically collected throughout all 47 Member Countries of the Strasbourg-based body, replied in substance, CoE's Director for the Independence and Efficiency of Justice, Stephane Leyenberger, to "EuroFora"s questions, at the eve of the official Publication of the 2012 Report by the "European Commission for the Efficiency of Justice" (ECEJ), on the occasion of a Ministerial Conference in Austria, tomorrow, due to take stock of the current situation and design new orientations on Courts, Prosecutors and Lawyers for the next 2 Years, in an are covering more than 800 Millions Citizens. (See selected CoE's Justice Statistics Infra).
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- "EuroFora" asked in substance CoE's competent Director to assess the importance it has today for Justice's Efficiency to help Victims of Crime and/or the Fight against Corruption, (as f.ex., EU recently started to do : See EU Commission vice-President, Viviane Reding's and EU Parliament's Rapporteurs' replies to "EuroFora"s questions last week : ......, and as certain famous Judges did in Italy in the Past, or could and, obviously, should do now in Greece, etc).
+ As well as if some Economies that States are obliged to make today in order to face the Global Financial Crisis, could, eventually, be made in an adequate way, which wouldn't affect Justice Efficiency, (f.ex. thanks to New Technologies, a.o. organisational innovatons, etc), given that the Number and Salaries of Judges, Prosecutors and Lawyers doesn't always seem automatically helpful to Justice's Quality, as we observed.
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Anti-Corruption Fight and Help to Victims of Crime = part of Justice's Efficiency + Quality
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- "Certainly, when we speak about Justice's Quality, if Corruption is a Structural Problem, (in a Country), then it naturally concerns the Efficiency of Justice", Leyenberger positively replied to "EuroFora"s first question.
- "It's a Delicate issue, that ECEJ didn't yet start to examine, at least for the time being, because it's difficult to measure, and to tackle with our traditional methodology. But this doesn't mean that everything is going well , everywhere, in this regard, far from that...
- "However, we have, inside the CoE another body, specialized in the Fight against Corruption, the GRECO, which has just started, precisely, a New Stage in its Monitoring Activities, where f.ex. Prosecutors will be at the Focus of CoE's Anti-Corruption watchdog, as he said.
- "It's true that this matter, about the Fight against Corruption, deserves today to be explored further, and that's what is expected to be done during the next 2 Years, mainly by GRECO, together with our (ECEJ's) input", as Leyenberger anounced.
+ Concerning Courts' Help to Fight Corruption in a State's Administration, (See "EuroFora"'s main question),- "CoE's Penal Treaty has already asked to Criminalize Corruption as much as possible, and, in this important issue, ECEJ and GRECO naturally have to check that Legislation, and if Courts apply efficiently those Criminal Laws", he observed.
- "So, there are, indeed, 2 Questions raised in this regard : 1) Risks of Corruption inside a system of Justice itself, (f.ex. if there are attempts to "buy" a Judge's decisions, or the actions of a Prosecutor, of a Registrar, etc), which is a Part of the problem, and 2) the way that a system of Justice applies the Anti-Corruption Laws", a really Important issue Today, you are absolutey Right", COE's competent Director agreed with "EuroFora".
=> But, for the Judges and Prosecutors to become anew able to play an important role in the Fight against Corruption, as some did in the Past f.ex. in Italy, etc., also now in Greece and other, mainly Central-Eastern European Countries, "this necessiattes also a strong Political support, at first for an adequate Legislation to exist, (f.ex. without Obstacles to Investigations by Tight TIME LIMITS, as PASOK's former Governments had sent in Greece, provoking criticism by various Political Parties, and even GRECO's recent Denonciation, during this Summer 2012), he added.
- "I'm not a Specialist of this issue, but, (a few years ago) in Italy, there was an Astonishing example, with the "Mani Pulite" ("Clean Hands"), series of Investigations, where it was even a Judge himself who dared brave the beast ("prendre le torreau par les cornes", in the original in French), by his own Initiative", CoE's PanEuropean Top Official reminded, obviously referring to the case of Di Pietro, who is now a MEP in EU Parliament (comp. earlier statements by the famous Italian Liberal MEP to "EuroFora" in relevant previous NewsReports)
=> - "We have to Hope that, Today, something similar might happen anew, f.ex. in Greece and/or other Countries", Leyenberger expressed the wish, wich could easily become very Popular among a large Majority of Greek People, from various Political Origins, obviously revolted, mainly since 2011, by many Years of Corrupted, and/or Irresponsibly abusive and Manipulative Politicians, mainly of former PASOK Governments in the Past 30 years' crucial period of 1981-2011 which notoriously provoked the recently revealed Huge Debt, after a series of first Scandals since the 1980ies, up to and including the 1999-2001 Politico-Financial deal, brokered by former "Socialist" Governments then in Germany, France, Greece, Cyprus, the UK, Spain, USA, etc., (i.e. - "We close our eyes on Greece's debt in order to enter €uroZone earlier than normal, even before necessary reforms, if Athens closes its eyes on Turkey's controversial and unpopular EU-bid", so that a former PASOK Government could snatch April 2000 Elections and stay in power with less than 1%, up to 2004), on which "EuroFora" has alerady published several NewsReports and Analysis, at the latest since December 2009, etc+).
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+ Economies possible with an Efficient Justice
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- "Concerning your Other Question, on the Ressources, and, f.ex. the Number of Judges, Lawyers, etc., ECEJ's New (2012) Report confirms, indeed, at least one relevant Observation : - It's, indeed, a Fact that Justice is Slower in Countries with a comparatively Bigger Number of Lawyers", the experienced Leyenberger replied to "EuroFora" with a smile.. (Comp. also concrete Data, infra). We didn't yet establish explicitly a Cause to Effect relation, so, at least for the Time being, ECEJ simply observes the Facts : F.ex. those Southern European States which have the biggest Numbers of Lawyers, in proportion to their Population, are also those where Judicial proceedings Delay too much", as he pointed out.
- "We (CoE) must really examine that, in order to know whether we can arrive to the conclusions which seem probable, because that's a constant fact, and it should mean something", Leyenberger carefully added,
+ "Now, is it possible, while making Financial Economies, to continue, however, to ameliorate the efficiency of a Justice system ?", he resumed "EuroFora"s second question,
- What is certain, is that, for a Justice system to be able to function properly, it needs 2 things : Political Will and Material Means. . * it's sure that, without the necessary means, it can't go on as it should", he warned .
- "But it's not, just because one might have a lot of ressourses that, automatiqualy it will start to function properly".. "This is an Important Element, but alone it can't do anything.
- "Nevertheless, this cannot be Inverted : It's simply no true that, when a country has important Resources, then, everything would certainly go well", the experienced CoE's Official observed.
-"That is to say, the Budget is an imprtant element, but it's not enough in order to guarantee Justice's Efficiency : F.ex. there are some Countries which Spend More in Justice, but that we find Less Efficient than others !" , he revealed.
- "Because, what counts is also the way that Procedures are organized ; the way that a specific Court works, the Relations between the main Actors in Criminal Proceedings, etc. So, there are also Other, Important Aspects, which play an important role, etc"., CoE's Top Officer also added.
- "So that, by adequately "Tuning" those elements, we could be able, even with a Stable Budget, to ameliorate Justice's Efficiency", Leyenberger ambitiously stressed.
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EU/CoE "Crystal Balance"'s initiatives on Justice
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- "On this occasion, ECEJ organizes, together with EU Commission, an Award called "Crystal Balance" (of Justice), which rewards Positive Initiatives, often set up by Courts themselves, in order to restor and/or ameliorate the way Justice works", he reminded.
- "In this framework, we see a lot of various, concrete Initiatives, which prove that, sometimes, with a dose of Voluntarism, of Intelligence, and, mainly, with a genuine Concern to serve People well, f.ex. Victims of Crimes, etc., then, Juctice's Efficiency can really be ameliorated", CoE's c ompetent Director optilmistically pointed out.
- "I can't reveal you the 2012 Winners, who will be anounced on October 25, the European Day for Justice, but I can already tell you that, when the "Crystal Balance"'s jury met last week in Brussels, (bringing together CoE and EU Officials), we studied 38 different Projects, of which about 10 were very Interesting , so that, among the 4 selected for the award, there are, indeed, some very interesting Initiatives, really able to ameliorate the way Justice works, f.ex., an idea to settle, by using Internet, even SMS, the small cases which often overload the Courts, concerning many tiny Debts of only a few Tens or Hundreds of €, i.e. by avoiding Hearings, convocations to appear in front of a Judge, etc., thanks to an adequate use of New Technologies of Information", Leyenberger anounced.
- "But, naturally, serious Criminal cases, important Commercial affairs, or Civil Law cases where Childrens' and/or Families' fate is at stake, or affect a Person's Financial situation, etc., should not avoid a Regular, proper and full Procedure", he warned.
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ECEJ's 2012 Report's main related Facts :
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ECEJ's 2012 latest Report, which has just been published, reveals, indeed, several interesting Facts related to both these two Questions, (in fact interrelated in real practice), raised by "EuroFora" (comp. Supra) :
- Almost all CoE's Member State declare that they have a "Free of Charge, Specific System to Inform and Help Victims of Crimes", as well as Special Rules for the "Protection of Vulnerable Persons", concerning mainly Hearings, but also Information, etc., and its' only a few that don't share a Widespread belief (in 40 Countries against 8) that "Prosecutors have a Specific Role in Protecting the Rights or Assisting the Victims of Crimes", while only 9 disagree with an overwhelming Majority of 34 Countries which recognize Victims' "Right to Dispute a Prosecutor's decision to Discontinue a case", (to which are added another 5 Countries where Prosecutors even can't stop proceedings without a Judge's decision, that Victims of Criem can challenge, f.ex. in Spain, etc).
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Concerning the "assessment of users' satisfaction" and "Public Confidence" to Justice systems, , ECEJ welcomes a recent trend to make Surveys in most CoE Member Countries, particularly when they are open to all, (f.ex. in Germany, Austria, Russia, the Netherlands, Denmark, Sweden, etc), or to both Courts' Clients and Professionals, (as, f.ex., in the UK, Spain, Ireland, Poland, Norway, Georgia, Azerbaijan, Latvia, Switzerland, Romania, Hungary, etc), and at least to all Clients of the Courts (f.ex. in France, Finland, Ukraine, Serbia, Bulgaria, Estonia, etc), but criticizes Restrictions of Surveys only to Professionals (p.ex. in Portugal, etc), particularly when it's only ... the Judges and Prosecutors themselves who are alone to be allowed to asses their own work, (as, f.ex. in Turkey, etc), pinpointing also against those few States which don't even make any Satisfaction survey, (as, f.ex. Bosnia, Italy, Greece, Croatia, Slovakia, Cyprus, Albania, etc). But, here, CoE's Study also "regrets" the fact that Crimes' Victims are not consulted by Governments often enough on Courts' situation ....
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Meanwhile, most Sanctions and/or Disciplinary proceedings vis a vis Judges and/or Prosecutors, throughout CoE's Member Countries, were for "Professional Inadequacy", followed by cases of "Ethics"' violations, and various "Crimes", according to ECEJ's latest Report.
But, despite CoE's initial Questionaire's demand to give "Special" information in case of Sanctions for "Corruption" among Judges and/or Prosecutors, "taking into account the reports" by CoE's Anti-Corruption Watchdog known as "GRECO", and by NGO "Transparency International", nevertheless, the data provided don't appear yet in the Final ECEJ's 2012 Report, at least for the time being..
It's only a Few Countries who didn't report any Sanctions at all against Judges, -including f.ex. Iceland, Slovenia, Luxembourg and Cyprus, which has no more to show also on Prosecutors, despite ECHR's condemnations and strong criticism in Society in cases such as the Death of a Foreign Young Girl just after she denounced her Employer's alleged attempt to oblige her to submit to Prostitution in his Bar (Rantseva affair), the refusal to protect some poor Ukranian Sailors suddenly abandoned without warning by a Foreign Ship Owner without even paying their salaries, criticized refusals to initiate criminal proceedings for Inhuman/Degrading Treatments allegedly faced by some persons held by the Police, various complaints by Refugees/IDPs and/or "Missing" Persons' Families for alleged negligene or rather unwilingness to energetically defend their cases at the ECHR, controversial refusals to protect some Journalists allegedly facing repeated abuses, nor to initiate proceedings agaist some High-Ranking Political Authorities, etc.
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ECEJ : ECHR cases reveal ..129 violations by Turkey of the Human Right to a "Fair Trial" in just one Year (2010) !
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+ In the most grave affairs, ECHR's condemnations for Violating the Human Right to a "Fair Trial" reached a Record High of ..83 Condemnations for Turkey (and 46 "Settlements" recognizing a violation,, i.e. a Total of ..129 attested Violations !), in just one Year considered by ECEJ's latest Report (2010), followed by Ukraine as a distant second wih 59 condemnations (+ only 6 Settlements), Italy with 50, Romania with 46, Greece with 33, Slovakia with 30 violations (but also .. 44 "Settlements"), until down to Germany with just 18, Hungary with 13 (+ ..32 "Settlements"), Portugal with 10, FYROM with 9 Condemnations (and ..31 "Settlements"), etc., generally in far less serious cases.
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Concerning "Criminal Law" cases, the by far greatest Number of serious affairs "Pending" at the Highest Courts, exists in Turkey : ....364500 cases (often of Jailed People, etc), followed, far away, by Italy : 29381 cases (comparatively less serious), and later Romania : 3684 cases, France : 2682 cases, Spain : 2134, Croatia : 2122, Albania : 2016, Bosnia : 704, Poland : 669, Belgium : 647, Ukraine : 498, etc.
Turkey had also the Greatest Number of "Criminal" cases among CoE's 48 Member Countries : 1.827.336, compared to 1.607.646 for Italy (less severe cases), 1.336.505 for Spain, 1.181.995 for Germany, 1.111.772 for Poland, 1.061.097 for France, 441.911 for the Netherlands, 383.565 for Croatia, 200.279 for Ukraine, 195.817 for Switzerland, 171.480 for Romania, etc., and much Less for all Other Countries.
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+ Economy : F.ex. Greece (in the Past) : More Money for Salaries, less for IT Investment ?! => Record long Delays...
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On the Economic front, Astonishingly, indebted Greece used to pay more Salaries to the Staff in State's Justice services : almost 600 Millions € (597+, even if wasn't all distributed after the 2010 Crisis), i.e. much more than Portugal : 429+ and Austria : 369 Millions €, Sweden : almost 300, Hungary : 209, Chech Republic : 200, Romania : 181, Finland : 184, Denmark : 148, Ukraine : 146, Croatia : 145, Norway : 131+, Slovenia : 126, Scotland and Northern Ireland (UK) : not even 100, Serbia : 93, Bulgaria : 76, Ireland : nearly 53, Lithuania : 34, and other comparable Countries, (in 2010 data).
On the contrary, f.ex. the Past Greek Governments (mainly of PASOK) didn't invest in "Computerisation" of the Justice system, but only ... 300 Thousands € (!), compared to more than 17 Millions € by Denmark, 13 Millions € by Sweden, almost 12 Millions by Finland, 11,6 Millions € by Croatia, 10,5 Millions € by Portugal, 7,5 Millions by Hungary and Czech Republic, 5,4 Millions € by Ireland, 1,8 Millions by Latvia, 1,3 Millions by Malta, 779 Thousands € by Lithuania, 650 Thousands by Moldova, 322 Thousands by Bulgaria, etc....
Indeed, the Past "Greek" Governments (mainly PASOK+) used to pay more Money for Salaries to State Agents (+ 92,6% notes CoE !) than to investments in Justice (f.ex. Computers, Buildings, Training/Education, etc). This fact exceptionaly assimilated "Greece" to .. Turkey, (where State Courts' Staff Salaries augmented almost at a similar pace). On the contrary, in Scotland (UK) the ratio was extremely opposite : Only 36%...
Moreover, Greece (and Portugal, Spain, Italy, Cyprus, Ireland, Malta, etc., who seem even worse) had hired more Administrative Staff per Judge (3,3), than Austria and Hungary : 3,1, France and Russia : 3,0, Turkey : 2,8, Germany, Hungary, Bulgaria and Armenia : 2,7, the Netherlands : 2,6, Finland : 2,4, Romania : 2,1, Albania ; 2,1, Norway : 1,5, Luxembourg : 1,1, etc.
This is added to the fact that Greece has also the Biggest Number of Judges, compared to the Population (per 100.000 inhabitants) among most "Western" Countries, and even from some "Eastern" Countries, i.e. = 18 Judges, while even Switzerland and Belgium have only 14,5 and 14,8 ; Albania, Norway and Sweden : 11,7, 11,2 and 11,5; Italy : 11 ; France : 10,7 ; Turkey : 10,6 ; Spain : 10,2, ; Denmark : 9 ; Armenia and Azerbaidjan ; 6,7 ; Georgia ; 5,2 ; (etc ).
Only in the rare case of Germany (24,3), and of several "Eastern" Countries (who, generally, have more Judges than all the others : f.ex. Poland : 27,8 ; Russia : 22,6 ; Ukraine and Romania ; 19,3 and 19 ; etc.) it's exceptionaly otherwise.
Even the Number of Prosecutors, (despite the fact that it's less than the average among all 48 CoE Countries), nevertheless, it's Bigger in Greece, compared to the Population, than in many other European Countries : 4,8 per 100.000 inhabitats, while the Netherlands have only 4,7 ; Ireland and Austria have only 4,2 and 4,1 ; Italy only 3,3 ; France, Andorra and San Marino just 3 ; (etc).
But Greece is one among the Few Countries (only 9 out of 48, as, f.ex. Cyprus, Portugal, Belgium, etc) which asks from Citizens to also pay Fees or Taxes in order to have access even to Criminal Justice, while, on the contrary, in 39 other CoE Member Countries, this remains Free of charge.
The Biggest Number of Lawyers (per 100.000 inhabitants) in all CoE's 48 Countries exists also in ...Greece : 369 ! (with the only pseudo-"exception" of the "special" case of Luxembourg : 371, where is, however, located the EU Court of Justice), while, f.ex., Italy has just 349, Spain 272, Portugal 259, Belgium 152, Switzerland 128, Serbia 110, Norway 104, the Netherlands 100, Turkey 96, Austria 89, Slovakia 83, France only 79, Poland 77, Slovenia 63, Monaco 69, Latvia 61, Sweden 53, Lithuania 51, Moldova 47, Russia 46, Finland 35, Armenia 34, and Azerbaijan ... 8, etc.
-------------------
=> Nevertheless, all this doesn't help at all Greece to, at least, provide Justice Fast enough, since, on the contrary, Athens holds a PanEuropean Record High of Time Delays in Courts, for Non-Criminal cases (Civil, Commercial, and Administrative Law), with an average of ... 510 Days ! (only Bosnia and Cyprus delay more, with 666 and 564 Days), compared to 417 in Portugal, 393 in Italy, 327 in Croatia, 303 in Spain, 272 Days in France, 258 in Serbia, 240 in Germany, 238 in Slovakia, 216 in Romania, 198 in Luxemburg, 187 in Turkey, 113 in Bulgaria, 74 in Austria, 58 in Georgia, 56 in Hungary, 55 in Ukraine, 35 in Azerbaijan, and just .. "13"Days in Russia, etc...
Leyenberger's observations (comp. Supra), proved here quite right !
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(../..)
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(NDLR : "DraftNews", as already sent earlier to "EuroFora"s Subscribers/Donors. A more accurate, full Final Version may be published asap).
***
EU Education Commissioner Vassiliou to EuroFora:Modernize EU Universities vis a vis Russia,China,US

*Strasbourg/EU Parliament/Angelo Marcopolo/-[partly UPDATED with 18/9/2012 Addition : See Infra]. - EU is due to make important moves on Higher Education "soon", starting, probably, from "the next few Days", revealed to "EuroFora" the competent EU Commissioner for Culture and Education, MultiLinguism and Youth, Androula Vassioliou, former MEP and 1st Lady of Cyprus, (current EU Council's rotating Presidency during July-December 2012), topically speaking at EU Parliament in the aftermath of a landmark speech by experienced EU Commission's President Joao Barroso, precisely on the current need to launch "Ambitious" EU changes for a stronger, more integrated "Economic Union", firmly supported by a "Political Union" at the foreseable "Horizon" (See Infra).
----------------------
EU Commissioner Vassiliou was responding to an "EuroFora" question on EU University Education's current challenges, also in relation with Russia, China, USA and other rapidly evolving parts of the World :
- "I think that we (EU) are in a very close Relationship with both China and the USA, on this", i.e. University Education
- "Because of the Globalization (also) in Education", she basically explained.
=> - "And we (EU) are all Moving towards a Modernization of Higher Education", the competent EU Commissioner pointed out.
- "It's one of our Priorities", (as f.ex. in EU Commission's "Agenda 2020", etc), added Androula Vassiliou, who is also a former 1st Lady (wife of ex-President of the Republic) of Cyprus, the current holder of EU Council's rotating Chairmanship, whose July - December 2012 Priorities include, inter alia, also "Issues related to Education and Culture (which) will ...be Highlighted, such as the ... provision of more Qualitative Education and Training", including "in order to meet the needs of the Job Market", of obvious interest particularly in a period of extended unemployment in the curent way out of the Global Crisis.
+ But, are there any important moves to expect in this area from the EU in the foreseeable Future, "EuroFora" asked ?
- EU Commissioner Vassiliou reacted just with a big, spontaneous Smile, and positively replied : - "Yes, very Soon !"
- In fact, already during "the Next Few Days", she warned...
- But, Vassiliou carefuly kept her "secret" : - We shall probably speak about that "on Next Tuesday".
I.e. on September 18, in Brussels, the day scheduled for EU Commission plenary's next session, just after this week's presence of all EU Commissioners in Strasbourg, together with President José Manuel Barroso, the key-note speaker of EU Parliament Plenary's 2012 "State of the Union" Debate with MEPs, where he gave even an official "Green Light" and Stimulated further the recently launched Movement towards the necessary creation of a deeper European "Political Union", (Comp. earlier relevant "EuroFora"s NewStories).
Almost at the same moment, (on Wednesday, September 19), at another exceptional move related to Strategic decisions on Europe's Future, Cyprus' President Dimitris Christofias, current EU Council's rotating Chairman for the period July-December 2012, is due to meet in Brussels both EU Commission's President Barroso and European Council's President Van Rompuy, mainly on evolving Negotiations about the Strategic issue of EU's 2014-2020 Financial Perspectives, where a Decision is expected to be prepared before the forthcoming December 2012 EU Brussels' Summit.
According to the "Programme" of the 7-12/2012 Cyprus' EU Presidency (which includes finalisation of Strategic Decisions on Eu's MultiAnnua Financial Perspectives for the period of 2014-2020), "in the field of Higher Education, Focus will be given on the Modernisation of Universities", with "Emphasis...to Quality....and Internationalisation". But also "on Teaching and Learning Excellence", which "requires the Reformation...of Europe’s higher education", including by "support (to) Personalised Learning, (by) facilitat(ing) Access through Distance learning and Virtual Mobility" (i.e. via Internet+), in parallel to "streamlin(ing) Administration and creat(ing) New Opportunities for Research".

Precisely, even a Young European Scientist, as, f.ex. Dr. Constantin Marcopoulos, "EuroFora"s Scientific Advisor, particulary after visiting not only EU key Cities as Paris, London, Luxembourg, Marseille, Mainz, Brixen/Bressanone, Bonn, etc. but also, (immediately after succesfully presenting his PHD Thesis at a Panel of University Professors from Strasbourg, Paris, Marseille and Geneva), Shanghai (China)'s Mega-city, famous not only since the 2010 International Fair's Heads of State/Government Summit (Comp. relevant "EuroFora"s NewsReport: http://www.eurofora.net/newsflashes/news/shangai.html), but even by its Worldwide "Shanghai International University Ranking" system, he felt similar Concerns with several Young Researchers from France and other EU Countries, expressed at a Conference in EU Parliament in Strasbourg at the eve of the 2012 French Elections, on the occasion of a European Survey's publication, about the big Challenges that European "University Education, specially at the borderline with Research", as he said, has to face in today's Global Competition, including vis a vis USA and other RST poles in the World. - "We have to compare and study the various differencies existing today among evolving University Education systems, both in Europe and elsewhere in the World, in order to feel the need and succeed to find better solutions for the EU", he suggested, pointing at a kind of work usually done in a PanEuropean area, (i.e. f.ex. Russia included, etc.) by the CoE, possibly in Cooperation with -or at the demand of- the EU, together with UNESCO, etc.

=> - "We (EU) need to be much more Ambitious about Education, Research, Innovation and Science", stressed earlier this week to MEPs President Barroso, reminding also, in this regard, that, already, "Europe is a World Leader in Key sectors such as Aeronautics, AutoMotives, Pharmaceuticals, and Engineering, with Global Market Shares above a Third" (+ 1/3), while, "despite the Economic Slowdown", nevertheless, "over the last Decade", "Industrial Productivity increased by + 35 %", with "some 74 Million Jobs depend(ing) on Manufacturing", and " Start-up Firms in the EU" creating "4 Million Jobs every year", as he noted.
This is an integral part of the "Economic Union" that Europe "Needs" Today in order to become "Competitive" enough to create "Sustainable Growth", i.e. "the LifeBlood of our European Social Market model", that "creates Jobs and supports our Standard of Living", in basic harmony with elementary "Human Rights" and Democratic "Values", which "ultimately .. depends on" a "Political Union at the Horizon", (i.e. a European "Federation of Nation-States), as EU Commission's President highlighted earlier this week in Strasbourg, where he launched a vibran call also "for the Development of a European Public Space", where main "Issues are discussed and Debated from a European perspective", as he highlighhted, (Comp. also other, relevant "EuroFora"s NewsReports" this week, including, f.ex., on European Political Parties, EU's Enlargement criteria, etc).
EU's move come while PanEuropean CoE's Assembly is also due to debate and vote, at the beginning of October in Strasbourg, on 2 new Reports about the "International openess and Consolidation", as well as the "Governance" of the "European Higher Education Area".
(../..)
(NDLR : "DraftNews", as already sent earlier to "EuroFora"s Subscribers/Donors. A more accurate and Full, Final Version may be published asap).

Precisely at the Date she initially revealed to "EuroFora" (see above), EU launched a pioneer Group for "Higher Education Modernization", chaired by former Irish President Mary McAleese, and composed by 8 High Level Experts, etc., anounced on Tuesday, September 18, 2012, in a subsequent Press Conference in Brussels, the EU Commissioner in charge of Education, Culture, Multilingualism and Youth, Androula Vassiliou.

+ "Not all Reforms require more Money, sometimes it's mainly a question of better Organization", she rightfully replied to 2 or 3 Questions which had focused almost exclusively on Funding issues only, (while it's well known that often, it's also by reducing Bureaucracy, ameliorating efficient Relations, and by finding ways to stimulate the Consciousness, Motivation, and Knowledge of both Teachers and Students towards developing the Best ways to boost People's capacities in Higher Education Learning which can be a crucial key for success, where "Quality and Excellence" matters too, including "in Growth and Jobs", as she said.).

+ "We'll also make an open Forum for all stake-holders", f.ex. "Teachers, Students Public, Governments, etc., and we'll give them a Chance to speak", before studying the issues and formulating, later-on, our recommendations, added the new EU Higher Education Group's President, McAleese.
(../..)
***
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People in Europe and the World expect from CoE to make a succes of its "Monitoring" for Human Rights and Democracy, despite difficulties, said Finland's President Tarja Halonen to "EuroFora" at a crucial moment for the mecanism built 15 years ago by the paneuropean organization which celebrates its 60th Anniversary in 2009.
Halonen, known as "Mother" of CoE's "Monitoring" mecanism, a long-time MEP and former Foreign Minister before becoming Finland's President, holds a long experience in the mattter, after also serving twice as CoE and EU Chairwoman in the past. That's why she is well placed to judge how CoE's "monitoring" should deal today with some crucial issues of importance both to CoE and to the EU.
The move came just a Month before a crucial, last visit to Turkey, scheduled for June, by the President of CoE''s "Monitoring" Committee, Ukranian MEP Serge Holovaty, to finalize his Report on Ankara, the CoE Member State with the longest Monitoring procedure. From its results depends its overall credibility.
This is a Test-case, because, in fact, it's in order to avoid Sanctions threatened against Turkey by a CoE's Assembly's April 1995 Resolution for grave Human Rights violations, Democracy gaps, the continuing Military Occupation in Cyprus, the unresolved Kurdish problem, Aegean differend with Greece, etc., that MEPs decided to create, for the 1st time on April 1996, a "Monitoring" proces, allegedly destinated to check, without excluding Countries who did not fulfill all CoE's standards.
In the Past, the obliged withdrawal of Greece's Military regime and of its "Civil" cover-up out of the CoE had helped bring back Democracy in 1974. But, on the contrary, since April 1996, the idea was to "monitor" Human Rights' respect while keeping most concerned Countries inside the CoE. After Turkey's oldest example, this was extended also to several former "Eastern" European Countries, even if CoE's Assembly has imposed to some of them (fex. Ukraine, Russia, etc., after Belarus, Serbia, etc) various "Sanctions", that Ankara always avoided. Curiously more succesful even than .. USA itself, (a CoE "Observer" since 1995), which has been at least threatened with sanctions some years ago..
EU-effects of CoE's Monitoring process became obvious between 2001-2008, since the "closure" of this procedure, when CoE felt that a Country had met most of its Human Rights, Democracy and Rule of Law obligations, (i.e. the "Copenhagen Criteria" for the EU), helped trigger Negotiations with the EU for "Accession" or other closer relations : This occured already before the 2004 and 2007 EU Enlargements to former "Eastern" European Countries, as well as for the commencement of "accession" negotiations with Croatia, and of "open-ended" negotiations with Turkey in 2005.
But a stricking new development are Holovaty's recent findings that on core Human Rights issues as Torture and Freedom of Expression, Turkey, even "5 Years after" CoE closed its "Monitoring", back in 2004, inciting EU to start accession Negotiations in 2005, still presents grave problems.
His findings are of crucial importance after a 2008 CoE Resolution called, "if need be", to "seriously consider the possibility of Re-Opening the Monitoring procedure for Turkey" : A move which might affect Ankara's controversial EU bid, since EU Accession Negotiations are based on the Hypothesis that the Candidate fullfils the "Copenhagen Criteria" (See above)..
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Holovaty expressed his will to check "Matters still Outstanding" and those that he "didn't have an opportunity to discuss" at an earlier visit this year, "in order to discuss the more complex issues in greater depth", at his forthcoming New Visit to Ankara, before the December 2009 EU Summit. This is all based on the 2004 CoE Resolution which stresses that, CoE "will continue.. post-monitoring Dialogue with the Turkish authorities,...in addition to a 12-points list,..and on any Other Matter that might arise in connection with Turkey’s Obligations as a CoE member state".
CoE's Resolution also asks from Turkey "to secure the proper Implementation of Judgements, particularly in the Cyprus v. Turkey InterState case", of 2001, which concerns also the plight of many Hundreds of MISSING People. It adds Turkey's obligations to "execute" ECHR's Judgements in the Loizidou case,..and in particular adopt General Measures to avoid repetition or continuation of Violations found by the Court" to the detriment of Refugees.
Nevertheless, Holovaty said to "EuroFora" that "MISSING" persons,"might be included" and cannot be excluded, but he has yet to examine the situation "to find out which issues will be raised" to the Turkish Government.
Therefore, "EuroFora" asked Halonen, as the Historic "Mother" of CoE's Monitoring mecanism, if she thought that, "whenever there are grave Human Rights Violations, as fex. "MISSING" persons, attested even by ECHR's judgements, they should be always checked by a Monitoring process. Or could they be forgotten ?"
- "We (CoE) must be, at the same time, Fair, Realistic, but not in the mind that "now we have Forgotten", etc., replied to "EuroFora"'s question Halonen, speaking as a matter of general principle.
- "When we think of those People that are suffering from the lack of Democracy, of Human Rights, and of the Rule of Law", "we should find a base on how to deal with the (Monitoring) system more rapidly"', she stressed.
- "Sometimes it's very difficult to combine Transparency and Effectivenes together, particularly in this specific case", she went on to say. But, "I have not found a (CoE Member) Country who could be insensitive in this sens", Halonen answered concerning grave Human Rights violations attested by the ECHR.
- "I have no ready-made answer. I have the expectations that you, in the CoE, will, step by step, find the different types of the monitoring systems."
Also "because this is a part of the UN's Post-Conflict system, (fex. when it comes to Cyprus' MISSING persons), and it's a more Global system". So that, "If we make a succes in Europe, the others will follow", throughout the World. "But they expect that we (Europe) are this opportunity, this Opportunity to make a Succes", Halonen concluded.
In addition, she advised to extend CoE's Monitoring to all its 47 Member States, "because, as long as we hear that, all these monitoring systems are "OK for the neighbor, but not for me", "it's very difficult" to understand. Something which could make easier to Compare...
Finnish MEP Jaako Laakso, former CoE Rapporteur on the Occupied Territories of Cyprus and one of the 5 Signatories of the Historic CoE's call to create the "MONITORING" mecanism since 1996, was more specific : - "We (CoE Assembly) have to find a way for the issue of Cyprus' MISSING People to be better followed", he stressed, anouncing his intention to "speak to Mr. Holovaty" about that. "There might be also other ways", added Laakso.
- The 2008 "Year had been a very Bad one for Turkey with regard to Human Rights in general, and Freedom of Expression in particular", denounced, meanwhile, Holovaty's preliminary Post-Monitoringh Draft Report by Holovaty, published by the CoE on April 2009.
"Amnesty International believes that freedom of expression is not guaranteed given the various articles of the Criminal Code that restrict it. .. "For example, 1,300 Websites are said to have been closed down by the (Turkish) authorities in 2008" ! While "the new Turkish Criminal Code was used to bring a total of 1,072 proceedings between June 2005 and April 2008, and led to the conviction of 192 people", for expressing views. "Representatives of the Özgür Gündem newspaper, which specialises in Kurdish affairs, ..complained about Numerous Attacks on their Freedom of Expression ...as was everyone who advocated a settlement to the question by means other than the intervention of the army" "According to their figures, 19 Newspapers had been suspended 43 times between 4 August 2006 and 4 November 2008" !...
Moreover, on 2008, CoE's "Ministers adopted its 4rth Resolution on the execution of the judgments of the ECHR, ...and outstanding issues regarding 175 Judgements and decisions relating to Turkey delivered between 1996 and 2008... concerning Deaths resulting from the excessive use of force by members of the Security forces, the failure to protect the right to life, the DIisappearance and/or death of individuals, Ill-Treatment and the Destruction of property". CoE's " Ministers urged the Turkish authorities ...to ensure that members of Security forces of all ranks can be prosecuted without administrative
authorisation" for "serious crimes". Holovaty reminded.
"Nonetheless", Holovaty heard anew of "Several cases of Violence committed last year (2008) by the (Turkish) security forces". Amnesty International speaks of Many Cases of ill-treatment and Torture in the prisons and by the police". "Including, fex."'the death of Engin Ceber, a young man of 29 who died on October 2008 as a result of the TORTURE allegedly inflicted on him by police officers, prison staff and members of the gendarmerie. He was part of a group of people arrested on September 2008 during a demonstration and Press Conference in Istanbul'. Proceedings against suspects are "on-going" in this case.
- " I therefore noted an Obvious Contradiction between the Government’s stated “zero tolerance” policy.... of Torture and other forms of ill-treatment, and the different testimonies given", denounced CoE's Rapporteur. Turkish "authorities must make considerable efforts to guarantee that proper investigations are carried out into allegations of abuses by members of the security forces and that perpetrators are effectively punished" "In this respect, I have requested detailed Statistics on the number of Investigations, acquittals and convictions in cases involving allegations of abuse in order to show the positive impact of the measures taken to date", Holovaty said, repeating a permanently unsatisfied CoE's demand to Turkey since a Decade...
- "The Political Crisis that shook the country in the spring of 2008 highlighted the Weaknesses of the (Turkish) Constitution", which comes from the Military regime of 1982, "and the Urgent Need of Reforms", stressed from the outset CoE's Rapporteur in 2009. In particular, "the ...Democratic functioning of state institutions, including the independence of the judicial system, are crucial", he observes.
But, "the Electoral system and the ways in which it is circumvented do not appear to give those elected complete Legitimacy, and tend to pervert the course of direct universal suffrage", denounces Holovaty, observing that, even 5 Years later, Turkey did not yet change the 10% nationwide Threshold for a party to take any seat, which is "far higher" than the "3%" maximum in Europe and already condemned as contrary to European Standards by the CoE.
+ Moreover, EU Parliament's 2009 Report on Turkey, drafted by Dutch MEP Ria Oomen-Ruijten and adopted in Strasbourg on March, expresses "Concern over the Failure of the (Turkish) Judiciary to prosecute cases of Torture and Ill-treatment, the Number of which is Growing". EU also "is concerned about continuing Hostility and Violence against Minorities" in Turkey. It also "calls on the Turkish Government to launch, as a matter of Priority, a Political Initiatve favouring a lasting Settlement of the Kurdish issue, (while "condemning violence.. and terrorist groups"). EU "regrets that No progress has been made on establishing full, systematic Civilian suprevisory functions over the (Turkish) Military".
The final results of Holovaty's 2nd and last visit to Turkley will be known later this year, and, at any case, before EU's December 2009 Summit.