Recent and Current Events
13/06/2024 - 15/06/2024
Paris – The Association of the French-speaking Constitutional Courts (ACCF) will hold its Conference of the Heads of Institutions on the following topic: « Constitutional protection of the freedom of expression ».
The Venice Commission is invited to participate.
12/06/2024 - 13/06/2024
Salé - A seminar on the exception of unconstitutionality of laws is organised in Salé, Morocco, from 12 to 13 June 2024 by the Venice Commission and the Ministry of Justice of the Kingdom of Morocco. The seminar will bring together around fifty participants from the Ministry of Justice, other ministries, ordinary judges and representatives of academia and the bar as well as a delegation from the Venice Commission led by its Vice-President, Ms. Marta CARTABIA.
The seminar aims to examine the state of play regarding the development of the organic law on the exception of unconstitutionality... read more
11/06/2024
Strasbourg - The Czech Republic made a voluntary contribution of € 8 090 in support of the Venice Commission to promote the development of democratic institutions based on the respect of the rule of law and human rights.
The agreement was signed on 11 June 2024 by Ambassador Petr Válek, Permanent Representative of the Czech Republic to the Council of Europe, and Mr Bjørn Berge, Deputy Secretary General of the Council of Europe.
11/06/2024
On 11 June 2024, the joint EU/Council of Europe Central Asia Rule of Law Programme 2020-2024, financed by the Council of Europe and the European Union and implemented by the Council of Europe, held its Closing Regional Conference in Astana, Kazakhstan.
The event gathered around 80 participants representing national partner institutions from Central Asia, including relevant ministries, Constitutional and Supreme courts, Ombudsman institutions, Law enforcement agencies, Anti-corruption authorities, National training institutions of legal professionals, the representatives of civil s... read more
09/06/2024
Sofia - Representatives of the Venice Commission will accompany the Parliamentary Assembly of the Council of Europe (PACE) election observation delegation to advise it on the legal framework for the early parliamentary elections of 9 June 2024 in Bulgaria.
The delegation will participate in briefings before and after the elections, and observe the opening, voting and counting processes.
POLAND - President of the Venice Commission, met with Mr Adam Bodnar, the Minister of Justice of Poland
06/06/2024
Strasbourg – Ms Claire Bazy Malaurie, President of the Venice Commission, met with Mr Adam Bodnar, the Minister of Justice of Poland, to discuss the legal reforms planned by the Polish government and the ongoing cooperation between the Venice Commission and the Ministry of Justice.
06/06/2024
Mr Michael Frendo, member of the Venice Commission for Malta, made a presentation on the situation in Haiti during the discussion on “the review of needs and regional commitments” on the occasion of the Regular Meeting of the Permanent Council of the Organization of American States (OAS).
05/06/2024
Strasbourg - The President of the Venice Commission, Ms Claire Bazy Malaurie, presented the 2023 Annual Report of Activities of the Commission to the Committee of Ministers of the Council of Europe.
President Bazy Malaurie noted that in 2023 the Venice Commission adopted 47 Opinions, a figure in line with the increase in the three previous years. Thus, the Commission continued to provide legal advice to its member States helping them bring their legal and institutional structures into line with European standards in the fields of democracy, human rights and the rule of law. In 202... read more
05/06/2024
Strasbourg – The President of the Venice Commission Ms Claire Bazy Malaurie held a meeting in Strasbourg with Mr Miroslav Lajčák, EU Special Representative for the Belgrade-Pristina Dialogue and other Western Balkan regional issues.
On this occasion they exchanged on their respective activities.
29/05/2024
29 May, Madrid (5-7 p.m.) – The Centre of Political and Constitutional Studies of Spain (CEPC) and the Venice Commission organised an event to present the Report on Bicameralism adopted by the Venice Commission in March 2024. The report analyses good practices on bicameralism based on information collected about the 61 Venice Commission member states. Speakers at the event included Venice Commission rapporteurs Rafael Bustos (Spain, member) and Janine M. Otálora (Mexico, substitute member) and CEPC director Rosario García Mahamut. The event was held in Spanish.
30/05/2024 - 31/05/2024
The President of the Venice Commission, took part in the Political Affairs and Democracy Committee of the Parliamentary Assembly plenary meeting, which was held in Oslo on 30 and 31 May in Oslo, Norway.
The President of the Venice Commission was invited to give a speech during the hearing under the item "General Rapporteur on Democracy" on Thursday 30 May.
The speech focused on the work carried out by the Venice Commission to assist States in the constitutional and legislative field with a view to guaranteeing the democratic functioning of their institutions and respect for fundamen... read more
30/05/2024
Strasbourg – On 30 May 2024 a delegation of the Venice Commission held a series of online meetings with stakeholders in Kyrgyzstan within the context of the preparation of an opinion on the draft law on amendments to the Code of Administrative Offences of the Kyrgyz Republic introducing penalties for insult and slander. The opinion follows a request by the Minister of Justice of the Kyrgyz Republic, Mr Ayaz Baetov, made on 22 April 2024.
The Venice Commission delegation met online with representatives of the Ministry of Justice, as well as with representatives of civil society orga... read more
29/05/2024
Strasbourg - The Netherlands made a voluntary contribution of €30 000 in support of the Venice Commission to promote the development of democratic institutions based on the respect of the rule of law and human rights.
28/05/2024 - 28/05/2024
Chisinau – On 28 May 2024 a delegation of the Venice Commission held a series of online meetings with stakeholders in the Republic of Moldova within the context of the preparation of an opinion on the Law of the Republic of Moldova on the partial implementation of the postal vote. The opinion follows a request from the President of the Parliament of the Republic of Moldova, Mr Igor Grosu, made on 3 May 2024.
The Venice Commission delegation met online with representatives of the Parliament and the Central Electoral Commission, as well as with representatives of civil society organi... read more
28/05/2024 - 02/06/2024
A delegation of the Venice Commission travelled to Mexico City in the framework of the 2024 federal electoral process of Mexico.
The Venice Commission delegation participated both in the Electoral Justice Forum for Foreign Visitors organised by the Electoral Tribunal of the Federal Judiciary (TEPJF) on 28 and 29 May 2024, and in the Foreign Visitors Program organised by the National Electoral Institute (INE) and the TEPJF from 30 May to 2 June 2024.
This visit took place in the context of the Commission's longstanding co-operation with the TEPJF and with the IN... read more
27/05/2024
Strasbourg – On 27 May 2024 a delegation of the Venice Commission held a series of online meetings with stakeholders in Kyrgyzstan within the context of the preparation of an opinion on amendments to the Law of the Kyrgyz Republic on Regulatory Legal Acts. The opinion follows a request by the Minister of Justice of the Kyrgyz Republic, Mr Ayaz Baetov, made on 30 April 2024.
The Venice Commission delegation met online with representatives of the Ministry of Justice, as well as with representatives of civil society organisations.
The opinion will be submitted for adoption ... read more
Participation of the Venice Commission’s Vice-President in the Parliamentary Assembly Standing Committee’s debate on democracy in Georgia
24/05/2024
Vilnius - Ms Veronika Bílková, Vice-President of the Venice Commission, participated online in the Standing Committee of Parliamentary Assembly's Current affairs debate on 'Recent challenges to democracy in Georgia", which took place in Vilnius on 24 May 2024.
The Vice-President presented the recent Venice Commission Urgent Opinion on the Law of Georgia on Transparency of Foreign Influence and held an exchange of views with the members.
22/05/2024
Strasbourg - Today the Venice Commission issued its Urgent Opinion on the draft amendments to the Law on Seizure and Confiscation of Material Benefit Derived from Criminal Activity.
The request for an Urgent Opinion was made on 10 April 2024 by the Minister of Justice of Montenegro.
The Urgent Opinion will be submitted for endorsement to the 139th plenary session of the Commission (Venice, 21-22 June 2024).
22/05/2024 - 23/05/2024
Tbilisi – A delegation of the Venice Commission held a series of online meetings with stakeholders in Georgia on 22 and 23 May 2024 within the context of the preparation of an opinion on amendments to the Election Code which abolish gender quotas. The opinion follows a request by the President of the Committee on the Honouring of Obligations and Commitments by Member States of the Council of Europe (Monitoring Committee) of the Parliamentary Assembly of the Council of Europe on 16 April 2024.
The Venice Commission delegation met with representatives of the Public Defender’s Office,... read more
22/05/2024 - 23/05/2024
Ms. Claire Bazy Malaurie, President of the Venice Commissio participated in the 19th Congress of the Conference of European Constitutional Courts (CECC) held in Chisinau.
She delivered a welcome speech at the conference. The event featured the following panels:
Interaction between constitutional courts and supranational courts,
Political and legal aspects within the jurisdiction of constitutional courts,
Safeguarding constitutional principles during a state of emergency,
The forms and limits of judicial deference: the experience of constitutional courts.
Ms Bazy ... read more
22/05/2024 - 23/05/2024
On 22-23 May 2024, Ms. Claire Bazy Malaurie, President of the Venice Commission, discussed the recent development in the Republic of Moldova during her meetings with Ms. Maia Sandu, President of the Republic of Moldova, Mr. Igor Grosu, President of the Parliament, Mr. Vlad Batrîncea, Vice President of the Parliament, Ms. Veronica Mihailov-Moraru, Minister of Justice, Mr. Ion Munteanu, Acting Prosecutor General and Mr. Dumitru Obadă, President of the Superior Council of Prosecutors.
21/05/2024
Strasbourg - Today the Venice Commission issued the Urgent Opinion on the Law of Georgia on Transparency of Foreign Influence.
This opinion follows a request by the President of the Parliamentary Assembly of the Council of Europe on 15 April 2024.
The Urgent Opinion will be submitted to the 139th plenary session of the Commission (Venice, 21-22 June 2024) for endorsement.
21/05/2024
Strasbourg – Today the Venice Commission issued its Urgent Opinion on the draft law on the prevention of corruption.
The request for an Urgent Opinion was made on 1 April 2024 by the Minister of Justice of Montenegro.
The Urgent Opinion will be submitted for endorsement by the 139th plenary session of the Commission (Venice, 21-22 June 2024).
Participation of the Venice Commission in the Parliamentary Assembly Monitoring Committee’s meeting
17/05/2024
Paris - Ms Katharina Pabel and Mr Oliver Kask, Substitute members of the Venice Commission in respect of Austria and Estonia respectively, participated online in the meeting of the Monitoring Committee of the Parliamentary Assembly, which took place in Paris on 17 May 2024.
They presented the recent Venice Commission Opinion on electoral reform in Armenia, which had been requested by the Monitoring Committee, and held an exchange of views with the members.
16/05/2024
Strasbourg – Today, the Venice Commission issued its Urgent Follow-up Opinions on the draft amendments to the Law on the State Prosecution Service and the Law on the Special State Prosecutor’s Office.
The request for urgent opinions was made on 1 April 2024 by the Minister of Justice of Montenegro.
The Urgent Follow-up Opinions will be submitted for endorsement by the 139th plenary session of the Commission (Venice, 21-22 June 2024).
13/05/2024 - 15/05/2024
The Organization of American States (OAS) today hosted a delegation of the European Commission for Democracy through Law (the Venice Commission) in Washington D.C., following the invitation of the OAS Secretary General, Luis Almagro, that the Commission “analyze the legislative framework for Haiti’s elections, along with the relevant recommendations of past OAS Electoral Observation Missions and help identify legislative solutions that could serve as a basis for conducting the next and future electoral processes in Haiti.”
The delegation was received by OAS Assistant Secretary General Ne... read more
13/05/2024 - 14/05/2024
Tbilisi – A delegation of the Venice Commission held a series of online meetings with stakeholders in Georgia on 13 and 14 May 2024 within the context of the preparation of an opinion on the draft constitutional law on the “protection of family values and minors”. The opinion follows a request by the President of the Committee on the Honouring of Obligations and Commitments by Member States of the Council of Europe (Monitoring Committee) of the Parliamentary Assembly of the Council of Europe on 16 April 2024.
The Venice Commission delegation met with representatives of the Ministry... read more
13/05/2024 - 13/05/2024
Strasbourg - The President of the Venice Commission, Ms Claire Bazy Malaurie, participated in an exchange of views during the first meeting of the Steering Committee on Democracy (CDDEM) on 13 May 2024.
The exchange with the Venice Commission and other key Council of Europe bodies was intended to provide input for the CDDEM's reflections on the development of parameters for the implementation of the Reykjavik Principles on Democracy, adopted at the 4th Summit of Heads of State and Government of the Council of Europe.
The CDDEM’s mandate is to promote and facilitate thema... read more
09/05/2024
By letter dated 9 May 2024, the Minister of Justice of Bosnia and Herzegovina, Mr Davor Bunoza, has requested an opinion of the Venice Commission on the draft law on the High Judicial and Prosecutorial Council of Bosnia and Herzegovina. The draft opinion will be submitted for adoption at the 139th Plenary Session of the Commission (Venice, 21-22 June 2024).
08/05/2024
YEREVAN – A joint delegation of the Venice Commission and Directorate General of Democracy and Human Dignity of the Council of Europe (DGII) conducted a visit to Yerevan (Armenia) on 6 and 7 May 2024, in preparation for the joint opinion on the Draft Law on National Minorities. This opinion follows a request by the Ministry of Justice of Armenia.
The joint delegation met with the Deputy Minister of Justice, the Deputy Minister of Education, Science, Culture and Sports, as well as representatives of the Parliament, the Ministry of Foreign Affairs, the Council for National and Cult... read more
08/05/2024
Strasbourg – Today the Venice Commission issued the Urgent Joint Opinion of the Venice Commission and the Directorate General of Human Rights and Rule of Law of the Council of Europe on the draft law amending the Law on the National Council of the Judiciary of Poland.
This opinion follows a request by the President of the Committee on the Honouring of Obligations and Commitments by Member States (Monitoring Committee) of the Parliamentary Assembly of the Council of Europe on 7 March 2024. Recourse to the urgent procedure was requested by the Minister of Justice of Poland.
read more
HAITI – Organization of American State - Electoral matters
06/05/2024
Further to a request from the General Secretariat of the Organization of American States (OAS), the Venice Commission will analyze the legislative framework for Haiti’s elections, along with the relevant recommendations of past OAS Electoral Observation Missions and help identify legislative solutions that could serve as a basis for conducting the next and future electoral processes in Haiti.
MONTENEGRO - Urgent Follow-up Opinion on the revised draft amendments to the Law on the Judicial Council and Judges
06/05/2024
Strasbourg – Today the Venice Commission issued its Urgent Follow-up Opinion on the revised draft amendments to the Law on the Judicial Council and Judges.
The request for urgent opinion was made on 1 April 2024 by the Minister of Justice of Montenegro.
The Urgent Follow-up Opinion will be submitted for endorsement by the 139th plenary session of the Commission (Venice, 21-22 June 2024).
03/05/2024
By letter dated 3 May 2024 the President of the Parliament of the Republic of Moldova has requested an opinion of the Venice Commission on the draft law on the partial implementation of the postal vote.
The draft opinion will be submitted for adoption at the 139th Plenary Session of the Commission (Venice, 21-22 June 2024).
30/04/2024
Within the context of the preparation of four urgent opinions on Montenegro (Amendments to the Law on the Judicial Council and Judges; Amendments to the Law on the State Prosecution Service; Amendments to the Law on the Special State Prosecution Service; Amendments to the Law on Seizure and Confiscation of Material Benefit Derived from Criminal Activity), on 22, 23 and 30 April Venice Commission delegations consisting of rapporteurs and members of the Secretariat carried out on-line meetings with the State Secretary and other officials of the Ministry of Justice, representatives of judicial a... read more
29/04/2024 - 02/05/2024
Tbilisi – The Venice Commission is preparing an urgent opinion on the draft law of Georgia on Transparency of Foreign Influence. A delegation of the Venice Commission is holding a series of online meetings with stakeholders in Georgia, within the context of the preparation of this urgent opinion. The opinion follows a request by the President of the Parliamentary Assembly of the Council of Europe on 15 April 2024.
The Venice Commission delegation met with the Public Defender and representatives of the diplomatic corps on Monday 29 April 2024 and with representatives of civil socie... read more
29/04/2024 - 30/04/2024
Podgorica – A delegation of the Venice Commission conducted a visit to Podgorica, Montenegro, in the context of the preparation of its urgent opinion on the draft law on the prevention of corruption. This opinion follows a request by the Minister of Justice of Montenegro on 1 April 2024.
The Venice Commission delegation met with the Minister of Justice, Members of Parliament (ruling majority and opposition parties), the President of the Administrative Court and deputy directors of the Agency for the Prevention of Corruption, as well as representatives of civil society and th... read more
25/04/2024 - 26/04/2024
Warsaw – A delegation of the Venice Commission conducted a visit to Warsaw, Poland, within the context of the preparation of its urgent joint opinion, with the Directorate General of Human Rights and Rule of Law of the Council of Europe, on the draft law amending the Law on the National Council of the Judiciary of Poland. This opinion follows a request by the President of the Committee on the Honouring of Obligations and Commitments by Member States (Monitoring Committee) of the Parliamentary Assembly of the Council of Europe on 7 March 2024. Recourse to the urgent procedure was requested by ... read more
24/04/2024
Skopje - Representatives of the Venice Commission will accompany the Parliamentary Assembly of the Council of Europe (PACE) election observation delegation to advise it on the legal framework for the presidential elections (first round on 24 Avril and second round on 8 May 2024), and for the parliamentary elections of 8 May 2024 in North Macedonia.
The delegation will participate in joint briefings with other international organisations, before and after the elections, and observe the opening, voting and counting processes.
23/04/2024 - 24/04/2024
Rabat, Morocco - The Venice Commission is organising, in co-operation with the Association of Ombudsmen and Mediators of the Francophonie (AOMF) and the Ombudsman of Morocco, a training workshop which will focus on the best interests of the child. This training will be held between 23 and 24 April in Rabat, Morocco and will bring together the collaborators of Mediators and Ombudsmen of the AOMF network.
Participants will discuss the issues and best practices of the institutions of Ombudsmen and Mediators concerning the best interests of the child with regard to legal procedures, in... read more
22/04/2024
By letter dated 22 April 2024, the Minister of Justice of the Kyrgyz Republic, Mr Ayaz Baetov, requested an opinion of the Venice Commission on the draft Law "On amendments to the Code on Administrative Offences of the Kyrgyz Republic Introducing Penalties for Insult and Slander".
The draft opinion will be submitted for adoption at the 139th plenary session of the Commission (21-22 June 2024).
18/04/2024 - 19/04/2024
Gdansk, Poland – The Venice Commission in cooperation with the University of Gdansk held a conference entitled “Elements and dynamics of the European legal standard”.
The participants addressed the topic of the conference through the following panels:
• An attempt to define the legal standard;
• In search of the legal standard on the separation of powers;
• The legal standard on the judiciary and the prosecutor's office;
• The legal standard on the constitutional judiciary;
• The significance of the legal standard for the democratic state of law in the EU... read more
18/04/2024
Brussels - Ms Marta Cartabia, Vice-President of the Venice Commission, took part in an exchange of views on the Spanish amnesty law with the Committee on Civil Liberties, Justice and Home Affairs (LIBE) of the European Parliament.
This exchange of views is a follow-up to the Opinion on the rule of law requirements of amnesties, with particular reference to the parliamentary bill of Spain “on the organic law on amnesty for the institutional, political and social normalisation of Catalonia”, adopted by the Venice Commission in March 2024.
16/04/2024
By letter of 16 April 2024, the President of the Monitoring Committee of the Parliamentary Assembly of the Council of Europe requested two opinions of the Venice Commission:
- an opinion on the amendments to the Election Code and to the Law on Political Associations of Citizens as adopted by the Georgian Parliament on
4 April 2024, which abolish gender quotas,
- an opinion on the draft constitutional laws on “protection of family values and protection of minors” of Georgia.
The draft opinions will be submitted for adoption at the 139th plenary session of the Venice... read more
15/04/2024 - 15/04/2024
Strasbourg - the President of the Venice Commission, Ms Claire Bazy Malaurie, met with Deputy Prime Minister and Minister of Foreign Affairs of the Republic of Moldova, Mr Mihail Popșoi, to discuss recent developments in the country.
10/04/2024
By letters of 1 April 2024 and 10 April 2024, the Minister of Justice of Montenegro, Mr Andrej Milović, requested urgent opinions of the Venice Commission on the following:
• the draft Law on Amendments to the Law on the Judicial Council and Judges;
• the draft Law on Amendments to the Law on the State Prosecution Service;
• the draft Law on the Prevention of Corruption;
• the draft Law on Amendments to the Law on the Special State Prosecution Service
• the draft Law on Amendments to the Law on Seizure and Confiscation of Material Benefit Derived from Criminal Activ... read more
25/03/2024 - 26/03/2024
Yerevan – A delegation of the Venice Commission travelled to Armenia and had an exchange of views with state authorities and other stakeholders in order to follow up on the joint opinion of the Venice Commission and the OSCE/ODIHR on the draft amendments to the Electoral Code and related legislation of Armenia, which the Commission adopted in October 2023. The delegation met with representatives of the following institutions:
• the Ministry of Justice, including the Deputy Minister of Justice,
• the Central Election Commission (CEC),
• the Standing Committee on State and ... read more