According to Chairperson of the Committee on Legal Affairs and Human Rights Eerik-Niiles Kross, the two-day meeting will focus on safeguarding international law and freedom of speech, issues of accountability regarding Russia’s war of aggression, and the impact of artificial intelligence on democracy.
“Russia’s war of aggression against Ukraine must not go unpunished. The credibility of international law depends on whether we can hold both political and military leaders accountable for crimes of aggression,” Kross said. He noted that Yevhenii Malik, Head of National Security and Defence Programs at Kyiv School of Economics and former prisoner of war captured in Mariupol, will also participate in the discussion.
Today, an exchange of views with Minister of Justice and Digital Affairs Liisa-Ly Pakosta will be held. The reports of rapporteurs on fighting back against transnational repression, threats to the International Criminal Court, the situation of human rights defenders and whistleblowers, abolition of the death penalty in Israel, and accountability for the Russian Federation’s war of aggression against Ukraine will be heard.
Use of artificial intelligence by parliaments, its risks and opportunities, and protecting the freedom of expression of members of parliaments will also be discussed. The members of the Committee will also visit the AI & Robotics Estonia (AIRE) centre.
On Wednesday, the meeting will focus on the safety of journalists and human rights defenders in Azerbaijan, safeguarding human rights in the artificial intelligence-driven public sector and implementation of judgments of the European Court of Human Rights. PACE members will meet with Prime Minister Kristen Michal at Stenbock House and visit the Vabamu Museum of Occupations and Freedom.
Head of the Estonian delegation to the PACE Kadri Tali will also attend the meeting.
Photos (will be added in accordance with the programme; Erik Peinar / Chancellery of the Riigikogu)