The Council of Europe Parliamentary Assembly, based in Strasbourg, is an institution of the Council of Europe and is made up of 324 members drawn from the national parliaments of the 47 member-states. The Assembly held its first session on 10 August 1949 and aims to promote the goals of the Council of Europe, namely defending democracy, human rights and the rule of law.

The Assembly plays a significant advisory role by holding an ongoing dialogue with governments, national parliaments, civil society and other international organisations. It is also the driving force of the Council of Europe and its recommendations to the Committee of Ministers (the Council of Europe’s decision-making body), have led the Organization to undertake significant actions. The Assembly elects the Secretary General of the Council of Europe, the Commissioner for Human Rights and the judges to the European Court of Human Rights and sends delegations to countries to observe elections.

The Assembly meets four times a year. Pace Committees consider current issues and meet regularly to prepare reports on specific subjects to be discussed during the Assemblies. The 10 committees of the Assembly are the following: 1) Standing, 2) Committee on Political Affairs and Democracy, 3) Committee on Legal Affairs and Human Rights, 4) Committee on Social Affairs, Health and Sustainable Development, 5) Committee on Migration, Refugees and Displaced Persons, 6) Committee on Culture, Science, Education and Media, 7) Committee on Equality and Non-Discrimination, 8) Committee on Rules of Procedure, Immunities and Institutional Affairs, 9) Monitoring Committee, 10) Committee on the Election of Judges to the European Court of Human Rights.

Each country’s representation at the Parliamentary Assembly of the Council of Europe depends on the country’s population. The Greek parliamentary delegation consists of seven (7) full members and (7) alternate members.