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The Parliamentary Assembly of the Council of Europe (PACE) will hold current affairs debates on "The deteriorating situation of human rights, rule of law and democracy in Azerbaijan", and on the "Situation in the Middle-East: escalation of violence and mounting humanitarian crisis, particularly in Gaza" at its autumn session held in Strasbourg from 30 September to 4 October.

Other highlights include debates on the detention and conviction of Julian Assange and their chilling effects on human rights; on propaganda and freedom of information in Europe; and on the 90th anniversary of the Holodomor - Ukraine once again faces the threat of genocide. There will be a joint debate on a shared European approach to address migrant smuggling and on clarifying the fate of missing migrants, refugees and asylum seekers.

There will be an urgent debate on "Missing persons, prisoners of war and civilians in captivity as a result of the Russian Federation's war of aggression against Ukraine."

The Foreign Minister of the Republic of North Macedonia Timcho Mucunski and new Council of Europe Secretary General Alain Berset will address the Assembly. Lithuanian Foreign Minister Gabrielius Landsbergis, President of the Committee of Ministers, will present the traditional communication from that body and answer questions from members.