Pere Joan Pons speaks with Pascal Allizard in Paris, 1 July 2026PARIS, 1 July 2026 – On the margins of the World Congress Against the Death Penalty taking place in Paris this week, OSCE PA President Pere Joan Pons (Spain) has held a series of meetings with international and French interlocutors, focusing on human rights, the rule of law, security, and the importance of multilateral co-operation.

President Pons met with Dr. Patsilí Toledo Vásquez, Member of the UN Committee on the Elimination of Discrimination against Women (CEDAW) and Co-Chair of CEDAW’s Working Group on Gender-based Violence against Women. The discussion addressed the advancement of gender equality, the protection of women’s rights, and international efforts to prevent and combat gender-based violence.

During a meeting with Claire Raulin, Director for Strategic Affairs and Disarmament at the French Ministry for Europe and Foreign Affairs, President Pons exchanged views on current international challenges and the need to reinforce multilateral approaches to addressing shared security concerns.

President Pons also met with Mattias Guyomar, President of the European Court of Human Rights. Their discussion focused on the role of human rights institutions, the protection of fundamental freedoms, and upholding the rule of law.

The programme further included an exchange with members of the French Delegation to the OSCE Parliamentary Assembly, as well as a working meeting with Senator Pascal Allizard and the Ambassador of Egypt. Discussions highlighted the role of parliamentary diplomacy in supporting dialogue, financial contributions and co-operation.

The meetings reaffirmed the OSCE Parliamentary Assembly’s commitment to promoting human rights, democratic values, and effective multilateral co-operation across the OSCE region and beyond.