Venice Commission Publishes Compilation on States of Emergency [1]
The Council of Europe's Commission for Democracy through Law (Venice Commission) has published a compilation [3] of extracts from its reports and opinions on states of emergency. The compilation includes twelve benchmarks for states, including the making of a declaration of a state of emergency; obligations in relation to human rights derogations; parliamentary and judicial oversight during the state of emergency; the scope of emergency powers; and elections during states of emergency. The introduction explains that "[t]he compilation is intended to serve as a source of reference for drafters of constitutions and of legislations on the judiciary, researchers, as well as the Venice Commission's members, who are requested to prepare comments and opinions concerniing legislation dealing with such issues. The Venice Commission plans to update the compilation on a regular basis and invites suggestions for its improvement.