Doc. 9972

13 October 2003

European Charter of Autonomies

Motion for a resolution

presented by Mr Elo and others

This motion has not been discussed in the Assembly and commits only the members who have signed it

      It is necessary to set up an internationally binding framework to help define autonomy and how its security, cultural, economic and human aspects should be applied. This framework would seek to guide how, in specific cases, territorial, cultural and local autonomy can be tailored and applied.

      These are the main reasons why there is a need to elaborate a flexible, yet clear, instrument such as a European Charter of Autonomies. It could be applied in the same way as the European Charter for Regional and Minority Languages. It would contain some fundamental provisions and a number of paragraphs and sub-paragraphs to accommodate local circumstances.

      The Council of Europe should take the lead in setting out such an instrument. Experts from other international organizations, government bodies, independent experts and legal representatives of ethnic and national minorities should also be involved in the process.

      We are convinced that the proper application of a European Charter of Autonomies would provide a major tool for the just and lasting prevention of ethnic, national and religious minority tensions both in Europe and in other parts of the world as well. It could provide us with a key to an appropriate and viable long-term solution. We strongly believe that to struggle for such a correct, peaceful solution, is a common task for us all.

Signed (see overleaf)

Signed 1:

Elo, Finland, SOC

Bindig, Germany, SOC

Braun, Hungary, EPP/CD

Budin, Italy, SOC

Donabauer, Austria, EPP/CD

Duka-Zólyomi, Slovakia, EPP/DC

Fedorov, Russia, EDG

Flynn, United Kingdom, SOC

Gamzatova, Russia, UEL

Grissemann, Austria, NR

Hakl, Austria, EPP/CD

Höfer, Germany, SOC

Jäger, Germany, SOC

Kelemen, Romania, EPP/CD

McNamara, United Kingdom, SOC

Muttonen, Austria, SOC

Piscitello, Italy, LDR

Rockenbauer, Hungary, EPP/CD

Schicker, Austria, SOC

Škrabalo, Croatia, LDR

Tabajdi, Hungary, SOC

1        SOC: Socialist Group

      EPP/CD: Group of the European People’s Party

      EDG: European Democratic Group

      LDR : Liberal, Democratic and Reformers’ Group

      UEL: Group of the Unified European Left

      NR: not registered in a group