Doc. 11099

20 November 2006

Solidarity programmes for the health recovery of children affected by Chernobyl nuclear disaster

Motion for a resolution
presented by Mr Rigoni and others

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

1.       In Europe temporary stays are organized for children affected by the disaster of Chernobyl who are still suffering for devastating effects on their health and psychology conditions;

2.       This disaster affected mainly Belarus and, to a lesser extent, Ukraine involving 2.5 millions of people, among which more than 500,000 children;

3.       The serious socio-economic situation produced on its turn the sad phenomenon of children abandoned in institutes and orphanages;

4.       Every year many European countries, among which Italy, Germany, Spain, Great Britain, Ireland, Belgium and the Netherlands, host children mainly coming from Belarus for short periods;

5.       In particular every year Italy hosts around 30,000 children coming from Belarus and 6,000 from Ukraine;

6.       When managing this phenomenon it is necessary to respect children’s primary interest as defined in the UN Convention on the Rights of the Child, done in New York on 20 November 1989 and in particular the right to health that it contains;

7.       It is therefore important to strengthen the legal framework within which these solidarity stays take place, taking into account the positive aspects of this experience, both in terms of health recovery and the relationship between these children – who are often deprived of any emotional reference – and hosting families.

Signed 1:

1     SOC: Socialist Group
       EPP/CD: Group of the European People’s Party
      ALDE: Alliance of Liberals and Democrats for Europe
      EDG: European Democratic Group
      UEL: Group of the Unified European Left
      NR: not registered in a group