Doc. 11257

18 April 2007

Solemn tribute to the “Righteous” of Europe

Written Declaration No 392

This written declaration commits only the members who have signed it

The undersigned:

1.       Noting that the “Righteous” of France, who risked their own lives to save Jews during the Second World War, were very recently honoured;

2.       Considering that, in view of its very origins and great symbolism, the Council of Europe would be an ideal forum for paying tribute to the “Righteous” from all over Europe who are still alive and commemorating those no longer with us;

3.       Believing that the exemplary role of the “Righteous” of Europe means that a ceremony in their honour would highlight the spirit of resistance to all dictatorships and their excesses through a process of joint reflection;

4.       Suggest that the Council of Europe take the initiative of holding a ceremony in Strasbourg focusing on the “Righteous” on an exemplary basis;

5.       Believe that that would permit discussion, in the presence of the surviving “Righteous” of Europe, of the issues of resistance and pan-European commitment;

6.       Suggest that the event should include political figures and academics who would send out an exemplary joint message for a common future.

Signed (see overleaf)

Signed: ¹

SCHREINER, Bernard, France, EPP/CD

AZZOLINI Claudio, Italy, EPP/CD

BEMELMANS-VIDEC Marie-Louise, Netherlands, EPP/CD

BRANGER Jean-Guy, France, EPP/CD

COLOMBIER Georges, France, EPP/CD

DURRIEU Josette, France, SOC

EÖRSI Mátyás, Hungary, ALDE

GARDETTO Jean-Charles, Monaco, EPP/CD

HAUPERT Norbert, Luxembourg, EPP/CD

KOSACHEV Konstantin, Russian Federation, EDG

KOX Tiny, Netherlands, UEL

LE GRAND, Jean-François, France, EPP/CD

LEGENDRE, Jacques, France, EPP/CD

LENGAGNE, Guy, France, SOC

Lord RUSSELL-JOHNSTON, United Kingdom, ALDE

MOTA AMARAL, João Bosco, Portugal, EPP/CD

REYMANN, Marc, France, EPP/CD

SCHNEIDER, André, France, EPP/CD

Van den BRANDE Luc, Belgium, EPP/CD

WALTER, Robert, United Kingdom, EDG

WILLE, Paul, Belgium, ALDE

__________________________

Total = 21

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