18 February 1993

Doc. 6779

WRITTEN DECLARATION No. 227

on homosexual rights

in the new democracies

      The undersigned, members of the Assembly,

1.       Recognising that the new democracies in Eastern Europe, rising after the fall of communist regimes, aspire to membership in the Council of Europe;

2.       Noting that the application for membership is followed by a procedure establishing the progress of democratisation in a country which considers points such as the constitution, free election, minority rights, citizens' participation,

3.       Draw the Assembly's attention to the fact that under communist regimes homosexual people were denied rights as laid down in the Council of Europe Human Rights Charter, and express their belief that establishing the right of homosexual people not to be discriminated against within the legislative framework of the new democracies is a subject that should be given care and attention.

      Signed:       Graenitz

      Espersen

      Gjørv

      Haller

      Robert

      Schwimmer

      Havik

      Schieder

      Ruffy

      Koritzinsky

      Baarveld-Schlaman

      _________________

      Total = 11