19 April 1993

Doc. 6814

REQUEST FOR AN OPINION

FROM THE COMMITTEE OF MINISTERS TO THE ASSEMBLY

on the accession of Belarus to the Council of Europe

RESOLUTION (93)9

ON BELARUS

(adopted by the Committee of Ministers on 15 April 1993

at the 492nd meeting of the Ministers' Deputies)

      The Committee of Ministers,

      Recalling its decision, expressed at its 8th Session in May 1951, to consult the Parliamentary Assembly before inviting a state to become a member or associate member of the Council of Europe in conformity with the provisions of the Statute;

      Considering that the Government of the Republic of Belarus, in its letter of 12 March 1993 addressed to the Secretary General of the Council of Europe, expressed the wish to be invited to become a member of the Council of Europe and declared its readiness to respect the principles stated in Article 3 of the Statute;

      Having taken note with satisfaction the interest shown by the Republic of Belarus in acceding to the Organisation,

      Invites the Parliamentary Assembly to express its opinion on the matter and brings the following considerations to the attention of the Assembly at this stage:

      First of all, the Committee of Ministers wishes to inform the Assembly that there is consensus among its members in favour of the Republic of Belarus's joining the Organisation as soon as the conditions laid down in the Statute, ie implementation of the principles of pluralist parliamentary democracy, respect for Human Rights and the Rule of Law, have been satisfied. This implies that the legislative and judicial systems of the country would have to conform to the principles of the Rule of Law.

      In his letter dated 12 March 1993, the Minister for Foreign Affairs of Belarus indicated that Belarus would be prepared, like any other member state, to become Party to the European Convention on Human Rights. The Committee of Ministers took note with satisfaction of this intention and expects of the Government of Belarus that it will express its intention to recognise the right of individual petition and the compulsory jurisdiction of the European Court of Human Rights. The Republic of Belarus would thus have to give practical effect to the obligations under the convention throughout the whole of its territory at the various levels of the Administration.

      The Committee of Ministers accordingly affirms its willingness to deepen its dialogue with the Belarus authorities and intensify the support provided through its co-operation and assistance programmes, with a view to facilitating and accelerating Belarus's transition to democracy, and enabling it to join the Council of Europe as soon as possible.