Doc. 7710
10 December 1996

MOTION FOR AN ORDER on the Assembly's Rules of Procedure

presented by Mr REWAJ and others

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

1.       The Assembly recalls with satisfaction its development over nearly half a century as a parliamentary forum devoted to the promotion of democracy, free speech and human rights.

2.       During that time, the Assembly's Rules of Procedure have regulated its business. They have assisted the fair and orderly conduct of proceedings, the reaching of decisions in an open and democratic way, and the free expression of views, whether held by the many or the few.

3.       In recent years, with the spread of democracy and the enlargement of the Council of Europe, the Assembly has welcomed many new members, representing a wide range of parliamentary traditions and practices.

4.       At the same time, the range and extent of the Assembly's business has increased, and the pressures on its working methods and sitting time, both in plenary and in committee, have increased.

5.       The Assembly reaffirms the importance to a parliamentary institution of rules that are up-to-date, consistent and effective; and that place the fair and efficient regulation of proceedings in a context of political reality.

6.       The Assembly therefore decides to undertake a thorough revision of the Assembly's Rules of Procedure:

i.       taking into account changes in practice over recent years;

ii.       considering how the Rules could be improved, by changes in procedure if necessary;

iii.       in so doing, to consider whether any other changes might be desirable in order to assist the better functioning of the Assembly and the conduct of its business,

and to adopt as soon as possible revised Rules, together with suggested Rules reflecting any recommended procedural changes.

Signed: 1

Rewaj, Poland, SOC

Açba, Turkey, EDG

Akçali, Turkey, EDG

Averchev, Russia, SOC

Berg, Norway; EDG

Connolly, Ireland, LDR

Gabrielescu, Romania, EPP

Giannattasio, Italy, EPP

Johnston, United Kingdom, LDR

Laakso, Finland, UEL

Lummer, Germany, EPP

Ragnarsdottir, Iceland, EDG

Schieder, Austria, SOC

Schwimmer, Austria, EPP

Seiler, Switzerland, LDR

1 1       SOC : Socialist Group

      EPP : Group of the European People's Party

      EDG : European Democratic Group

      LDR : Liberal, Democratic and Reformers Group

      UEL : Group of the Unified European Left