Freedom of the Metropolis of Bessarabia

Motion for a Resolution

Doc. 7871

3 July 1997

presented by Mr Vlad Cubreacov and others

The Assembly,

1.Reaffirming its profound attachment to the principles of pluralism, democracy and respect for human rights, which are the mainstays of the Council of Europe;

2.Being convinced of the need to promote universal respect for human rights and fundamental freedoms, which in practical terms includes respect for freedom of thought, conscience and religion as secured under Article 9 of the European Convention on Human Rights;

3.Recalling the Declaration on the Elimination of all Forms of Intolerance and Discrimination based on Religion or Belief, adopted by the United Nations General Assembly on 25 November 1981;

4.Observing that the religious community of the Metropolis of Bessarabia resumed its activity in the Republic of Moldova on 14 September 1992 by the freely expressed will of the Orthodox clergy and believers of this country who have left the wrongful jurisdiction of the Russian Orthodox Church (Patriarchate of Moscow and the whole of Russia);

5.Observing that the activity of the Metropolis of Bessarabia is supported by the majority of the population of the Republic of Moldova and that this religious community has, in compliance with international law, on several occasions applied for official recognition by the governmental authorities in order to operate within the law;

6.Observing that the Metropolis of Bessarabia is making no claims or demands of a pecuniary nature;

7.Noting that the governmental authorities of the Republic of Moldova have adopted a hostile, intolerant and discriminatory position towards its own citizens belonging to the Metropolis of Bessarabia by refusing to recognise this Church;

8.Recalling that one of the commitments made by the Republic of Moldova on its accession to the Council of Europe as a full member concerned finding a solution to this situation;

9.Requests the Government of the Republic of Moldova to find a civilised way of solving this problem by means of democratic procedures, so as to ensure that the rights of the citizens belonging to the Metropolis of Bessarabia are genuinely and fully respected.

Signed: (1)

Cubreacov, Moldova, EPP

Dumitrescu, Romania, SOC

Figel, Slovakia, EPP

Ghimpu, Moldova, LDR

Ivanov, Bulgaria, EPP

Kalus, Czech Republic, EDG

Kuzmickas, Lithuania, EDG

Martelli, Italy, EDG

Nastase, Romania, SOC

Steolea, Romania, EDG

Svoboda, Czech Republic, SOC

Szakal, Hungary, EDG

Szalay, Hungary, LDR

Toshev, Bulgaria, EPP

Tripunovski, the former Yugoslav Republic of Macedonia, SOC

Note: 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

NR: Not registered in any political group