15 October 1997
ADOC7951

Doc. 7951

Written Declaration No. 266

on the situation of the Russian and Russian-speaking population in Latvia and Estonia

This written declaration commits only the members who have signed it

1. Historically, Russian-speakers who grew up in Latvia and Estonia, and became an integral part of their social fabric, are as « indigenous » as Latvians or Estonians.

2. The notion « non-indigenous population » contradicts the 1948 Declaration on Human Rights, the principles and basic provisions of the Council of Europe documents. This notion implies discrimination on the basis of ethnicity and language.

3. The denial à priori to grant citizenship to some sectors of the population violates the basic principle of international law - the principle of presumption of innocence. This is nothing but « preventive discrimination » which in reality is a kind of political totalitarianism which the Council of Europe opposes.

4. This situation inevitably generates acute conflicts. The minorities facing discrimination will naturally form politically active organisations and the authorities of the countries concerned will consequently take countermeasures. Russia will continue to protect the Russian and Russian-speaking population. How could she possibly tolerate the existence of such a « vicious circle » in states which claim to be « democratic » and which are members of the Council of Europe.

5. The undersigned, members of the Assembly, appeal to the Council of Europe to take practical steps to improve the situation.

Signed (see overleaf)

Signed: ¹

Vishnyakov, Russia, NR

Marmazov, Ukraine, UEL

Filimonov, Russia, UEL

Maltsev, Russia, UEL

Korakas, Greece, UEL

Kovalev, Russia, LDR

Melnikov, Russia, UEL

___________________

Total = 7

¹        LDR : Liberal, Democratic and Reformers’ Group

      UEL : Group of the Unified European Left

      NR : Not registered in a group