Doc. 8406
6 May 1999

Economic build-up of the Balkans after the war

Motion for a recommendation

presented by Mrs Vermot-Mangold, Mr Plattner and others

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

1. The human, political and economic catastrophe in Kosovo must lead to a new political and social order in the Balkans after the war, if further tragedy is to be avoided in the coming decades.

2. Peaceful, democratic and economically healthy societies respecting individual and collective human rights in all their aspects must be built up in the region by a common effort of the international community of peoples.

3. War criminals and other violators of human rights must be brought to trial before an international court.

4. This difficult, but necessary peace-building effort must be actively supported by the Council of Europe in its genuine field of expertise: human rights, protection of ethnic minorities and democracy;

5. Consequently, the Assembly recommends to the Committee of Ministers:

i. to prepare within the shortest possible delay a comprehensive plan of action to enable the Council of Europe and member states to help in developing and supporting democratic institutions, respect of human rights and institutionalised rights of ethnic minorities in the Balkans;

ii. to consider within this framework both short- and long-term measures, including in particular educational assistance, help and advice in the building of democratic institutions and independent information media;

iii. to suggest to member states and the international community the setting up of an international criminal court to judge the crimes against binding international law that have been committed;

iv. to invite member states and the international community of peoples to prepare appropriate actions for a forceful economic build-up of the Balkans after the war.

Signed : ¹

Vermot-Mangold, Switzerland, SOC

Plattner, Switzerland, SOC

Akselsen, Norway, SOC

Bloetzer, Switzerland, EPP/CD

Clerfayt, Belgium, LDR

Davis, United Kingdom, SOC

Degn, Denmark, SOC

Evangelisti, Italy, SOC

Frey, Switzerland, LDR

Gatterer, Austria, EPP/CD

Gusenbauer, Austria, SOC

Hegyi, Hungary, SOC

Judd, United Kingdom, SOC

Jurgens, Netherlands, SOC

Karlsson, Austria, SOC

Katseli, Greece, SOC

Legendre, France, EDG

Lörcher, Germany, SOC

Lotz, Germany, SOC

Marty, Switzerland, LDR

Ponsonby, United Kingdom, SOC

Seiler, Switzerland, LDR

¹        SOC: Socialist Group

      EPP/CD: 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 a group