9 October 1995

Doc. 7408

MOTION FOR A RESOLUTION on a charter of rights concerning freedom of religion or belief

presented by M. NOVÁK and others

      In the past the Council of Europe has adopted a number of texts concerning religious minorities and, more generally, the rights of various kinds of minorities.

      Indeed, as Europe becomes more and more a multi-cultural and also a multi-religious community, there is the need for greater understanding between peoples of different cultures as these interactions can lead to both enrichment but also can have a negative effect if individuals concerned are not enlightened enough to be tolerant and understanding of each other.

      Being aware of this fact, both the Assembly and the Committee of Ministers have, over the last few years, placed additional importance clarifying the rights of minorities in general as ethnic tensions become an increasing problem. This has resulted most recently in the adoption of a Framework Convention on the Rights of Minorities - and the campaign against racism, xenophobia and intolerance (which in the final Assembly text was expanded to specifically include "all religious and other forms of intolerance").

      However, whilst referred to, the specific subject of religious freedom has not been taken up in this context. There is no comprehensive text which lays out the broader array of rights which fall from Articles 9 and 14 of the European Convention on Human Rights and are also attached to Articles 10 and 11. Such a charter would, inter alia, include religious rights in the social, educational, cultural and work environment spheres and would help to clarify for the peoples of Europe the standards to be adopted in this area.

      No overview of the protection of fundamental rights and freedoms would be complete without such a comprehensive summarisation.

      The Assembly resolves to study the scope of human rights in this area and compile a complete text to present to the Assembly for adoption.

Signed:

Novák, Czech Republic, EDG

Árnason, Iceland, LDR

Slobodník, Slovakia, LDR

Gül, Turkey, EDG

Speroni, Italy, LDR

Bokov, Bulgaria, SOC

Eörsi, Hungary, LDR

Moeller, Denmark, EDG

Radulescu Botica, Romania, SOC

Zingeris, Lithuania, EDG

*       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