Doc. 8330
10 February 1999

Council of Europe Human Rights Prize

Motion for a recommendation

presented by Mr Jaskiernia and others

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

1.        The European Human Rights Prize was instituted by Resolution (80) 1 adopted by the Committee of Ministers on 5 February 1980.

2.        The prize is intended "to uphold the merits of a person, group of persons, institution or non-governmental organisation which has been active in promoting or protecting human rights in accordance with the principles of individual freedom, political liberty and the rule of law". It is awarded in principle every three years.

3.        The prize was awarded for the first time in 1980, to the International Commission of Jurists. In 1983 it was awarded to the medical section of Amnesty International, in 1986 jointly to Mr R. Alfonsin and Mr C. Broda, in 1989 jointly to Mr L. Walesa and the International Helsinki Federation for Human Rights, in 1992 jointly to Mr F. Ermacora and Médecins sans Frontières, in 1995 jointly to Mr S. Kovalyov and Mr R. Wallenberg and in 1998 jointly to the Human Rights Foundation of Turkey, Mrs Chiara Lubich (Focolare Movement, Italy), and the Committee on the Administration of Justice (CAJ) (Northern Ireland).

4.        Under the prize regulations, the Secretary General communicates nominations to the Assembly, which makes recommendations on candidates to the Committee of Ministers. The Committee of Ministers then selects the prizewinner on the basis of these recommendations.

5.        The last award ceremony took place on 22 September 1998 in the Assembly Chamber, during the Assembly's part-session and in the presence of the Chairman-in-Office of the Committee of Ministers.

6.        The Parliamentary Assembly is of the opinion that the name of the prize should be changed to "the Council of Europe Human Rights Prize".

7.        In accordance with the resolution mentioned above the prize is honorary, but the Parliamentary Assembly is of the opinion that the prize - and therefore the publicity given to the human rights work of the Council of Europe – would increase in importance if a sum of money were attached to it.

8.        For the reasons set out above the Parliamentary Assembly recommends that the Committee of Ministers revise its Resolution 80 (1) in such a way that:

i.        the prize is named "the Council of Europe Human Rights Prize";

ii.        the prize not only be a honorary one, but that also a sum of money be accorded to the winner;

iii.        nominations are limited to individuals or organisations working in the field of human rights in Europe;

iv.        the prize is awarded to one person or organisation; however, in the case of two recipients, one might be in respect of past achievements, the other in respect of ongoing work;

v.        the prize is awarded on the occasion of a part-session of the Parliamentary Assembly;

vi.        the deadline for nominations be set for 31 October of the year preceding the award of the prize – and not for 31 December – thus providing more time for adequate processing of the nominations at secretariat level.

Signed : ¹

Jaskiernia, Poland, SOC

Akcalı, Turkey, EDG

Besostri, Italy, SOC

Cilevics, Latvia, SOC

Clerfayt, Belgium, LDR

Columberg, Switzerland, EPP/CD

Gelderblom-Lankhout, Netherlands, LDR

Jansson, Finland, LDR

Kandare, Croatia, EPP/CD

Kelemen, Hungary, EPP/CD

Kirkhill, United Kingdom, SOC

Magnusson, Sweden, SOC

Shishlov, Russia, LDR

Staciokas, Lithuania, EDG

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