Doc. 8207 2^nd edition

15 October 1998

Respect for private and family life

Written Declaration No. 280

2^nd edition, originally tabled on 23 September 1998

This written declaration commits only the members who have signed it

      The undersigned, members of the Assembly, deplore the publicity given to intrusions on the private life of the president of the United States and the damage done to others in the process.

      In Europe, the right to respect for private and family life is protected by the European Convention on Human Rights - regardless of civil or political status.

      Protection of this right is fundamental to "genuine democracy" as provided for by the Council of Europe's Statute, and as recently reaffirmed in Assembly Resolution 1165 (1998).

      Observer status for the United States with the Council of Europe since 1996 has served to express shared values of democracy, human rights and the rule of law, through partnership in activities for democratic stability in Europe.

      By virtue of its attachment to this partnership and these values, Europe seeks to re-affirm with the United States and to show together by example also that the right to respect for private life, with other fundamental rights and freedoms protected by law, is central to our shared view of democracy.

Signed (see overleaf)

Signed : ¹

Nothomb, Belgium, EPP/CD

Ruffy, Switzerland, SOC

Atkinson, United Kingdom, EDG

Birraux, France, EPP/CD

Eörsi, Hungary, LDR

Faldet, Norway, SOC

Russell-Johnston, United Kingdom, LDR

Simonsen, Norway, NR

Sinka, Latvia, EDG

Vis, United Kingdom, SOC

______________________

      Total = 10

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