Doc. 8575

6 October 1999

Self-determination and national integrity

Motion for a resolution

presented by Mr Behrendt and others

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

      The Assembly:

1.       Points out that over recent years the process of democratisation has been accompanied ever more frequently by the demand to grant the right of self-determination to groups and to national minorities;

2.       Is of the opinion that in Europe the bigger conflicts nowadays no longer take place between states but inside the states themselves;

3.       States that the reactions of the international community with regard to such conflicts often come too late and lack determination and that the international community, despite intense efforts, is often incapable of reaching in time a political consensus with regard to possible approaches to a solution;

4.       States that the aspirations of national minorities towards freedom often degenerate into bloodies conflicts, sometimes even into open war;

5.       Regrets that the rules of international law are insufficient to serve as guidelines for the international community in dealing with such conflicts;

6.       Is convinced that the principles of self-determination and human rights on the one hand and those of state integrity and sovereignty on the other enter into contradiction with each other when they are implemented to the utmost consequence;

7.       Decides to engage in an open and concrete debate on self-determination and national integrity with the aim of giving impetus to the necessary further development of international law and thus help to avoid aspirations for freedom being achieved or quenched by armed force;

8.       Wishes to be the first organisation to develop a new concept of democratic values in multi-ethnic states, where the rights of minorities are effectively protected.

Signed : ¹

Behrendt, Germany, SOC

Bergqvist, Sweden, SOC

Birraux, France, EPP/CD

Bloetzer, Switzerland, EPP/CD

Davis, United Kingdom, SOC

Ehrmann, France, LDR

Irmer, Germany, LDR

Lörcher, Germany, SOC

Lucyga, Germany, SOC

Schloten, Germany, SOC

Wodarg, Germany SOC

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