Doc. 8793
6 July 2000

Religion and socio-cultural changes in central and eastern Europe: search for a cultural identity

Motion for a recommendation

presented by Mr Baciu and others

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

1.       During the last two decades the role of religion in the political and social-cultural changes that happened in the contact of post-communist transition in the countries of Eastern Europe is seen as an important tool in political, cultural and ethnic awareness raising.

2.       The Assembly has on numerous occasions addressed the problems of the relationship between religion and state. In Recommendation 1178 (1992) on sects and new religious movements, Recommendation 1396 (1999) on religion and democracy, and Recommendation 1412 (1999) on the illegal activities of sects, the Assembly expressed its concern about the specific problems of the countries in question, such as the fundamental rights of traditional religions as well as the attitude of the State and the main Church authorities towards various denominations and sects.

3.       After the collapse of the Soviet system and the creation of independent democratic states, the established Churches received official state recognition. However, this led immediately to internal tensions between branches of traditional Churches (the problem of Church property rights, the problem of “autocephalous status”, i.e. freedom from the authority of an external patriarch or bishop).

4.       In global terms, there is a rising tendency of moving away from the “national religion” towards “religion by free choice”.

5.       While the principle of freedom of religion has been constantly reaffirmed by the Council of Europe, it has always recognized the danger of the spread of fundamentalist tendencies and sectarian activities.

6.       The Assembly therefore recommends that the Committee of Ministers call on the member states of the Council of Europe:

- to intensify negotiations on the maintenance of freedom of religious minorities, especially in Central and Eastern Europe;

- to take all necessary measures for the depolitisation of conflicts based on religion;

- to include in school programmes information about the main religions practiced in Europe;

- to supply public libraries with literature on the achievements of religious culture and theological researchers on different religious traditions;

- to apply necessary measures to ensure equal access to mass media, education and cultural heritage of all representatives of different religions;

- to cooperate with Church authorities in identifying and sharing respective responsibilities, for example the maintenance of historical buildings fabric or educational provision.

Signed : ¹

Baciu, Romania, SOC

Christodoulides, Cyprus, UEL

Derycke, Belgium, SOC

Hadjidemetriou, Cyprus, SOC

Judd, United Kingdom, SOC

Lupu, Romania, EPP/CD

Nedelciuc, Moldova, LDR

Palmitjavila Ribo, Andorra, LDR

Roseta, Portugal, EPP/CD

Santkin, Belgium, SOC

Sinka, Latvia, EDG

Stepová, Czech Republic, SOC

Surján, Hungary, EPP/CD

Varela i Serra, Spain, 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