Doc. 9425

25 April 2002

Presidential elections in France

Written Declaration No. 337

The undersigned, members of the Parliamentary Assembly of the Council of Europe,

Having learned with great concern of the results of the first round of the presidential elections in France which illustrate spectacular progress by the far right in this democratic country which is the cradle of human rights in the world;

Recalling the obligation of vigilance of all the member states of the Organisation and their commitment to the defence and the promotion of human rights, as well as fighting all forms of racism, anti-Semitism and intolerance;

Welcome the mobilisation of all the forces and democratic movements in France and above all young people, the hope of Europe's future;

Urge and trust all their French and European fellow citizens to uphold the spirit and powers of tolerance in one of the leading countries in European construction, in conformity with the international image of France as a country serving integration and European co-operation, freedom and pluralism in all realms of society and human rights in general.

Signed (see overleaf)

Signed : ¹

Schreiner, France, EDG

Abbasov, Azerbaïdjan, EDG

Atkinson, United Kingdom, EDG

Belohorská, Slovakia, EDG

Branger, France, EPP

Dreyfus-Schmidt, France, SOC

Goris, Belgium, LDR

Goulet, France, EDG

Hancock, United Kingdom, LDR

Henry, Belgium, SOC

Hooper, United Kingdom, EDG

Hordies, Belgium, NR

Huseynov R, Azerbaïdjan, EPP

Keltošová, Slovakia, EDG

Kestelijn-Sierens, Belgium, LDR

Lemoine, France, SOC

Poty, Belgium, SOC

Ragnarsdóttir, Iceland, EDG

Shakhtakhtinskaya, Azerbaïdjan, EDG

Tkáč, Slovakia, EDG

Wilkinson, United Kingdom, EDG

________________

Total = 21

¹        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

      NR: not registered in a group