Liechtenstein's accession to the Council of Europe
- Author(s):
- Parliamentary Assembly
- Origin
- Assembly debate on 28 September 1978 (11th Sitting) (see Doc. 4193, report of the Political Affairs Committee). Text adopted by the Assembly on 28 September 1978 (11th Sitting).
- Thesaurus
The Assembly,
1. Having received from the Committee of Ministers a request for an opinion on the accession of Liechtenstein to the Council of Europe (
Doc. 4139), in pursuance of Statutory Resolution (51) 30 A adopted by the Committee of Ministers on 3 May 1951 ;
2. Noting that Liechtenstein is an independent and sovereign European state, is a member of a number of international organisations, and is a signatory to the Final Act of the Conference on Security and Co-operation in Europe ;
3.
Noting that the fact that Liechtenstein has entrusted the exercise of certain prerogatives of sovereignty to a neighbour state by freely negotiated international treaties does not affect the existence of Liechtenstein's international sovereignty ;
4.
Noting that the Constitution and legislation of Liechtenstein are founded on the principles of human rights and fundamental freedoms as embodied in the European Convention on Human Rights ;
5. Regretting that the right to vote is not yet extended to women for general elections and referenda, although they are entitled to vote in certain local elections, and noting that Liechtenstein's only women's political organisation has declared itself in favour of accession ;
6. Expressing the sincere hope that this discrimination will be brought to an end at the earliest possible date ;
7.
Noting that Liechtenstein is prepared to accept the administrative and financial obligations incumbent upon a member state of the Council of Europe, and that it intends to exercise its membership rights and duties in a manner compatible with its size,
8. Expresses the opinion that Liechtenstein should be deemed able and willing :
8.1 to fulfil the provisions of Article 3 of the Statute which stipulates that "every Member of the Council of Europe must accept the principles of the rule of law and of the enjoyment by all persons within its jurisdiction of human rights and fundamental freedoms", and
8.2 to collaborate sincerely and effectively in the realisation of the aim of the Council as specified in Chapter I of the Statute of the Council of Europe,
thereby fulfilling the conditions for accession to the Council of Europe as laid down in Article 4 of the Statute ;
9. Welcomes the declaration of intent by the Liechtenstein Government to sign the European Convention on Human Rights simultaneously with accession to the Council of Europe ;
10. Proposes that the number of seats to which Liechtenstein shall be entitled in the Assembly be two.
