Action to secure the release of political prisoners in Central and Eastern Europe

Recommendation 409 (1965)

Author(s):

Parliamentary Assembly

Origin

1]. Assembly debate on 26th and 27th January 1965 (19th and 20th Sittings) (see Doc. 1862Doc. 1862, report of the Committee on Non-Represented Nations). Text adopted by the Assembly on 27th January 1965 (20th Sitting).

The Assembly

1. Recalling Resolution 107 which called for the immediate release of political prisoners in the countries of Central and Eastern Europe ;

2. Recalling Articles 9 and 10 of the Universal Declaration of Human Rights which state that "no one shall be subject to arbitrary arrest, detention or exile", and that "everyone is entitled in full equality to a fair and public trial by an independent and impartial tribunal in the determination of his rights and obligations and of any criminal charges against him" ;

3. Welcoming the improvement in East-West relations,

4. Considers it is the duty of the free people of Europe to call for the release of all persons from the countries of Central and Eastern Europe who are imprisoned either in these countries or in the Soviet Union for political reasons ; and

5. Recommends the Committee of Ministers to urge the Governments of member States to seek, in their meetings with the ¦ Governments of the Soviet Union and of Central and Eastern European States, and through diplomatic channels, the release of those persons from the countries of Central and Eastern Europe who are at present imprisoned there or in the Soviet Union for political reasons (some of whose names are listed in Document 1862).