Situation in Hungary

Resolution 113 (1956)

Author(s):

Parliamentary Assembly

Origin

This Resolution was adopted by the Standing Committee acting on behalf of the Assembly, at its meeting on 19th November 1956 (see Doc. 588, Report presented, on behalf of the Special Committee to watch over the interests of European nations not represented in the Council of Europe, by Mr. Esmonde).

The Assembly,

Deeply moved by the tragic radio appeal of the Hungarian freedom fighters -"We are about to die for Hungary and for Europe",

Reaffirms that Hungary as well as the other countries of Central and Eastern Europe from the Baltic to the Black Sea are part of Europe and that the free countries represented in the Council of Europe must hold themselves responsible for the future of those members of the European family now subjected to Soviet rule ;

Considers that concrete expression must be given to the widespread feeling of solidarity felt by the free peoples of Europe for the heroic Hungarian people in their fight for liberty, national existence and their Christian heritage ;

Notes with satisfaction the spontaneous reactions of the peoples of the free world to Soviet interference with the rights and liberties of Hungarians ;

Condemns the failure of the Soviet Union to obey the Resolution of the General Assembly of the United Nations ordering the U.S.S.R. to withdraw its troops from Hungary;

Views with horror, and emphatically protests against, the rounding-up and mass deportation to the U.S.S.R. of Hungarian nationals ; and

Calls upon the Governments of Member States of the Council of Europe :

1 to take note, and also to ask the United Nations to take note, that there is at the present time no Government in Hungary which is representative of the people

2 to press jointly for the immediate withdrawal of Soviet troops from Hungary and for an international police force to be sent there under the auspices of the United Nations in the immediate future ;

3 make vigorous representations to the Soviet Government so that :

3.1 they should put an end to the mass deportations of Hungarians to the U.S.S.R. which shock the conscience of all mankind ;

3.2 they should authorise without restriction the entry into Hungary of convoys carrying food and medical supplies from the West ;

3.3 they should authorise the distribution without discrimination of the supplies thus made available to Hungary.