- Author(s):
- Parliamentary Assembly
- Origin
- Assembly debate on 21 and 22 September 1976 (17th and 18th Sittings) (see Doc. 3853, report of the Committee on European Non-Member Countries). Text adopted by the Assembly on 22 September 1976 (18th Sitting).
- Thesaurus
The Assembly,
1. Recalling its Resolutions 575 (1974), 599 (1975) and 614 (1976), on the situation in Spain ;
2. Considering that Spain has entered a period of transition, and that the process of democratisation is irreversible, and cannot be completed by a referendum and elections until all the rights and freedoms essential to any pluralist democracy are guaranteed ;
3. Noting pronouncements by the Spanish Government of their expressed will to democratise the regime ;
4. Welcoming the proclamation by King Juan Carlos of an amnesty for political prisoners and exiles, and also conscientious objectors and persons held on charges of military sedition and rebellion, far-reaching enough to permit the initiation of a dialogue between the government and the leaders of the democratic opposition ;
5. Noting that the present evolution, which can be considered pre-democratic, is characterised by a wide degree of tolerance and recognition for certain human rights and certain basic political and trade union freedoms ;
6. Considering it essential for full political and trade union freedoms to be restored, and in particular for the existence of all political parties to be legalised quickly ;
7. Fearing that certain extremist forces are working to delay the holding of peaceful elections ;
8. Convinced that the political institutions which remain in place constitute an obstacle on the path indicated by the King and his government,
9. Hopes that the question to be put before the end of the year by referendum to the Spanish people will enable them to express themselves unambiguously on their future institutions, which should include a parliament capable of completing the process of democratic constitutional reform respecting the legitimate aspirations of the various regions of the state, and with the effective power to control the executive ;
10. Stresses that the press and the other mass media must enjoy complete freedom and total independence ;
11. Reiterates its solidarity with all the forces in Spain working for the introduction of true democracy, and places at their disposal its experience in order to contribute to the democratisation desired by the Spanish people and the whole of Europe.
