I am delighted to be able to report that four good resolutions were adopted this week by the Council of Europe Parliamentary Assembly on several issues of concern to CARE. The Parliamentary Assembly, comprised of seconded members of national parliaments of the 47 Member States, has a plenary session every quarter which I attended in Strasbourg earlier this week.

We lobbied for the adoption of four resolutions calling on the Council of Europe’s Committee of Ministers and the Member states to take action concerning:

– The fight against sexual exploitation of children

– The defence of religious liberty both in Europe and in dealing with ‘third countries’ – those countries which are outside Europe

– The exercise of proper ethical control over developments in science and technology

– Nanotechnology and associated benefits and risks

All four resolutions were adopted with overwhelming majorities. I am particularly pleased to be able to report that the text of the child sexual exploitation resolution (which CARE helped to draft) was passed unanimously with no amendments.

The text on religious freedom – ‘Safeguarding human rights in relation to religion and belief and protecting religious communities from violence’ – was adopted by 148 votes to 3 with 7 abstentions. Amongst other things, it reaffirms the right of conscience and of parents to have education for their children which reflects their personal religious and philosophical convictions. It also calls on States to change their legal regulations whenever these go against the freedom of association for groups (including churches) defined by their religion or beliefs.

Both texts on science and ethics call for stronger safeguards and better regulation of developments in science and technology to ensure compliance with ethical standards.

You can read the full text of the four resolutions below:

Fighting “child sex tourism”

Safeguarding human rights in relation to religion and belief and protecting religious communities from violence

Ethics in science and technology

Nanotechnology: balancing benefits and risks to public health and the environment

David Fieldsend is Manager of CARE for Europe