The European Parliament,

- having regard to its resolution of 9 July 1991 on human rightsPart II, Item 1 of the Minutes of that date,

- having regard to Articles 9, 10 and 11 of the European Convention on Human Rights,

- having regard to Article 5(3) of the Basic Law of the Federal Republic of Germany and the interpretation of this article by the Constitutional Court of 29 May 1991,

A. having regard to the decisions of 18 and 22 December 1990 by the Berlin Senate on transferring control of the Humboldt University of Berlin, which infringe the university's rights to manage its own affairs as laid down in the Basic Law of the Federal Republic of Germany as well as 'Land' legislation,

B. having regard to the fact that unemployment in Berlin will increase still further if the 'winding-up' goes ahead,

C. whereas the planned 'winding-up' of five faculties from 1 October 1991 has been declared illegal by the Higher Administrative Court of Berlin,

D. having regard to the amending law to the Berlin Higher Education Law of 27 June 1991, by which the majority of lecturers are deprived of the right to vote in university bodies,

1. Welcomes the action by the Humboldt University of Berlin to reorganize itself on democratic lines and its intention to dismiss, in accordance with the law, persons who used to work for the 'Stasi';

2. Calls for the principles of independence and freedom in teaching and research at higher education institutes and universities in Berlin and the five new 'Länder' to be respected;

3. Believes that the process of democratic reform at higher education institutes and universities in the former GDR should be supported by international bodies made up of researchers and university lecturers;

4. Calls for human and civil rights to be respected during the reorganization of research and teaching, including the rights of staff at higher education institutes and universities;

5. Instructs its appropriate committees to draw up reports on the situation regarding the reform of higher education in the five new 'Länder';

6. Instructs its President to forward this resolution to the Government of the Federal Republic of Germany and the Governments and higher education institutes and universities of the new 'Länder'.