RESOLUTION B3-0061/93

Resolution on religious freedom in Greece and the compulsory declaration of religion on the Greek identity card

The European Parliament,

A.whereas from the beginning of this year the Greek Government is required to issue a bilingual identity card in order to conform to Community rules and enable Greeks to travel freely within the European Community,

B.whereas declaration of religion on this card should be optional,

C.whereas, under pressure from the orthodox clergy in particular, the Greek Government has made the declaration of religion compulsory,

D.having regard to the concern which this decision has aroused among the Catholic and Jewish religious minorities,

E.having regard to the persecution of Jehovah's Witnesses,

1.Disapproves of the Greek Government's decision to make the declaration of religion compulsory in that this is a constraint on individual freedom;

2.Calls therefore on the Greek Government to revoke this decision;

3.Instructs its President to forward this resolution to the Council, Commission and the Greek Government.