B3-1711, 1720 and 1755/93

Resolution on the decision by the Belgian General Commissioner for Refugees and Stateless Persons to process the request for asylum from two suspected members of the ETA terrorist group

The European Parliament,

-having regard to the decision by the European Council on 10 and 11 December 1993 to facilitate extradition between Member States and to harmonize procedures for considering asylum requests,

A.whereas the Belgian General Commissioner for Refugees and Stateless Persons has agreed to process the request for political asylum made by two suspected Spanish terrorists belonging to the ETA group,

B.whereas this decision calls into question the democratic legitimacy of a Member State of the Union and is incompatible with the spirit and the letter of the Treaty on Union, which recently came into force, and in particular with Article K.1(9) thereof,

1.Considers that in no circumstances may a Member State of the Union grant the status of political refugee to a citizen of another Member State;

2.Stresses the need to harmonize extradition laws as part of European judicial cooperation;

3.Expresses its confidence that this conflict will be resolved in the light of the determination expressed by the Belgian Government and the need for cooperation between the states of the Union;

4.Instructs its President to forward this resolution to the Government of the Kingdom of Belgium, the Commission and the Council of Justice and Home Affairs Ministers.