TNAG-2321-FCO40-3365-Human-rights-in-Hong-Kong-1991 — Page 117

Interpretative Statements under paragraph 79 of the Rules of Procedure (Chapter 6 of the Final Recommendations of the Helsinki Consultations)

The delegation of Greece made the following interpretative statement:

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The Greek delegation welcomes the Document of the Copenhagen Meeting of the Conference on the Human Dimension of the CSCE adopted by consensus, containing important provisions which constitute a positive step along the road to a world based on the principles of the rule of law and democracy and aim at strengthening and more effectively protecting human rights and freedoms, to which Greece has always been firmly committed.

In view of all the above, it is the understanding of the Greek delegation that the exercise of the rights set forth in paragraphs 32.3, 32.4, 32.5 and 32.6 of this Document should be in accordance with the relevant provisions of international human rights law and should respect, inter alia, the rights and freedoms of others and the principle of territorial integrity of the States concerned.

The Greek delegation wishes this statement to be recorded in the journal of the day.”

The delegation of Bulgaria made the following interpretative statement on the Document of the Copenhagen Meeting of the Conference on the Human Dimension of the CSCE:

"Bulgaria welcomes and fully supports the adoption by the participating States of the Copenhagen Document as a major positive step forward in the further promotion of human rights and fundamental freedoms, in particular in the fields of the rule of law, free and democratic elections, respect for and protection of all individual rights and the development of appropriate implementation procedures.

In the absence of any definition, the use of the term “national minorities ", as well as any provisions related to the rights of persons belonging to such minorities, whenever they exist, and covering other similarly identifiable groups, cannot be construed either as exempting any participating State from compliance with the international standards on human rights and fundamental freedoms or as being contrary in any way to the relevant principles of sovereign equality, inviolability of frontiers and territorial integrity of States. In this respect Bulgaria maintains its previously recorded positions.

The applicability of those provisions on minorities, which are of a political rather than a humanitarian nature and are related to organizations or associations, the use before public authorities of languages other than the official languages, local or autonomous arrangements, financial and other contributions as well as public assistance, etc. falls exclusively within the competence of each participating State, as it stems from the adopted Document.

While confirming its readiness to implement fully and effectively the agreed provisions on an equal footing with all participating States, Bulgaria declares that this shall not in any way prejudice the right of the freely and democratically elected Parliament in Bulgaria to consider those provisions and to determine the appropriate legal and other means for their implementation in accordance with the sovereign will of the Bulgarian people."

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