Cultic Studies Journal, Vol. 9, No. 1, 1992, Page 76
and colleges and by having debates such as this. For that reason, I am very grateful to all
those who have participated, and I am most grateful for the almost unanimous support that
my report has received.
Lord Kirkhill (United Kingdom) (Chairman of the Committee on Legal Affairs and Human
Rights): I rise briefly to make just two or three comments. I pay public tribute to Sir John
Hunt, whose task as Rapporteur on this issue was complex and difficult. As Mr. Espersen
mentioned, the very fact that it has taken a long time for the report to be formulated is proof
indeed that, in its early days, there were many conflicting views within the committee.
The report was produced against the background that it is almost impossible to define a sect
and that many people believe that the public law of countries of the Council of Europe is
sufficient protection against abuse. Nevertheless there is genuine concern, which many
speakers have touched upon and which Sir John has set out most clearly. The Committee on
Legal Affairs and Human Rights considers that in the main Sir John has been able successfully
to reconcile what was almost the unreconcilable, given the many competing views and
amendments. The report is consistent and thoughtful and the Committee on Legal Affairs and
Human Rights commends it for the attention of the Assembly.
The President (Translation): That brings the debate to an end.
The Committee on Legal Affairs and Human Rights has presented in Doc. 6535 a draft
recommendation, to which two amendments have been tabled.
If the Assembly agrees, we will take Amendments Nos. 1 and 2 together.
Amendment No. 1 presented by Mr. de Puig on behalf of the Committee on Culture and
Education,
In the draft recommendation, paragraph 6, before the words "legislative and other
measures" insert the words:
"educational as well as."
Amendment No. 2 presented by Mr. de Puig on behalf of the Committee on Culture and
Education,
In the draft recommendation, paragraph 7, replace sub-paragraph (ii) with the
following two new sub-paragraphs to be inserted before sub-paragraph (i):
The basic educational curriculum should include objective factual information
concerning established religions and their major variants, concerning the
principles of comparative religion, and concerning ethics and personal and
social rights
Supplementary information of a similar nature, and in particular on the nature
and activities of sects and new religions movements, should also be widely
circulated to the general public. Independent bodies should be set up to collect
and circulate this information.
Mr. de Puig (Spain) (Rapporteur of the Committee on Culture and Education) said that the
two amendments were linked. They added references to the importance of education, both
through the formal educational systems of all countries, and through the wide dissemination
of information about the activities of sects.
Lord Kirkhill (United Kingdom) (Chairman of the Committee on Legal Affairs and Human
Rights): I can say on behalf of my committee that it accepts the amendments.
The President (Translation): I shall now put the amendments to vote by a show of hands.
A vote was then taken by a show of hands.
and colleges and by having debates such as this. For that reason, I am very grateful to all
those who have participated, and I am most grateful for the almost unanimous support that
my report has received.
Lord Kirkhill (United Kingdom) (Chairman of the Committee on Legal Affairs and Human
Rights): I rise briefly to make just two or three comments. I pay public tribute to Sir John
Hunt, whose task as Rapporteur on this issue was complex and difficult. As Mr. Espersen
mentioned, the very fact that it has taken a long time for the report to be formulated is proof
indeed that, in its early days, there were many conflicting views within the committee.
The report was produced against the background that it is almost impossible to define a sect
and that many people believe that the public law of countries of the Council of Europe is
sufficient protection against abuse. Nevertheless there is genuine concern, which many
speakers have touched upon and which Sir John has set out most clearly. The Committee on
Legal Affairs and Human Rights considers that in the main Sir John has been able successfully
to reconcile what was almost the unreconcilable, given the many competing views and
amendments. The report is consistent and thoughtful and the Committee on Legal Affairs and
Human Rights commends it for the attention of the Assembly.
The President (Translation): That brings the debate to an end.
The Committee on Legal Affairs and Human Rights has presented in Doc. 6535 a draft
recommendation, to which two amendments have been tabled.
If the Assembly agrees, we will take Amendments Nos. 1 and 2 together.
Amendment No. 1 presented by Mr. de Puig on behalf of the Committee on Culture and
Education,
In the draft recommendation, paragraph 6, before the words "legislative and other
measures" insert the words:
"educational as well as."
Amendment No. 2 presented by Mr. de Puig on behalf of the Committee on Culture and
Education,
In the draft recommendation, paragraph 7, replace sub-paragraph (ii) with the
following two new sub-paragraphs to be inserted before sub-paragraph (i):
The basic educational curriculum should include objective factual information
concerning established religions and their major variants, concerning the
principles of comparative religion, and concerning ethics and personal and
social rights
Supplementary information of a similar nature, and in particular on the nature
and activities of sects and new religions movements, should also be widely
circulated to the general public. Independent bodies should be set up to collect
and circulate this information.
Mr. de Puig (Spain) (Rapporteur of the Committee on Culture and Education) said that the
two amendments were linked. They added references to the importance of education, both
through the formal educational systems of all countries, and through the wide dissemination
of information about the activities of sects.
Lord Kirkhill (United Kingdom) (Chairman of the Committee on Legal Affairs and Human
Rights): I can say on behalf of my committee that it accepts the amendments.
The President (Translation): I shall now put the amendments to vote by a show of hands.
A vote was then taken by a show of hands.
