As agreed upon during the conference at Masala, Finland,
June 20th 1993
With the collapse of the geo-political status quo of the post-war era, Europe has entered a period of uncertainty and transition. This opportunity must now be seized to establish a framework of co-operation in which all of Europe - from Dublin to Tbilisi, from Helsinki to Lisbon, from Athens to Reykjavik - will be able to participate.
The so-called progress of the past centuries has brought us into a situation where the basis of life on Earth is seriously under threat. While technological development may delay the deterioration of the environment for a time, it cannot prevent the ecological and social collapse of civilization without a fundamental change in the ideology of unquestioned material growth which still prevails.
As pioneers of the industrialization which lies at the heart of the present crisis, Europeans carry a major responsibility for the reversal of these destructive trends.
The European Green movement has also reached a new stage. Over the past decade, many issues championed by Greens have entered the everyday vocabulary of citizens, the media and political parties throughout Europe. Greens are now able to influence decision-making in many national parliaments as well as regional and local councils. This calls for a new level of coordination of goals, solutions and approaches among Greens of different parts of the continent and, in particular, between the Green traditions of western and eastern Europe.
This document outlines the main points of the transformation now facing both Europe and the planet as a whole. The economy - i.e. patterns of consumption and production - must be adapted to the tolerance of the natural environment. A new global security structure must be established in order to achieve world peace based on fair resolution of conflicting interests. A new vision of citizenship built on equal rights for all individuals regardless of gender, age, race, religion, ethnic or national origin, sexual orientation, wealth and health must be realized. These goals must be reached by democratic means and by strengthening the role of local communities in the decision-making process.
While there are vast differences among different parts of Europe, the Guiding Principles presented here are the first-ever attempt to create a Pan-European strategy of ecological and social reform. We invite all Europeans concerned about the future of the Earth to join us in turning the ideas into reality. The Greening of Europe has only just begun.
1.1. Green policies are based on sustainable use and not on unlimited consumption. This means that the rich must limit their consumption to allow the poor their fair share of the earth's resources. The Greens favour cooperation not competition, satisfying the needs of all, not the greed of a few : The greens favour peace and security, not warfare and aggression.
1.2. Green Policies are based on the belief that people want to live in harmony with their surroundings and in peace with their neighbours, in a society which offers a clean and safe environment, security in the present and confidence in the future.
1.3. The ecological and social aims of green politics are compatible neither with a free market economy nor with a state-controlled economy, both of which are based on unlimited growth and expansion. New models have to be developed and implemented, which are based on the necessity of an ecologically and socially regulated market economy.
1.4. Ecodevelopment has to be based on democracy, equity between men and women, the right of all people to express themselves and to participate fully in decision-making, which requires access to all relevant information and access to education.
1.5. The aims of the green economy are ecological sustainability, equity and social justice, self-reliance. To reach these aims strengthening of regional and local economies is necessary.
1.6. A sustainable world economy will enable those presently living to meet their own needs, without jeopardizing the ability of future generations to meet theirs. It will respect the integrity of ecological systems, upon which all human activity depends.
1.7. Equitable distribution of power and resources is necessary to meet basic human needs unconditionally, and to ensure that all citizens have full opportunities for personal and social development.
1.8. A green economy will encourage a sense of community, so that all will have a stake in society and none will be excluded, and ensure equitable use of environmental space. Self-reliance should be based on the region and not limited by national or administrative borders.
2.1. The European Greens propose an ecological world economy based on planetary solidarity for which Europe has a special responsibility.
2.2. In management of the global economy, the prerequisite will be the protection of the diversity of ecological resources and the global commons such as: the atmosphere, the oceans, the tropical and temperate forests. The United Nations must be the focus of all efforts to preserve the basis of life.
2.3 The key role of women in ecodevelopment must be recognized. Women's rights will be reinforced especially through education and equal participation in all spheres of life.
2.4. Rights of indigenous peoples to the basic means of their survival and to economic recognition of their particular contribution to the common heritage must be respected.
2.5. The present flow of revenues from South to North has to be reversed. The burden of debt on poor countries prevents their development. The debts of the poorest countries will be cancelled unconditionally. The debts of intermediate countries will be cancelled once vital ecosystems and human rights have been sufficiently safeguarded.
2.6. Population growth must be curtailed. The most effective ways to decrease birthrates are to attain a minimum level of economic wellbeing and to increase women's control over their lives and fertility. We condemn all authoritarian methods to limit population growth.
2.7. Sustainable and fair forms of trade and cooperation based rather on self reliance then on unlimited world trade have to be the basis of a transformation of GATT, IMF and the World Bank by increasing the role of a more democratic United Nations.
3.1. The European Greens propose a common European sphere of economic regulation of Eastern and Western countries which offers a stable form of action for peaceful cooperation, trade and compensatory transfers from the rich regions to the poor regions.
3.2. The European Greens advocate the development of more self-reliant national, regional and local economies, in a perspective of Europe of Regions.
3.3. The green parties within the European Community will work to transform the European Community into a democratically controlled federation open to all European States. The priority of this framework must be on environmental and social protection and global responsibility.
4.1. Gross National Product is a particularly misleading indicator of development. We will replace it with indicators which more accurately measure progress towards ecological sustainability and social equity, including recognition of the value of unpaid labour (such as child care) which meets fundamental communal needs. Green national indicators must be developed and published annually.
4.2. Prices have to speak the ecological truth, they have to incorporate all social and environmental costs. One way of doing this is to create a system of ecotaxes on nonrenewable energy, on scarce resources and on environ-mentally dangerous activities. The most urgent fiscal measure is a tax on non-renewable energy. Ecotaxes would be increasingly used to reduce taxes on labour, but some revenues from ecotaxes will be used to promote ecologically sound production.
4.3. Quotas on the extraction and use of natural resources may be necessary in order to protect the resources from complete depletion.
4.4. Sustainability will not be possible as long as poverty persists, or people live in material insecurity. We will ensure a guaranteed minimum income for every citizen through either a social assistance scheme or minimum wage legislation, or improved welfare benefits or the introduction of the basic income, or a combination of the above mentioned.
4.5. The informal sector of the economy makes a large contribution to the wellbeing of the community. This will be recognized by guaranteeing a social security for work done within the informal sector or in other ways.
4.6. Reusable, repairable and recyclable products must be encouraged. Producers will be made responsible for the whole life cycle of their products. Eco-labelling, with the participation of environmental groups, will be a major instrument of consumer protection.
4.7. All private and public corporations will be required to conduct annual environmental audits. Environmental impact assessments, with the participation of individual citizens and environmental organizations, will be compul-sory. Individual citizens will have free access by law to information on the state of the environment from private enterprises and public authorities.
4.8. There is a huge rise of unemployment throughout Europe. To create more jobs several approaches have to be applied simultaneously.
By greening the economy more jobs will be created than will be destroyed in the old unsustainable ways of pro-duction and consumption.
Distributing the existing paid work in a more equal way may be achieved by promoting and encouraging a shortening of working time. Employment will also be stimulated by making paid labour cheaper through reducing the taxes on labour and increasing the taxes on energy, the use of natural resources and capital.
5.1. We promote specific programmes of industrial conversion in such sectors as the military-industrial complex, the chemical industry, car industry and other dangerous and wasteful industrial sectors.
5.2. Greening the economy by converting the different economic sectors means new and ecologically sound jobs in sectors like energy saving, renewable energies, reuse, recycling, public transport, agriculture, forestry, nature protection, research and development and environmen-tally sound technology.
5.3. Energy : No new nuclear power stations must be built and existing nuclear power must be phased out as soon as possible. Energy efficiency and conservation must be the priority of the whole of Europe. Carbon dioxide emis-sions from fossil fuels in Western Europe must be cut by at least 20% by the year 2000 and by at least 75% by the year 2030, compared with the levels of 1990. In Central and Eastern Europe emissions must be stabilized by the year 2000 and reduced by 50% by the year 2030. Major efforts will be made to establish renewable energy pro-grammes. In energy planning the monopoly positions of power companies will be curtailed, and the influence of citizens and environmental organizations increased.
5.4. Transport : The environmental impact of transport will be reduced through investment in clean public transport, sensible land-use planning, and taxation of fossil fuels in all sectors, including air traffic. Car-free cities and taxation on fossil fuels will be the rule. Massive motor-way projects designed to facilitate road freight between the regions of Europe will be abandoned and investment in the reconstruction in railways preferred.
5.5. Agriculture and fisheries : Ecological forms of agriculture must be encouraged instead of using increasing amounts of farm inputs such as chemical fertilizers, pesticides, imported high-protein fodders, hormones and genetic engineering. In order to lower the level of agricultural production in the European Commu-nity, the subsidies for export of agricultural products should be stopped, but product prices must reflect the real environment and social costs of foodproduction, because farming cannot simultaneously subsidize a low industrial wage structure and care for nature. Farming cannot be relocated like industry, because it is an essen-tial part of the regional culture.
Preservation of diversity of farming cultures is a precondition for sustainable food production as well as environmental sound production. Sustainable agriculture must be based on the principle that animals should be treated as sentient beings.
The European Greens wants sustainable fishery practices based on internationally agreed quotas and low impact methods. Whaling should only be allowed as accepted by the International Whaling Commission.
5.6. Forestry : Forestry in the temperate zone which covers much of Europe is based on mono-culture and the use of heavy technology. Sustainable forestry practices will be introduced and growth of old original European forest specifically protected. Paper and pulp industries will be made responsible for the full cycle of their products.
5.7. Protected areas : Biological species, their habitats and specially fragile ecosystems must be protected. Conser-vation areas and special program areas should cover at least 20% of Europe by the year 2000.
5.8. Research & Development : Funding for offensive military technology, nuclear energy, genetic engineering and space technology will be drastically reduced in favour of energy conservation, renewable energy, public trans-port, environmental sound technology and natural medicine. We will prohibit the production, patenting and release into the environment of genetically modified organisms. We will introduce the strictest controls on vivisection.
6.1. The situations of the rich countries of Western Europe and of the countries of Central and Eastern Europe are very different. In the West the priorities are to reduce material consumption, to rebuild communities, and to ensure a more equitable distribution of wealth and resources. In the East the priorities are to restore the damaged environment, rebuild the industrial and social infrastructure, and to ensure that basic human needs are met.
6.2. To steer the formerly centrally-planned economies of Central and Eastern Europe towards ecodevelopment, help from the rich industrialized West is urgently needed. The state of the environment of central and eastern Europe was devastated by the years of command and military economies. These countries require assistance to reduce pollution and reclaim land which is poisoned.
6.3. Western Europe must open its protected markets to exports from Central and Eastern European countries, so they can stand on their own feet. However, trade rules must discourage social and ecological dumping.
6.4. Western European governments and companies must maintain the environmental and social standards of their own countries when investing in central and eastern Europe. Exports of household, toxic and radioactive waste from West to East or vice versa will be prohibited.
6.5. The central state-owned economies of central and eastern Europe have to be dismantled and replaced by a mixed economy consisting of different forms of property ownership. To facilitate planning the community must retain control over land use. Flexible cooperative ownership must be introduced to promote small entrepreneurship. Municipal ownership is important as well. Ownership should be more local, to permit the participation of workers and citizens.
6.6. In the case of nuclear power plants, no reconstruction can guarantee adequate safety standards. These reactors must be shut down on the basis of energy efficiency and conservation programmes.
1.1. Security has for too long been exclusively linked to military balances of power and the use of coercion and violence to solve international conflicts. But security can no longer be defined solely in military terms. The European Greens start with a larger, comprehensive con-cept of security, which takes into account social, econo-mic, ecological, psychological and cultural aspects. Thus our policies concentrate on the prevention of armed con-flicts, on removing the causes of war and on the develo-ping of peaceful conflict resolution. Investment into com-batting racism, in understanding and respecting other cultures, and above all else, ending global poverty would be Europe's strongest and most effective long-term security plan.
2.1. Both within Europe and globally there are many common problems which could easily lead to new armed conflicts. The problems of environmental degradation, frontier, ethnic and national rivalry, resource shortages and the proliferation of weaponry, are inextricably related and must therefore be tackled in an organised way. It is also clear that social change and respect for international law cannot be imposed by military force, but must be accepted by consent.
2.2. Neutral countries can play a vital role as a place for negotiations, information and active conflict prevention.
Neutrality must be combined with active solidarity, conflict prevention and non military conflict resolution. They can play this role even better because of their increased independence of military interests. We are advocating a cooperative security system based on non-military means in which neutral countries can willingly participate.
2.3. To prevent war we must organise for peace. Instead of the creation of a European military superpower, as envisaged by the Maastricht Treaty, the European Greens will develop cooperative security structures in several fields and on several levels: local, regional, national and international. This will require the transfer of some national funds and competencies to international and regional bodies.
2.4. The main security objectives of the European Greens in the coming decade are:
a. to nourish freedom and democracy
b. to narrow the gap between rich and poor
c. fair distribution and sustainable use of natural resources
d. protection of the environment and biosphere
e. creation of a pan-European security system capable of the prevention, management and resolution of disputes without recourse to violence
f. general and complete disarmament as advocated by the UN
3.1. The end of the Cold War presents new challenges. Territorial, ethnic, and economic conflicts threaten peace and security. The changes in Central and Eastern Europe have led to various problems which in some countries include economic chaos, massive unemployment, shortage of consumer goods, dismantling of government pro-visions, great social unrest and growing nationalistic or chauvinistic tendencies. The former Soviet troops have not yet been completely pulled out from foreign coun-tries, and military threat is still used as an indirect argu-ment in negotiations. In the post Cold War era Europe is more plagued by armed conflict than ever before since the Second World War.
3.2. No single European institution can be expected to address these problems, but the systems 'interlocking institutions' currently being developed is seriously flawed due to the dominance of Western European defence interests (NATO and WEU). These have commanded almost unlimited resources while peacekeeping and the prevention of conflict have been effectively ignored.
3.3. We want to abolish NATO and WEU - which have failed to produce a fresh strategy to match the dramatically changed international situation - and to replace them with a pan-European collective security system, comprising all European countries, which is pre-pared to deal with the prevention, managing and solving of conflicts between and within member states. In this system security policy is subject to full parliamentary control and aimed in the first place at the minimizing of violence when solving conflicts.
All types of settlement should be institutionalized by means of a binding treaty : inquiry, mediation, good offices, conciliation, arbitration, and jurisdiction. To keep the peace, once arrangements have been made between the fighting parties, the instalment of peace-keeping forces under the command of the UN is accepted by the greens.
The best way to reach this aim is the structural develop-ment of the Conference on Security and Cooperation in Europe (CSCE) into a 'regional security organisation', as mentioned in article 52 and further of the UN Charter.
The final determination of the CSCE territory as a Euro-pean collective security system will depend on the creation of other regional security systems.
3.4. If the CSCE is to function properly, it must have funds which reflect serious commitment to the goals of con-fidence building, conflict prevention and democracy. Its current budget of around $3 million is a tiny fraction of NATO's. We therefore propose the transfer of the NATO budget, resources and assets to the CSCE. By the year 2000 we expect the CSCE to be the primary European security system and NATO to have been voluntarily dissolved.
3.5. In the long term the European Greens don't envisage a role for national armed forces. Meanwhile national capa-bilities should, apart for self-defence, not be used independently, but only if mandated by the CSCE or by the UN.
4.1. Nuclear weapons have no role to play in a green Europe. The theory of nuclear deterrence would entitle all countries to have nuclear weapons. A comprehensive Test Ban Treaty and nuclear disarmament by France, the UK, Russia, Ukraine and Belarus are urgent priorities.
4.2. We aim to control, reduce and eventually eliminate European exports of all military, nuclear and other repressive technology, and to persuade non-European countries to do the same. We will oppose state promotion of arms exports and spending on military research and development.
4.3. The CSCE also has a central role to play in the ongoing European arms control and disarmament process, sup-ported by integrated CSCE institutions for verification and conversion management. In the CSCE Security Fo-rum we will seek for concrete measures to be aimed at :
a. complete ban of nuclear, biological and chemical arms.
The greatest menace at the moment is the risk that nuclear and other arms for mass destruction are spread. All nuclear testing should be prohibited and all arms for mass destruction should be placed under UN control, to be destroyed afterwards.
b. harmonisation of the various arms control obligations already concluded
c. deeper cuts in conventional arms and military spending, restructuring remaining conventional forces to defensive military doctrines
d. promotion of multilateral reductions in arms sales and cooperation in respect of non-proliferation of all categories of weapons
e. cooperation in converting the defense industry to civil production
5.1. It is our aim that the terms of multilateral treaties on human rights will be incorporated in national laws.
5.2. Each member of the CSCE shall submit to a supranational judicial regime regarding democratic and human rights, which would have a significant impact on its lawmaking process.
6.1. The common security system process will not be limited to the institutional level : contacts between people within and between countries - within a framework of a Europe of Regions - are necessary to find sustainable solutions to many of Europe's pressing problems. An Assembly of European Regions will be de-veloped as a citizens' forum within the CSCE. The CSCE should not be merely a club of diplomats and generals; NGOs should be recognised as partners in the CSCE process. They should be allowed to speak in the CSCE meetings and have access to all documentation and proposals as soon as they are tabled.
7.1. The UN must be made more democratic, and thus enabled to play a central role in promoting integrated regional peace and developments programmes. We will campaign for the reform of the Security Council to reflect the global regions, and the veto abolished. Decisions shall be taken by qualified majority.
7.2. The European Greens stress the necessity of a constabulary role of the UN in order to prevent further armed escalation of a conflict ('peace keeping'). The objective of all forms of intervention must always be to start a process leading to a solution of the conflict, rather than to the freezing of the conflict.
7.3. We will also press for the establishment of :
a. UN centres for conflict resolution, with mediation teams trained in all cultural and religious backgrounds, to monitor conflict areas and bring their skills to bear before violence breaks out.
b. an UN Verification Agency for early warning and treaty verification procedures.
1.1. Greens believe that there is an urgent need to enlarge the spectrum of civil rights, democratic participation, human rights and protection for the rights of minorities, in order to meet the social and environmental challenges of the late 20th century.
1.2. Human rights, the rights of minorities, the civil rights of immigrants, and the individual's right to asylum are fundamental in green politics. Greens also hold that so-cial exclusion and subjection to economic exploitation are deep violations of human rights.
1.3. Political decision-making is becoming more and more removed from the needs and participation of ordinary people. This has lead to a growth in violence throughout Europe and the emergence of far-right and ethno-nationalistic groups. Greens are campaigning for greater democratic control and openness in institutions of power, recognising the need to actively involve all sections of society in decision-making process.
1.4. Further, New Citizenship must involve the reallocation of government power. In order to extend the influence of people over the decisions which control their lives, appropriate levels of power must be decentralized from the nation states to communities, districts and regions.
2.1. Human rights are basic individual rights, which cannot be reduced. They are valid for all inhabitants without discrimination on the basis of race, disability, gender, sexual orientation, religion, age or national or ethnic origin.
2.2. Concerning the environment
a. Everyone has the right to live in a healthy and clean environment. Everybody has the responsibility to protect and conserve the environment for the benefit of present and future generations.
b. Everyone has the right to full information on issues affecting their environment, including the right to information about genetic manipulation.
c. Every person has the right to civil disobedience when facing environmental destruction.
2.3. Concerning basic social needs
a. Everyone has the right to paid work, and the development of new environmental, social, rural and cultural sectors of the community is needed to fulfil this right.
b. Every person has the right to refuse individually work which is unhealthy or environmentally destructive. The right of participation, information and consultation of workers and trade unions must be expanded to issues which are environmentally sensitive.
c. Every person has the right to free education, social protection, and a guaranteed social minimum income. The Greens insist on the introduction or maintenance of social security systems which cover the basic needs of all people and which do not depend on paid work.
d. The mentally and physically disabled share equal rights with all other individuals. They shall be empowered to participate in any area of public or private activity.
2.4. Concerning gender equality
The Greens call for women to be able to participate fully in all social and economic spheres, and also for full participation and individual responsibility of men in all non-economic social activities.
a. Discrimination on the basis of gender in all spheres of social and cultural life must be prohibited.
b. There should be quotas and positive action for the participation of women in public and private fields until both genders reach equality.
c. Measures to bring about equal participation of men in all fields of care work must be introduced. The division of paid and unpaid work between men and women must be abolished.
d. Discrimination on the basis of a person's sexual orientation must be prohibited, including in areas of reproductive and child care rights. The criminalisation of homosexuality is a violation of human rights.
2.5. Concerning issues of justice
a. The death penalty is incompatible with basic human rights
b. Every person has the right to reject military service.
c. Concerning the question of abortion, two fundamental goals come into conflict with one another : on the one hand, every woman has the right of physical integrity and self-determination; on the other hand, we desire to protect life. The criminalization of abortion is no solution to this conflict. As a question of moral attitudes and personal life circumstances, abortion is not to be prosecuted by the courts. All women have a right to information and non-directive counselling in the case of a crisis/unplanned pregnancy. Quality control systems (leading for example to selective abortion) should not be further developed.
d. Everyone is entitled to a fair and public hearing by an independent and impartial court in the determination of his/her rights and responsibilities and of any civil or criminal charge against him/her.
e. Discrimination on the basis of a person's race or ethnic origin must be prohibited, and all persons protected by law from racist violence.
f. Prostitution should be decriminalized with regards to prostitutes, not the people who exploit them.
g. Drug users should not be subject to imprisonment, nor should users of so-called hard-drugs, when they receive treatment.
2.6. Concerning the right of asylum
Asylum is a basic human right, according to the Geneva Convention. The admittance of political refugees shall therefore be unrestricted. Individual reasons must be acknowledged in all cases of systematic oppression and situations which are threatening to a person's life or integrity.
2.7. Concerning immigration
Western Europe is facing a growing number of immigrants from the less fortunate parts of the world, mainly from Third World countries and Central and Eastern Europe. As a reaction there is a growing panic in Western Europe to close borders as fast as possible. As a result, distinctions between political refugees and immigrants are ignored and asylum as a basic human right is violated. Closing borders against immigrants is neither desirable nor a realistic solution. A humane immigration policy opens the possibility for a regulated amount of immigration. This policy should be accompanied by aid to development in the countries of origin of the immigrants.
3.1. Concerning public participation in institutions
Environmental issues have highlighted the way that the peace, women's, ecology, development and citizens' right movements have been excluded from political decision-making. A valuable range of knowledge, experience and values are being lost to the institutions of power.
a. Structures must be set up to bring openness and democratic participation to political decision-making and administration processes. Individuals and groups have the right to be heard in all decisions which affect them.
b. A defined number of citizens has the right to ask for a referendum.
c. The rights of workers to be involved in crucial decisions at work should be expanded.
3.2. Concerning democratic structures
a. Proportional electoral systems must be implemented for local, regional, national and where applicable, international elections.
b. Executive political institutions on every level must be subordinated to democratic elected parliamentary bodies who are equipped with sufficient powers and instruments to fulfil their legislative and controlling functions.
c. In the interest of coordinating policy on a pan-European level, it is necessary to develop supranational political institutions which are built on democratic principles and which have sufficient powers to initiate and implement legislation.
3.3. Concerning minority rights
Greens value the diversity of heritage and language across Europe and insist on the full legal, social and cultural participation of minorities in the democratic process as well as mutual respect in the fields of society, language and culture. This includes the right of the deaf to sign-language.
Greens strongly condemn ethnic cleansing and forcible changes of the ethnic composition of the population of any territory.
We will vigorously oppose segregation and discrimination on the basis of birthplace, parentage, race, creed, disability or sexuality and hold that full legal rights and democratic participation must be allowed simply on the basis of residence.
a. Democratic principles include respect for minority opinions, and the right of minorities to articulate their views freely, except where such articulation infringes the rights of others, or incites their removal.
b. Minorities have the right to develop their culture, religion and language without discrimination. Measures must be taken to guarantee social integration in the spirit of a multi-cultural society, especially in the fields of education, social equality and economic opportunities.
c. We call for a European Convention on the human rights and the political status of the gypsies.