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Reply to Recommendation | Doc. 14456 | 18 December 2017
Migration as an opportunity for European development
1. The Committee of
Ministers has examined Parliamentary Assembly Recommendation 2108 (2017) on “A comprehensive humanitarian and political response
to the migration and refugee crisis and the continuing flows into
Europe” and Recommendation
2109 (2017) on “Migration as an opportunity for European development”.
Given the fact that both recommendations refer to the future activities
of the Organisation in the field of migration, and more specifically
the possible creation of bodies or committees to assist in that
work, the Committee of Ministers has chosen to provide a joint reply.
2. With respect to Parliamentary Assembly Recommendation 2108 (2017) on “A comprehensive humanitarian and political response
to the migration and refugee crisis and the continuing flows into
Europe”, the Committee of Ministers has taken note of the Assembly’s
view that the Organisation would benefit from “a common platform for exchange, ‘experience
sharing and policy making among member States, as well as a solid
basis for directing the Council of Europe’s activities”
and the call for a steering committee on migrants and refugees.
3. It has also taken note of the proposal in Parliamentary Assembly Recommendation 2109 (2017) “Migration as an opportunity for European development”
that “the Committee of Ministers consider
the feasibility of creating, possibly as a enlarged partial agreement
in co-operation with the European Union, a European migration and
intercultural development observatory, which would assist Council
of Europe member States in the development of strategies, legal
frameworks, action plans and specific projects in the field of migration”.
4. The Committee of Ministers welcomes the extensive work that
is carried out by the Assembly in the field of migration and would
also draw the attention of member States to the various resolutions
mentioned in the above recommendations which contain valuable suggestions
for member States. It will bear the Assembly’s above-mentioned recommendations
on the creation of a platform for exchange on migration, of a steering committee
and an observatory in mind, although it does not envisage taking
such steps in the present context.
5. Ensuring the implementation of relevant commitments under
the European Convention on Human Rights (ECHR), whilst managing
overwhelming numbers of refugees and migrants, represents today
a significant challenge for all member States of the Council of
Europe. However, the Assembly will be aware that the Council of
Europe is among many other organisations and institutions working
in the field of migration. Its activities are therefore focused
on priority areas which fall within its area of competence, where
it can bring of real added value and which do not unnecessarily
duplicate the work being carried out by other bodies.
6. In this context, for the Programme and Budget for 2018-2019,
the Council of Europe’s work regarding migrants and refugees will
continue to be mainstreamed in activities under the operational
pillars where relevant. This work is co-ordinated by the Special
Representative of the Secretary General on migration and refugees
(SRSG), who is also responsible for gathering information on the
fundamental rights of migrants and refugees in Europe, including
through fact-finding missions, and making proposals for action.
This is done in liaison with international partners such as the
United Nations High Commissioner for Refugees, the International
Organisation for Migration, UNICEF, the EU and FRONTEX. The SRSG
also promotes the sharing of best practices and makes recommendations,
where appropriate, for improving the conditions of migrants and
refugees, in line with Council of Europe standards.
7. During the next biennium, special focus will be put on children
and unaccompanied minors through the implementation of the actions
foreseen in the Action Plan on protecting refugee and migrant children
(2017-2019). In this respect, member States will be assisted in
providing effective responses to challenges relating to the protection
of refugee and migrant children’s rights on the basis of the Council
of Europe’s standards and of recommendations of the various mechanisms
of the Organisation as well as in developing human rights’ compatible
integration policies of refugees and migrants.
8. Finally, the Council of Europe Action Plan on Building Inclusive
Societies (2016-2019), which aims to support member States in managing
Europe’s diversity, is a further contribution in assisting in the
integration of refugees and migrants. It focuses more particularly
on education, combating intolerance and anti-discrimination and
on support for effective integration policies. The implementation
of this action plan will continue in the coming on biennium, with
activities streamlined across the sectors concerned, including for instance
on the recognition of qualifications and the linguistic integration
of adult migrants, on fighting stereotypes, promoting diversity
in media and stimulating migrant entrepreneurship. The action plan
relates to all levels of governance, in particular the local level,
with the involvement of the Intercultural Cities (ICC) network.