Motion for a resolution | Doc. 14589 | 26 June 2018

Integration of migrants and refugees: from a humane obligation to mutual benefits

Signatories: Mr Domagoj HAJDUKOVIĆ, Croatia, SOC ; Mr Yasin AKTAY, Turkey, FDG ; Mr Goran BEUS RICHEMBERGH, Croatia, ALDE ; Mr Boriss CILEVIČS, Latvia, SOC ; Mr Vernon COAKER, United Kingdom, SOC ; Ms Stella CREASY, United Kingdom, SOC ; Ms Sabina GLASOVAC, Croatia, SOC ; Mr Gordan MARAS, Croatia, SOC ; Mr Edmon MARUKYAN, Armenia, ALDE ; Mr Killion MUNYAMA, Poland, EPP/CD ; Mr Michele NICOLETTI, Italy, SOC ; Mr Žarko OBRADOVIĆ, Serbia, SOC ; Ms Marija OBRADOVIĆ, Serbia, EPP/CD ; Mr Paulo PISCO, Portugal, SOC ; Ms Sanja PUTICA, Croatia, EPP/CD ; Lord Simon RUSSELL, United Kingdom, EC ; Ms Ulla SANDBÆK, Denmark, UEL ; Mr Predrag SEKULIĆ, Montenegro, SOC ; Mr Vetle Wang SOLEIM, Norway, EPP/CD ; Mr Aleksandar STEVANOVIĆ, Serbia, ALDE ; Mr Ionuț-Marian STROE, Romania, EPP/CD ; Ms Aleksandra TOMIĆ, Serbia, EPP/CD ; Mr Petar VITANOV, Bulgaria, SOC ; Mr Mihael ZMAJLOVIĆ, Croatia, SOC

This motion has not been discussed in the Assembly and commits only those who have signed it.

Migration is a constant phenomenon in Europe, from the forced displacements due to armed conflicts to the migration of workers that have grown beyond exchanges of workforce of the East and West of Europe and has grown in proportion and scope.

In order to avoid social injustice in our societies and the social exclusion of individuals or groups, migrants and refugees must have the possibility to integrate in their new host societies. Through successful integration, migrants are able to contribute to the economic wellbeing and social progress of their host countries.

While member States have pursued various policies in this respect over the past decades, it causes great concern that populism has been focusing on this subject, thus causing a polarisation and further division of our societies.

Since its creation in 1949, the Council of Europe works also for social cohesion and pluralist societies. This work is particularly important today with regard to the current discussions about migration policies in Europe.

Therefore, the Parliamentary Assembly should look at national policies for the integration of migrants and refugees and recommend, on the basis of our shared values and standards, ways forward for regarding migration as an opportunity rather than a threat.