Collection of written amendments (Final version)
- Doc. 12953
- The portrayal of migrants and refugees during election campaigns
Compendium index
Amendment 1Amendment 3Amendment 4Amendment 7Amendment 2Sub-amendment 1 to amendement 2Amendment 5Amendment 6
- Legende:
- In favor
- Against
- No votes
- Withdrawn
Draft resolution
1The Parliamentary Assembly recalls that Europe has a long history of emigration, and that, owing to its ageing population, the continent is divided between the need to take in immigrants and the fear that these immigrants will gradually erode cultural traditions and practices in European societies.
2The Assembly considers that the rise of xenophobia is challenging democratic principles and respect for human dignity.
3Although the member States of the Council of Europe already have legal remedies for countering xenophobia and racist speech, the Assembly feels that a real strategy is needed for combating xenophobia, especially during election campaigns.
4During election campaigns, some candidates and political parties habitually present migrants and refugees as a threat and a burden on society, which increases negative reactions among the public to immigration and immigrants.
5These negative reactions are linked to factors such as the feeling of losing control of migration, the fear of differences, the collapse of the employment market and a widespread feeling of insecurity.
6These factors have thus become electoral issues for certain political parties, which not only help intensify manifestations of xenophobia but also promote the rise of xenophobic populist parties, which are increasingly feeding into a trend which is radicalising government anti-migration policy.
7The Assembly notes that the media have a vital role to play here, and bear a major responsibility in shaping the image of migrants and their descendants.
8It also notes that Internet and the social networks play an increasingly important role in spreading xenophobic and anti-immigrant attitudes.
9The Assembly would also like to draw attention to the biased nature of some opinion polls, whose results and complex questions do not always reflect public opinion in its entirety, which can be counterproductive, especially in terms of migrant and migration issues.
10Consequently, the Assembly recommends that member and observer States, and particulary parliaments:
10.1adopt measures aimed at:
10.1.1establishing a communication policy on the reality of migration flows based on the values of human rights, the rule of law and democracy;
10.1.2ensuring that migrants can fully integrate into the host society by helping them, among other things, to learn the local language, the customs and the laws of the host country;
10.1.3clamping down on irregular entry and helping irregular migrants to return to their countries, or regularising those who cannot and will not be expelled;
10.1.4implementing measures to prevent employers from undermining pay and working conditions;
10.1.5implementing a policy to fight against discrimination;
10.2promote, where appropriate, open and balanced political debates on the migration issue in order to provide optimum replies to the questions and concerns of the general public and to combat all xenophobic ideologies;
10.3encourage political leaders to assume their responsibilities during debates on migration issues and to combat xenophobic rhetoric and ideology;
10.4encourage the media to use factually correct, balanced and fair formulations by providing them with the appropriate data and statistics;
10.5draw up guidelines for opinion polls and all direct democracy exercises, in order to prevent any bias;
10.6develop and reinforce the role of electoral commissions so that they can sanction political leaders if they behave inappropriately before or during elections;
10.7encourage local and regional authorities to work more closely with migrant communities in order to improve mutual understanding;
10.8carry out an objective analysis of the impact of political strategies of radical xenophobic populist parties.