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Resolution 2006 (2014) Final version
Integration of migrants in Europe: the need for a proactive, long-term and global policy
1. The Parliamentary Assembly refers
to its Resolution 1972
(2014) on ensuring that migrants are a benefit for European
host societies, and recalls that many European countries need legal
immigration, in particular due to the ageing of the population and
declining birth rates. Moreover, migrants are a source of cultural
enrichment for host societies.
2. However, in order to fully benefit from all the opportunities
provided by legal immigrants, host countries must ensure their successful
integration into society.
3. The Assembly considers the integration of legal immigrants
as a two-way process of inclusion in the institutions and relationships
of the host society, involving rights and responsibilities on both
sides. The main areas of integration include the labour market and
social services, education and political participation.
4. Regrettably, it has to be acknowledged that the overall levels
of integration remain unsatisfactory and the situation of legal
immigrants, and, even more worryingly, of their offspring, raises
justified concern in many Council of Europe member States.
5. As a rule, unemployment rates are higher for immigrants and
their offspring than for nationals. Similarly, both groups are more
frequently employed on a temporary basis, which results in insecurity
and limited access to social benefits. The incompatibility of their
occupational qualifications and skills with the labour market, often due
to the non-recognition between States of some qualifications and
diplomas, results in a waste of human resources. The low employment
rate in the public sector, as compared to nationals, is another
clear indication of insufficient integration, in particular for
the offspring of immigrants. Such economic and social disadvantages often
lead to isolation and the gradual expansion of “ghettos” for migrants.
6. While the percentage of immigrants and their offspring in
higher education is comparable to nationals in most Council of Europe
member States, the former are heavily overrepresented among those
who achieve the lowest level of education. They also encounter problems
linked to insufficient language skills.
7. The political participation of immigrants and their offspring
remains much lower than average citizen participation in the majority
of European countries. Discrimination on the basis of ethnicity
and religion remains a grave concern and provides a breeding ground
for hate crimes and violence.
8. Moreover, the economic recession in European countries – with
the overall rise of unemployment and the growth of xenophobic and
neo-racist manifestations – has seen an upsurge of tension in this
respect.
9. The Assembly emphasises, in particular, the vulnerability
of elderly migrants remaining in the host countries and, more specifically,
that of elderly migrant women, who are at risk of severe poverty.
10. Relying on quantitative and qualitative indicators, the Assembly
concludes that in many Council of Europe member States the existing
policies relevant to various areas of the integration of migrants
are insufficient and should be strengthened with a view to more
effectively promoting their integration.
11. In this context, the Assembly welcomes the initiatives taken
in some countries to create common facilities enabling migrants
and nationals to meet and discuss issues of common interest and
concern.
12. The Assembly therefore recommends that member States:
12.1. review their current integration
policies with a view to exploring solutions for better integration
of migrants;
12.2. increase co-operation between governments, local authorities
and non-governmental organisations to promote social cohesion and
diversity;
12.3. return to comprehensive policies which ensure a better
redistribution of wealth towards those with few (economic, cultural
and political) resources, including all migrant populations, both
recent and less recent. The positive effects of all such policies
would be to the advantage of those experiencing the most difficulties
without having a stigmatising effect on them and without producing
a feeling of exclusion;
12.4. in particular, with regard to the labour market:
12.4.1. facilitate access to vocational training for legal migrants
and their children;
12.4.2. facilitate recognition of diplomas and qualifications
acquired outside the host country;
12.4.3. introduce effective measures aimed at combating discrimination
in the labour market;
12.5. concerning education:
12.5.1. foster proficiency
in the language of the host country;
12.5.2. promote educational practices placing an emphasis on social
mix;
12.5.3. train teachers and school staff in intercultural practices;
12.5.4. avoid the practice of grouping and classifying pupils
according to their origin;
12.6. concerning democratic participation:
12.6.1. facilitate
access to the nationality of the host country and grant long-term
residence permits;
12.6.2. encourage migrants to exercise their freedom of expression
and association, particularly in political parties, trade unions
or civil society organisations;
12.6.3. ensure that migrants have a say in the democratic process
by granting them, in particular, the right to vote at local level;
12.6.4. reconsider, if it is not already the case, the introduction
of the right to dual nationality;
12.6.5. facilitate the preservation of ties between migrants and
their countries of origin;
12.7. concerning non-discrimination:
12.7.1. take measures
to counter attempts to make scapegoats of migrants in the economic
and social context and initiate, where appropriate, a calm debate
on immigration and its benefits for both the migrants concerned
and their host country;
12.7.2. encourage intercultural and interfaith dialogue;
12.8. concerning support to families:
12.8.1. use family
reunification more effectively as an instrument of integration;
12.8.2. take specific measures to assist elderly migrants, especially
women, with access to social protection and health services.