Doc. 9948

30 September 2003

Integration difficulties of immigrants as a potential threat to the fundamental values of the Council of Europe

Motion for a recommendation

presented by Mr Branger and others

1.       The continued existence of problems linked to the integration of immigrant communities in different Council of Europe member states may today pose a threat to the fundamental values of the Council of Europe and ultimately destabilise the identity of European societies founded on social cohesion, development and citizen participation.

2.       Given the sad escalation of terrorist acts in recent months, the Assembly notes that numerous Council of Europe member States tend to dismiss the problems of integration as a secondary concern and harden their immigration policies, particularly as regards border controls, combating illegal immigration or expulsion (or repatriation) procedures.

3.       Communities of immigrants very often follow cultural, religious or social traditions that are different or even incompatible with the democratic values upheld by the host state. This is the case of communities steeped in fundamentalism or any extremist religion.

4.       This situation is generating a collective feeling of insecurity and changing public perceptions of immigrant communities and religious minorities. These communities are perceived as a potential threat to national security and the democratic values advocated by the host state.

5.       While reiterating its commitment to combating all forms of political extremism, the Parliamentary Assembly wishes to point out that immigrants legally resident in a member state form an integral part of our societies and that their effective participation in the different workings of the state is a condition sine qua non for the guarantee of lasting social cohesion.

6.       A successful integration policy implies that immigrant communities are made responsible for fulfilling their obligations as citizens and comply with the democratic rules laid down by the host state.

7.       The Parliamentary Assembly notes that, in Council of Europe member states, certain immigrant communities remain isolated and not well integrated despite the integration policies introduced. This situation is potentially dangerous as it generates social tension and undermines social cohesion and democratic values based on equal rights, obligations and opportunities.

8.       The Parliamentary Assembly whose tasks are to uphold human rights, pluralist democracy and the rule of law and to promote the cultural identity and diversity of Europe, believes it important to set about exploring in-depth the means of breaking the isolation of certain immigrant and/or religious communities and fostering their integration in society, and means of raising awareness within those communities and associating them with the fundamental values of the Council of Europe while respecting the principle of cultural and religious diversity and ensuring that this principle is not used to justify practices contrary to fundamental human rights.

9.       The Assembly believes that education and media campaigns promoting civic-minded citizenship are a key means of combating and preventing prejudice and inciting immigrant communities to respect for human rights and democratic values.

10.       It seems vital to begin that exploration process today if we are to avoid the formation of parallel societies, or even ghettos, and the spread of fundamentalist and extremist ideas within those communities. At the same time, the true and lasting integration of immigrant communities in our societies will make it possible to limit the influence of extremist parties and movements in Europe that base their ideology and practices on intolerance, exclusion, xenophobia, anti-Semitism and ultra-nationalism.

11.       Consequently, the Assembly recommends that the Committee of Ministers:

i.       develop school curricula and training programmes promoting the fundamental values of the Council of Europe, with emphasis on the notions of civic-minded citizenship, respect for differences and social tolerance;

ii.       encourage awareness-building campaigns to promote intercultural dialogue;

iii.       back the initiatives of civil society, youth organisations and associations representing immigrants which play a key role in the process of integration and social cohesion;

iv.       oppose any measure or practice discriminating against immigrants, particularly where access to employment or working conditions are concerned,

v.       examine the right of immigrants to be represented and participate in economic, social, cultural and political life, particularly at the level of local elections;

vi.       adopt specific integration measures for women and children, who are often the least protected and most isolated categories.

Signed ¹:

Branger, France, EDG

Dačić, Serbia and Montenegro, SOC

Dubié, Belgium, NR

Etherington, United Kingdom, SOC

Gadzinowski, Poland, SOC

Hancock, United Kingdom, LDR

Haupert, Luxembourg, EPP/CD

Jovašević, Serbia and Montenegro, EPP/CD

Judd, United Kingdom, SOC

Popa, Romania, SOC

Salles, France, EPP/CD

Stoisits, Austria, SOC

Tkáč, Slovakia, EDG

Wray, United Kingdom, SOC

Zwerver, Netherlands, SOC

¹        SOC: Socialist Group

      EPP/CD: Group of the European People’s Party

      EDG: European Democratic Group

      LDR : Liberal, Democratic and Reformers’ Group

      UEL: Group of the Unified European Left

      NR: not registered in a group