Doc. 11419

4 October 2007

Concerns over the way in which irregular migrants
are being “hunted” in Europe

Written Declaration No 404

This written declaration commits only the members who have signed it

      The undersigned, members of the Assembly, make the following declaration:

1.       European states are entitled to decide on which foreigners they may let enter into their countries and to return those who are in an irregular situation.

2.       However in carrying out this, they must respect the human rights and human dignity of those in an irregular situation.

3.       There are serious concerns as to the way in which irregular migrants are being rounded up in certain member states and being returned to their countries of origin, with families being split and insufficient regard being given to the right to family life, the degree of integration of families and onward going appeals concerning asylum claims.

4.       In France, NGOs have been demonstrating outside the Council of Europe complaining of the climate of fear in France and of their offices being targeted by police who arrest people in the vicinity knowing that they are seeking assistance as irregular migrants.

5.       France is not alone in taking firm measures against irregular migrants, but these measures should not affect the human rights and human dignity of irregular migrants, nor create an unnecessary climate of fear for these persons. Furthermore these measures should not affect the role of NGOs in carrying out their human rights and humanitarian mandate.

Signed (see overleaf)

Signed¹:

VERMOT-MANGOLD Ruth-Gaby, Switzerland, SOC

ACKETOFT Tina, Sweden, ALDE

BANOVIĆ Donka, Serbia, EPP/CD

DUPRAZ John, Switzerland, ALDE

ERR Lydie, Luxembourg, SOC

GERVEN Henkvan, Netherlands, UEL

GROSS Andreas, Switzerland, SOC

HAGBERG Michael, Sweden, SOC

JURGENS Erik, Netherlands, SOC

LINDBLAD Göran, Sweden, EPP/CD

MENDONÇA Ana Catarina, Portugal, SOC

MEULENBELT Anja, Netherlands, UEL

NAKASHIDZÉ Nino, Georgia, ALDE

OHLSSON Carina, Sweden, SOC

PERNASKA Lajla, Albania, EPP/CD

PLATVOET Leo, Netherlands, UEL

de PUIG Lluís Maria, Spain, SOC

RUPPRECHT Marlene, Germany, SOC

SYDOW Björnvon, Sweden, SOC

VIS Rudi, United Kingdom, SOC

WURM Gisela, Austria, SOC

YAZDANFAR Maryam, Sweden, SOC

__________________________

Total = 22

¹        SOC: Socialist Group

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

      ALDE: Alliance of Liberals and Democrats for Europe

      EDG: European Democratic Group

      UEL: Group of the Unified European Left

      NR: not registered in a group