Situation of homosexual partnerships in respect to asylum and migration in legislation and practice in the member states of the Council of Europe

Motion for a Resolution

Doc. 7864

1 July 1997

presented by Mrs Irmtraut Karlsson and others

In Europe the legal instruments on refugees and migration grant protection and certain rights, like family reunion, only to heterosexual couples and partnerships.

The countries of Europe have however made various arrangements for dealing with "non-conventional refugees" and migrants in homosexual partnerships.

As a result conditions regulating homosexual partnerships for refugees and migrants differ substantially from one country to another.

At the present time any broadening of the definition of "refugee" set forth in the Geneva convention or a broadening of the status of migrants seems very difficult. Nevertheless in order to formulate protection for homosexual partnerships and make the best arrangements to the advantage of those concerned, the Assembly decides to carry out an in-depth study of the legislation and practice of dealing with homosexual partnerships in asylum and migration, to identify the general principles in order to draw up a common reference framework to serve as a basis for the legislation and practices of the states of Europe in this field.

Signed: (1)

Karlsson, Austria, SOC

Akselsen, Norway, SOC

Blattmann, Norway, SOC

Gelderblom-Lankhout, Netherlands, LDR

Gjellerod, Denmark, SOC

Gross, Switzerland, SOC

I. B. Johansson, Sweden, SOC

McNamara, United Kingdom, SOC

H. Moser, Austria, LDR

Nistad, Norway, SOC

Pantelejevs, Latvia, LDR

Schicker, Austria, SOC

Vermot-Mangold, Switzerland, SOC

Note: 1SOC: Socialist Group

EPP: 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 any political group