Interim reply to Recommendation 1334 (1997) on refugees, asylum seekers and displaced persons in the Commonwealth of Independent States (CIS)

Communication from the Committee of Ministers

Doc. 7910

17 September 1997

(adopted by the Committee of Ministers on 10 September 1997 at the 600th meeting of the Ministers' Deputies)

The concern of the Parliamentary Assembly for refugees, asylum-seekers and displaced persons, whether in the Commonwealth of Independent States, as expressed in Recommendation 1334 (1997), or elsewhere in Europe, is shared by the Committee of Ministers. This is indeed a question certain to be given attention at the Second Summit of Heads of State and Government (Strasbourg, 10-11 October 1997).

The Ministers' Deputies, for their part, decided at their 598th meeting (July 1997) to bring this recommendation to the attention of member governments.

They also decided to seek the opinion on the relevant specific recommendations of the Ad Hoc Committee of Experts on Legal Aspects of Territorial Asylum, Refugees and Stateless Persons (CAHAR).

Furthermore, they decided to seek comments from the Governing Board of the Social Development Fund, drawing its attention to the paragraph concerning it.

At the same time, the recommendation was forwarded for information to the European Committee on Migration (CDMG).

The Committee of Ministers will give a substantial reply to the Assembly, supplementing the present interim reply, in the light of the results of the Second Summit and of the opinions and comments it has requested.