Doc. 8936

23 January 2001

Population displacement in South–Eastern Europe: trends, problems, solutions

Motion for a recommendation

presented by Mrs Zwerver and others

This motion has not been discussed in the Assembly and commits only the members who have signed it

      The Assembly,

1.       Considering its contribution to the implementation of the Stability Pact for South Eastern Europe, namely to “strengthening countries in South Eastern Europe in their efforts to foster peace, democracy, respect for human rights and economic prosperity, in order to achieve stability in the whole region”;

2.       Taking into particular consideration the need for “preventing forced population displacement caused by war, persecution and civil strife as well as migration generated by poverty;” as well as the necessity of “ensuring the same and free return of all refugees and displaced persons to their homes, while assisting the countries in the region by sharing the burden imposed upon them.”;

3.       Convinced that there will be no sustainable peace in South-Eastern Europe with internally displaced persons in the region;

4.       Welcoming the fact that the Pact recognised that “the Council of Europe can make an important contribution to the objectives of the Pact through its parliamentary and intergovernmental organs and institutions”;

5.       Welcoming the Regional Return Initiative, which has been launched by the Special Co-ordinator of the Stability Pact at the request of the UN High Commissioner for Refugees and involves the main agencies in return issues (UNHCR, OHR and OSCE), and who is a coordinating body of international action on return;

6.       Convinced that the problems of refugees, asylum seekers and internally displaced persons (IDPs) in South-Eastern Europe can be solved only through the concerted efforts and financial support of all countries in the region, with the assistance of the Council of Europe and its member states;

7.       Concerned by the fact that certain donor countries may be considering to decrease their contribution

8.       Recommends that the Committee of Ministers

i.       recognise that high priority has to be placed on the question of refugees and IDPs in South-Eastern Europe and that peace and stability in the region will only be assured when this central problem has been solved;

ii.       take stock of the humanitarian situation of refugees, internally displaced persons (IDPs) and returnees in the countries of South-Eastern Europe, as well as the main countries in which they have found refuge over the last ten years;

iii.       evaluate how far the humanitarian needs of the refugees, IDPs and returnees are being met and how effective the cooperation is between the international agencies which are directly involved in this task;

iv.       evaluate what progress is being made in implementing solutions in the areas with respect to return, integration, resettlement, as well as asylum and migration policies;

v.       continue and intensify the Council of Europe programmes towards South-Eastern Europe and urge member states to step up their financial support for the return process.

Signed : ¹

Zwerver, Netherlands, SOC

Barsony, Hungary, SOC

Bergqvist, Sweden, SOC

Davis, United Kingdom, SOC

de Puig, Spain, SOC

Eörsi, Hungary, LDR

Feric-Vac, Croatia, SOC

Giligoroski, Macedonia, EPP/CD

Gjellerod, Denmark, SOC

Glesener, Luxembourg, EPP/CD

Iwinski, Poland, SOC

Judd, United Kingdom, SOC

Kautto, Finland, SOC

Mutman, Turkey, SOC

Ojuland, Estonia, LDR

Severinsen, Denmark, LDR

Stepová, Czech Republic, 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