Doc. 9339

31 January. 2002

Repatriation programmes in member states

Motion for a recommendation

presented by Mrs Vaira Paegle and others

      Within the last ten years, due to the collapse of the USSR, conflicts in the Balkans, Chechnya and now in Afghanistan, millions of people have been left stranded or been displaced as refugees in Council of Europe member states.

      As conflicts subside and conditions permit, many of these same people wish to return to their ethnic homelands.

      As a result, member states are increasingly confronted with individuals seeking repatriation funds and services.

      Unfortunately, more often than not, neither the countries of origin nor the countries of destination have viable repatriation programmes. This is of concern to the Assembly as the basic right of freedom of movement is being limited.

      Therefore, the Assembly recommends that the Committee of Ministers:

1.       study the problem of repatriation and report its findings to the Assembly,

2.       develop guidelines for establishing viable repatriation programmes in countries of origin;

3.       explore funding of existing repatriation programmes.

Signed (see overleaf)

Signed : ¹

Paegle, Latvia, EPP/CD

Aliyev B, Azerbaijan, SOC

Berzinš, Latvia, NR

Hajiyeva, Azerbaijan, EPP/CD

Labanovskis, Latvia, SOC

Makhachev, Russia, SOC

Pangalos, Greece, SOC

Patarkalishvili, Georgia, EPP/CD

Stankevič, Lithuania, EDG

Štepová, 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