Doc. 9434

24 April 2002

European global perspective on emigrant / immigrant policies

Motion for a recommendation

presented by Mrs Aguiar and others

1.       By considering the problem of immigrants and emigrants in separate studies one tends to lose the perspective that all expatriates do have simultaneously both capacities. And in fact, more and more member states of the Council of Europe are now becoming, at the same time, countries of origin and host countries of significant numbers of migrants, with nationals settling abroad and foreigners moving in and integrating in their societies.

2.       The promotion of dialogue among countries which have experience as countries of emigration and immigration will certainly contribute to casting a light on discriminatory provisions and practices affecting citizens abroad as well as immigrants. An important aspect to be addressed in this context is to what extent political representation rights are guaranteed for these two categories. The awareness that both groups face discrimination may increase the sense of solidarity between them.

3.       It is also of the utmost importance to highlight the role of cultural and social organisations which are set up by migrant communities with a view to maintaining a link with the country of origin and the host country at the same time. The importance of such organisations has been acknowledged by some governments through the creation of consultative bodies of citizens abroad and immigrant communities with a view to enhancing active participation.

4.       The contribution of these institutions and consultative bodies should be acknowledged and reinforced at European level, so that they may share common interests and values.

Therefore the Assembly recommends that the Committee of Ministers:

i.       promote, in consultation with the Parliamentary Assembly, the necessary initiatives to survey existing consultative bodies and improve their means of acting on behalf of emigrants and immigrants;

ii.       invite non-governmental organisations of citizens abroad and immigrants to create a network with a view to elaborating a common approach in defence of the rights of these two groups.

Signed: see overleaf

Signed : ¹

Aguiar, Portugal, EPP

Agramunt, Spain, EPP

Akgöncenç, Turkey, EDG

Branger, France, EPP

Bušić, Croatia, EPP

Cilevičs, Latvia, SOC

Danieli, Italy, LDR

Dmitrijevas, Lithuania, SOC

Iwínski, Poland, SOC

Judd, United Kingdom, SOC

Skarbøvik, Norway, EPP

Vermot-Mangold, Switzerland, SOC

¹        SOC: 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 a group