Print
See related documents
Committee Opinion | Doc. 14351 | 26 June 2017
A comprehensive humanitarian and political response to the migration and refugee crisis in Europe
Committee on Political Affairs and Democracy
A. Conclusions of the committee
(open)1. The Committee on Political
Affairs and Democracy congratulates the rapporteur of the Committee
on Migration, Refugees and Displaced Persons, Mr Duarte Marques
(Portugal, EPP/CD), on his excellent report and supports by and
large the proposed resolution and recommendation.
2. The committee shares in particular the main message of the
report prepared by Mr Marques as presented in his conclusions: while
most of the potential immediate and viable solutions, as well as
roadmaps for future sustainable migration management, exist at both
international and national levels, the problem mainly lies in the
effective implementation of policies on the ground and the fulfilment
of decisions already taken and pledges already made by European
States. The committee welcomes the fact that the report covers the
issue of the root causes of the migratory and refugee flows and
looks at global challenges to come, such as forced migration due
to climate change. It is also important that the report sheds light
on the positive aspects of migration as instrumental for renewed
dynamic and Europe’s survival of the “demographic winter” it is
entering.
3. For its part, the Committee on Political Affairs and Democracy
proposes some amendments to the draft resolution aimed at reinforcing
the message of the report by notably underlying the long-term nature
of the challenges raised by the migratory and refugee flows into
Europe (which go beyond a temporary “crisis”) and the principles
of solidarity and human dignity on which any comprehensive humanitarian
and political response to these challenges should be based.
B. Proposed amendments
(open)Amendment to the titles: Replace the words “in Europe” with the words “and the continuing flows into Europe”.
Amendment A (to the draft resolution)
In paragraph 1, replace the words “the migrant and refugee crisis remains one of the main challenges facing European countries” with the following words:
“no comprehensive humanitarian and political response has yet been given to the challenges raised by the large-scale migratory and refugee flows into Europe”.
Amendment B (to the draft resolution)
After paragraph 5, insert the following paragraph:
“The Assembly also welcomes the New York Declaration for Refugees and Migrants, adopted by the United Nations General Assembly in September 2016, which underlines the need for fair responsibility-sharing for hosting the world’s refugees and outlines a Comprehensive Refugee Response Framework calling for a whole-of-society approach.”
Amendment C (to the draft resolution)
In paragraph 7, replace the words “In view of the ever more urgent need to find comprehensive humanitarian and political responses to the crisis by improving co-operation and harmonising human rights protection,” with the following words:
“A comprehensive humanitarian and political response to the challenges raised by large-scale migratory and refugee flows into Europe should be based on the principles of human dignity and solidarity and aim at improving co-operation and harmonising human rights protection. Therefore,”
Amendment D (to the draft resolution)
Delete paragraphs 7.4 and 7.6 and, before paragraph 8, insert the following paragraph:
“The Assembly underlines that, for European Union member States, solidarity is a legal obligation emanating from the Treaties as well as a fundamental principle of European Union law. It therefore asks the European Union and/or its member States to:
1. fully implement without further delay the relocation and resettlement decisions already taken by the European Union, if they have not yet done so;
2. speed up the work on the adoption of the new Regulation on a common asylum procedure, replacing the Asylum Procedures Directive, and the reform of the Common European Asylum System, including the revision of the Dublin Regulation and the modalities of applying the principles of fair sharing of responsibility and solidarity in the future.”
Amendment E (to the draft resolution)
At the beginning of paragraph 8.6, replace the words “consider introducing a requirement that refugees undertake” with the following words:
“explore further incentives for resettled or relocated refugees”
C. Explanatory memorandum by Ms Ioanneta Kavvadia, rapporteur for opinion
(open)1. Regrettably more than a temporary “crisis”
1. The report prepared by Mr Marques
rightly looks at the overall challenges raised by large-scale migratory
and refugee flows, including their root causes during recent years,
but also anticipates future challenges such as forced migration
caused by unbalanced climate conditions.
2. It is thus clear from the report itself that the term “crisis”
alone does not do justice to the challenges European countries are
facing. In fact, the term “crisis” implies an exceptional, temporary
situation which should soon be overcome. However, the migratory
and refugee flows that Europe has been experiencing for the last
years are driven by geopolitical and economic dynamics in the neighbourhood
and beyond, such as the Syrian and Libyan conflicts, but also the
overall situation in Africa, which, regrettably, can be expected
to continue in the years to come.
3. The Committee on Political Affairs and Democracy has reacted
to the war in Syria already in 2012, then in 2013 and most recently
produced a report on the situation in Aleppo. It is shocking to
note that Resolution 1878
(2012) could have been written today, even though five years
have elapsed with dramatic humanitarian consequences, including
more than 300 000 deaths! We are indeed still in search of “an inclusive Syrian-led
political process” leading to a genuine political transition which
“must meet the aspirations of the Syrian people and enable them
to determine their own future independently and democratically,
through free and fair elections, after the country has been stabilised”. 
4. As regards the situation in Libya, our committee organised
a regional conference in Rome in June 2015 and discussed amongst
other things the situation in Libya with representatives also from
the country. Again, the situation has hardly
evolved since. We are still trying to achieve political and security
stability in Libya to help the Libyan authorities acquire control
over the land and sea borders and to combat transit and smuggling activities. The European Union’s support for the Presidency
Council and the Government of National Accord backed by the United
Nations was recently reaffirmed in the Malta Declaration, adopted
by the European Council on 3 February 2017, with the overall aim
of achieving “an inclusive political settlement under the framework
of the Libyan Political Agreement”.
Again, the situation has hardly
evolved since. We are still trying to achieve political and security
stability in Libya to help the Libyan authorities acquire control
over the land and sea borders and to combat transit and smuggling activities. The European Union’s support for the Presidency
Council and the Government of National Accord backed by the United
Nations was recently reaffirmed in the Malta Declaration, adopted
by the European Council on 3 February 2017, with the overall aim
of achieving “an inclusive political settlement under the framework
of the Libyan Political Agreement”. 5. As long as we fail to offer proper political responses to
these conflicts it is difficult to imagine how we will stop people
from fleeing these regions, taking the risk of losing their lives
and those of their loved ones, to flee war. I therefore fully share
Mr Marques’ view, reflected in the draft resolution proposed by
the Committee on Migration, Refugees and Displaced Persons, that
member States of the Council of Europe and countries in Europe’s
neighbourhood should pursue political dialogue with countries in
situations of armed conflict and do their utmost to promote peaceful
solutions. Our Assembly can play at least a limited but important
role, especially as a platform for dialogue, including with countries
whose parliament enjoys partner for democracy status, such as Jordan and Morocco, or with which we have established
a privileged dialogue, such as Tunisia.
and Morocco, or with which we have established
a privileged dialogue, such as Tunisia. 6. Other root causes of the migratory and refugee flows such
as economic hardship, due to increasing inequalities around the
globe, are regrettably also set to last while environmental causes,
linked to unbalanced climate conditions, become more acute with
the passage of time.
7. Therefore, I propose with Amendment F to add to the title
of the resolution a reference to “the continuing flows into Europe”
so that it is clear that what started as an emergency situation,
a “crisis”, is a phenomenon that continues and regrettably will
not end soon.
8. For the same reasons, I propose with Amendment A to refer
in the opening paragraph of the resolution to the “large-scale migratory
and refugee flows into Europe”. Amendment A aims also at reinforcing
the main message and purpose of the report, that is the need to
offer a “comprehensive humanitarian and political response”, something
Europe has so far failed to do, due mainly to lack of political
will by many European governments.
2. The principles of human dignity and solidarity as the basis of any comprehensive response
9. It is clear, and Mr Marques
report shares this position, that the challenges that large-scale
migratory and refugee flows in Europe have raised cannot be met
through the technocratic management of such flows or fragmented
policies of deterrence or “interception” of migrants or refugees,
even less so by the sealing of borders or the building of walls.
10. A comprehensive humanitarian and political response to these
challenges should be based on the principles and values of human
dignity and solidarity and aim at improving co-operation and harmonising human
rights protection, as defined, inter
alia, in the fundamental text of European legal culture,
the European Convention on Human Rights (ETS No. 5). This should
be the main message of the resolution we will adopt and, although
this is also the message of Mr Marques’ report, I propose to spell
out the principles that should guide our common response more clearly
through Amendment C.
11. Indeed, today one may wonder what has survived from the fundamental
values and high ideals that once inspired the early visionaries
of peaceful and democratic European integration. The refugee crisis
has become a catalyst for the emergence of phenomena, policies,
rhetoric and stereotypes that we thought we had finally buried in
the oblivion of the dark European past. Racism and xenophobia emerges
again amidst an overall atmosphere of institutional obsolescence
and decline; not only controls but also armed guards and barbed
wire in hermetically closed borders between European States are
making a comeback.
12. Full respect for human dignity and human rights of refugees
and asylum seekers is one of the axes upon which consensus for a
comprehensive response should be reached. While the issue of human
rights of refugees and migrants is dealt with by Mr Miltiadis Varvitsiotis’
report on “Human rights implications of the European response to
transit migration across the Mediterranean”, I would like, for my part, to underline
that European culture and European values are not at risk from refugees,
but only from those who, supposedly in order to defend that very
culture, engage in a crescendo misanthropy and racism. Europe will
have lost its values and its very essence if we shut the doors and
turn our backs on the people seeking refuge.
I would like, for my part, to underline
that European culture and European values are not at risk from refugees,
but only from those who, supposedly in order to defend that very
culture, engage in a crescendo misanthropy and racism. Europe will
have lost its values and its very essence if we shut the doors and
turn our backs on the people seeking refuge.13. Then comes solidarity and fair sharing of responsibility as
another fundamental principle on which any comprehensive response
to large movements of refugees and migrants in Europe, but also
the world as a whole, should be based. Let’s not forget, in fact,
that Europe is concerned by only a small percentage of the world’s
refugees.
14. The principles of solidarity and fair sharing of responsibilities
call for a fair and efficient system for the allocation and relocation
of refugees, based on the ability of each country to offer asylum
to specific numbers of refugees.
15. I explain below, under section 3 especially dealing with European
Union, what the principle of solidarity implies for its member States.
16. At a global level, it is worth referring to a recent text,
the New
York Declaration for Refugees and Migrants, adopted by the United Nations General Assembly in September
2016, which underlines the need for fair responsibility-sharing
for hosting the world’s refugees. This is why I propose Amendment
B.
17. This landmark political declaration is directed at improving
the way in which the international community as a whole responds
to large movements of refugees and migrants, including protracted
refugee situations. It reflects an understanding that protecting
those who are forced to flee, and supporting the countries and communities
that shelter them, are shared international responsibilities that
must be borne more equitably and in a more predictable manner.
18. In its Annex I, the New York Declaration outlines a Comprehensive
Refugee Response Framework calling on member States to develop a
multi-stakeholder, “whole-of-society” approach that includes “national and
local authorities, international organisations, international financial
institutions, regional organisations, regional co-ordination and
partnership mechanisms, civil society partners, including faith-based
organisations and academia, the private sector, media and the refugees
themselves”. In
particular, the framework seeks to ensure more sustainable refugee
responses by linking humanitarian and development efforts early
on in a crisis, and by strengthening sustainable approaches that
invest in the resilience of both refugees and local communities,
including through investment in national and local systems wherever
possible.
In
particular, the framework seeks to ensure more sustainable refugee
responses by linking humanitarian and development efforts early
on in a crisis, and by strengthening sustainable approaches that
invest in the resilience of both refugees and local communities,
including through investment in national and local systems wherever
possible. 19. Last but not least, a comprehensive humanitarian and political
response to the migratory and refugee crisis and the continuing
flows into Europe should include a complete policy for the social
and economic integration of refugees in European societies, as the
report by Mr Marques rightly points out. Religious fanaticism is
the last refuge of those who have nowhere else to turn, of the fragmented,
the marginalised. The link between indiscriminate violence and social
marginalisation, poverty, unemployment and racism is established
and cannot be denied.
20. Facilitating integration of resettled and relocated refuges
is a major challenge for hosting countries and it is not contested
that it requires particular efforts and investment on their part.
This is why I understand that the draft resolution proposed by the
migration committee refers to the need for these efforts and investment not
to be “wasted” in cases where refugees who receive assistance move
to another country. However, one cannot impose an “obligation” for
them to reside in the country which offered them assistance. Therefore,
I suggest through Amendment E to maintain the message but rephrase
it so that it is clear that we do not want to oblige the refugees
to settle in a given country but we wish to create incentives so
that they do chose to settle in the country which offered them assistance
and facilitated their integration.
3. Implications of the principle of solidarity for European Union member States
21. As I mentioned above, any comprehensive
political response to the challenges raised by the migratory and
refugee flows now and in the future should be based on the principal
of solidarity.
22. In this section devoted exclusively to the European Union,
I would like to underline that, for the member States of the European
Union, solidarity is not just a political principle member States
may choose to implement or not. It is a legal obligation emanating
from Article 80 of the Treaty on the Functioning of the European
Union (TFEU) and a fundamental principle of European Union law.
23. This principle is translated into concrete fundamental decisions
taken by the European Union in 2015 on relocation and resettlement
of migrants and refugees, designed to share the burden and the responsibility
more equitably among member States. It is unacceptable that these
legally binding decisions, two years later, have to a great extent
remained only on paper. One wonders how it is that the principle
of pacta sunt servanda does not
apply in this case. It is to be hoped that the Court of Luxembourg,
currently examining the cases of Hungary and the Slovak Republic
in this respect, will remove any doubt as to the legal obligation
of member States of the European Union to implement decisions already
taken by them.
24. In fact, how can we speak about reforming the European migration
policy when Europe has failed to implement its own policies and
decisions on this issue?
25. Hence, by Amendment D, I suggest we clarify in a single paragraph
dealing with the specific responsibilities at European Union level,
the legal character of the principle of solidarity and the need
to implement fully relocation and resettlement decisions already
taken.
26. Furthermore, I suggest that we are more precise about the
stage of procedure within the European Union as regards the reform
process and in particular the adoption of the new Regulation on
a common asylum procedure. The latter is in fact currently blocked
within the European Council by some member States. Rather than calling
for implementation once adopted, we should therefore start by calling
for its rapid adoption.
27. I fully agree with the draft resolution as proposed when it
suggests the reform of the whole European Common Asylum System,
including the revision of the Dublin Regulation. In the wording
I propose, I think it is made clearer that this reform should precisely
provide for a fixed and permanent system of fair sharing of responsibility
among the member States of the European Union in application of
the legally binding principle of solidarity. In my view, the only
viable option to achieve this is the legal sanctioning of compulsory
quotas for the relocation of asylum seekers, based on specific criteria
integrated within the Schengen system, in order to obtain automatic
application.
28. In conclusion, I would like to recall the speech Václav Havel
pronounced in Aix La Chapelle in 1996 when he said that the European
Union represented an unprecedented attempt to transform Europe into
a democratic space governed by solidarity.
29. Today we have before us perhaps the last opportunity to rescue
the values upon which united Europe is built, solidarity, democracy
and equality among the partner States, and to guarantee that the
States and peoples of Europe will continue on their common path.
We must work together in good faith and in a spirit of mutual understanding
to achieve this.