|
|
|
EDITORIAL Welcome to the Council of Europe Migration Newsletter. The Newsletter provides a glance at a wide range of Council of Europe activities on migration, asylum and integration and is now published monthly under the auspices of the Directorate General of Human Rights and Rule of Law. Migration constitutes an ever-growing concern within the field of human rights and across Europe different aspects of migration profoundly affect social well-being. Here, the Council of Europe has a lot to offer as we address migration above all from the perspective of human rights. We hope this newsletter gives you an insight into some of our work in this regard and we welcome your suggestions for improvement.
|
|
|
|
The Hague, 30 June 2014 The round table will be divided into four sessions: 1) ECRI report’s main findings; 2) Preventing racism and intolerance: the role of the national and local authorities; 3) Combating hate speech and intolerance; and 4) Fostering integration of vulnerable groups. Opening statements will be made by Ronald Plasterk, Minister of Interior Affairs, Barbara John, ECRI’s Vice-Chair, and Laurien Koster, Chair of the Netherlands Institute for Human Rights. ECRI’s report on the Netherlands will be presented by Siniša Bjeković, Rovshan Ismayilov and Baldur Kristjánsson, ECRI members. In addition to national and local authorities, the round table will bring together representatives of the judiciary and the media, international organisations and NGOs, as well as members of vulnerable groups. This event aims at contributing positively to the national debate on combating racial discrimination and intolerance in the country, as well as raising awareness among the general public about these issues. In the aforementioned report, ECRI noted a number of improvements but expressed concern about other issues, such as the cutting of funds for various anti-discrimination structures, changing attitudes to integration and the cost of residence permits. Moreover, it was reported that certain politicians and media often portray Islam and Muslims, as well as the arrival of Eastern Europeans, as a threat to Dutch society. The criminal-law response to some of these statements has been criticised. […]
|
|
|
|
|
Paris, 27 June 2014 The fourth meeting of the Steering Committee of the Regional Housing Programme (RHP), as well as the seventh meeting of the RHP Fund Assembly of Donors, took place on 23 June in Zagreb. The Donors praised the Partner Countries for the progress achieved to date. During the past months, the RHP has moved from preparation to implementation. Altogether 12 projects were approved in 2013, for a total of EUR 61 million in grants. The meeting of the Steering Committee was also an opportunity for Partner Countries, Donors and international stakeholders to discuss the recent floods in the region. Participants agreed that the implementation of the RHP and the response to the floods should be managed separately but in a coordinated manner. The meeting was followed by a signing ceremony for two Grant Agreements between the Republic of Croatia and the CEB: one in an amount of EUR 2.6 million for the construction of two apartment buildings in Knin for 40 vulnerable families, and the other one in an amount of EUR 4.3 million for the purchase of flats for 101 eligible families throughout Croatia. […] The Donors also approved a EUR 10.6 million grant in favour of the latest sub- project proposal submitted by Serbia, aiming at providing durable housing solutions for 661 refugee families throughout Serbia. […]
|
|
|
|
|
Brussels, 26-27 June 2014 C4i-Communication for Integration will organise its second coordination meeting in Brussels, June 26-27. Participants from the 11 C4i cities will participate in the meeting, along with the consultants and the C4i team in the Council of Europe. The second meeting aims to follow-up the development of the local antirumours campaigns in each city, and to pay attention to communicative tools and training sessions. Specific objectives of the meeting are: 1) Presentation, assessment and exchange of views on the local antirumours campaigns; shaping the implementation of the project, especially upcoming events and innovative communication tools; 2) Presentation of the Barcelona experience in antirumours training; presentation and exchange of views on C4i anti-rumours training: training for trainers and antirumours agents training; 3) Presentation and exchange of views on I&C factors of the C4i project; 4) Presentation of the evaluation process of the C4i project; and 5) Follow-up of project management process on the issues such budget management, reporting, communication. […]
|
|
|
|
|
PACE: Cultural diversity is vital for building European identity Strasbourg, 26 June 2014 PACE has called for a radical change in political discourse and action so that new ways can be found to celebrate cultural diversity as a positive factor for innovation and development. Approving a report by Carlos Costa Neves (Portugal, EPP/DC), the Assembly said it was alarmed by the rise of anti-democratic and xenophobic political parties in Europe and wanted to highlight the positive role of different cultures in the building of national identities and of a European identity. […]
|
|
|
|
|
Strasbourg, 26 June 2014 The applicants, Mariana de los Santos and Angela de la Cruz, are nationals of the Dominican Republic who were born in 1962 and 1979 respectively. The case concerned the conditions in which they had been detained prior to their expulsion from Greece. They were arrested on 10 August 2011 for illegal entry and placed in detention with a view to their deportation in the premises of the Thessaloniki department for illegal immigration. The applicants stated, in particular, that they had been detained in an overcrowded cell which had been insufficiently lit on account of a metal grill covering the windows. They also submitted that the sum of 5.87 euros allocated to them per day had not enabled them to purchase a meal each. The applicants were transferred on 1 and 22 September respectively to the Aliens Directorate of Attica, from where they were deported a few days later. They submitted that, in this last detention facility, it had been impossible to breathe on account of smoke from the detainees’ cigarettes, and they described numerous sanitary and hygiene problems, particularly the fact that there had been only a single shower and a single toilet for all of the female detainees. The Court held that there has been a violation of Article 3 concerning the applicants’ conditions of detention in the premises of the Thessaloniki department for illegal immigration. […]
|
|
|
|
|
Strasbourg, 26 June 2014 The applicant, Fayzullo Egamberdiyev, is a national of Uzbekistan who was born in 1975 and is currently in custody in the Omsk Centre for Social Adaptation. The case concerned proceedings for his removal from Russia to Uzbekistan. Having arrived in Russia in November 2008, Mr Egamberdiyev was arrested in Omsk on 22 February 2013 and charged with using a false passport and illegally crossing the Russian border. Subsequently he was placed in detention pending extradition, as he was wanted by the Uzbek authorities on suspicion of being a member of an extremist religious organisation (Nurchilar). The custodial preventive measure against him was lifted on 23 May 2013 but he remained in detention until 6 June 2013 when he was transferred to police custody pending criminal proceedings brought against him on the false passport charges. He was found guilty in those proceedings on 17 September 2013 and, sentenced to a fine, was released. In September 2013, he was re-arrested on the basis of an expulsion order against him issued on 23 May 2013 and placed in custody pending expulsion where he remains to this day. His removal has been suspended on the basis of an interim measure granted by the European Court of Human Rights on 31 May 2013 under Rule 39 of its Rules of Court, which indicated to the Russian Government that he should not be removed pending the current proceedings before the European Court. Mr Egamberdiyev’s application for refugee status, alleging a risk of persecution on religious grounds, was rejected by the migration service in September 2013. Relying in particular on Article 3 (prohibition of torture and of inhuman or degrading treatment), Mr Egamberdiyev alleged that, if returned to Uzbekistan, he would face a real risk of torture and ill-treatment. He also alleged under Article 5 § 1 (f) (right to liberty and security) that his detention pending administrative removal after 23 May 2013 had been unlawful, claiming that the real purpose of the expulsion proceedings had been to keep him in custody pending the outcome of the extradition proceedings. The Court held that there would have been a violation of Article 3, in the event of Mr Egamberdiyev’s forced return to Uzbekistan, and that there has been a violation of Article 5 § 1 (f), in respect of Mr Egamberdiyev’s detention in the framework of the expulsion proceedings. An interim measure (Rule 39 of the Rules of Court) – not to remove Mr Egamberdiyev’s – is still in force until judgment becomes final or until further order. […]
|
|
|
|
|
Strasbourg, 26 June 2014 The applicant, Mr M.E., is a Libyan national who is currently living in Sweden. The case concerned Mr M.E.’s threatened expulsion from Sweden to Libya, where he alleged he would be at risk of persecution and ill-treatment because he is a homosexual. Mr M.E. first arrived in Sweden in July 2010 and applied for asylum. In the ensuing domestic proceedings, he claimed that he was at risk if deported to Libya on account of his prior involvement in the country in illegal weapons transport and because of his homosexuality. Indeed, he had been living with a man in Sweden since December 2010 and they had married in September 2011. His case was examined by the Migration Board, the Migration Court and the Migration Court of Appeal, which found that his claims, which had altered and escalated throughout the proceedings, lacked credibility. Ultimately, the Migration Board rejected his request for reconsideration in December 2012, which concluded that he could temporarily return to Libya and from there could apply for family reunion with his partner. Relying in particular on Article 3 (prohibition of torture and of inhuman or degrading treatment), Mr M.E. alleged that, if he were forced to return to Libya to apply for family reunion from there, he would be at real risk of persecution and ill-treatment, primarily because of his homosexuality but also due to previous problems with the Libyan military authorities following his arrest for smuggling illegal weapons. The Court held that there would have been no violation of Article 3, in the event of the applicant’s expulsion to Libya. An interim measure (Rule 39 of the Rules of Court) – not to remove the applicant to Libya – is still in force until judgment becomes final or until further order. […]
|
|
|
|
|
Strasbourg, 26 June 2014 In today’s Chamber judgment in the case of Shcherbina v. Russia (application no. 41970/11), which is not final, the European Court of Human Rights held, unanimously, that there had been a violation of Article 5 § 5 (enforceable right to compensation for unlawful detention) in conjunction with Article 5 § 1 (right to liberty and security) of the European Convention on Human Rights, and a violation of Article 5 § 4 (right to have lawfulness of detention decided speedily by a court). The case concerned the detention pending extradition from Russia to Kazakhstan of a man wanted by the Kazakh authorities, and in particular the duration of the review proceedings examining the lawfulness of his detention order. The Court held that the period of 16 days between Mr Shcherbina’s request for review of the detention order and the relevant court decision had been excessive, given that the original detention order had been issued by a prosecutor, not by a judge. […]
|
|
|
|
|
Strasbourg, 25 June 2014 The Parliamentary Assembly of the Council of Europe today expressed its concern about the situation of immigrants and their offspring in Europe, whose overall level of integration remains unsatisfactory in its view. Relying on quantitative and qualitative indicators in the report prepared by Marietta Karamanli (France, SOC), the parliamentarians concluded that in many member States the existing State policies relevant to various areas of the integration of migrants are insufficient In order to promote integration more effectively, the Assembly emphasised the need to return to comprehensive policies which ensure a better redistribution of wealth towards those with few resources, and advocated a series of measures relating to the labour market, education, political participation, discrimination and family reunification. […]
|
|
|
|
|
Vienna & Strasbourg, 25 June 2014 The Handbook on European law relating to asylum, borders and immigration, which builds on the experience of a previous joint project between the two institutions, was welcomed in particular by lawyers, judges and immigration practitioners, who work on such issues on an everyday basis. Altogether, the handbook has so far been downloaded approximately 26,000 times from the FRA and ECtHR websites. "The very positive feedback on this publication indicates that there was a significant need for a manual on the various aspects of European law in these areas" said Court Registrar Erik Fribergh. Today’s handbook updates the material previously published in English, French, German and Italian, and is additionally being published for the first time in Hungarian and Spanish, with more language versions coming later this year. It is aimed at lawyers, judges, prosecutors, border guards, immigration officials and others working with national authorities, as well as non-governmental organisations confronted with legal issues in the areas covered by the handbook in all these countries. The manual focuses on law covering the situation of third-country nationals in Europe and covers a broad range of topics, including access to asylum procedures, procedural safeguards and legal support in asylum and return cases, detention and restrictions to freedom of movement, forced returns, and economic and social rights. It takes into account both the case-law of the ECHR and that of the Court of Justice of the European Union (CJEU), and contains the relevant EU Regulations and Directives as well as references to the European Social Charter and other Council of Europe instruments. […]
|
|
|
|
|
Strasbourg, 24-26 June 2014 Within the framework of the Roma Youth Action Plan, the Youth Department of the Council of Europe organises on 24-26 June 2014 the conference "United for Dignity" on the specific situation of Roma young people affected by multiple discrimination. Roma activists, LGBT, women’s and migrants' organisations and members of a Roma rap band are among the 50 participants at the conference, which aims to tackle the multiple discrimination faced by Roma young people across Europe. The conference is the continuation of the work of the Youth Department on researching and understanding issues related to multiple discrimination of young Roma people. During the conference, the results of a research project on life stories of young Roma people facing discrimination will be presented. A new book on the subject, Barrabaripen/Equality, will likewise be launched at the conference. The book details the often shocking discrimination faced by young people who are Roma and also female and/or LGBT or migrants. […]
|
|
|
|
|
Strasbourg, 24 June 2014 Adopting a resolution on "The left-to-die boat: actions and reactions", the Council of Europe Parliamentary Assembly, meeting in plenary session in Strasbourg, today acknowledged important efforts by member States, Italy in particular, towards saving more lives at sea. Simultaneously, however, it noted that a number of concerns remain, "including failures to co-operate, define and admit responsibility and learn lessons". The adopted text, based on a report by Tineke Strik (Netherlands, SOC) calls for "zero tolerance towards lives lost at sea", recommending clear, binding and common standards for search and rescue (SAR) operations and disembarkation, further commitment to assisting coastal states to increase resources for SAR and to end all disincentives for private vessels to conduct rescues. The Assembly also called for the creation of safe legal channels to Europe through further harmonisation of common asylum procedures and solidarity. A second report by Christopher Chope (United Kingdom, EDG) on "The large-scale arrival of mixed migratory flows on Italian shores", debated jointly with Ms Strik’s report, commended the "improved efforts by the Italian authorities to respond to emergencies", in particular through the Mare Nostrum operation, while it underlined that there are yet further structural challenges within the Italian and European migration policies in dire need of action to make the systems fit for purpose. The adopted text calls on the Italian authorities to implement a comprehensive set of measures to deal with mixed migratory arrivals and to address reception, humanitarian and protection needs in the long run. The text underlines in particular the need for the Italian authorities to secure a reliable, fair and transparent system to identify migrants immediately after their arrival, and to step up its efforts in identifying, arresting and bringing to justice traffickers and smugglers. It further pleads for European authorities to redefine their immigration policies and regulations and to support them with adequate financial and operational means. The parliamentarians welcomed the announced priority given by the Italian authorities to the development of a common European response to arrivals of mixed migratory flows on European southern shores during its forthcoming Presidency of the Council of the European Union. The Assembly also recommended that the Committee of Ministers considers ways of introducing a new international crime, possibly defined as a crime against humanity, when a person receives a financial benefit for transporting people in a vessel which is unsafe for the purpose and which may cause death or injury at sea. It should also consider the need for an extensive review of the Dublin Regulation and its implementation. […]
|
|
|
|
|
Strasbourg, 24 June 2014 A delegation of the Council of Europe's Group of Experts on Action against Trafficking in Human Beings (GRETA) carried out an evaluation visit to Germany from 13 to 20 June 2014. The visit was organised in the context of the first round of evaluation of the implementation of the Council of Europe Convention on Action against Trafficking in Human Beings. During the visit, the GRETA delegation held consultations with officials from the Federal Ministry of the Interior, the Federal Ministry of Justice and Consumer Protection, the Federal Ministry of Labour and Social Affairs, the Federal Foreign Office, the Federal Ministry of Economic Co-operation and Development, the Federal Ministry of Family Affairs, Senior Citizens, Women and Youth, the Federal Criminal Police Office, and the Federal Office for Migration and Refugees. Further, meetings were held with representatives of the regional governments in Berlin, Dresden, Düsseldorf, Hamburg and Mainz, as well as with officials from the police, public prosecutor’s office, Federal Head Offices of Finance, immigration authorities and health departments in the Länder Berlin, Hamburg, North Rhine-Westphalia, Rhineland-Palatinate and Saxony. In addition, the delegation met with civil society organisations, trade unions, academics and representatives of the Office of the United Nations High Commissioner for Refugees. In the course of the visit, the GRETA delegation visited two shelters providing accommodation and assistance to victims of trafficking: one for migrant women who have experienced violence, exploitation or human trafficking, run by the NGO Ban Ying in Berlin, and a women’s shelter in Frankfurt am Main run by an association financed by the municipality. […]
|
|
|
|
|
Strasbourg, 24 June 2014 The Committee on Migration, Refugees and Displaced Persons of the Parliamentary Assembly of the Council of Europe, meeting in Strasbourg on 24 June 2014, and basing itself on the hearing it held with the participation of a representative of the UNHCR and a representative of the Ukrainian NGO "Union of the IDPs », adopted a declaration calling for urgent assistance for IDPs in Ukraine: "The Committee on Migration, Refugees and Displaced Persons expresses its concern at the consequences of the ongoing conflict for the humanitarian situation in Ukraine. The displacement of large numbers of the Ukrainian population, both from the Crimea and from the south-eastern regions of Ukraine is having a growing impact on the humanitarian situation of the country as a whole. According to UNHCR statistics, as of 23 June 2014, the overall number of internally displaced persons in Ukraine amounted to 46 100; including over 11 500 -mainly Crimean Tartars- who had fled the Crimea after its annexation by Russia, and some 34 600 residents of the south-eastern regions. The actual figures are much higher as many of those displaced do not register themselves, relying instead on assistance from relatives or friends. While the population in other parts of Ukraine usually demonstrates exemplary hospitality towards the IDPs, the State’s ability to protect them shows considerable shortcomings and limits. There is an urgent need for a better co-ordinated response at central level including the establishment of harmonised rules for the registration of and assistance to IDPs across the country. International humanitarian assistance is also needed". […]
|
|
|
|
|
Strasbourg, 24 June 2014 The applicant, Adem Ukaj, is a Kosovar who was born in 1982 and lives in Kosovo. The case concerned his expulsion from Switzerland. On 27 September 1998 he arrived in Switzerland with his mother and siblings, having fled the conflict in Kosovo. On account of the tensions in that region, the applicant’s mother and siblings received provisional residence permits for Switzerland. Mr Ukaj was issued with a residence permit under the provisions for family reunification. Following the imposition of several penalties by the juvenile section of the prosecuting authority, the applicant was warned that he was running the risk of expulsion. Nonetheless, he subsequently became involved in new criminal activities on several occasions, and on 6 July 2005 he was sentenced to two and a half years’ imprisonment for, among other things, multiple thefts, robberies and damage to property. While in prison, he married an 18-year old Swiss national, who was, he alleged, his long-term companion. The authorities decided to expel Mr Ukaj. In dismissing his appeal, the Federal Court emphasised Mr Ukaj’s criminal energy and potential for violence, and refused to find that he was well integrated in Switzerland, having arrived only at the age of sixteen. The Federal Court applied the rule stating that, where a sentence of more than two years is imposed, a foreigner who is married to a Swiss national can no longer be accepted in Swiss territory. The applicant divorced on 16 March 2010 and left for Kosovo on 2 November 2010. Relying on Article 8 (right to respect for private and family life), he complained about his expulsion from Switzerland, on the ground that his private life had been established there for more than ten years. The Court held that there has been no violation of Article 8. […]
|
|
|
|
|
Strasbourg, 24 June 2014 The applicant, Zalim Yarashonen, is a Russian national of Chechen origin who was born in 1984 and lives in Istanbul. He arrived in Turkey in 2000 after his father and brother were allegedly killed by the Russian security forces and he fled the country. He was arrested in October 2010 at Atatürk International Airport in Istanbul for illegal entry into Turkey as he had no passport. He was detained in view of his deportation initially at the airport police station and then at Kumkapı Removal Centre. He was released in April 2011 and granted an asylum-seeker certificate. Relying in particular on 5 §§ 1, 2, 4, and 5 (right to liberty and security), Mr Yarashonen alleged that his detention from October 2010 to April 2011 had been unlawful, that he had not been informed of the reasons for his detention and that he had neither been given the possibility of challenging the lawfulness of his detention or of obtaining compensation for those complaints. Further relying on Article 3 (prohibition of inhuman or degrading treatment) and Article 13 (right to an effective remedy), he also alleged in particular that the conditions of his detention in Kumkapı Removal Centre had been inhuman and degrading, notably on account of overcrowding and poor hygiene. The Court held that there has been a violation of Article 5 §§ 1, 2, 4, and 5, a violation of Article 3 (on account of the material conditions of the applicant’s detention at the Kumkapı Removal Centre) and a violation of Article 13 in conjunction with Article 3 (on account of the absence of effective remedies to complain about the material conditions of detention at the Kumkapı Removal Centre). […]
|
|
|
|
|
Strasbourg, 23 June 2014 Elmar Mammadyarov, Minister for Foreign Affairs of Azerbaijan and Chairman of the Committee of Ministers, presented his communication to the Parliamentary Assembly on 23 June, on the activities of the Committee of Ministers. Minister Mammadyarov gave an overview of the key priorities of the chairmanship of his country. As part of its Chairmanship, Azerbaijan will pay particular attention to combating discrimination and intolerance through intercultural dialogue. The 2014 Council of Europe exchange on the religious dimension of intercultural dialogue, to be held in Baku on 1 and 2 September, will provide an opportunity for debate involving leading religious and non-religious figures. Intercultural dialogue will be debated from different angles, namely (a) "Tolerance of religion and non-religious convictions in culturally diverse societies: a social capital", (b) "Contribution of religions and non-religious convictions to combating all forms of discrimination, intolerance and violence", and (c) "The contribution of cultural heritage of a religious nature to intercultural dialogue and to the respect of the universal values defended by the Council of Europe". […]
|
|
|
|
|
Strasbourg, 20 June 2014 "I strongly encourage the Ukrainian authorities to pursue reforms in the areas of law enforcement, the public prosecutor’s office and the judicial system. Ensuring effective investigations into human rights violations is essential to restore public trust in institutions", concluded the Council of Europe Commissioner for Human Rights, Nils Muižnieks, after a visit to Ukraine (Kyiv and Odessa) from 16 to 19 June 2014. The Commissioner was informed that a draft law on the public prosecutor’s office has been prepared for a second reading in the Parliament. "It is important not to delay the adoption of the law, having regard to Council of Europe recommendations, and the reform of the prosecution service, which is a key actor in the criminal justice system", emphasised the Commissioner. […] The 2 May events in Odessa, which claimed the lives of 48 persons, were a focus of the Commissioner’s attention during his visit to Odessa. In addition to official interlocutors, he met with a group of journalists and experts from civil society assembled on the initiative of the regional governor, which is seeking to establish the facts surrounding the tragedy without interfering into the official investigation into those events. "The authorities and the international community should support such civil society initiatives, as they can play an essential role in assisting law enforcement, dispelling rumours, and promoting peaceful dialogue in society". The Commissioner met with a number of displaced persons from Crimea and the Donetsk and Luhansk regions. The Commissioner is deeply concerned about reports of human rights violations in those regions causing persons to flee. The number of internally displaced persons from different regions of Ukraine is currently estimated by UNHCR at more than 34000 and rising daily. The regional authorities in Odessa informed the Commissioner that 50 to 60 persons fleeing the Donetsk and Luhansk regions were arriving daily at the city’s train station. "There is an urgent necessity for a coordinated response at the central level, beginning with a centralised registration system, as well as international assistance. While I applaud the support extended by NGOs, volunteers and local and regional authorities, this will not be enough to meet the demands of the displaced persons, which include women, children and persons with disabilities, many of whom have been traumatised by hostilities". […]
|
|
|
|
|
Strasbourg,20 June 2014 On the occasion of World Refugee Day, the Council of Europe’s Group of Experts on Action against Trafficking in Human Beings (GRETA) expresses deep concern that victims of trafficking are often denied international protection in Europe. "A victim of trafficking may be subject to persecution once back in her/his country because of belonging to a particular social group as defined by the UN High Commissioner for Refugees (UNHCR) or for having denounced the traffickers", warns Nicolas Le Coz, President of GRETA. GRETA recalls that the human rights approach enshrined in the Council of Europe’s Anti-trafficking Convention requires states parties to take into account the risk of persecutions of victims of trafficking, as well as to ensure that all foreign nationals identified as victims of trafficking are informed about their right to request international protection. The President of GRETA alerts the administrative and judicial authorities against the illusion that victims will be protected in their country of origin: "States may have adopted anti-trafficking laws, but there is not sufficient proof that they are effective and prevent victims of trafficking from persecution and re-trafficking". […]
|
|
|
|
|
Strasbourg, 20 June 2014 "World Refugee Day, on 20 June, is an occasion to reflect and act" said Anne Brasseur, President of the Parliamentary Assembly of the Council of Europe (PACE) in a statement on World Refugee Day. "Conflicts continue to rage across the globe, not just in far-away spots but within Europe, bringing flows of asylums seekers, refugees and displaced persons. Europe must not turn its borders into the high walls of a fortress for these people who are risking their lives and dignity in seeking international protection". "We have an obligation under international law to provide protection to these persons, not only when they arrive in our countries, but also in the journeys they take to flee persecution. Each person who has faced persecution, survived it and escaped it is a hero. Their courage should be recognised and not criminalised. On World Refugee Day, I urge Council of Europe member states to face their responsibilities towards human beings who are in dire need of protection, and reception and show solidarity with countries facing the brunt of refugee, asylum and other displacement flows". "Creating safe legal channels to Europe or other countries through resettlement, relocation or by way of humanitarian visas is vital. I hope that member states will be able to work together to provide collective and comprehensive solutions for protecting, welcoming, assisting and empowering those who have fled their homes, so that we can all hope for a better tomorrow", concluded Ms Brasseur. […]
|
|
|
|
|
Strasbourg, 18 June 2014 A delegation of the European Commission against Racism and Intolerance (ECRI) visited Hungary from 2 to 6 June 2014 as the first step in the preparation of a monitoring report. During its visit, ECRI´s delegation gathered information on legislation, hate speech, violence, integration policies, LGBT issues and other topics. The delegation held meetings in Budapest and Miskolc with representatives of the government, local authorities, independent bodies and NGOs. Following this visit, ECRI will adopt a report to be published in 2015 in which it will make a fresh set of recommendations on measures to be taken by the authorities to address racism, racial discrimination, xenophobia, antisemitism, and intolerance in the country. Among these, two will be revisited in two years' time as part of an interim follow-up procedure. In its 2009 report, ECRI highlighted, among others, the following concerns: the worrying rise in racist and xenophobic discourse in Hungarian society; the disadvantage experienced by Roma in every field of daily life, in particular in accessing social housing, forced and arbitrary evictions and the segregation of Roma children in schools; and the intensive use of detention with respect to non-citizens. […]
|
|
|
|
|
Strasbourg, 18 June 2014 The Council of Europe’s Group of Experts on Action against Trafficking in Human Beings (GRETA) published today its first evaluation report on the Netherlands. In its report, GRETA welcomes the steps taken by the Dutch authorities to combat trafficking and support victims, including the adoption of relevant legislation, the appointment of an independent National Rapporteur, and the setting up of co-ordination structures and specialised units. The report further commends the introduction of the system of advance payment of compensation to victims when the convicted trafficker has not paid the full amount of compensation eight months after the court judgment. However, the report highlights the need to further strengthen efforts to tackle trafficking for labour exploitation, including with a view to limiting the dependency of workers on their employers when recruited through employment agencies. GRETA is concerned that the identification of victims appears to be on occasion linked to the prospect of successful prosecutions and calls on the Dutch authorities to place the assistance and protection of victims at the heart of the identification procedure. Further, GRETA asks the authorities to strengthen multi-agency involvement in the identification of victims of trafficking, in particular by formalising the role of NGOs and other professionals in this process. The authorities should also develop a proactive approach to identification of and assistance to child victims of trafficking. Specialised shelters for foreign victims of trafficking have been set up with a view to providing adapted assistance during the three-month reflection period. However, GRETA calls on the Dutch authorities to improve the transition from these shelters to other follow-up shelters after the reflection period and to ensure continuity in psychological and medical support. The report notes that the rate of conviction and the severity of sentences for trafficking offences have increased and invites the Dutch authorities to further support the specialisation of judges on human trafficking. […]
|
|
|
|
|
Strasbourg, 17-20 June 2014 The European Commission against Racism and Intolerance (ECRI) held its 64th plenary meeting in Strasbourg on 17-20 June 2014. On the first day of the meeting, ECRI held an exchange of views with Mr Dean Spielmann, President of the European Court of Human Rights. ECRI’s Chair, Mr Christian Ǻhlund, welcomed Mr Spielmann, who was accompanied by the Court’s Registrar, Mr Erik Fribergh, by thanking Europe’s leading judicial authority for the guidance its case law provides and by stressing the mutually enriching relationship between the two bodies. The various ways in which ECRI’s work contributes to the Court’s examination of cases concerning racism and discrimination was one of the many issues discussed. Later on in the week, ECRI held a session with the three Personal Representatives on tolerance and non-discrimination of the OSCE Chairperson-in-Office on the respective fields of work and procedures for drawing up country reports. Combating hate speech was considered to be an area where coordinated activities and the sharing of best practices could be extremely beneficial. […]
|
|
|
|
|
Strasbourg, 17 June 2014 The Macedonian authorities have taken a number of important steps to prevent and combat trafficking in human beings, but several important challenges remain, according to a report published today by the Council of Europe’s expert group on human trafficking, GRETA. GRETA’s report highlights as positive features the setting up of anti-trafficking co-ordination structures and specialised units, the adoption and periodic updating of relevant legislation and national strategies, and the introduction of a national referral mechanism. It also underlines the efforts made to improve the prevention of human trafficking through awareness-raising measures, education in schools and training of relevant professionals. However, the report indicates that further steps are necessary to ensure that all victims of trafficking are properly identified, by strengthening multi-agency involvement and paying more attention to the identification of victims of trafficking among irregular migrants, asylum seekers and unaccompanied foreign minors. In addition, GRETA calls upon the authorities to strengthen the aspect of prevention through social and economic empowerment measures for groups vulnerable to trafficking and securing the registration of all persons. GRETA also urges the Macedonian authorities to ensure that all assistance measures provided for in law are guaranteed in practice and that victims of trafficking can effectively obtain compensation, including by setting up a State compensation scheme accessible to victims of trafficking. […]
|
|
|
|
|
Strasbourg, 17 June 2014 A delegation of the Council of Europe's Group of Experts on Action against Trafficking in Human Beings (GRETA) carried out an evaluation visit to Finland from 9 to 13 June 2014. The visit was organised in the context of the first round of evaluation of the implementation of the Council of Europe Convention on Action against Trafficking in Human Beings. During the visit, the GRETA delegation met the Permanent Secretary of the Ministry of the Interior, Ms Päivi Nerg, and senior officials from the Ministries of the Interior, Foreign Affairs, Justice, Employment and the Economy, and Social Affairs and Health. Further, the delegation held consultations with the Ombudsman for Minorities and National Rapporteur on Trafficking in Human Beings, Ms Eva Biaudet, and the Ombudsman for Children, Mr Tuomas Kurttila. Meetings were also held with members of Parliament and representatives of the Prosecution Service and the Supreme Court. Further, the GRETA delegation met representatives of the municipal social services in Helsinki, Lappeenranta and Vaasa, police officers and prosecutors dealing with trafficking cases in Helsinki and Vaasa, and the Border Guard at Helsinki Airport. In addition, meetings were held with representatives of non-governmental organisations, the SAK Trade Union Federation, the Confederation of Finnish Industries, the Association of Finnish Local and Regional Authorities, and researchers. The GRETA delegation also met officials from the local offices of the International Organisation for Migration and the United Nations Children's Fund (UNICEF). […]
|
|
|
|
|
Strasbourg, 17 June 2014 Andrea Rigoni (Italy, ALDE), rapporteur of the Migration Committee of the Parliamentary Assembly of the Council of Europe (PACE), will make a fact-finding visit to Ankara on 18-19 June, in the context of the preparation of his report on "Democratic participation for migrant diaspora". During his visit, he is due to meet the Minister for EU Affairs and Chief Negotiator for the accession of Turkey to the EU, the Turkish delegation to PACE, the Chairpersons of several parliamentary committees, the Chairperson of the Supreme Electoral Council and a representative of the Directorate General for Consular Affairs. […]
|
|
|
|
|
Strasbourg, 16 June 2014 The project on the linguistic integration of adult migrants (LIAM) offers support to the Council of Europe’s member states in developing language integration policies and practices based on shared fundamental values, democracy and the rule of law. In this framework a new Draft report on the 3rd Council of Europe survey on the lingustic integration of adult migrants has been made public by the Council of Europe’s Language Policy Unit. It provides further information on language requirements and course provision in member states as a basis for shared reflection and debate on emerging policy trends. While consecutive surveys demonstrate how language requirements have increasingly become a significant element of migration and integration policies in many member states, the current exercise demonstrates a steady increase in the number of countries enacting legislation to make language proficiency a requirement for residence, citizenship, and in some cases entry. In particular, the 2013 survey draws attention to a disquieting variation in the range of proficiency levels required, while also illustrating specific differences in policies for the provision of learning support and for language testing. It appears in some cases that language requirements aim at hindering migration and/or integration rather than facilitating integration. […]
|
|
|
|
|
GRETA participates in two side events during the UN Human Rights Council session Strasbourg, 16 June 2014 The first side event, on 12 June 2014, was organised by Austria, the Republic of Moldova and the Office of the United Nations High Commissioner for Human Rights. It was entitled "Fighting trafficking in human beings: fostering partnerships and co-ordination – good practices" and aimed at promoting the implementation of international legally binding instruments, such as the Council of Europe Convention on Action against Trafficking in Human Beings. Other speakers included Joy Ngozi Ezeilo, UN Special Rapporteur on Trafficking in Persons, especially women and children, Elisabeth Tichy-Fisslberger, Austrian National Coordinator on combating human trafficking, Ana Revenco, Director of the Moldovan Centre for combating trafficking in persons, and Irena Fercik Konečná of La Strada International. The second side event took place on 13 June 2014. It was organised by the Moroccan Interministerial Delegation for Human Rights and the Kingdom of Morocco and was entitled "Combatting Human Trafficking: Comparative Experiences and Best Practices". The purpose of this side event was in particular to share views on how to fight better trafficking on the basis of international standards, such as the Council of Europe Anti-trafficking Convention, and by drawing inspiration from national good practices. […]
|
|
|
|
|
Patras (Greece), 12 June 2014 The Cultural Organization of the Municipality of Patras, in collaboration with the Vice Μunicipality of "Support of Citizens, Volunteerism, Gender Equality & Inclusion of Migrants" and Patras Municipal Enterprise for Planning & Development – ADEP SA., organized the launching event for C4I project at the premises of the building for the sessions of Patras Municipal Council. The launching event was attended by representatives of local authorities, police, NGOs, representatives of civil society and voluntary organizations, as well as employees of the Municipality of Patras (its organisations, enterprises and services-units). More specifically, C4i project was presented, its objectives were analyzed, putting emphasis in the methodology used in the city of Barcelona, to combat unfounded (but widespread) rumors about immigrants. […] The Cultural Organization of the Municipality of Patras is a partner in the "Communication for integration - social networking for diversity (C4I)" project that aims to create social networks and public awareness on immigration and diversity, combating unfounded rumors that undermine integration strategies at the local level. The C4i activation of Patras includes among other cultural actions, training, surveys and website creation aiming to raise awareness of intercultural society and social cohesion. […]
|
|
|
|
|
Strasbourg, 11 June 2014 The European Court of Human Rights is today launching a new factsheet on its case-law concerning the detention of migrants. On the occasion of the publication of this new factsheet, Mr Dean Spielmann, President of the European Court of Human Rights, reiterated his commitment to the wide dissemination of the Court’s case-law: "The factsheets are a fine example of the Court’s efforts to ensure awareness of its case-law, whether among journalists, national authorities or the general public. They illustrate the variety of subjects covered by our judgments and decisions".
|
|
|
|
|
Strasbourg, 6 June 2014 The Committee of Ministers’ made public today decisions and resolutions adopted at its second special human rights meeting (03-05 June 2014) during which it examined the state of implementation of judgments of the European Court of Human Rights. Several cases proposed for more detailed examination concern migration and integration issues: - M.S.S. (judgment final on 21/01/2011): Expulsion of an asylum seeker from Belgium to Greece. - Al Husin (judgment final on 09/07/2012): Potential violation of Article 3 of the Convention in the event of the applicant’s deportation to Syria. - Garabayev group (first judgment final on 30/01/2008): Different violations related to extradition proceedings, in particular lack of effective protection against abduction and irregular transfer and effective investigations into such allegations. […]
|
|
|
|
|
Oslo, 4 June 2014 The meeting was co-organised by the Anti-Trafficking Division of the Council of Europe and the Norwegian Ministry of Justice and Public Security. It brought together some 20 representatives of relevant governmental bodies and non-governmental organisations, who discussed measures taken to strengthen the implementation of the Convention since the publication of GRETA’s report on Norway in May 2013, and the ways in which the Council of Europe can support Norway in its anti-trafficking efforts. Norway is expected to provide information on the measures taken to implement the recommendations made by GRETA and the Committee of the Parties by 7 June 2015. […]
|
|
|
|
|
Strasbourg, 3-4 June 2014 Since the last conference in 2010, initiatives regarding the integration of migrants have intensified at international level. For its part, the Council of Europe conducted a 3rd survey among member states in 2013. The purpose of these surveys is to collect data on language training and assessment requirements in integration policies for three categories of applications: before entry into the host country, for residency and for citizenship. A series of new instruments (guidelines, tools and a website) have been developed to help member states draw up and implement linguistic integration policies. In this perspective, the aim of the conference is to: 1) present and analyse the results of the 3rd survey on language policies for the integration of adult migrants in which 36 member states took part; 2) familiarise participants with the new instruments developed by the Language Policy Unit and discuss them; and 3) share the experience gained from the piloting of two new tools in Italy and Slovenia and review a project conducted in Switzerland. The conference will also provide an opportunity to discover the work being done by other institutions. […]
|
|
|
|
|
Strasbourg, 3 June 2014 The European Commission against Racism and Intolerance (ECRI) today published its fourth report on Romania. ECRI’s Chair, Mr Christian Ahlund, noted progress as well as a number of outstanding issues, such as the problematic application of the legislation on religious freedom and the slow implementation of strategies for Roma integration. The setting up of an advisory Council of the Churches and Religious Denominations to prevent conflicts between different religious communities is a positive development. So is the amendment of the Criminal Code which has made racist motivation an aggravating circumstance for all offences. The People's Advocate can now examine petitions by legal persons that could not have complained to him before. Several measures have been taken to combat prejudice against the Roma; and the number of police officers belonging to national/ethnic minorities has increased. However, various religious associations continue having difficulties in obtaining official recognition and registration, despite a new law. There is still no act regulating the status of national minoritiesnor is there a single institution that systematically collects data on the breach of criminal law provisions against racism. In addition, information indicates that the judiciary could enforce these provisions more forcefully. More funding is needed for the National Council for Combating Discrimination to be able to function adequately. Finally, stigmatising statements against Roma are common in political discourse. […]
|
|
|
|
|
ECRI publishes conclusions on the implementation of its priority recommendations in respect of Azerbaijan, Cyprus, Lithuania, Monaco and Serbia Strasbourg, 3 June 2014 The European Commission against Racism and Intolerance (ECRI) today published conclusions on the implementation of a number of priority recommendations made in its country reports on Azerbaijan, Cyprus, Lithuania, Monaco and Serbia which had been released in 2011. As part of the fourth round of ECRI’s monitoring work, a new process of interim follow-up has been introduced with respect to up to three recommendations made in each of ECRI’s country reports. Two years following the publication of each report, ECRI addresses a communication to the government concerned asking what has been done in connection with the recommendations for which priority follow-up was requested. On the basis of the response from the government and information gathered from other sources, ECRI draws up its conclusions on the follow-up of its recommendations. These conclusions concern only the priority recommendations and do not aim at providing a comprehensive analysis of all developments in the fight against racism and intolerance in the state concerned. Through the new interim follow-up procedure, ECRI seeks to assist Council of Europe member states in fine-tuning their response to the recommendations made in its country reports. […]
|
|
|
|
|
Bucharest, 2-3 June 2014 Diverse representatives from local and national public authorities, embassies as well as business representatives and civil society attended the round table. This first round table was the official launch for the DELI project in Bucharest and included discussions with local and national experts on the issues of economic integration of migrants, development of migrant business and opening-up of procurement policies to diverse entrepreneurs. The representatives of the Migration Policy Group presented the project tools that will be made available to local authorities for measuring and evaluating progress in developing support mechanisms for migrant entrepreneurs and promoting equality standards in public procurement. Participants agreed that there is a need for greater involvement of local authorities in shaping and implementing integration policies for migrants and confirmed their interest and motivation in implementing partnership initiatives on a collaborative basis. […]
|
|
|
|
|
Strasbourg, 2 June 2014 "Hate speech - promoting violence upon persons or groups on the basis of e.g. race, religion, gender, disability, political views, or sexual orientation - is proliferating quickly across the European continent", the PACE Committee on Equality warned today and decided to launch a "No Hate Parliamentary Alliance" at its October session in Strasbourg. By joining the Alliance, parliamentarians commit to taking open, firm and pro-active stands against racism, hatred and intolerance, to promote non-discrimination, conduct campaign activities and exchange information on law and best practice in these fields. PACE President Anne Brasseur underlined the crucial role played by politicians in combating hate speech and stressed the urgent need for concrete action against hate speech at times of economic and financial crisis as "they offer fertile grounds for a climate that distills hate". The PACE President finally called on all democtatic parties to unite in a common fight against racism and intolerance. […]
|
|
|
|
|
|
© Migration and Human Rights - Council of Europe
|
|
|
|
|
|