The rights of irregular migrants

Irregular migrants have particular problems in accessing rights and the Committee regularly reminds states of their obligations and encourages them to strengthen the protection of the rights of these persons. The Committee has noted that while this is a difficult issue to tackle, and one which is often met with silence and even hostility by certain member states, it is one that a human rights organisation like the Council of Europe cannot ignore.

• Undocumented migrant children in an irregular situation: a real cause for concern
Doc.12718|Recommendation 1985 (2011)
• Detention of asylum seekers and irregular migrants in Europe
Doc. 12105|Resolution 1707 (2010) | Recommendation 1900 (2010)
• Voluntary return programmes: an effective, humane and cost-effective mechanism for returning irregular migrants
Doc. 12277|Resolution 1742 (2010)|Recommendation 1926 (2010)
• Readmission agreements: a mechanism for returning irregular migrants
Doc. 12168|Resolution 1741 (2010) |Recommendation 1925 (2010)
• Regularisation programmes for irregular migrants
Doc. 11350|Resolution 1568 (2007) |Recommendation 1807 (2007)
• Human rights of irregular migrants
Doc. 10924|Resolution 1509 (2009) |Recommendation 1755 (2006)

Work in progress:

The Committee is currently preparing a report on trafficking of migrant workers for forced labour, a report on “Effective and fair returns of irregular migrants and failed asylum seekers” as well as a report on “Frontex and human rights implications of Europe’s border security”.