Sixth country monitoring cycle of the European Commission against Racism and Intolerance (ECRI): ECRI assessed the implementation of its priority recommendations by Cyprus, Denmark, Estonia, Hungary and Monaco, and published its country reports on Andorra, Italy, Lithuania, the United Kingdom and the Republic of Moldova
ECRI reviewed the implementation of its priority recommendations by Cyprus, Denmark, Estonia, Hungary and Monaco
On 15th October 2024, the European Commission against Racism and Intolerance (ECRI) published the assessment of the implementation of its priority recommendations for Cyprus, Denmark, Estonia, Hungary and Monaco, including measures related to migrants. In Cyprus, ECRI's recommendation to support child asylum seekers and other migrant children in acquiring Greek language skills for primary school integration has been successfully implemented. ECRI also recommended that Denmark introduce positive incentives to avoid forced evictions resulting from the "parallel society" legislation, which aims to reduce the proportion of "non-westerners" in certain areas. This recommendation has not been implemented, and the policy has led to forced evictions being challenged in courts.
ECRI published its sixth monitoring report on Andorra
According to the ECRI report, published on 21 October 2024, Andorra, has made some progress regarding migrants' rights and integration, but challenges remain. All children, regardless of their administrative status, can enrol in free schooling immediately, and their healthcare is covered by the social security system. During the Covid-19 pandemic, measures were taken to support vulnerable pupils, particularly those with migrant backgrounds, through digital equipment loans and free internet access. However, the report notes that some migrant workers, especially those from Latin America in the construction sector, faced abusive practices. Further, the lack of local voting rights for the country's foreign population, which constitutes the majority population in the country, means that foreign nationals cannot participate actively in public life. The report recommends that non-nationals residing in Andorra be granted the right to vote and stand for election at the local level.
ECRI published its sixth monitoring report on Italy
The report published on 22 October 2024 describes the situation of migrants in Italy as complex and challenging. While Italy has adopted integration policies, such as the National Plan for the Integration of the Beneficiaries of International Protection 2022-2024, migrants face significant obstacles. These include difficulties in accessing housing, education, and healthcare services. Additionally, political discourse often promotes a culture of exclusion rather than integration, creating barriers to effective inclusion. Migrants also encounter challenges in obtaining residence permits and identity documents, which can hinder their access to various services and benefits. Despite some positive initiatives, such as multifunctional centres and one-stop-shops for integration services, the overall situation remains problematic, with varying levels of support and integration measures across the country.
ECRI published its sixth monitoring report on Lithuania
On 23 October 2024, ECRI published its sixth monitoring report on Lithuania. While migrants who are irregularly present in Lithuania have access to emergency healthcare, the extent of such care is unclear and determined on a case-by-case basis. The report also notes a lack of "firewalls" to separate residence status verification from access to public services like education or reporting crimes to the police. In addition, ECRI expresses concern about the criminalisation of persons and organisations providing humanitarian or legal assistance to irregularly present migrants. The report encourages the Lithuanian authorities to review their policies for this group of persons. It also calls for ensuring adequate financial support for the implementation of action plans in the area of integration and inclusion for foreigners, in particular for refugees and beneficiaries of subsidiary protection and for expanding and strengthening Lithuanian language courses for Ukrainian nationals present in Lithuania.
ECRI published its sixth monitoring report on United Kingdom
ECRI’s report on United Kingdom, which was published on 25 October 2024, identifies several challenges related to migrant integration and inclusion. A major obstacle for newly recognised refugees is the excessively short 28-day move-on period from the asylum support system to mainstream benefits, often leaving many homeless and destitute. ECRI recommends, as a matter of priority, that UK authorities significantly extend the move-on period beyond 28 days to ensure there is no gap in support, particularly regarding housing and subsistence payments. On a positive note, England launched a Refugee Employability Programme in September 2023 as a Home Office initiative to provide specific support for refugees to find work.
ECRI published its sixth monitoring report on the Republic of Moldova
In its report published on 12 November, ECRI highlighted the efforts made by the Moldovan authorities to improve the integration and inclusion of migrants. Notable developments include the establishment of integration centres for foreign nationals in Chișinău, Bălți and Cahul. However, some challenges remain. While the country has extended an exceptionally warm welcome to people displaced from Ukraine as a result of Russia's war of aggression, the report recommends that all people displaced from Ukraine should benefit from the same level of protection and support irrespective of their national or ethnic origin or other personal characteristics or status.
