Realizou-se no passado dia 16 e 17 de Junho uma reunião do Bureau da Associação Europeia dos Antigos Parlamentares na qual a AEDAR esteve representada pela associado Luís Nandin de Carvalho.
Desta reunião salientam-se os seguintes pontos:
Reunião do Bureau , no Parlamento Sueco, com
intensiva discussão do documento anexo sobre MIGRAÇAO, cuja identificação
deverá ser a final EMIGRATION CHALLENGES. Foi possível fazer várias
intervenções sobre o texto , em especial sobre o #6 ( no pressuposto do
principio da solidariedade reciproca) que terá provavelmente o seguinte teor na redacção final:
The Immigration in Europe
has been experiencing since the summer of 2015 is different from previous ones
(e.g. 1945) as immigrants mostly come from countries with different cultural
and religious backgrounds and not all of them are prepared to accept “our
common values” and legal and socio-political norms, even some may seek to
active undermine the host’s countries’ legal and political norms.
Este documento será retomado em LYON, sob forma
de seminário em Outubro de 10 a 12. Aqui fica o texto com as alterações feitas até à data:
Draft
June 2016
Migration
Background
1)
The history of humankind has
always also been a story of migration and settlement. In our time, almost all parts of the world are
affected by migration in the form of voluntary and non-voluntary immigration, emigration
or transit movements, which could be
defined as a catch-up globalisation. This is due to persecution, wars and armed
conflicts, Climate Change and natural disasters, miserable and insecure living
conditions.
2)
According to UNHCR these are
about 60 thousand million forcibly displaced persons, most of them in Africa and
Asia. Usually they stay in the neighbourhood (within their country or a nearby
country) to be able to return, when the situation ameliorates.
3)
In case the situation gets
worse and there seems to be no way to return or the situation in refugee camps or temporary protection centres become dangerous or unbearable, displaced
persons will flee again to other parts of the world, where they expect to be
safe. Camps in affected areas often suffer
from lack of resources, when the international community fails in its
commitment to provide financial and humanitarian support.
4)
Reaching safer regions is attempted
by migrating in large numbers or by using the “services” of traffickers of
persons. Acts, which are often driven by fear to die, where they are and hope
to survive elsewhere. Routes to countries of destination can often not be
predicted and may change when policies changes, but refugees, who are afraid of
dying if they stay in their country or at the camps, would not be afraid of
dying during their travelling.
5)
The recent movements of
asylum-seekers, refugees, and migrants represent major challenges for Europe.
Globally, millions of people are seeking a better, free and healthy life in a
safe, nonviolent environment for themselves and often their families. These aspirations are understandable, but it is not possible within
the foreseeable future for European countries to satisfy these aspirations and
often unattainable expectations of all the millions of people wanting to come.
6)
The Immigration Europe has been
experiencing since the summer of 2015 is different from previous ones (e.g.
1945) as immigrants mostly come from countries with different cultural and
religious backgrounds and not all of them are prepared to accept “our common
values” and legal and socio-political norms, even some may seek to undermine
the host’s countries’ legal and political norms.
7)
We, former parliamentarians of
the “European Association of former members of
parliament of the member states of the Council of Europe” (FP-AP), believe in
the following principles and propose guidelines for tackling the challenges.
8)
The Geneva Refugee Convention,
the UN Declaration on Universal Human Rights and the European Convention on
Human Rights of the Council of Europe set the
policy framework of most aspects of immigration policies – supplemented by
national and EU regulations.
9)
There must be a worldwide and European responsibility sharing in terms
of integrating immigrants and boosting the number of refugee resettlement
places – all this requires a common political will in our countries and
adequate financial means.
The root causes of growing forced migration must
be addressed in the countries of origin. It is the duty of the international
community to join in the efforts to eradicate the root
causes.
10)
We need to be humane and rational in our attitude towards the
immigration question.
In addition to the legal
instruments, in particular the Geneva Refugee Convention and the special rules
for war refugees, we have to devise a further system of controlled and lawful
immigration in order to avoid the danger of overstretching state and societal
systems and absorptive capacities.
11)
All efforts, from asylum policies to robust search-and-rescue
mechanisms must be guided by the humanitarian principle: rescue the lives of persons and safeguard the
dignity of all human beings.
12)
Asylum-seekers, refugees and (economic) migrants have to be treated
differently. Migrants don’t have inherent rights to migrate to another country
of which they are not nationals – with the exception of the EU where the right
of free movement of persons exist. Migrants who are not granted the right to
stay (e.g. coming from safe third countries) should be made to return to their
home countries as soon as possible.
13)
What is called the flight and
migratory crisis is actually a crisis of Europe and has to be solved by all European
countries. Better cooperation between countries of origin, transit and destination
is needed.
14)
Managed migration helps ensure safe and legal channels for refugees and
migrants, including specific measures
for those suffering from humanitarian catastrophes. Anticipating future challenges
includes providing measures for people escaping areas progressively ravaged by
Climate Change.
15)
In view of the actual great
number of immigrants, border controls and registrations must be maintained and
even enforced, with particular regard to the problems of terrorism, organised
crime and trafficking of persons.
16)
We need to pursue a European
policy on asylum, refugees and migration based on our common values of humanity
as well as on the principle of solidarity and enlightened self-interest.
17)
Integration into our societies requires efforts from our
respective countries as well as from
migrants. The development of ethnic ghettos and/or parallel societies
must be avoided.
18)
The wish of asylum seekers and refugees to return to their home
countries, if the situation there ameliorates, has to be upheld.
19)
European solidarity is required
on three levels:
(i)
Vis à vis refugees;
(ii)
Within the whole of Europe
(iii)
To refugees’ countries of
origin where the causes of emigration and flight are inherent, though those
have to show solidarity as well.
Immigration can open opportunities but only if the
challenges are successfully addressed and decisions and laws are implemented.
We need strong democratic states with efficient institutions and good
governance.
Challenges and Threats
20)
Regarding the massive
immigration, we perceive great challenges, even danger as well as opportunities
stemming from legal, regulated immigration.
21)
The huge flows of immigration
threaten to divide Europe, to endanger EU’s accomplishments and visions, to
encourage a return to nationalism, to undermine – within our countries – social
cohesion and important values such as Human Rights and democracy, and to create
a wider breeding ground for chauvinism and nationalism, xenophobia, racism and
intolerance. There are limits to what our countries and communities can bear
and shoulder.
22)
The great and unpredictable number of refugees,
as well as the changing routes presents unprecedented difficulties for
authorities in transit and/or countries of destination regarding registration,
organisation of shelter and systemisation. As it is often impossible to verify
name, origin or age of refugees or migrants, they have the obligation to
honestly reveal their identity.
23)
A large number of refugees try
to reach Europe with the help of traffickers of persons, i.e. organized
international crime, resulting in death of drowning, abuse and rape, killing
and loss of documents and funds. Women and children are the most vulnerable
group and special efforts have to be undertaken to support them.
24)
Authorities in European
Countries need resources to provide humanitarian help and shelter; organize
travelling and distribution of migrants; provide language courses and
integration measures; make special provisions for unaccompanied minors.
25)
People are sometimes afraid of
foreigners, in particular if there is no common language and they can only
communicate with difficulty. Some also fear that many people with different
background concerning religion and traditions could bring too much change to
the European societies. Such fears could lead to developments endangering the
process of European cooperation.
Opportunities
26)
Experiences prove that a legal,
controlled and reasonable immigration can open opportunities for the European
host countries.
27)
Demographic change, an ageing
population as well as the lack of labour force and developmental dynamism in
many European countries demand holistic and attractive immigration and
integration policies that could create triple-win situations – for the host
country, the country of origin, and the migrant.
28)
New positive economic and
cultural activities could be triggered off by the greater number of
inhabitants.
29)
Chances for development for
European societies with integrated refugees can only be realised if measures
and conditions are transparent, comprehensive and fair, worked out, monitored
and evaluated with the participation of all stake holders.
Possible Actions and Answers
We, Former Parliamentarians declare and demand from
A) The International Community
30)
At UN level, as well as by
national engagement, every possible effort should be made to end armed conflict
and to hinder escalation of conflicts.
31)
International diplomacy should
work to find balanced solutions, as developing as well as developed countries
are struggling with economic, environmental, humanitarian and political challenges,that
require coordinated international responses.
32)
UNHCR should be provided with
sufficient funds to run the refugee camps.
33)
UNOCD (the UN office on Drugs
and Crime) should be supported to fight international organized crime, in
particular trafficking of persons.
34)
At EU level the establishment
of a functioning external border control by a common agency is indispensable.
35)
International coordinated
actions to combat terrorism and organized crime are necessary.
B) The Member States of the Council of Europe and the United Nations
36)
Authorities have to cooperate
in a better way to manage the flow of refugees.
37)
Countries have to install
efficient and fast procedures for registration and recognition of refugees.
38)
Measures to integrate refugees
into European societies, where gender equality and equal rights for women are
constitutional rights, have to be comprehensive and compulsory.
39)
States, as well as political
parties, teaching and economic institutions should inform citizens, in particular their stakeholders about the impact of the
arrival of refugees and migrants on European societies. The international
Migrants’ Day on December 18th could be one opportunity.
C) Civil Society
40)
The role of NGOs in dealing
with the influx of refugees is important, as many NGOs are involved in helping
authorities welcoming, housing and teaching the language to refugees The
organisations should get more support and credit for that from national
authorities as well as from the international community. The task to point out
that Europe is going through a period of change and how to best cope with this,
cannot be achieved by state authorities and/or politicians alone.
41)
Integration is an important challenge for civil society as well. It must
be made part of the social and intercultural dialogue. The task of supporting
official bodies in examining school textbooks and history books with a view to
discriminatory, racist and xenophobic content, and removing them, also falls
within this context.
D) FP/AP
42)
We support solidary efforts of a humane,
rational, immigration and integration policy in Europe characterized by a
comprehensive approach lowering the risks and threats related to an illegal influx
of people; and enhancing possible opportunities as well. We support integration
and counteract discrimination, racism and xenophobia.
43)
‘Our’ European values: gender equality,
respect of the Human Rights, the rule of law, a pluralistic, liberal and
secular society, as well as the legal and socio-political systems and
institutions are to be respected by everyone. We expect from immigrants the
readiness for integration (language learning, attendance at civic integration
courses, making use of the educational and vocational training facilities and
job offers).
44)
Integration should not be understood as
assimilation. Those who refuse integration into our societies should not have
future opportunities in our countries, as they exclude themselves from our
solidarity.
45)
European solidarity is required towards
refugees: within Europe and between the
EU Member States; particularly as regards local and regional authorities, where
the problems directly emerge and integration is taking place. There is need for
a clear regulatory framework and adequate financial resources. And last but not
least towards the refugees’ countries of origin to fight the root causes of the
problems.
46)
Implementing the 2030 Agenda of the UN
with its 17 sustainable development goals (SDGs), the international community,
UN Member States and the EU, civil society and the private sector are called
upon to contribute to the development towards a better world.
47)
We demand the UN Member States, in
particular the EU to further implement and strengthen a forward-looking,
sustainable, humane, efficient and comprehensive development policy in
partnership with the developing countries especially in Africa and the Middle
East. An action plan for creating better livelihoods and job opportunities,
rebuilding social, economic and democratic structures and thus facilitating the
return of refugees. Circular migration and reintegration programmes, as well as
migrant remittances may soften the problems of brain drain.
48)
Governments and parliaments must
strengthen social cohesion and work on eliminating stereotypes and prejudices
towards foreigners. Policies in order to strengthen citizens’ faith in democracy
have to be implemented, so that further disenchantment with democracy and
politics in Europe and particularly in the EU can be avoided.
49)
The Committee for Migration and
Integration of the Parliamentary Assembly of the Council of Europe should play
a more important role to monitor and evaluate the development in Europe.
50)
Integration can only be successful as a
process of mutual efforts of the majority and minority, involving newcomers
from the start into content and method of civic, cultural, social and political
participation. After refugees receive recognition and status the citizens of
the respective country should understand that acceptance and support is needed
for their integration.
51)
We propose that the Member States of the
Council of Europe together with local authorities, civil society and immigrants
create a
“Charter of Equal Participation in Political and Public Life”.
