This list describes the recommendations of the Committee
of Ministers prepared by the European Committee on Migration.
For the recommendations and resolutions of the
Parliamentary Assembly of the Council of Europe relevant to migration
see ….
For the recommendations and resolutions of the
Congress of Regional and Local Authorities of the Council of Europe
relevant to migration
see …
Integration (general)
Employment
Housing
Legal status of migrants
Family
reunification
Migration and development
Children
Integration (general)
Second generation migrants
(Recommendation No. R (84) 9)
Adopted by the Committee of Ministers on 20 March
1984 - Full text:
EN;
FR
Summary
This recommendation recognizes the particular situation that is faced by
second-generation migrants (those born in the host country to migrant
parents), in which they have numerous links with the host society but
maintain connections with the countries of origin. It gives
recommendations as to how to best integrate them into the host society,
if they choose to stay, while allowing them to continue making
contributions to the society of origin. In particular, it emphasizes the
necessity of ensuring that they are in regular situations as concerns
nationality and residence; and in this context, recommendations
restricting the use of expulsion orders and the maintenance of acquired
rights in the event of temporary absence from the country provoked a
number of reservations. In general, the goal of the recommendation is to
assist second generation migrants in achieving the stability and success
necessary for them to make meaningful contributions both to the host and
origin countries.
Maintenance of migrants’ cultural links with
their countries of origin and leisure facilities
(Recommendation No. R (84) 7)
Adopted by the Committee of Ministers on 28 February 1984- Full text:
EN;
FR
Summary
In this recommendation, the Committee of Ministers declares itself
to be guided by the concept that the maintenance of migrants’ cultural
links with the origin country serves not only to help with resettlement
if they return, but furthermore aids in the process of integration in
the receiving country. It presents a set of ideas on how to best
maintain these links. These comprise recommendations in the areas of
education, adult education, the formation of migrants’ associations,
religion, media and cultural and leisure activities. As concerns media,
for example, the recommendation urges governments to support media
sources run by migrants and facilitate the reception of television
programmes, periodicals, and books from countries of origin, as well as
encouraging television programmes designed for migrants. It also
recommends that the participation of migrant children in leisure
activities in their countries of origin should be encouraged.
Community relations
(Recommendation No. R (92) 12)
Adopted by the Committee of Ministers on 21 September 1992 - Full text:
EN;
FR
Summary
This recommendation notes that due to migration trends, many countries
in Europe have significant populations of different national or ethnic
origins from those of the host society; and that governments should
adopt explicit policies on community relations questions and ensure that
they are put into practice across the whole range of government action.
Furthermore, the recommendation sets a series of principles on which
community relations policies should be based: security of residence for
lawful migrants, determined action to bring about real equality of
opportunity, effective measures to combat racism and xenophobia, fullest
possible participation of migrants in the host society, and an attitude
of openness to migrants’ cultures and customs.
Employment
Improving access of migrants and persons of
immigrant background to employment (Recommendation
Rec(2008)10) Adopted by the Committee of Ministers on 10 July 2008
- Full text:
EN;
FR
Summary
This recommendation requests member states to review the effectiveness
of relevant policy and practice in their countries and establish an
effective system of evaluation and efficiency control. The
recommendation concerns legally resident migrants with access to
employment and persons of immigrant background.
An appendix provides guidelines and policy proposals on different
topics, such as diversity and non-discrimination in labour markets, the
use of labour market partnerships, the importance of information and
awareness raising, as well as labour market entry and re-entry policies,
recruitment policies and career development.
Vocational re-integration of migrant workers
who return to their countries of origin (Recommendation No. R
(80) 14)
Adopted by the Committee of Ministers on 18 September 1980 - Full text:
EN;
FR
Summary
This recommendation was prepared at a time where, according to the
committee, trends in migration flows had become significantly different
from traditional ones. Its basic premise is that to meet this challenge,
there should be a recognition of joint responsibility between sending
countries and receiving countries in helping to bring about the social
and vocational re-integration of migrants who return home. Some of its
proposals include carrying out an analysis of the recent situation of
migrant workers and establishing arrangements between countries of
origin and destination in order to provide jobs for returning migrants,
specifically in companies in which migrant workers have financial
investments. The recommendation urges cooperation on such issues as
transfers of technology, capital transfers, and assistance for the
creation of industrial or agricultural enterprises in the country of
origin.
Access of non-nationals to employment in the
public sector (Recommendation Rec (2004) 2)
Adopted by the Committee of Ministers on 24 March 2004 - Full text:
EN;
FR
Summary
This recommendation requests member states to facilitate the access of
migrants to public sector jobs, referring specifically to the various
international treaties and declarations that apply to the employment of
migrants, and pointing out that the public services have a particular
responsibility to set an example in their own employment practices. It
recommends initiatives to promote diversity and the hiring of migrants,
as well as an end to discrimination in the areas of recruitment
(inappropriate recruitment on language skills, etc), promotion,
employment conditions and salaries. Although it recognizes that there
are some posts that might not be appropriate for migrants to occupy,
such as those concerning national security, it urges states to examine
its nationality requirements for various posts and, when possible, to
make more jobs open to migrants. It emphasizes that there are some posts
where the presence of migrants can be of particular benefit to the
immigrant population.
Housing
Migrants’ housing (Recommendation
No. R (88) 14)
Adopted by the Committee of Ministers on 22 September 1988 - Full text:
EN;
FR
Summary
This recommendation points out that migrants are often at a disadvantage
in the housing market, that it is a common condition of family reunion
that migrants have suitable housing, and further that urban renovation
schemes should take into account migrant populations. Thus, it requests
member states to make efforts to prevent housing discrimination. It
emphasizes ensuring that migrants’ housing is of a satisfactory quality
and proposes measures for informing migrants of their rights and
opportunities when it comes to housing, as well as cooperating with and
aiding them in finding suitable accommodation. It recommends the use of
migrants’ associations as a method of coordinating this process.
Legal status of migrants
Security of residence of long-term migrants
(Recommendation Rec (2000) 15)
Adopted by the Committee of Ministers on 13 September 2000 - Full text:
EN;
FR
Summary
In this recommendation, which is subject to many reservations, the
Committee of Ministers notes that the integration and security of
residence of long-term immigrants is not only vital to their integration
but also to social stability. The recommendation sets out a series of
principles in relation to the acquisition and loss of secure residence
status, the acquisition of nationality and protection against expulsion.
In relation to the acquisition of secure residence status the
recommendation proposes a set of common conditions for the definition of
a long-term migrant (although it allows member states the liberty to be
more or less restrictive in the definition that it chooses to apply),
recommends the security of residence status (in particular, the renewal
of relevant documents) and affirms access to a series of rights on the
basis of no less favourable treatment than nationals of the host state.
Admission, rights and obligations of migrant
students and co-operation with countries of origin
(Recommendation Rec(2006)9)
Adopted by the Committee of Ministers on 12 July 2006 - Full text:
EN;
FR
Summary
The recommendation proposes concrete steps linking the situation of the
foreign students with co-development issues. A special section is
devoted to the issue of “brain drain” and to co-operation between
countries of origin and destination.
Family
reunification
Legal status of persons admitted for family
reunification (Recommendation Rec (2002) 4)
Adopted by the Committee of Ministers on 26 March 2002 - Full text:
EN;
FR
Summary
The Committee of Ministers here expresses its support for family
unification, firstly on the basis of the “universally recognised right”
to safeguarding family unity and, secondly, because of its contribution
to successful integration. The recommendation states that family members
admitted under family reunification should be granted the same residence
status as that held by the principal migrant; and that after four years,
adult family members should be granted independent permits. In the case
of the divorce, separation or death of the principal migrant, the
recommendation calls on member states to consider granting autonomous
residence permits for family members who have been legally resident for
at least one year. It also urges a right of appeal for those family
members whose permits are not renewed and/or threatened with expulsion.
The recommendation also recommends equal treatment to that of the
principal migrant in relation to access to the labour market, education
and social rights as well as to political participation (the right to
vote and to stand in local authority elections).
Migration and development
Co-development and migrants working for
development in their countries of origin
(CM/ Rec(2007)10)
Adopted by the Committee of Ministers on 12 July 2007 - Full text:
EN;
FR
Summary
This recommendation provides a detailed policy framework for member
states of the Council of Europe to ensure that programmes and
co-development projects have a real and lasting effect on development in
the countries of origin, in Europe or elsewhere. The recommendation
invites member states to put in place policies to encourage and
facilitate partnerships between actors in the countries of origin and
countries of destination. For this purpose, it proposes a series of
principles designed to support associations of migrants working in the
social, economic, political and cultural development of countries of
origin. The recommendation puts particular emphasis on the cooperation
and solidarity between countries of destination and countries of origin
of migrants. It identifies the conditions necessary to be taken by
countries of destination and countries of origin to promote
co-development initiatives.
Children
Life projects' for unaccompanied migrant minors
(CM/ Rec(2007)9)
Adopted by the Committee of Ministers on 12 July 2007 - Full text:
EN;
FR;
it;
es;
de;
ru
Summary
The recommendation aims to improve the welfare of unaccompanied
migrant children. It stresses the importance of placing the best
interest of the child at the heart of all government policy and
practice. Developing life projects for unaccompanied migrant children is
the key policy approach. Life projects are individual tools, based on a
joint undertaking between the child and the relevant authorities for a
limited duration, that define the child’s future prospects, promote his
or her best interests without discrimination and provide a long term
response to its needs. Each project aims to develop the capacities
of the child, allowing him or her to acquire and strengthen the
necessary skills to become independent, responsible and active in
society. The recommendation underlines that, in order to achieve this,
life projects should seek to promote the social integration of the
child, his or her personal development, cultural development, open
access to housing, health, studies and vocational training and
employment. The recommendation aims also to improve the capacities’ of
member states to manage migration of unaccompanied migrant children. It
underlines the role of co-operation between all involved countries and
authorities.
Strengthening the
integration of children of migrants and of immigrant background
(Recommendation Rec(2008)4) Adopted by the Committee of Ministers on
20 February 2008 - Full text:
EN;
FR Summary
Member states are recommended to introduce into their policy and
practice measures to improve the integration of newly-arrived children
of migrants into the educational system, provide children of migrants
with adequate language skills at a preschool level, prepare children of
migrants and of immigrant background approaching school-leaving age for
a successful transition from school to the labour market, and overcome
the difficulties faced by these children living in segregated areas and
disadvantaged areas. Detailed guidelines on how member states might
apply the recommendation are included in an appendix. These guidelines
cover the following topics:
- language learning,
- staff recruitment and development (teachers, social and health workers
and other professionals working with migrant children and children of
immigrant background),
- human rights, democratic citizenship and diversity in schools,
- integration of migrant children and children of immigrant background
into school life,
- the role of civil society and migrants’ associations in supporting the
integration of migrant children into school life and society,
- support for parents of migrant children,
- facilitating the transition from school to work,
- the specific problems faced by children of migrants and immigrant
background living in segregated and disadvantaged areas. |