ENAR Weekly Mail 17

21 October 2005

 

…      Concerns over migration issues

There have been numerous articles and reactions to the recent deaths of migrants of sub-Saharan origin on the border between the Spanish enclaves of Ceuta and Melilla and Morocco. A selection:

ÿ    At a mini-plenary debate on 12 October, MEPs have spoken out about the unacceptable situation in Ceuta and Melilla. They called for concerted EU action to address the problem whereby an estimated 30,000 people are seeking to enter Europe from Africa. Read more // Read the Summary of the debate

ÿ    In a statement to the JHA Council meeting from 12 -13 October, ECRE (European Council of refugees and Exiles) urged Member States to respect fundamental rights in a comprehensive approach to asylum in the wake of the Melilla tragedy. Read more: Press release and Statement

ÿ    The Special Rapporteur on the human rights of migrants, Dr. Jorge Bustamante, expressed his deep concern over the recent events and over reports of collective deportations of migrants and asylum seekers carried out by Moroccan authorities. Read more

ÿ    Five NGOs (AEDH, FIDH, LDH France, LDH Belgium and APDHA) launched petition European call for dignity: ìEuropean fortress turns into a wall of shameî

ÿ    Human rights Watch: Deportations to Morocco Put Migrants at Risk

ÿ    Amnesty International: EU Member States threatening the integrity of the international refugee protection system

 

…      Launch of the European Civil Liberties Network (ECLN)

The ECLN was launched on 19 October in Brussels to provide a platform for groups working on civil liberties issues across Europe. Participating organisations share the common objective of seeking to create a European society based on freedom and diversity, a society of fundamental civil liberties and personal and political freedoms, of free movement and freedom of information, and equal rights for all in Europe. Read more

 

…      United Kingdom: Terrorism Bill 2005

Amnesty International issued a press release and a detailed briefing paper on the key provisions of the UK Terrorism Bill which was recently published.

 

…      Slovakia: Affirmative action is banned in legal system

The Slovak Constitutional Court has decided that anti-discrimination legislation is unconstitutional due to its efforts to allow affirmative action in Slovakia. The Court ruled against the legislation as a result of the parliamentís addition of Article 5 of the European Commission, which legalizes affirmative action as a tool to combat social inequalities. Read more:

http://www.dzeno.cz/?c_id=8931

http://www.romea.cz/english/index.php?id=servis/z_en_2005_0274

 

…      Slovakia: Footballers campaign against racism

Representatives of the Slovak Soccer Association and the People Against Racism organisation announced that Slovakia would take part in the European Week against Racism in football, which wants to protest against the demonstrations of racism and intolerance at football stadiums. ìSoccer is of course only a mirror of the society and we cannot expect than any activities in soccer will do away with racism as such,î said Daniel Milo, head of People Against Racism. Read more

For a full list of activities planned as part of Action Week, visit the FARE website

 

…      Bulgaria and Romania: Amnesty International's Human Rights Concerns in the EU Accession Countries

With the European Commission due to release its annual monitoring reports on Bulgaria and Romania on 25 October, Amnesty International calls on the European Union to keep up pressure on the two accession countries on some crucial outstanding human rights concerns. In a briefing paper issued on 19 October, AI highlights its concerns in both countries over problems relating to the rights of people with mental disabilities, ill-treatment by law enforcement authorities and discrimination against Roma communities. Read the report

 

…      The future of Europe: Islamophobia?

The future of Europe is closely linked to the successful integration of Muslim immigrants into European societies. Europe should seek to reach cultural pluralism in contrast to assimilation or exclusion in order to avoid discrimination against Muslims. Author Burak Erdenir argues that both Muslim immigrants and host societies have mutual responsibilities in this respect. Both have to go through a mental change, eventually resulting in the redefinition of their identities. However, if Europe fails to integrate the Muslim immigrants, it will also fail to unite the Europeans under a common political identity. It will have to pay a price through social conflict, extreme nationalism and hatred amongst its fellow citizens. Read more

 

…      Integrated associations one year after enlargement

With the EU's enlargement to ten new member states on 1 May 2004, most European associations, industry federations, trade unions and NGOs have had to adapt their internal structure and working practices to make room for the newcomers. One year on, EurActiv looks at how enlargement has actually affected the way associations work. Read more: in English // in French

 

 

…      Commission proposes a better exchange of information on national migration and asylum policies in the Union

The Commission on 12 October tabled a proposal for a Council Decision on the establishment of a mutual information procedure on national measures taken in the areas of asylum and immigration which could affect other Member States. The proposal is based on the recognition that the absence of border checks in the Schengen area and the gradual development of common EU immigration and asylum policies have increased the need for a timely information exchange on, and a discussion of, national measures Member States are preparing or about to take in the areas of asylum and immigration. Read more: in English // in French

 

…      European Parliament Sakharov prize for freedom of thought 2005

The Parliamentís website will feature a series of articles to mark the week leading up to the awarding of the 2005 Sakharov prize for freedom of thought on 26 October. The prize is awarded annually to the person or group who are judged to have made a ìparticular achievementî in the promotion and protection of freedom of thought. It recognises achievement in the field of human rights, protecting minorities, defence of international cooperation or the development of democracy and the rule of law. Read more: in English // in French

 

 

…      UK: Event honours Gypsy volunteers

A Gypsy from Liverpool (UK) who is helping to create an information pack about his culture following the death of his son in a racist attack was honoured on 19 October at the House of Lords. Patrick Delaney was joining more than a dozen Gypsies at the event in London which aimed to recognise the voluntary work carried out by Gypsies and Travellers around the UK. Read more

 

…      Romania: The Disreputable Game

Over the past couple of years, racist and xenophobic behaviour in Romanian football stadiums has intensified, reaching unmatched heights. This fever of racism ñ aimed mainly at the Roma, seen as the most disruptive minority in the country ñ has finally prompted authorities to step in. However, many both at home at abroad say little is being done to root out the problem. Read more

 

…      The situation of Roma deported back to Hungary

For generations, Canada has symbolized a new beginning for immigrants. But this is no longer the case for Roma because of the way the Canadian Immigration and Refugee Board has chosen to judge their cases. When the Roma return to Hungary, they are subject to worse treatment than before they escaped because they are considered traitors and are often turned down for social assistance. Read more

 

 

…      International Implementation Conference on Roma, Sinti and Travellers

Date and venue: 20-21 October 2005, Warsaw (Poland)

The conference will focus on concrete measures of the participating States to implement the Action Plan for Improvement of the Situation of the Roma and Sinti within the OSCE Area, the Council of Europeís relevant recommendations on Roma and Travellers, European Union standards, as well as the participating Statesí own relevant national strategies and action plans, including those undertaken in connection with the regional initiative for the ìDecade of Roma Inclusion, 2005-2015î. The conference in Warsaw will also focus on the phenomenon of anti-Gypsyism in Europe and how the participating States, participating NGOs and the international community can best provide remedies against racism and intolerance faced by Roma, Sinti and Travellers. For more information - Also read Dzenoís reaction

 

 

…      ECRE Country Reports 2004

The European Council on Refugees and Exiles (ECRE) Country Reports contain information about major policy and legal developments in 2004, along with statistics on asylum applications, for 27 European countries. The synthesis identifies wide disparities in the treatment of particular refugee groups, such as Chechens, Iraqis and Afghans, and restrictive trends such as less long term security for refugee status, a reduction in procedural safeguards, including layers of appeals or the right to remain on the territory pending an appeal, a risk of refoulement at the EUís external borders and those of neighbouring states and the widespread use of detention. Read the reports

 

…      A Guide for NGOs on the Implementation of the UN Migrant Workersí Convention

This publication was produced for the International Platform on the Migrant Workersí Convention (IPMWC) by December 18. Download the 90-page document. Spanish and French versions will be available by the end of October. For printed versions please write to: info@december18.net.

 

…      Mediterranean Migration Report 2005

This report by the Euro-Mediterranean consortium for Applied Research on International Migration (CARIM) looks at patterns of migration from and to 10 countries on the Middle East and North African rim of the Mediterranean. It confirms that emigration from these areas is growing, although it points out that fewer than half first-generation emigrants go to Europe. Read the report

 

…      Migration in an interconnected world: New directions for action

In this 90-page report, the Global Commission on International Migration (GCIM) says the international community has failed to realize the full potential of migration and has not risen to the many opportunities and challenges it presents. The GCIM stresses the need for greater coherence, cooperation and capacity to achieve a more effective governance of international migration. The report provides analysis of key global policy issues in the field of international migration, and presents six ëPrinciples for Actioní and 33 recommendations that can serve as a guide to the formulation of migration policies at the national, regional and global levels. Download the report

 

…      Dissolving Barriers - Intercultural Dialogue in Europe. Conference Report

The struggle to look for a better life has forced many people to migrate or to seek asylum in European Countries. However, the recent restrictive EU policies have caused great difficulties for the integration of these people. The UNITED Conference ìDissolving Barriers - Intercultural Dialogue in Europeî (4-8 May 2005, Rieti, Italy) was aimed at looking into this issue. More than 80 participants representing NGO's from all over Europe met for 4 days to exchange ideas, experiences and strategies on matters like Fortress Europe, Islamophobia, anti-Semitism, and discrimination. Read the report

 

…      Politics and Policies of the Social in the European Union: Looking at the Hidden Agendas

Author: Peter Herrmann (University of Cork, Ireland), 2005; Price $79

According to the author, the EU is shaken ñ the results of the referenda are just the tip of the iceberg. Beneath we find a major block of frozen policies and polities, largely responsible for the current ìhyperactive paralysisî. There is no doubt that many initiatives are currently taken ñ suggesting to overcome the crisis by hyperactive reactions. This book allows readers to get familiar with developments in the social policy and governance area which are usually not considered ñ or even known. The book can be ordered from Nova Science Publishers: www.novapublishers.com

 

 

…      Special events within the framework of a European Union democracy campaign following the 60th anniversary of the liberation from fascism

Deadline: 15.11.2005 

Projects under this call will have to contribute to encourage European citizens to engage in building a democratic Europe further, so that it can become a continent free from violence, racism and discrimination. All projects shall therefore:

ÿ    involve citizens actively in the reflection on European values and achievements and in the building of the EU;

ÿ    involve citizens, especially young people, directly;

ÿ    encourage trans-national partnerships and exchanges.

Read more: in English // in French