Churches’ Commission for Migrants in Europe (CCME)

Press Release 22 October 2004

CHRISTIANS PLEAD FOR FAIR EU POLICY ON MIGRATION

Six Christian organisations will present 12 recommendations for a fair and consistent EU Migration and Asylum Policy to the Ministers of the Justice and Home Affairs Council in Luxembourg from 25-26 October 2004.

The six organisations – Caritas Europa, the Churches’ Commission for Migrants in Europe(CCME), the Secretariat of the Commission of Bishops’ Conferences of the European Community (COMECE), the International Catholic Migration Commission, the Jesuit Refugee Service Europe (JRS) and the Quaker Council for European Affairs - argue that the 12 recommendations should be incorporated into EU asylum and migration policy in order to protect the human rights of migrants and refugees.

The six organisations recommend that EU Migration and Asylum policy should provide a framework for the regularisation of irregular migrants, the recognition of family reunification as a fundamental right, a common approach to integration policy, and a modified return and readmission policy. They urge the member states to ratify the international convention on migrants’ rights adopted in the United Nations in 1990. Combating trafficking in human beings should constitute a specific policy and also seek to offer long-term perspectives to the victims. A common and coherent asylum system must guarantee high standards for refugees. Asylum seekers and refugees should have access to a full asylum determination procedure, which should be in compliance with the rule of law. Refugees should be guaranteed a protected status during their asylum application and be admitted access to the labour market.

The organisations call upon the Ministers as they prepare the next multi-annual programme in Justice and Home Affairs, to seriously consider these 12 recommendations. They are based upon the inalienable dignity of human beings. They aim to highlight the economic, social and cultural benefits of migration for society. Security threats must not contravene the crucial principle which underpins this policy area.

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The 12 recommendations are available at:
http://www.cec-kek.org/English/TwelveRecommendations.pdf

For more information:
Churches’ Commission for Migrants in Europe
Ecumenical Centre
Rue Joseph 11, 174
BE – 1000 Brussels
Telephone: +32 2 234 6800
E-mail: info@ccme.be