16/12/2022 Migration, Refugees and Displaced Persons
On International Migrants Day, Theodoros Rousopoulos (Greece, EPP/CD), the Chairperson of the Committee on Migration, Refugees and Displaced Persons, recalled the importance of upholding human rights for all. This should become a reality in the 21st century for migrants and refugees.
The principle of equal rights for all migrants, whatever their status, lies at the core of the UN Convention on the Protection of the Rights of All Migrant Workers and Members of their Families, adopted on 18 December 1990. This core principle is fully aligned with Article 1 of the European Convention on Human Rights which guarantees equal access to rights and freedoms to everyone within the jurisdiction of member States.
Throughout the years, the committee has produced reports relaying experts' views - including migrants' voices - as well as good practices across national and local authorities that demonstrate that migration is a natural phenomenon providing opportunities for all.
PACE provides a unique forum for members of parliaments to reflect on such work and to promote concrete avenues toward the adoption of policies in line with the values and standards of the Council of Europe.
Ahead of the 4th Summit of Heads of State and Government of the Council of Europe, to be held on 16-17 May 2023 in Reykjavik (Iceland), Mr Rousopoulos echoed the recent statement by the PACE’s Standing Committee, stressing the role of the Council of Europe “as a cornerstone of European multilateral architecture.”
On the occasion of International Migrants' Day, the Committee on Migration, Refugees and Displaced Persons calls on States to use multilateralism to advance human rights for all across Europe and reiterates its commitment to making equal rights a reality for all, including for people on the move, and especially for the most vulnerable.