14/12/2006: The Intergroup on "Family and Protection of Childhood" in the European Parliament, chaired by Mrs Panayotopoulos-Cassiotou (EPP-ED, GR), organised this Wednesday 13 December, a joint meeting with the "Fourth World Committee" Intergroup presided over by Mr Mendez de Vigo (EPP-ED, ES), on the topic of immigration. The meeting attracted the participation of a great number of MEPs, representatives of the European Commission, the Council of Europe, the UNHCR and NGOs
The discussions addressed more specifically the link between immigration and poverty as well as the impact of immigration on family and children. NGO Caritas presented its third report on poverty in Europe which reveals that third country nationals, who represent around 20 million people in the EU, are usually in a less favourable position than EU nationals when it comes to employment, education, training, health, housing and participation in public life. The prevalence of atypical work contracts (part-time, temporary contracts or undeclared labour) for migrants tends to expose them to discrimination and exploitation, thus increasing the risk of social exclusion, marginalisation and poverty. PICUM (Platform for International Cooperation also presented its activities in various European countries for the improvement of living conditions of illegal migrants and ensuring respect of their rights.
Mrs Agnès Hubert, representative of the Bureau of European Policy Advisers of the European Commission (BEPA), indicated that the improvement of the public attitude towards migrants is an essential condition for the promotion of their economic and social integration and a better use of their potential. She underlined that the development of new possibilities for legal migration, family reunification, the reduction of illegal labour and support for youth are fundamental components of this approach. She also mentioned that the role of migrant women, who represent 54% of migrants in the EU, should be further promoted in national migration policies and their economic, social and cultural integration supported. An improved integration of migrant women contributes to a better integration of their children, thus giving them a good impetus for their full participation in society both as contributors and beneficiaries
Mrs Tax from the UNHCR mentioned the increase in child migration, including that of unaccompanied minors, as well as the fragile situation of these children. She insisted on the necessity for States to adopt, at all stages of migration procedures, measures protecting the child's best interests. These measures include the fight against trafficking and exploitation, the suppression of detention centres for minor migrants and their replacement by structures more appropriate to childhood, the appointment of a legal guardian for unaccompanied minors and the establishment of child-sensitive asylum procedures. The development of statistics on child migrants is also fundamental for the formulation of more targeted policies.
Underlining that the integration of children implies their access to education, Mr Attuil from the Cabinet of the Commissioner for Human Rights of the Council of Europe pointed out the bureaucratic difficulties in this field, in particular for undocumented minor migrants. He mentioned that specialised school programs for the integration of migrant children could be adopted in order to enable them to pursue a normal education and prevent the phenomenon of early school-leavers which is on the constant increase.
In the framework of a common European approach on immigration, the two Chairpersons, Mrs Panayotopoulos-Cassiotou and Mr Mendez de Vigo, expressed their satisfaction regarding the fruitful dialogue that followed the presentation of the various topics relating to poverty, family and children.
The discussions addressed more specifically the link between immigration and poverty as well as the impact of immigration on family and children. NGO Caritas presented its third report on poverty in Europe which reveals that third country nationals, who represent around 20 million people in the EU, are usually in a less favourable position than EU nationals when it comes to employment, education, training, health, housing and participation in public life. The prevalence of atypical work contracts (part-time, temporary contracts or undeclared labour) for migrants tends to expose them to discrimination and exploitation, thus increasing the risk of social exclusion, marginalisation and poverty. PICUM (Platform for International Cooperation also presented its activities in various European countries for the improvement of living conditions of illegal migrants and ensuring respect of their rights.
Mrs Agnès Hubert, representative of the Bureau of European Policy Advisers of the European Commission (BEPA), indicated that the improvement of the public attitude towards migrants is an essential condition for the promotion of their economic and social integration and a better use of their potential. She underlined that the development of new possibilities for legal migration, family reunification, the reduction of illegal labour and support for youth are fundamental components of this approach. She also mentioned that the role of migrant women, who represent 54% of migrants in the EU, should be further promoted in national migration policies and their economic, social and cultural integration supported. An improved integration of migrant women contributes to a better integration of their children, thus giving them a good impetus for their full participation in society both as contributors and beneficiaries
Mrs Tax from the UNHCR mentioned the increase in child migration, including that of unaccompanied minors, as well as the fragile situation of these children. She insisted on the necessity for States to adopt, at all stages of migration procedures, measures protecting the child's best interests. These measures include the fight against trafficking and exploitation, the suppression of detention centres for minor migrants and their replacement by structures more appropriate to childhood, the appointment of a legal guardian for unaccompanied minors and the establishment of child-sensitive asylum procedures. The development of statistics on child migrants is also fundamental for the formulation of more targeted policies.
Underlining that the integration of children implies their access to education, Mr Attuil from the Cabinet of the Commissioner for Human Rights of the Council of Europe pointed out the bureaucratic difficulties in this field, in particular for undocumented minor migrants. He mentioned that specialised school programs for the integration of migrant children could be adopted in order to enable them to pursue a normal education and prevent the phenomenon of early school-leavers which is on the constant increase.
In the framework of a common European approach on immigration, the two Chairpersons, Mrs Panayotopoulos-Cassiotou and Mr Mendez de Vigo, expressed their satisfaction regarding the fruitful dialogue that followed the presentation of the various topics relating to poverty, family and children.
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