World: Congress adopts declaration on reception of refugees in Europe

Strasbourg, 22.10.2015 – The States of Europe must assume shared responsibility for accommodating refugees on their territory in line with the applicable right to asylum and human dignity. That was the message from the members of the Congress of Local and Regional Authorities of the Council of Europe in a declaration adopted on 21 October 2015 in Strasbourg, France. The text emphasises in particular that Europe must play a full part in taking in Syrian refugees, only 6% of whom are on European territory (excluding Turkey), while Turkey, Lebanon and Jordan are accommodating more than 4 million.

"This declaration is a tool for reiterating our deep commitment to the principles of solidarity, social cohesion and the values promoted by the Council of Europe and the Congress of Local and Regional Authorities, as well as our rejection of xenophobia and racism, which are rearing their ugly heads throughout Europe", said Gunn Marit Helgesen (Norway, EPP/CCE), Congress rapporteur.

The Congress asks the Committee of Ministers of the Council of Europe to work together with the European Union to ensure that the question of immigration and the right to asylum are the subject of comprehensive European policies based on dignity and solidarity, designed to promote the reception and integration of migrants. It also stresses the need to allocate the necessary funding to local and regional authorities which are in the front line.

The declaration calls on the local and regional authorities of all Council of Europe member States to establish a "European network of cities of solidarity" in response to the European appeal launched on 3 October 2015 by the municipalities of Strasbourg, Catania and Rovereto. "This network will enable us to more effectively coordinate our refugee reception activities in the areas of housing, education and health care", explained Nawel Rafik-Elmrini, deputy mayor of Strasbourg, France, and member of the Congress.

The Congress also called on municipalities and regions to step up transfrontier cooperation and share their experience within European networks, such as Intercultural Cities, including through peer training sessions under an arrangement supported by the Congress.

· Congress Declaration

· Introduction by Gunn Marit Helgesen

· Speech by Nawel Rafik Elmrini

· 29th Session file

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