Brussels, 11/01/2005 (Agence Europe) - The conference on the integration of minorities and immigrant communities into the different EU countries, organised last Wednesday in Brussels by the Alliance of Liberals and Democrats for Europe (ALDE) from the European Parliament under the leadership of Graham Watson, placed emphasis on the fact that the integration of migrants has long been a source of misunderstanding and sometimes of contrast between countries of origin and host countries. Participants noted that legal immigration is not a solution to illegal immigration, as the situation in Canada shows. Also, they warned against the confusion that is often made between terrorism and Islamism, noting the existence of a certain "Islamophobia" on the part of the West towards Muslims and a form of xenophobia on the part of the Muslims towards the West. In order to live in harmony, religion must be kept separate from politics and society must be thought of as being a collective whole made up of separate individuals, participants say.
Drawing conclusions from the debates that were marked by great serenity and great respect for all the different opinions expressed, MEP and former Belgian Minister for Justice and Home Affairs Antoine Duquesne recalled that integration remains a priority for the EU, which has between 13 and 14 million third country nationals. Many immigrants manage to integrate successfully, which does not mean assimilation, but most of them are confronted by many obstacles (impossible access to employment, health care and housing - where they are victims of segregation -, language problems and education) and are also the persons most exposed to the risk of poverty and social exclusion, Mr Duquesne said. He went on to add: "These different obstacles make these persons easy targets for those who wish to manipulate them". The participants also highlighted the fact that a European integration strategy must contain four points: 1) gradual opening of legal entry channels for third country nationals for economic reasons; 2) harmonisation of national statutes for third country nationals established in the EU in a stable manner for a number of years; 3) harmonisation of national rules relating to family reunification; and 4) far-reaching measures to combat discrimination.
In his opening speech, Graham Watson said: "For Liberals and Democrats, an acceptance of a multicultural society must lie at the heart of a policy of unity in diversity, of shared values beyond different individual beliefs". Beate Winkler, Director of the European Monitoring Centre on Racism and Xenophobia (EUMC) in Vienna stressed that immigration and integration are permanent features of European societies and, where well managed, have brought many benefits and respect of human rights to Member States. An overall immigration and integration policy for minorities is crucial, Ms Winkler continued, noting, however, that although anti-discrimination legislation is a good thing, it does not in itself eliminate racism. So what must be done? There must be short, medium and long term strategies that take account of the reasons why people wish to emigrate while facilitating the integration of minorities.
The young Hungarian MEP, Viktoria Mohacsi (who is part of the Roma minority), called for an end to the discrimination against her community, mainly when it comes to education. "Ninety percent of Romani children receive substandard education", so that they do not have the same chances in life as other children, Ms Mohacsi notes. Valeriu Nicolae (European Roma Information Office) deplored the fact that: "only one Roma expert is used by the Commission. There is no budget for the Roma at the level of the Commission and its DGs".
Tatiana Hadjiemmanuel, the International Office for Migration (IOM) expert, says "employment is one of the most important challenges for the integration of migrants and ethnic minorities, like education". In her view, a more effective system for asylum should be set in place and the situation of unqualified workers regularised.
By next summer, Spain plans to regularise the situation of thousands of illegal immigrants, Spanish deputy Ignasi Guardans Cambo recalled, asking "What do you think?" "The Member States must bear in mind their own specific needs (…) It would be interesting to see what the impact would be on the other Members States and on the EU. If Spain considers that it is a good thing for its own development, then it must accept it", Ms Hadjiemmanuel replied. Marielle De Sarnez of France went on to add to this, saying: "If one wants a real immigration policy, then it must be European, and there must be progress on the question of illegal immigration". She asked, however: "What would this policy entail? A quota policy?"
The representative of the European Council on Refugees and Exiles (ECRE), Richard Williams, commented that "some of the asylum seekers will be European citizens tomorrow". Belgian MEP
Gérard Deprez said he was not convinced that legal immigration would do away with illegal immigration as one only had to look at what is happening in Canada.
European citizenship and migrants: priority to the individual, separating religion from politics
Antoine Duquesne raised the following questions: Is it possible to be a Muslim as well as a European in today's world? Is the cultural identity of some minorities contradictory to the EU's fundamental principles? Are minority rights still compatible with the duties of European citizenship? To what extent can the State take a stance for or against outward signs of religious belief? Ibrahim El-Zayat, from the Federation of Islamic Organisations in Europe, stressed the important role played by migration in the development of the EU and noted that immigration within the EU "is simpler and easier" than that from outside the EU. There are between 20 and 25 million Muslims in the EU, which is around 5-6% of the total population. One must know that "the third European heritage is Muslim", he added, deploring the fact that there is "Islamophobia" on the part of the West towards the Muslims, and 'westophobia' on the part of Muslims, when xenophobia is unacceptable either at clan or any other level. Mr El-Zayat also regretted the link made between terrorism and Islamism and hoped that immigrants would be seen as an enrichment for our societies rather than a threat. MEP Emma Bonino said she agreed with Mr El-Zayat but that there are problems with Muslim immigration and these must be faced. On the subject of Islamophobia, the Italian Radical noted that it is true all Muslims are not terrorists but terrorists do flaunt themselves as Muslims, and that poses a problem. The role of some mosques in Europe is "neither to pacify nor to integrate". In Italy, the Imams in mosques speak in anti-Semitic language and incite violence. This, the former European Commissioner went on to say, harms the millions of Muslim immigrants of good faith who are seeking a better future in Europe. It is our fault, she said, as "we have not made a difference between them and we have watched on without taking action". "This reality must be carefully looked at, differences noted and errors corrected. These persons must be considered as citizens of Muslim faith but also as individuals. Individual rights come before collective rights!" Ms Bonino exclaimed. As far as the political participation of immigrants is concerned, Ms Bonino wondered whether an Islamic party would be accepted. Mr El-Zayet considers the "situation ideal is in Austria where there is truly equal treatment between the religious communities". "We are in a great misunderstanding. We are all the sons of Abraham", French national Jean-Marie Beaupuy said, presenting the reality of the situation in his town (Reims) where there are "17 different communities living side by side - Vietnamese, Turkish, Moroccan and Algerian - but also extremists!" Graham Watson urged for the white racists to be eliminated once and for all, as they believe they are superior, and also the Muslim religious leaders who preach hatred. Emma Bonino was of the view that there is no perfect integration policy but that something can be done to make the phenomenon of immigration liveable. She went on to stress that she believes religion must be kept separate from politics, to avoid an "enormous confusion". "Freedom of expression does not justify violence", she stated.