Mediterranean zone: resolution for the development of democracy and human rights, including those of migrants

29/05/2013
Press release
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Resolution adopted by FIDH 38th Congress

Presented by: Italian League for Human Rights

The FIDH Congress,

Whereas the FIDH Congress convened in Istanbul has examined, two years after the beginning of the "Arab Spring", the situation of human rights in the region, paying particular attention to the democratic aspirations of the youth which lie at the heart of the claims of these “Arab Springs”;

Whereas a common desire inspires the demands and struggles against injustice carried by the world’s youth of today, which should be encouraged as part of a network of mutual exchange of ideas and actions;

Whereas, despite the election of two historic FIDH militants, as President of Tunisia and Prime Minister of Libya, a number of countries in the Mediterranean area are sending worrying signals for the future of Democracy in this strategic region for peace and political stability in the Mediterranean and Middle East;

Whereas the responsibility of the international community, including the European Union and the United States of America to support democratic aspirations in the Mediterranean region and to oppose the possibility of a return of authoritarian regimes goes through increased support to the organisations that act for the defence of freedom and the protection of human rights, and increased support for the economic prosperity of the region;

Whereas the recognition given to Palestine through its status as official observer of the UN General Assembly is a necessary step towards change in the political situation in the Mediterranean area;

Whereas the current economic crisis and its share of misery generated in the context of the disintegration of the democratic and social framework of public policies call more than ever for the need to guarantee to all, including migrants, the possibility of a dignified life;

Whereas a significant proportion of illegal immigration results from situations of extreme poverty, but also from repressive policies carried out by anti-democratic regimes; considering the failure of public authorities to facilitate the practice of regular migration and the risks that result concerning the rights, freedom, physical integrity and life of migrants and their families;

Proposes the establishment of a "Permanent Youth Committee for Human Rights" in order to enhance meetings and exchanges among young people from FIDH leagues with a view to propose solutions to the serious problems affecting the Mediterranean region: youth unemployment, migration , integration, education, etc.. Italy’s geopolitical location would be ideal for hosting this Committee;

Proposes the creation of a "Conference of Human Rights Leagues from the Mediterranean / Middle East", in order to propose, in the presence of representatives of the Arab League and the African Union, specific actions for the development of Democracy and Human Rights, including those of migrants;

Recalls the obligation for migration control authorities, including the European Agency Frontex, to allow migrants involved in control operations the possibility to have their asylum application examined;

Requests that a residence permit be granted to any illegal immigrant who can prove that s/he is employed or who declares a place of residence or domicile, without the need for him/her to return to his home state;

Requests that civil and criminal law, in particular labour law and trade union rights are purged of all forms of discrimination and unequal treatment between citizens and migrant workers;

Requests States to adopt as a universal rule the recognition of citizenship based on the right of the soil (jus soli) to avoid the phenomenon of stateless persons, and requires accordingly that they consider as a national citizen any person born on the national territory, regardless of nationality, ethnicity, parental status or a possible illegal situation;

Calls upon the national leagues to endorse this resolution and to promote to their national and supranational institutions laws and political, administrative and judicial practices corresponding to these principles.

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