Book Description

This book is a record of the proceedings of a colloquy on 'Human Rights of Aliens in Europe'. The Colloquy was organised by the Secretariat General of the Council of Europe, and held in Madiera, Portugal from the 17 to 19 October 1983. The three themes of the Colloquy were: the admission of aliens into the territory of the host country and their residence there, participation of aliens in public affairs (political and associative life) and the fact that aliens belong to various cultures and the tension which this creates. Separate sessions were devoted to each theme. On the admission of aliens to the territory of the host country and his residence there, it was proposed by one participant that only 'real' as opposed to 'fictitious' families should be considered as eligible to the special consideration of family reunification in the refugee admission procedure of states. It was pointed out, however, that it is far from easy to come to a clear definition of the 'family'. Discussion also touched on the right of aliens to have the assistance of an interpreter for legal civil, criminal and administrative proceedings, the relation of asylum and extradition, and what measures could be taken within the Council of Europe to promote better compliance on the part of states to European Conventions. On the participation of aliens in public affairs, there was discussion on the right of aliens, especially of migrant workers, to vote at the local level and the question of participation in home elections while abroad. Discussion on the third theme centered upon whether government immigration policy and the treatment of resident aliens should be based on a concept of aliens as being a threat to the European society or whether the contact between peoples brought about by immigration could result in mutually beneficial changes.