1. Rights of Migrants in a Multicultural Society
Experiences of migration and multicultural policy in Europe
Ciarán Ó Maoláin

2. Defining Europe The European Union 27 states 495 million people
18.5 million migrants
65 official languages

3. Defining Europe The Council of Europe 47 states + 1 candidate
800 million people
133 official languages

4. Council of Europe instruments and agencies
European Convention on Human Rights
European Court of Human Rights
Framework Convention for the Protection of National Minorities
Advisory Committee on the Framework Convention
European Charter for Regional or Minority Languages
Venice Commission
European Commission against Racism and Intolerance
Parliamentary Assembly of the Council of Europe

5. European Union instruments and agencies
common migration policy
Schengen system
Common Basic Principles for Immigrant Integration Policy
Common Agenda for Integration
former European Monitoring Centre on Racism and Xenophobia:
now Fundamental Rights Agency
European Commission
anti-trafficking work
European Social Fund
European Fund for the Integration of Third-Country Nationals
European Refugee Fund

6. Other European structures
Organisation for Security and Co-operation in Europe
High Commissioner on National Minorities

7. National human rights institutions
17 NHRIs in Council of Europe states (“European Group”)
+ at least 65 other rights-based institutions
Many activities in relation to migration and multiculturalism:
Migrant Workers Convention
public commitments to accessibility and equality
legal responsibilities in anti-discrimination
materials in migrant languages
co-operation among NHRIs
legislation and policy advice

8. National human rights institutions
Many activities in relation to migration and multiculturalism:
investigations on migration, citizenship, asylum
anti-trafficking work
challenging discrimination by public authorities
implementation of European Union programmes
work for Roma, Gypsy and Traveller communities
protection of emigrants abroad
joint working with representative NGOs

9. Specialised anti-discrimination institutions
Remit to combat racism and discrimination
May be part of NHRI
May collaborate with NHRI
More likely to exist in countries that have accredited NHRIs
Where absent, special responsibility on NHRIs

10. Promotion of inter-cultural relations
Prevention is better than cure
Promote intercultural understanding and tolerance, reduce hostility to migrants
European Year of Intercultural Dialogue, and EU research
Council of Europe declarations
National plans and strategies

11. Educational initiatives
Advisory Committee on the Framework Convention
Commentary on education:
right to education
right to equality in education
education as a tool for:
preserving identity
eliminating discrimination
promoting integration and tolerance
professional training
safe environment for minorities

12. The media access to the media
including minority presence in mainstream media
right to create and use media in migrant/minority language
representation of migrants and minorities in the media

13. Participation in public life
Advisory Committee on the Framework Convention
Commentary on participation:
comprehensive laws against discrimination
adaptation of public services to special needs
eliminate unjustifiable barriers
participation in politics and the legislative process
consultation mechanisms
minority participation in public service, judiciary etc.

14. Europe does not have all the answers!
Impact of global recession
Rise of xenophobic parties
Islamophobia
Detention of asylum seekers
NHRIs and other institutions vulnerable to budget cuts

15. Conclusion NHRIs must respond to particular needs of migrants
Potential role for a specialised anti-discrimination agency
Promote inter-cultural dialogue
Involve minorities in monitoring human rights obligations
Integrate as equals, reject assimilationist approaches
A challenge for institutions, for activists, for everyone