Restrictive migration policies and the responsibility of the media: the impact on migrants
Event took place: Tuesday, 6 December 2011, 09.30-17.00 at the Stanhope Hotel, Rue du Commerce 9, B-1000 Brussels
The European Policy Centre and the European Programme for Integration and Migration jointly held a high level conference which explored the rights of migrants- particularly those who are undocumented, and the role of the media in the migration and integration debate.
In this year of austerity and high unemployment in many member states, the debate in Europe on immigration policy is becoming more focused on how to restrict irregular migration and what to do about undocumented migrants. But what impact do restrictive migration policies have on migrants? What can EU policy-makers do to address the complex problems associated with undocumented migration in Member States, be it removing obstacles to fundamental rights, designing new and better policies to protect the borders or providing more support to local authorities working everyday with these issues? And is the media culpable in spreading a view of so-called “illegal” migrants as those who take advantage of public benefits, or does it simply report on real stories?
Marta Cygan, Director for Immigration and Asylum in DG Home Affairs in the European Commission, opened the conference with a keynote speech while Antonio Vitorino, the EU’s first Commissioner for Justice and Home Affairs, wrapped up what was a lively day of discussions. In between, a panel of distinguished Members of the European Parliament, each representing one of the main political groupings, was asked to present their views, including Kinga Göncz MEP (S&D), Judith Sargentini MEP (Greens), and Sajjad Karim (ECR). Media practitioners and civil society representatives also participated, including Don Flynn from Migrant Rights Network and the European Network Against Racism, Marc Janssen of Belgium’s Conseil Superieur de l’Audiovisuel and Anke Schuster (IOM). The conference was moderated by Yves Pascouau, EPC Senior Policy Analyst, and Jacki Davis, EPC Senior Advisor.
See the programme here
Read the report of the event here
