Eastern Mediterranean refugee crisis – a European and global responsibility

In the debate over the predicament of the many refugees and migrants now in Greece, the Parliamentary Assembly (PACE) directed somewhat sharp criticism at the EU.

The resolution adopted during the session stated that the EU has not followed up the EU-Turkey Agreement and the closure of borders along the western Balkans route with sufficient support to Greece and the approximately 50,000 refugees and migrants that the country has been hosting.

“What we now see in Greece is the result of a lack of solidarity and burden-sharing among European states,” said Ingjerd Schou (Conservative Party), head of the Storting’s delegation. “We have improved control over the outer borders – something that has been important – but this must be followed with a greater willingness to share responsibility and carry out of last year’s agreement on the relocation of refugees from Greece (and Italy) to other countries in Europe.”

The situation is a pan-European responsibility, she added, and only through political and operational cooperation can Europe gain control of the situation.

Democratic developments in Turkey

In the debate over Turkey, the Parliamentary Assembly expressed sympathy for the demanding situation the country is experiencing. In addition to the difficult security situation in the region caused by the war in Syria, Turkey has provided shelter to about three million refugees and migrants and has sustained several terrorist attacks in the past year.

PACE asserted, however, that the challenges the country faces in no way can explain the negative developments observed with regard to human rights and democracy. The assembly called particular attention to freedom of expression, conditions for the media and journalists, the revocation of parliamentary immunity for 138 members of parliament, the status of women and the human rights situation in southeastern Turkey.

“This has been a demanding task, and I am pleased that the report was adopted with such a large majority,” said rapporteur Ingebjørg Godskesen (Progress Party). “Turkey, which is one the Council of Europe’s founding members as well as one of the organisation’s largest member countries, has moved in a negative direction with regard to human rights, democracy and the rule of law. When such a member country develops in a way that is inconsistent with the Council of Europe’s fundamental values ​​and membership obligations, it is important to send a clear signal,” Godskesen said.

Other items on the agenda during the session included equality for women in the armed forces and the struggle against harassment and discrimination as well as the struggle against over-sexualisation of children, administrative detention, violence against migrants and the issue of parliamentary immunity.

The members of the Storting’s delegation to the Parliamentary Assembly of the Council of Europe who participated in the session were its head, Ingjerd Schou (Conservative Party), and deputy head, Lise Christoffersen (Labour Party), along with Frank J. Jenssen (Conservative Party), Morten Wold (Progress Party), Kristin Ørmen Johnsen (Conservative Party), Ingebjørg A . Godskesen (Progress Party) and Hans Fredrik Grøvan (Christian Democratic Party).

Read the session agenda.

Council of Europe and the Parliamentary Assembly

The Council of Europe was established in 1949 and currently has 47 member countries. The mission of the Council of Europe is to advance human rights, democracy and the rule of law in member countries.

The Parliamentary Assembly of the Council of Europe (PACE) is made up of 324 national assembly representatives from the member countries (plus 324 substitute members). The assembly has a consultative function and plays a significant role in the Council of Europe. It adopts resolutions and recommendations to member-country parliaments and governments on a range of issues and monitors the extent to which new member countries fulfil their membership obligations.