<h2>Hi</h2>

Participation of migrants in the democratic process – Towards inclusive citizenship

28 Nov 2013 10:46 AM
On 26 November, the European Integration Forum – the dialogue platform on integration of immigrants launched in April 2009 by the European Commission and the European Economic and Social Committee – adopted a statement on Participation of migrants in the democratic process. The civil society representatives meeting at this Forum ask that:
  • access to residence status should not be hampered by imposing extra conditions not provided for under the EU long-term residence directive;
  • the European Commission launch infringement proceedings against Member States that  arbitrarily impose extra conditions not provided for under the EU long-term residence directive;
  • migrants should be eligible for citizenship after no more than five years of legal residence;
  • children born in a country should be eligible at birth to become citizens of that country if one of their parents has resided there legally for five years;
  • the right to vote and to stand in local, regional, national and European elections should be granted to all legal residents after a maximum of five years' legal residence;
  • the right to set up or join political associations and parties should be an inviolable right of all residents.
For more information:
Statement on Participation of migrants in the democratic process – Towards inclusive citizenship
http://www.eesc.europa.eu/resources/docs/2013-11-25_10th-forum-statement_en.pdf
European Integration Forum - 10th meeting
http://www.eesc.europa.eu/?i=portal.en.events-and-activities-european-integration-forum-10
For possible updates, please visit our website: www.eesc.europa.eu/president