Human rights aspects of immigrant and refugee integration policies : a comparative assessment in selected Council of Europe member states

Abstract

This Issue Paper examines integration policies regarding immigrants and refugees in selected Council of Europe member states in light of human rights standards. In particular, it focuses on how the enjoyment of the right to respect for private and family life and the security of residence of immigrants and refugees facilitate and improve integration policies. It covers the adverse effects that mandatory language and civic integration policies and some other conditions such as income thresholds, housing requirements and reduced financial benefits might have on the socio-economic inclusion of immigrants and refugees. While taking stock of integration policies in some of the European countries which experienced unprecedented massive arrivals of migrants and refugees in the last five years the Issue Paper offers a comparative basis for identifying good integration practices.