A society of castes?

In view of the World Day of Migrants and Refugee that the Catholic Church will celebrate next January 14th on the theme “The Migrant Family”, we would like to propose some ideas contained in a document elaborated in France by the Association for a European citizenship of residency (ACER), which proposes certain concrete measures against what is considered “the Europe of castes”. The most noteworthy of the proposals is the attribution of a “European citizenship” even to non EU persons, which would put an end to inequality. In some European States – among which Denmark, Belgium, Lithuania, Ireland, Finland – all foreigners have the right to administrative voting, with or without eligibility. In others – such as Italy, France, Germany, Greece – they have no rights to vote, nor are they eligible. In the EU some rights such as expression, demonstration, registering with labor unions, association – at one time reserved only to nationals – are now actually guaranteed. But not the right to vote yet, and the situation varies according to the nationality of the migrants and of the State of residency (see tables). In different States, local offices, political parties and the reality of the civil society have started experimenting this and having campaigns to sensitize. SAME RIGHTS, DIFFERENT DUTIES. In a document drafted by ACER: “By now non-community migrants make up a significant part of the foreign population that resides in States of the European. Today, all these States and the European Union question themselves on the political space given or to be given to this population”. Acer reminds that the European Charter of Fundamental Rights states the equality of persons, but the Treaty of Maastricht subdivided the population living in the same territory into different categories of citizens that have the same duties, but different rights. Categories such as national citizens, citizens of the Union, belonging to different States. SOME EXPERIENCES. On the right to vote, ACER recalls some concrete examples: in SWEDEN the foreign residents were allowed to participate in the referendum on adoption or refusing nuclear power and the introduction of the euro. In the UNITED KINGDOM, foreigners coming from States once belonging to the Commonwealth but not having British nationality have the right to vote and are eligible in all elections, including European elections. In ITALY foreigners that have been residents for at least 3 years were allowed to participate in the primary elections to nominate the left-wing candidate to the Presidency of the Council; and in some municipalities like Rome they may vote in the elections of “adjunct counselors”, who, however, have no decisional powers. “In a European Union founded on the indivisible and universal values of human dignity, liberty, equality, this situation cannot last” as stated in the note. SIX PROPOSALS. These are the reasons that set the backdrop for the six proposals “for equality of rights” proposed by ACER, an association based in Paris. “The right to vote by foreign residents in local elections and the ratification of Convention 144 by the European Council (December 5th, 1992) in Strasbourg, which mentions the participation of foreigners in local public life, is most assuredly the most significant step. Te Convention of Strasbourg in fact recommends the member States to create consults of foreigners whose members would be elected by resident foreigners or nominated by their associations. The member States commit to gie the right to vote and eligibility in local elections to foreigners after 5 years of legal residency. The Convention was signed by Cyprus, the Czech Republic, the United Kingdom and ratified by Denmark, Finland, Iceland, Norway, Netherlands, Sweden. Italy and Albania ratified without however, subscribing to Chapter C, that is to say the part of the Convention that concerns the right to vote. The other proposals ask for the “right to popular initiatives for all”, that is to say recognition by all the residents regardless of their nationality. The “right t vote and eligibility in European elections for all residents”, already recognized for example in the United Kingdom. The “freedom of circulation between the different States of the Union for all residents”. “Citizenship in the European Union for all residents”, regardless of nationality, with all the rights that follow (right to vote and eligibility in municipal elections and freedom of circulation)”. Finally, “eligibility to the executive offices of the cities”.