MISSION STATEMENT
The Platform for International Cooperation on
Undocumented Migrants aims at promoting respect for the human rights of
undocumented migrants within Europe.
PICUM
considers the following international treaties and conventions as basic values:
International
Convention for the Protection of the Rights of All Migrant Workers and Members
of Their Families (ICMW), Universal Declaration of Human Rights (UDHR), European
Convention for the Protection of Human Rights and Fundamental Freedoms (ECHR),
Convention on the Rights of the Child (CRC), International Covenant on Economic,
Social and Cultural Rights (ICESR), International Covenant on Civil and
Political Rights (ICCPR), European Social Charter (ESC), Convention relating to
the Status of Refugees, Convention on the Elimination of All Forms of
Discrimination against Women (CEDAW), Convention against Torture and Other
Cruel, Inhuman or Degrading Treatment or Punishment (CAT), International
Convention on the Elimination of All Forms of
Racial Discrimination (ICERD).
The social rights of
citizens as expressed in the constitutions of the national states involved will
be taken into account as well.
Aim
The
aim of PICUM is threefold:
1.
To promote respect for the basic social rights (such as the right to health
care, the right to shelter, the right to education and training,
the right to a minimum subsistence, the right to family life, the right to
moral and physical integrity, the right to legal aid, the right to organise and
the right to fair labour conditions) of undocumented migrants
2.
To promote regularisation of undocumented migrants
3.
To promote respect for human rights and humane treatment during the process of
involuntary return of undocumented migrants
Methods
PICUM
seeks to achieve this aim by:
1. Gathering information on law and practice regarding
social rights,
detention and deportation of irregular immigrants, and the possibilities of
regularisation of their residence.
2.
Developing a centre of expertise in these fields with a view to providing
the members of PICUM and other interested parties with expertise, advice and
support.
3.
Strengthening networking
between organisations dealing with undocumented migrants in Europe.
4.
Formulating recommendations for improving the legal and social position
of these immigrants, in accordance with the national constitutions and
international treaties. These recommendations are to be presented to the
relevant authorities, to other organisations and to the public at large.
The long range plan for 2007-2011 can be obtained at the PICUM secretariat.