Europe and links with Maltese abroad (1)

A largely forgotten report by the Committee on Migration, Refugees and Demography of the Council of Europe (March 1999) emphasises the need for "strengthening of ties between [expatriate] Europeans and their home countries and a desire for more appropriate legal and political representation of expatriates at state level".

Expatriates often find themselves in a double bind situation. On the one hand they react to pressures to conform within the conditions within the host country and to integrate culturally and socially, but on the other hand, they are also very anxious to preserve their unique culture which distinguishes them from everyone else. Their dual allegiance can be enriching, not only for the first generation migrants but also for their descendants in the new country. Preserving one's culture then may be seen as "a way of turning this dual allegiance into an asset and resolving the identity crises which often afflict second-generation migrants". It may also serve as a means of forging links between nations.

Migration has become a way of life. The number of Europeans living outside their countries of origin has reached the tens of millions. Uniquely among the countries of Europe, Maltese expatriates and their descendants form a population which compares in numerical size with that of Malta itself.

One telling point that the report makes is that it is in the interests of all member states that their nationals continue to exercise their nationality, and in particular, to "play an important go-between role in host countries, working for better political, cultural, economic and social relations between their country of origin and the country where they live".

The report made a number of recommendations, including:

¤ Strengthening political, legal, cultural, economic and social links with their expatriates;

¤ Fostering voluntary participation of expatriates in political, social and cultural life in their country of origin, by instituting and harmonising arrangements for specific representation, such as the right to vote and specific parliamentary and institutional representation through various councils;

¤ Consider implementing new forms of representation at European level for Europeans living abroad, for example by setting up a "Council of Europeans abroad" under the auspices of the Council of Europe;

¤ Undertake a survey of their nationals living abroad, taking into account the differing and complex situations of permanent and temporary expatriates;

¤ Draw up, at national level, an in-depth, systematic analytical description of the respective situations of expatriates, with a view to coordinating expatriate relations policies at European level and harmonising arrangements for the institutional and political representation of expatriates, for example by creating a real expatriate status through appropriate legal instruments.

A burning issue relates to political representation of expatriates and whether they should have the right to vote at elections in their country of origin. An earlier recommendation by the Committee of Ministers (Recommendation R8, 1986) urged member states to allow their expatriates to vote by post or in person at their consulates or by proxy.

On the principle of "no vote no tax" one would have thought that expatriates should not be expected to be involved in electing the political leaders of their country of origin when they have left for permanent residence overseas. It is my opinion that allowing such a right would be divisive among expatriates in the host country and would only serve to import problems best left at home.

On the other hand, there is something to be said of the need for migrants to be represented in the parliaments of their home country. Such specific representation exists in countries like Portugal (four out of the 230 members of Parliament), Croatia (12 seats), France (12 senators elected). Other proposals have recently been made in Italy and Ireland. Having permanent representation in Parliament would ensure that migrant-related issues are not forgotten or relegated to secondary status. Malta has had an Emigration Minister in the years when the number of migrants leaving the country was significant. His role was primarily one of encouraging exit, and only marginally related to ensuring a successful settlement. Such a position has evaporated over the years.

State policies on emigration within the various European states can be divided into three main categories:

¤ Policies that might be described as "national outreach" or "proactive". These are typical of Mediterranean countries, including Italy, Greece, and Turkey. The underlying philosophy here is that their expatriates are seen as embodying the values of liberty and democracy, and feel strongly about them. Expatriates are considered as an integral part of the nation, and play a vital part in keeping it going;

¤ "Laissez-faire" policies of northern Europe (Denmark, Finland, Sweden, Norway, the Netherlands, Germany and the United Kingdom) which give their expatriates few rights;

¤ "Transition" policies developing in some states (like Ireland and Austria ) which are seen to be shifting from the second category to the first.

The Council of Europe has been keen to encourage a "law of expatriates" to ensure that their rights are protected. Such a law, would combine aspects of domestic and international law.

Prof. Cauchi is president of the Maltese Community Council of Victoria.

mnc25@optusnet.com.au