Immigration policies and human rights in France : from the 'melting pot' to assimilation

Abstract

In France, recently and indirectly, the national debate on immigration has been focused around three words: security, control and repression. In public and political debates, a dominant discourse remains available, especially since the last presidential elections in April 2002. Security is the main aspect that media referred to systematically and that policy decision makers put at the front of the political scene. There is a growing tendency to promote a policy of repression against illegal migration to respond to the feeling of insecurity from nationals. Border control is one of the major aspects of the policy. This has led to negative situations and to the creation of multiculturalism "by default" (unwillingly and artificially). • The first chapter provides an inventory of international and regional instruments on migration and pays particular attention to the protection of migrant workers and their families. It debates the reluctance to ratify these conventions. • The second chapter analyses the French immigration trends through the history before the Europeanization. It examines whether immigration policies, in terms of integration of immigrants, is assimilation or multiculturalism leading to the French 'Melting Pot'. • The third chapter provides an analysis of European Union migration management in the areas which cover the most important Directives proposed by the European Commission (Family reunification, asylum seekers and refugees, illegal immigration).