Migration
is no longer a series of population movements, but a constant
flow of people across borders, all over the world. According
to the International Organization for Migration (IOM) more people
are on the move now than at any other time in human history.
Today, there are nearly 200 million people living outside their
place of birth, which is about 3% of the world's population.
Half of them are women and 20% have no legal status.
“Asylum seekers and migrants in search of work are literally
in the same boat,” Trygve G. Nordby, the International
Federation’s Special Envoy on Migration and Displacement
pointed out, in his address to representatives of Red Cross
and Red Crescent Societies currently attending the 7th European
Regional Conference in Istanbul, Turkey. “Every day, week
in and week out, our Red Cross colleagues in Spain and Italy
help people in the worst imaginable state, out of the ocean.
This is a humanitarian challenge as much as it is a political
one.” Migration is one of the two major themes of the
conference.
An increasing number of European Red Cross and Red Crescent
Societies are providing migrants – in both regular and
irregular situations – with food, shelter, health care
and the possibility to contact their families. This support
is based on people’s vulnerability and needs, regardless
of their legal status.
The Federation’s Special Envoy, who has been analyzing
the humanitarian consequences of migration, noted that these
activities have drawn criticism and accusations that Red Cross
and Red Crescent Societies, as well as other organizations such
as the UNHCR and NGOs, are encouraging migratory flows by setting
up reception structures and programmes for refugees, displaced
people and irregular migrants.
He categorically refutes that argument: “People do not
move, unless there is a good reason. War, conflict, political
persecution, poverty and pure survival for themselves and their
families make people move, seeking protection and livelihoods
elsewhere. It is not the humanitarian assistance offered to
these groups that make them flee or travel. For that matter,
humanitarian organisations offer help and assistance to only
a relatively small number of irregular migrants. I think it
is indecent to suggest that people expose themselves to real
danger for the hope for a free blanket, some food and humanitarian
assistance.”
Mr. Nordby noted differences in Red Cross Red Crescent responses
to the needs of vulnerable migrants. “Some National Societies
give assistance to irregular migrants as auxiliaries to their
governments, others go beyond and base their action on their
humanitarian mandate. Sometimes they act without the approval
of the government. We also see National Societies that choose
not to give assistance to irregular migrants in fear of getting
into conflict with the authorities,” he explained.
According to Trygve G. Nordby, it is essential that Red Cross
and Red Crescent Societies define and strengthen their role
and a common advocacy position on the question of migration,
especially vis-à-vis their own government, during the
current European conference. These recommendations will be submitted
to the International Red Cross and Red Crescent Conference,
which will bring together States, their National Societies and
the ICRC, in Geneva next November.
In his opinion, irregular or unauthorised immigrants could be
one of the most important groups of beneficiaries for Red Cross
and Red Crescent Societies in the future.
The Special Envoy makes it clear that the International Federation
recognizes that States have the right to determine their policy
in relation to the situation of migrants. But, he adds, all
migrants should be able to exercise their fundamental human
rights. “We urge States to ratify and promote the implementation
of the 1990 International Convention on the Protection of the
Rights of All Migrant Workers and Members of their Families.
We should challenge States to fight the reasons why people leave
their homes to seek fortune elsewhere.”
People leave their native country for many, often interrelated
reasons which all have to do with looking for a better life.
Most move voluntarily, some are forced to flee, and some leave
in extremely difficult situations, which endanger their life,
or expose them to situations of acute vulnerability, such as
exploitation, prostitution and human trafficking. As humanitarian
actors advocating principles of humanity and impartiality, Red
Cross and Red Crescent Societies cannot remain indifferent to
these tragedies.
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Trygve
G. Nordby, the International Federation’s Special
Envoy on Migration and Displacement. (p15765) (Photo:
Ahmet Ors/Turkish Red Crescent)
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“Every
day, week in and week out, our Red Cross colleagues in
Spain and Italy help people in the worst imaginable state,
out of the ocean. This is a humanitarian challenge as
much as it is a political one.” “Asylum seekers
and migrants in search of work are literally in the same
boat,” pointed out Mr.Nordby. (Photo: Manuel Lérida/Spanish
Red Cross)
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