Statement by Sue Le Mesurier, Senior Policy Officer, Migration, on behalf of the IFRC, at the 100th Session of the IOM Council, in Geneva
Mr. Chairman,
This important meeting provides us with an opportunity to update you on the 31st International Conference of the Red Cross and Red Crescent that was held in Geneva last week and where Migration issues figured predominantly.
The 2000 Conference members, including delegations of Red Cross and Red Crescent (RCRC) National Societies, the International Federation, the ICRC and States (parties to the Geneva Conventions), adopted a strong resolution on Migration that will guide the Red Cross and Red Crescent Movement’s action for the next four years.
The Resolution focused on four key areas:
- ensuring that relevant laws and procedures are in place to ensure that we enjoy effective and safe access to all migrants without discrimination and irrespective of their legal status;
- ensuring that national procedures at international borders include adequate safeguards to protect the dignity and ensure the safety of all migrants;
- encouraging cooperation in order to promote respect for diversity and social inclusion of migrants; enhance cultural awareness between migrant and local communities; and promote humanitarian values; and finally,
- identifying the need for continued collaboration between States and RCRC National Societies, and partner organisations, such as the IOM.
In addition, the Conference underlined the critical role of the Red Cross and Red Crescent National Societies in engaging migrants in our work, as volunteers and staff, continuing to raise awareness on increasing xenophobia and discrimination towards migrants globally and addressing the humanitarian aspects of migration.
Access to humanitarian assistance and protection for persons in need, as well as access for humanitarian actors to those persons is a prerequisite for any effective humanitarian action. States were therefore encouraged to not only create an enabling legal and administrative environment for National Societies to provide services to vulnerable migrants, but conversely to ensure migrants have access to our RCRC assistance free of fear.
We further highlighted the potential that education can play in informing future migrants of the challenges and risks involved along the migratory trail and upon reaching their country of destination. The crucial role of National Societies to raise awareness on the many benefits of migration in order to reduce stigmatisation and discrimination and encourage a culture of social inclusion, non violence and peace was reaffirmed.
In this regard, the conference underlined the important role of youth in shaping the world of today and tomorrow and in positively influencing the current dialogue on migration.
As it has done for over a century, the Red Cross Red Crescent will continue to assist vulnerable migrants whatever their circumstances. However, we cannot undertake this important work alone. In light of the increasing complexity of the drivers of migration and displacement, coordination and partnerships leading to tangible actions will be more critical than ever.
We would therefore like to assure you that the IFRC will remain committed to creating a stronger and wider consensus on humanitarian response to Migration and continue to support a collaborative approach with IOM, and other international partners with similar objectives.
Thank you, Mr. Chairman.