News

On 26-27 January the European Migration Forum took place in Brussels on the topic of ‘Safe routes, safe futures: How to manage the mixed flows of migrants across the Mediterranean’. Social Platform played an active role as moderator of one of the workshops discussing ‘A comprehensive approach to counter migrant smuggling’. Participants agreed on conclusions in line with our position not to punish humanitarian assistance to irregular migrants – a position endorsed by European Commissioner Dimitris Avramopoulos in his closing remarks. (Read our article about the workshop).

Luis Miguel Pariza Castaños from the European Economic and Social Committee (EESC) explained that it was the EESC that ten years ago proposed that the European Council and Commission create an integration agenda to cooperate with member states, and in order to take into account civil society’s views the EESC suggested to set up what became the European Integration Forum in 2009. Today it has been transformed into the European Migration Forum to link better to the EU agenda. The Forum has extended participation of civil society, as well as representation in its Bureau (including our members PICUM and ENAR).

Matthias Ruete, Director-General of DG Home, welcomed comments on how to shape the future migration agenda. He outlined a vision of a Europe that attracts (through legal ways), protects (the ones in need, against smugglers), integrates and cooperates. The fight against racism and xenophobia is high on the agenda, but he called for more convincing arguments.

Vincent Cochetel, Director of the UNHCR Bureau for Europe, criticised the focus on ‘fixing the problem elsewhere’ (such as in the country of origin or transit) instead of looking at the complete puzzle. There is a clear link between departure by sea and closure of land borders. If we organise protection on the basis of human solidarity, we can host migrants seeking protection in the EU – for example, Turkey has played host to some 1.6 million refugees since the Syrian conflict began, which is more than the whole of Europe has.

Two speakers shared their strong testimonies of migrating to Europe. Majid Hussain shared his experience of fleeing from Nigeria, via Libya and across the Mediterranean Sea to Italy: ‘The reality was that we did not have a choice…more than 48 hours on a small boat with 400 people…it was a journey without time of arrival…Malta escorted the boat for three hours away from its borders. Italy told us to turn back but we did not, so I arrived at Lampedusa…I was treated as a criminal, did not get any medical attention, slept on the floor… I just wanted to be treated with some respect…I didn’t have any windows…I was transferred to a refugee camp in Rome and was without documents for nearly two years…no peace, no freedom or equality.’ Mr Milen Eyob traveled as an unaccompanied minor from Eritrea to Sweden at the age of 16: ‘No one wants to leave their home country or their parents. If young migrants don’t have money or can’t borrow, they sell their organs. They are being tortured and raped. Once an immigrant always labelled an immigrant. We are not asking for a favour, it is our human right as human beings.’ 

Christian Remøy and Mr Haakon Svane, from the Norwegian Shipowner’s Association, gave the view of industry taking part in search and rescue missions at sea. They explained that the Shipowner’s Association does not interfere in the debate as it is not important for them whether someone is a refugee or a migrant; they are people, first and foremost. They have taken part in 14 search and rescue missions and saved 2,000 refugees, with a crew of just 17 people: ‘400 could have taken over the ship, but we felt safe because the refugees were calm knowing they were heading to land in Italy…but it is frustrating to be taken advantage of by traffickers putting human lives at stake. Despite all our efforts, humans will die.’