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From: "info@xxxxxxxxx" <info@xxxxxxxxx>
To: William Mejia �Grupo de Investigaci� en Movilidad Humana
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Sent: Thursday, April 30, 2015 11:16 AM
Subject: WILL EU RESPONSE TO MIGRANTS DYING IN THE SEA STRENGTHEN OR WORSEN
HUMAN RIGHTS?
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WILL EU RESPONSE TO MIGRANTS DYING IN THE SEA STRENGTHEN OR WORSEN HUMAN RIGHTS?
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WILL EU RESPONSE TO MIGRANTS DYING IN THE SEA STRENGTHEN OR WORSEN HUMAN RIGHTS?
Version française
Versión en español BRUSSELS, 30 April 2015 – The Platform for International
Cooperation on Undocumented Migrants (PICUM) is extremely concerned that a
statement agreed by the European Council on 23 April in response to record
numbers of migrants and refugees dying in the Mediterranean will lead to
further closing of EU borders, risking more violations of human rights of
migrants and more deaths to come.The increasing number of deaths of migrants is
closely linked to the EU’s policy priority to prevent irregular migration at
the expense of migrants’ rights. Since 1999, when the EU adopted its common
asylum and migration policy, more than 28,000 migrants have died at EU borders
and in detention centres as a result of these policies.The European Council has
stated its commitment to prevent further loss of life at sea by tripling the
financial resources of the EU operations Triton and Poseidon and strengthen
presence at sea. However, the primary role of Frontex is border management;
control and search and rescue is not its official mandate. The reinforcement of
these operations will not fill the absence of a comprehensive rescue mission to
save migrants’ lives in the Mediterranean Sea.EU heads of state agreed to
intensify the fight against smuggling and trafficking networks, including the
identification and destruction of vessels before they are used by smugglers and
traffickers. In this context, it remains to be seen on what legal basis the EU
will conduct such operations. Increased intelligence and police cooperation
with third countries may likely result in a shift of responsibility and
accountability for human rights abuses even further off European shores. The
Council has prioritised various countries to receive support – including
Tunisia, Egypt, Sudan, Mali and Niger – states where the EU cannot guarantee
that its human rights standards are safeguarded.Contrary to recommendations
made by various regional and UN bodies on the use of terminology, the Council
refers repeatedly to ‘illegal’ migration in its statement. The use of “illegal”
when referring to migration criminalises migrants and ignores the fact that all
people have rights regardless of immigration status. By labelling migrants as
‘illegal’, the Council aims to legitimise questionable measures to prevent
irregular migrants from coming to Europe. The term ‘illegal migrant’ normalises
repressive law enforcement measures against migrants who pose no threat to
society even before they have a chance to apply for international protection.
In fact, “illegality” as a form of status has emerged over the course of the
late twentieth century as a legally-justified category used to deprive a
certain group of people of rights*.Although prioritising internal solidarity
and responsibility among member states is a step in the right direction, the
Council’s statement fails to sufficiently address why many migrants take
unseaworthy boats - the numerous root causes and the lack of realistic and safe
alternatives for this type of migration. EU leaders should allow for safe and
regular channels for people to migrate both for international protection and
for work opportunities in Europe.Migration is not a criminal activity**. Policy
responses which treat it as such are ineffective and inappropriate and make
migrants increasingly vulnerable to violence, exploitation and
trafficking.Equality of treatment and non-discrimination are basic human rights
principles. A rights-based approach applied to migration would mean that all
people have a right to leave their country, to uphold the right to family unity
and that access to health care and other essential services is not denied on
the basis of migration status. Undocumented migrants who experience violence or
abuse should equally be able to access justice.PICUM strongly welcomes the
statements made during the past week of its member organisations and partners,
and key human rights bodies and actors including the UN High Commissioner for
Human Rights, Zeid Ra'ad Al Hussein, the UN High Commissioner for Refugees,
António Guterres, the UN Special Rapporteur on the Human Rights of Migrants,
François Crépeau – all reiterating the call for EU leaders to prioritise the
human rights of migrants and refugees in the response to the current situation
in the Mediterranean.PICUM calls on the European Commission, which will release
its European Agenda for Migration in May, to carefully demonstrate in its new
agenda what a rights-based approach to migration entails, what reforms need to
be put in place for an adequate labour migration policy and to carefully
revisit the Council’s statement if future deaths at sea of migrants are to be
prevented. ###The press release is available online in English, French and
Spanish. *See: Undocumented: How Immigration Became Illegal, Aviva Chomsky,
2014**See: The Right to Leave a Country, Council of Europe, 2013 See also:
Recommended Principles and Guidelines on Human Rights at International Borders,
Office of the High Commissioner for Human Rights (OHCHR), 2014See also:
Apprehension of migrants in an irregular situation – fundamental rights
considerations, EU Fundamental Rights Agency’s (FRA). |
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| PICUM is a non-governmental organisation (NGO) that aims to promote respect
for the human rights of undocumented migrants within Europe. PICUM's bulletin
is currently the only information source dedicated to exclusively reporting on
the situation of undocumented migrants in Europe. Sign up for PICUM bulletin
and follow us at | CONTACT US
Rue du Congrès/Congresstraat 37-41, post box 5
1000 Brussels — Belgium
Google Map Tel: +32 (0)2 210 17 80
Fax: +32 (0)2 210 17 89
E-mail: info@xxxxxxxxx
Website: www.picum.org |
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