Ban tells European Parliament to work together to address challenge of migration

27 May 2015 – In Brussels today, where he was addressing the European Parliament, the United Nations Secretary-General today the important role played by the European Union in boosting the UN agenda, particularly on matters of peace, development and human rights.

Within that context, he stressed the importance of addressing the challenge of migration, in the Mediterranean and in Southeast Asia, in his speech to the parliament.

“Too many women, men and children are losing their lives in perilous journeys of escape,” he said. “Half those crossing the Mediterranean are fleeing war or persecution or human rights abuses. They qualify for international protection as refugees.”

Around 1,800 had drowned in the Mediterranean this year already, he said, which was a 20-fold increase on 2014, and he stressed the important role of Europe and the important collective responsibility it has to act.

“Saving lives should be the top priority,” he said. “And while we need to see more effective law enforcement actions against traffickers and smugglers, we also need safer alternatives to dangerous voyages, as well as legal channels such as resettlement, family reunification and work and study visas.”

He described meeting in Ireland several people from Syria, Afghanistan, Myanmar and the Democratic Republic of the Congo who had been successfully re-settled, and he said that more such examples of offering a “helping hand” are needed.

He welcomed the European Commission’s new migration policy and the proposal for the relocation of 40,000 of asylum-seekers, as “a step in the right direction,” and he said the that the UN, the Office of the United Nations High Commissioner for Refugees (UNHCR) and the International Organization for Migration (ION) would continue to work with European leaders to address the crisis in a way that upholds human rights and international law.

He said the root causes of migration need to be addressed, as does the stigma and discrimination suffered by migrants in countries of destination.

“Europe is experiencing low population growth and demographic transition to an aging population,” he said. “The equation is clear: to meet its workforce deficit and maintain its economic dynamism, Europe needs migrants.” - Read More at UN

Ban tells European Parliament to work together to address challenge of migration