Refugees have to be dealt with as human beings, stresses senior UN official

Refugees have to be dealt with as human beings, and the broader migrant community, including economic migrants, cannot be dismissed "with a wave of the hand," the top United Nations official dealing with migration has said.

"I’d like to start by making a fundamental point which I think has been overlooked in quite a lot of this crisis," Peter Sutherland, the Special Representative for International Migration, told a press conference in Geneva.

"The obligation and responsibility to refugees and persons in distress is not defined by their proximity to the place that caused the problem," he explained. "I think it’s important to make that point, because the burden that is being taken at the moment by Lebanon, Turkey, and Jordan, and the burden in European terms being taken by the frontline states of the Mediterranean, in particular Greece and Italy, seems to, by implication, define a responsibility related to location rather than to the humanitarian concerns that we have."

On the same issue, Secretary-General Ban Ki-moon has underlined the need for compassion and global solidarity in dealing with the arrival of refugees and migrants in Europe, in his calls with the leaders of Austria, Czech Republic, Germany, Greece, Hungary, Poland, and Slovakia.

"Recognising the challenges this poses to some member states, the Secretary-General stressed the individual and collective responsibility of European states to respond responsibly and humanely," his spokesperson said in a statement. "He stressed that the large majority of people arriving in Europe are refugees fleeing war and violence, who have a right to seek asylum without any form of discrimination."

Commending the efforts of many European leaders, Mr. Ban encouraged the European Union countries to live up to their obligations and the standards they have set. He underlined the need for compassion and global solidarity, and applauded the inspiring examples that have been displayed all over Europe by private citizens and civil society.

The Secretary-General also appealed to these leaders to be "the voice of those in need of protection" and to quickly find a joint approach to address their basic needs. "As European leaders, their stand against increasing xenophobia, discrimination, and violence against migrants and refugees in Europe is particularly important. He hoped that any manifestation of these phenomena would be addressed firmly and without delay," the statement added.

Source: WAM