eumindhumanrights5.weebly.comeumindhumanrights5.weebly.com/.../5/4/6/4/54645741/eumind_…  · Web viewStefan Zweig wrote, after having lived through one world war and fled another,

Migration – Political Refugees Stefan Zweig wrote, after having lived through one world war and fled another, "Our greatest debt of gratitude is to those who in these inhuman times confirm the human in us."

In our world of global interdependence, there is none other issue, which binds us closer than Migration. An estimated 232 million people currently live outside their country of origin, many having moved for a variety of reasons in which the search for protection and the search for opportunity are inextricably entwined. Many countries are now simultaneously countries of origin, destination and transit. For some migration has been a positive and empowering experience. However, most migrants today are victims to dirty, dangerous and degrading jobs leaving them vulnerable to human right violations.In this article, we would be addressing the human rights issue as faced by political refugees. A refugee is someone who has left his or her country, or is unable to return to it owing to a well-founded fear of persecution for reasons of race, religion, nationality, membership of a particular social group or political opinion.The UN has set up an International Migration Convention, which seeks to draw the attention of the international community to the dehumanization of migrant workers and members of their families, many of whom are being deprived of their basic human rights. Only when conceived in terms of human rights will migration be able to fulfill its potential as an enabler of development for migrants and for states alike. Protecting human rights is important in order to promote the social inclusion and integration of migrants, thus enabling them to lead economically productive as well as culturally and socially enriching lives.

Despite the fact that India is a host to diverse groups of refugees, it has no specific laws or cohesive policy for refugees. India is not a signatory to the 1951 Refugee Convention or its 1967 Protocol on the Status of Refugees. India, the land of unity in diversity, with its history, culture and tradition has set an example of benevolence in the way it has opened its borders to all the people who have come looking for safety or sanctuary. There are Tibetans, Afghans and Burmese in India and it has maintained an open door policy for all. An evidence of India’s generosity lies in the fact that they have granted long-term visas and work permits to the refugees.Apart from their struggle for legal recognition in the host country, India, refugees face discrimination and harassment at the hands of the government, police authorities and local communities. While it is acknowledged that refugee protection cannot be achieved unless India ratifies the 1951 Convention and establishes a domestic legal framework for refugees, it can be argued that the UNHCR has been largely unsuccessful in providing 'protection' and 'durable solutions' to refugees. This section will critique the UNHCR's policies towards refugees through an analysis of its refugee determination process and the extent and nature of community services provided to refugees.

Most refugees living in India do not see 'local integration' as a viable solution to their problems. This is primarily attributable to their antagonistic relationship with the local community. As foreigners, they are often treated as outsiders by the local population and language barriers further deepen the divide between the two.

Many children enrolled in private schools are forced to drop out midway, as their parents are unable to continue paying the high school fees. With regard to Burmese refugees, it has been seen that families do not see themselves living in India in the long term. They have an unrealistic expectation of being resettled in a developed country in the immediate future and do not want their children to study in government schools, despite their economic situation. Despite its limitations, however, the UNHCR is often the last beacon of hope for many refugees who flee to India in search of a secure refuge. However, in the recent past, refugees under UNHCR protection have been losing faith in a system that is plagued by insensitivity and inefficiency. To redeem itself in the eyes of those it seeks to protect, the UNHCR must engage directly with refugee communities to better understand their problems rather than delegate all responsibility to its implementing partners.

Far from being propelled by economic migrants, this crisis is mostly about refugees. Majority of those trying to reach Europe are fleeing poverty. These are countries torn apart by war, dictatorial oppression, and religious extremism – and, in Syria’s case, all three. Their citizens almost always have the legal right to refuge in Europe.It is believed that migrants would speed the collapse of the European social order. In reality, the number of migrants to have arrived so far this year is so minuscule that it constitutes Europe’s total population of 740 million. The world’s wealthiest continent can easily handle such a comparatively small influx.

There are countries with social infrastructure at breaking point because of the refugee crisis – but they aren’t in Europe. Lebanon has a refugee crisis. Europe does not.

There certainly isn't enough provision to take in refugees quickly and without conflict. There also isn't enough awareness of the fact that it is necessary to take in refugees. Every time the number of refugees rise’s somewhere, the EU has problems with reception, distribution, division of funding and much more. One idea would be a EU-wide distribution key with clear criteria, including possibly distribution according to population and tax revenue. That way, one wouldn't always have this jealousy and bad feeling and the refugees wouldn't be politically instrumentalized.

In conclusion, what we can never fail to remember is that there is no justification ever, for the degrading, the debasing or the exploitation of other human beings – on whatever basis: nationality, race, ethnicity, religion, gender, sexual orientation, disability, age or caste. Yet today, the international news is still replete with the sobbing of refugees. This remains a most pathetic stain on humanity’s record of achievement.

From a human rights perspective, it is clear that the need of the hour is to curb the increasingly alarming rate at which the problem of political refugees is developing. It is no longer just a few hundred men from every continent who are struggling with this issue. This problem has crept into the lives of children – who are at risk of forcible recruitment and sexual violence – and women, who have been the targets of severe restrictions.

In the words of Zeid Ra'ad Al Hussein, United Nations High Commissioner for Human Rights, “The treatment of non-nationals must observe the minimum standards set by international law. Human rights are not reserved for citizens only, or for people with visas. They are the inalienable rights of every individual, regardless of his or her location and migration status. A tendency to promote law enforcement and security paradigms at the expense of human rights frameworks dehumanizes irregular migrants, enabling a climate of violence against them and further depriving them of the full protection of the law.”

Our aim should therefore be to form the foundation of humanity in such a way that upon it rises an unshakable and immovable faith in human decency.  In a global society, this asset would be valued over all other material wealth. After all, the world is not in need of an even greater number of highly intelligent people, nor politically powerful or affluent people; the blatant truth is that these alone cannot save us.  In order to save this situation, we need more compassionate, immensely considerate and wise people piloting our collective fate brimming over with courage.