SALAYSAY. Migrante Europe Statement Latest European Union rules on undocumented inhumane

Transcription

1 Migrante Europe Statement Latest European Union rules on undocumented inhumane Migrante Europe expresses deep concern over the latest EU rules on expelling visa-overstayers which were approved by by 27 EU interior ministers at a meeting in Luxembourg last June 5, and is expected to be passed by the European Parliament at its session in Strasbourg between June 16 and 19. If approved the new rules would take effect in Under the tough new rules, overstayers are considered illegals, can be detained for 18 months including their children, are given two options to return to their country of origin voluntarily or face forcible expulsion and a 5-year re-entry ban.

2 According to the report, Europe has some 12 million overstayers or undocumented migrants. The report also identified some overstayers as nationals from the Philippines, China, Ukraine and Latin America. Our deep concern comes from several considerations, among them: a) the new EU ruling goes against the core of international agreements, conventions and principles on undocumented migrants, such as the Parliamentary Assembly Council of Europe Resolution 1509, the European Charter of Fundamental Rights, the UN International Convention for the Protection of the Rights of All Migrant Workers and the members of their Families and many others. b) that the EU continues to fail in understanding the fundamental reasons for the forced migration of many, not only in the EU but also in other countries of the world. Among these reasons are the economic, political and social conflicts in the countries of origin of migrants, particularly the economic impositions of the advanced capitalist that cause and exacerbate poverty, hunger, landlessness, unemployment, economic and financial crises in many oppressed and underdeveloped countries which in turn breeds unbridled forced migration and displacement of peoples in the world. These conditions leave the people of oppressed and underdeveloped countries, poverty-stricken and persecuted, without any option: migrate or leave their country and family in order to be safe and survive. c) the EU fails to take into account the contribution to the economies in Europe of these overstayers, who take on legal jobs that common European nationals don't take on anymore, such as cleaning, care-giving and such other jobs that are considered dirty, demeaning and dangerous. d) many of these undocumented migrants send home money they earn that help support their families and the economies of their home countries. e) these undocumented migrants, in general, are law-abiding and live quiet lives and are willing to fulfill their legal and social duties and responsibilities. Their aspiration is to be recognized and regularized so they continue to earn their living without any threat of expulsion. f) the long term solution to forced migration is to fundamentally address the structural problems of economic backwardness, political dependence and neo-colonial enslavement of the home countries of these undocumented migrants. In dealing with the issue of undocumented migrants and migration in general, we urge the EU and the European Parliament to shift from a control/security mindset to one of rights-based approach, adhere to conventions, treaties and agreements, institute measures to de-criminalize the undocumented and take measures to remove the basis of illegality by among others, adopting regularization programs. As advocates for the rights, welfare and interests of Filipinos in Europe, we are particularly concerned about the mention of Filipino nationals as among those targetted. Apart from the arguments we have

3 stated above, we would like to encourage the EU and our European friends and allies, to reflect on the statement of Dutch Prince Constantijn who stressed that the Philippine government's labor export policy should not be a solution to its economic crises. Prince Constantijn, who visited Manila last June 3-4 as chairman of The Hague Process on Refugees and Migration said, the Philippine government should create an environment where people who want to stay can stay. You must explore their talents and don t make them feel underutilized. Migration should not be seen as a solution. We share the concern of Prince Constantijn on the issue of migration since we also do not see forced migration as a solution to the economic backwardness of the Philippines. In our advocacy of the rights and welfare of compatriots in Europe, we have always stood on the principle that it is the responsibility of the Philippine government to provide its citizens with decent opportunities for employment. We stand on the position that even abroad, the Philippine government should primarily take care of its citizens, especially in times of need. And in the long-run, only by working for a truly free, democratic, peaceful and just Philippines, would we be able to achieve economic prosperity and independence, national industrialization and stability the only formula to stem forced migration. We note with deep appreciation that there are several European political parties, members of national and European parliament and NGOs that continue to steadfastly uphold the rights of all migrants in accordance with the fundamental human rights and international laws, treaties and conventions. In concluding, we believe that enforcing these rules on undocumented migrants is counterproductive and would only exacerbate the crises in the EU and the countries of origin of these undocumented migrants because these rules goes against social justice and progress, and are inhumane. For Reference: Rev. Cesar Taguba Chairperson of the Board, Migrante Europe INFORMATION LEADERSHIP & TEAMBUILDING SEMINAR August 2-3, 2008 Larsbacken, Barnens Ö More info: pls. Call

4 Pröva På Aktiviteter för Barn Filippinska Kultur- & Fritidsföreningen in Botkyrka is one among the associations in Botkyrka that organizes and offers summer activities & courses every summer vacation for children in Botkyrka. There were around 20 pupils from different schools in Hallunda & Norsborg who enrolled and joined the activities such as Cooking and Bead making. Both courses were appreciated and pupils who joined expressed their joy and great appreciation through their written testimonies which will be exhibited then during the Associations Day, an event which is being celebrated yearly in Hallunda-Norsborg. This year, the event will be held in Hallunda Centrum on September 27 (Saturday) at 11:00 16:00 h. PRÖVA PÅ AKTIVITETER Forum with IBON FOUNDATION HEALTH ISSUES MULTI-CULTURE STUDY CIRCLES / HOBBY STUDIES Do you have some hobby to share with? Pease feel free to join us and start a study circle. We ll provide venue & materials. Tagalog for beginners and Swedish for beginners will be included to our Autumn courses More info later

5 Boy: pare hulaan mo ugali ko, nagsisimula ng letter A Pards: approachable? Boy: mali Pards: amiable Boy: mali pa rin Pards: o sige, sirit na nga Boy: Anest Pasyente: Dok, bakit po ganito ang operasyon sa ulo ko? Halos kita na utak ko Doctor: Ok lang yan, yan ang tinatawag na open minded. Beauty contest Emcee: What's the big problem facing the country today? Contestant: Drugs Emcee: Very good, why do you say that? Contestant: Ang mahal kasi eh! Tagalog Humor Corner Estudyante: Prayer ko po, ma'am! Guro: At bakit answers ang nakasulat? Estudyante: Naku! Sinagot na ang prayers ko! Tomas: Ang galing ng aso ko! Tuwing umaga, dala niya ang dyaryo sa akin. Diego: Alam ko. Tomas: Ha? Paano mo nalaman? Diego: Ikinukuwento sa akin ng aso ko. Josh: Kumusta ang assignment? Ricardo: Masama. Wala akong nasagutan. Blank paper ang ipinasa ko. Josh: Naku, ako rin! Paano 'yan? Baka isipin nila, nagkopyahan tayo?! Toto: Pangarap ko, kumita ng P250,000 monthly gaya ni daddy! Juvy: Wow! Ganyan kalaki ang kinikita ng daddy mo? Toto: Hindi! 'Yan din ang pangarap niya! Amo: Bakit ka umiiyak? Katulong: Sabi po ni dok tatanggalan po ako ng butlig Amo: Butlig lang iiyak ka na... Katulong: Kasi ok lang kung right lig or left lig lang po... pero bakit naman butligs pa... Doc: For your health take only a cup of rice, lean meat and a saucer of kangkong. Fruits for dessert and lots of juice... Fat guy: Doc, shall I take them before or after meals? Nahuling may kodigo ang estudyante... Guro: Ano 'to? Dok: May taning na ang buhay mo. Juan: Wala na bang pag-asa? Ano po ba ang dapat kong gawin? Dok: Mag-asawa ka na lang ng pangit at bungangera. Juan: Bakit, gagaling po ba ako ru'n? Dok: Hindi, pero mas gugustuhin mo pang mamatay kesa mabuhay! Lito: Pare, ano ba ang kaibahan ng H2O sa CO2? Joseph: Diyos ko naman! Di mo ba alam 'yun?! Ang H2O ay water! At ang CO2... cold water. Gustong malaman ng magkaibigan kung may basketbolan sa langit. Nagkasundo sila na kung

6 sino ang unang mamatay ay babalik upang sabihin kung may basketbol sa langit. Naunang namatay si Dado. Isang gabi, may narinig na boses si Rodel na parang kay Dado. 'Ikaw ba 'yan, Dado?' usisa ni Rodel. 'Oo naman!' tugon ni Dado. 'Parang hindi totoo!' sagot ni Rodel. 'O, ano, meron bang basketbol sa langit?' Sagot ni Dado, 'May maganda at masama akong balita sa 'yo. Ang maganda, may basketbol doon. Ang masama... kasali ka sa makakalaban namin bukas!' Junjun: Magaling ang tatay ko! Alam mo, 'yang Pacific Ocean, siya ang humukay nun! Pedrito: Wala 'yan sa tatay ko! Alam mo, yung Dead Sea? Junjun: Oo... Pedrito: Siya ang pumatay nun! Stewardess: Do you want a drink, sir? Sir: What are my choices? Stewardess: Yes or No. Misis: Hindi ko na kaya 'to! Araw-araw nalang tayong nag-aaway. Mabuti pa, umalis na ako sa bahay na 'to! Mister: Ako rin, sawang-sawa na! Away rito, away roon! Mabuti pa siguro, sumama na ako sa 'yo! Juan: Pare, noong mayaman pa kami, nagkakamay kaming kumain. Ngayong mahirap na kami, nakakutsara na. Pedro: Baligtad yata? Juan: Mahirap kamayin ang lugaw, pare! Anak: Itay, nagpapatanong si ma'am kung ano raw ang propesyon mo. Itay: Sabihin mo, cardiologist. Anak: Ano po ba ang cardiologist, Itay? Itay: 'Yung taga-ayos ng radio sa car! Rodrigo: Bakit bad trip ka? Harry: Nagtampo sa 'kin ang utol ko. Rodrigo: Bakit naman? Harry: Nakalimutan ko kasi ang birthday niya. Rodrigo: 'Yun lang? Anong masama ru'n? Harry: Ang masama ru'n... twins kami! Twins!

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