Protecting the rights of refugees, migrants, and asylum seekers in Europe

Forum: Issue: Human Rights Council Protecting the rights of refugees, migrants, and asylum seekers in Europe Student Officer: Hnin Ei Wai Lwin Position: Chair Introduction It is a heartbreaking tragedy as more than a million migrants and refugees cross into Europe during 2015 due to civil war, unhealthy living conditions and several other issues beyond the citizens control. Europe s biggest wave of displaced people since World War II has created divisions within the 28 member European Union over the asylum seekers fleeing conflict and poverty in Middle East and Africa. This caused a huge struggle for countries to cope with the influx and the European Union had to constantly discuss and find other ways to deal with resettling people. On December 21, the International Organization for Migration (IOM) announced that a milestone was hit for 1,006,000 migrants. This figure is from six different European Union nations such as Greece, Bulgaria, Italy, Spain, Malta, and Cyprus. Nations in Europe were constantly overwhelmed with applications from people seeking asylum. Furthermore, there are many more refugees missing. The conflict in Syria continues to be the bigger drive of the migration. Yet the ongoing violence in Afghanistan, abuses in Eritrea, and poverty in Kosovo all led people to look for new lives elsewhere. The migrants do not easily reach their desired locations easily and go to great lengths. Most heading to Greece takes the voyages from Turkey, often in flimsy rubber dinghies or small wooden boats. The voyage from Libya to Italy is much more hazardous. According to the IOM, more than 3,695 migrants reportedly died trying to cross the ride and more than 700 died crossing from Turkey to Greece. Yet these people are documented and many more people cross borders undetected. After a boat capsized between Libya and Italy, killing up to 900 migrants, and a drowned Syrian toddler washed up on a beach in Turkey. As the rights of human beings get taken away, it is time the European Union

and world leaders figure out a new strategy to this critical issue ("Migrant Crisis: Migration to Europe Explained in Graphics - BBC News"). Definition of Key Terms Refugee: According to the Geneva Convention, a refugee is a person who is outside their country of citizenship due to fear of persecution because of their race, religion, nationality, membership of a particular social group or political opinion and is unable to obtain sanctuary in their country of citizenship Migrant: A person who moves from one place to another in order to find work or better living conditions Asylum seeker: A person who fled from their country due to being endangered but is not yet accepted as a refugee History Europe. Due to the crisis in Syria, an unprecedented number of refugees migrated to Syrian Crisis March 2011 In the southern city of Deraa in Syria, the pro-democracy league started protests, which caused security forces to openly, fire the demonstrators, killing several citizens. Furthermore, protestors continued to demand President Assad s resignation. Opposition supporters began to arm themselves and fire broke out. June 2013 The conflict became more than just those for and against Mr. Assad. UN announced that 90,000 people had been killed in the conflict. Violence escalated Syria into a civil war and fighting reached the capital Damascus and Aleppo. A

jihadist group Islamic State (IS) added a new issue for Syria ("Europe's Refugee Crisis - QuickTake"). August 2013 July 2014 Hundreds were killed from attacks by rockets filled with nerve agent sarin in the suburbs of Damascus. Syria s government refused to be responsible for these attacks and instead, blamed the rebels. Due to a US military intervention, President Assad agreed to the complete removal and destructions of Syria s chemical weapons. Investigators also found chlorine repeatedly in deadly attacks on rebelheld areas. IS also used homemade chemical weapons that was used in an attack on the northern town of Marea that killed a baby. September 2014 United States launched air strikes inside Syria in an effort to ultimately destroy IS. Russia also began an air campaign in Syria but opposition activists say that its strikes mostly killed Western-backed rebels and civilians. August 2015 UN announced that 250,000 people had been killed in the conflict. A UN commission of inquiry announced that it has evidence that all parties involved in the conflict have committed war crimes that included murder, torture, rape, enforced disappearances. Civilians are also facing lack of access to food, water, and health services due to the war. Although the UN Security Council demanded that all parties end the use of weapons, barrel bombs dropped by government aircrafts killed many civilians. IS also inflicted severe punishments on those refuse to accept its rules, and used public executions and amputations to inflict fear ("Europe's Refugee Crisis"). January 2016 United Nations announced that more than 4.5 million people have fled Syria since the start of the conflict, most of them women and children. Syria s neighboring countries such as Lebanon, Jordan, and Turkey also had to face the largest refugee migration in recent history. About 6.5 million people are internally displaced in Syria and 1.2 million people were driven away from their homes in 2015. Furthermore, Islamic State (IS) took control of large areas of Syria and Iraq and started to be known as ISIS (Islamic State of Iraq and Syria).

United States and Russia led efforts to get representations of the governments involved and the opposition to attend talks in Geneva to discuss a road map for peace, including a ceasefire and a transitional period ending with elections "High-level UN Event Tackles Biggest Refugee and Migration Crisis since Second World War"). Key Issues Limited resources and opportunities The refugees fled their countries of origin and face a need for a new job in the new country. Furthermore, due to Europe s tight job market, it is extremely hard for these refugees to start finding their own source of income. They also lack the necessary training and foundation to start their own business or get employed. Providing food and health services to these refugees will lead to a huge strain on welfare resources in European countries. European cities are already facing tremendous challenges in terms of assimilating the refugees. Leadership President Obama s strategy in dealing with the Syrian issue allowed the brutal regime of Bashar al-assad to remain in power. ISIS has also gained momentum and has threatened citizens beyond the countries of Iraq and Syria. U.K. Defense Secretary Liam Fox said at The Heritage Foundation last week that there would be no end to the European migrant crisis until ISIS is defeated and the Syrian issue is resolved. Yet the main powerhouses in the world are reluctant to stand up and lead other nations towards saving the refugees and putting a stop to this issue. European Union The nations that are part of the European Union are in disagreement with the rights of the refugees. Germany pledged to welcome all refugees fleeing from Syria. Yet Hungary vowed not to accept any migrants. Furthermore, there is a deep division between several countries who are opposed to the European Union dictating the terms of the refugee issue. Sovereignty United Nations is not permitted to intrude any countries rights and force certain actions upon them. As European governments seek to reassert authority over their own borders, the rights of refugees to seek shelter and care diminish. Although

the British government has agreed to take 20,000 refugees from Syria, the government also made it clear that they will not accept any more refugees in the long run. Therefore, cooperation within and between these nations is extremely crucial. Furthermore, many nations fear that ISIS might start to take refugee routes and risk the lives of citizens in Europe ("The EU Migrant and Refugee Crisis - What You Need to Know - TheSkimm"). Dangerous Journeys, Illegal Smuggling With the hope of more freedom, security, and prosperity, people are willing to take enormous risk to escape conflict. According to the IOM, more than 5,000 people died at sea trying to reach Europe. There are limited approaches to providing access to safe crossing options and effective search and rescue operations. Many smugglers and all traffickers abuse migrants and asylum seekers along the migration routes into Europe. Abuses include holding people hostage for months in violent conditions. Smugglers also overload boats with insufficient food, water, and fuel for the journey and risk many lives of women and children. The thousands of recent deaths in the Mediterranean are a testament of the risks people will take to deter from conflict or persecution (The Independent). Major Parties Involved and Their Views Hungary The Hungarian government invested more than 100 million euros on razorwire fencing and border controls to keep refugees and migrants out, triple the amount it spends on receiving asylum seekers. The Hungarian Parliament has been passing new laws resulting in an aggressive response to the refugees who seek asylum. Police forces are authorized to use rubber bullets, tear gas and other weapons to stop refugees from crossing into Hungary. Refugees and asylum-seekers that enter also face criminal prosecution, which is a breach of international human rights law. Due to the absence of essential supplies, many refugees, migrants, and asylum seekers are left to rely on the support of volunteers and donations. Germany On New Year s Eve in Germany, police said that asylum seekers carried out the attacks on women in Cologne and other cities. Therefore, the Chancellor made a

promise to drastically decrease the number of refugees and migrants in Germany. In August, there was widespread praise for Germany opening its borders to all Syrians but border controls with Austria were reintroduced in September and the arrival of 1.1 million asylum seekers raised concerns for housing. Hundreds of refugees are being turned back every day. Yet it is not only Syrians who are fleeing to Germany but also Afghans and Iraqis. United States It is extremely difficult for Syrians to receive resettlement options in the US. After terror attacks in Paris that killed 130 people and wounded hundreds, many US governors are worried that the resettlement of refugees would bring militants from ISIS. Refugees go through an arduous process in order to receive shelter in US. United States is the largest donor for refugees ("Amnesty International"). United Kingdom David Cameron, Prime Minister of UK, announced that UK would accept 20,000 refugees from Syria by 2020. The government also said it will accept more unaccompanied child refugee from camps in Syria and neighboring countries. Britain is the second-largest bilateral donor for supporting refugees. The government has contributed $1.1 billion since 2012 on food, tents, and other humanitarian aid. UK also said they will be giving a further $10 million to help vulnerable refugee minors in Europe. UK allows refugees under the VPR (Vulnerable Persons Resettlement Programme). These people are not granted the refugee status but instead granted a humanitarian protection status. This status is normally for people who don t qualify for asylum and would be in serious harm in their own country ("Migrant Crisis: What Is the UK Doing to Help? - BBC News"). Greece As of June 2015, 124,000 migrants have arrived into Greece. The UNCHR European Director said facilities for migrants on the Greek islands were totally inadequate and the islands are in total chaos ("Migrant Crisis: Migration to Europe Explained in Graphics - BBC News"). Timeline of Relevant Resolutions, Treaties, and Events

This timeline shows important treaties and events concerning the issue of the Syrian refugee crisis. Date Description of event 2011 Protests against President Assad started in Syria 2012 Instability and second civil war in Libya 2013 Lampedusa migrant shipwreck where more than 360 migrants drowned on their way to Europe October 2, 2013 April 24, 2015 UN resolution on Humanitarian Access to Syria Security Council wrote a resolution on being alarmed by the depth of the Syrian crisis and urges greater international support September 30, 2015 Secretary General Ban Ki-moon convened a high-level Syria Crisis"). meeting ("Quick Facts: What You Need to Know about the Evaluation of Previous Attempts to Resolve the Issue Although in the past, many nations were extremely wary of accepting refugees and providing certain rights, due to international encouragement, countries in Europe have opened its borders. European Union met last year in 2015 to speak of funding and resettlement of refugees and set solid numbers of refugees each country is willing to accept. International help is also called upon. Yet due to the threat of ISIS, many nations in Europe treat all refugees as harmful and do not grant equal rights. Most are not given refugee status and are turned away. Due to the threat, many countries have reduced the number of refugees they are willing to accept. Therefore, in order to alleviate this issue, more regulations must be set and all nations must corroborate ("Refugee Crisis in Syria and Iraq"). Possible Solutions Provide safer routes

Many people risk their lives in order to resettle in Europe with hopes of a better future for themselves and their families. Search and rescue operations will make a difference. If the migrants are given safer means to travel, it will reduce deadly tragedies. Counter illegal smuggling Migrants face abuse by many traffickers and smugglers across the routes. Governments must arrest and prosecute traffickers and smugglers for their crime. Those who facilitate migrants and asylum seekers on their journeys must conform to international law and ensure the lives and safety of migrants and asylum seekers. Any action against smugglers should be coupled with efforts to increase safe and legal routes for migrants. Law enforcement action taken against traffickers should ensure protection for victims such as medical, psychosocial, and issuance of humanitarian visas for trafficking victims and witnesses. Increase Refugee Resettlement According to UNHCR, there are over 60 million refugees, asylum seekers and internally displaced today. In May 2015, the European Commission called on the EU to help resettle 20,000 recognized refugees. Yet Syria has produced over four million refugees. EU s current pledge to resettle 22,000 refugees over the next two years is insufficient. Furthermore, health services must be available for all these people. Family Reunification Family reunification must be available for thee refugees. This could help reunite families and reduce the number of people risking their lives to reach Europe. Education and Jobs People seek for improved economic and social life for their families and flee to Europe. A variety of options must be available for these migrants, including employment visas at certain skill levels and student visas. Furthermore, training programs must also be set up and available.

Bibliography "Migrant Crisis: Migration to Europe Explained in Graphics - BBC News." BBC News. Web. 03 Feb. 2016. "Migrant Crisis: What Is the UK Doing to Help? - BBC News." BBC News. Web. 03 Feb. 2016. "Migrant Crisis: Migration to Europe Explained in Graphics - BBC News." BBC News. Web. 03 Feb. 2016. "Europe's Refugee Crisis - QuickTake." BloombergView.com. Web. 03 Feb. 2016. "Europe's Refugee Crisis." Human Rights Watch. 2015. Web. 03 Feb. 2016. "Amnesty International." Hungary: EU Must Formally Warn Hungary over Refugee Crisis Violations. Web. 03 Feb. 2016. "Quick Facts: What You Need to Know about the Syria Crisis." Mercy Corps. 2016. Web. 03 Feb. 2016. The Independent. Independent Digital News and Media. Web. 03 Feb. 2016. "High-level UN Event Tackles Biggest Refugee and Migration Crisis since Second World War." UN News Center. UN, 2015. Web. 03 Feb. 2016. "Refugee Crisis in Syria and Iraq." World Vision. Web. 03 Feb. 2016. "The EU Migrant and Refugee Crisis - What You Need to Know - TheSkimm." TheSkimm.com. Web. 03 Feb. 2016.