Tags:
Global Compact on Refugees , Migration
On December 17, 2018 the Global Compact on Refugees was signed. This should strengthen the rights of refugees and support the host countries. However the situation is so extensive that a closer look at the content and the context is worth it. [1] [2] [3]
[1] Global Compact on Refugees
https://refugeesmigrants.un.org/refugees-compact
[2] The Global Compact on Refugees
https://www.unhcr.org/the-global-compact-on-refugees.html
[3] Report of the United Nations High Commissioner for Refugees - Global Compact on Refugees
https://www.unhcr.org/gcr/GCR_English.pdf
For example the EU is expanding free trade with inferior economies. This means that low-wage countries outside the EU and high-wage countries within the EU have to compete and as a result the inferior sectors and income groups are threatened to lose their market share over imports. [4] [5] [6] The majority of the population is not aware of these free trade agreements also because little is reported about them. And if they know them such as the TTIP agreement then the vast majority will reject the agreement and several thousand people have even demonstrated against it TTIP. [7] [8]
In addition the NATO member states have a very poor record in terms of respect for international law. The incubator lie (Nayirah testimony) and that since 2003 Saddam's weapons of mass destruction are still missing are no secrets. On March 24, 1999 NATO forces bombarded targets in former Yugoslavia under the guise of preventing a humanitarian catastrophe and thus escalated the war and according to the OSCE (Organization for Security and Co-operation in Europe) they were the only reason for the humanitarian catastrophe in Kosovo. [9] And in 2011 NATO forces bombarded Libya under the guise of preventing a humanitarian disaster and overthrew the government of Muammar Gaddafi. In 2015 the UK Parliament noted that the assessment that led to the Libyan war in 2011 was significantly overrated and that the significant Islamist elements of the rebels were not perceived. [10] [10,pdf] But the vast majority of Germans also reject the foreign missions of the Bundeswehr. [11] [12] And even arms exports are rejected by about two-thirds of Germans. [13]
Italy has become one of the main arrival points of the migration crisis since 2015 due to the Mediterranean location and the readiness of previous governments to accept ships with people from Africa. During the time of the Lega and MoVimento 5 Stelle a policy of closed borders was pursued. The policy of Italy has therefore a significant influence on the whole situation. And the number of people crossing the Mediterranean has fallen from 172,301 in 2017 to 113,482 in 2018. At the same time the number of those who drowned or went missing in the Mediterranean fell from 3,139 in 2017 to 2,262 in 2018. [14] [15] [16]
Australia has also become a destination for many people with 4,565 in 2011, 17,204 in 2012 and 20,587 in 2013 due to its isolated location off Southeast Asia. In the meantime however the local government has introduced a policy of closed borders (Operation Sovereign Borders). The policy of Australia has therefore a significant influence on the local situation. And the number of people crossing the sea has fallen from 20,587 in 2013 to 160 in 2014. [17] [18] At the same time the number of those who drowned or went missing off Australia fell from 240 in 2013 to 6 in 2014. In both cases a zero tolerance policy has resulted in fewer deaths. [19] [19,archive]
The published paper of the UN is an agreement and it is clear that the plan should commit. Thus the agreement is be politically compulsory. This means that individuals can invoke such an agreement and sue for their content. [21]
[1] Global Compact on Refugees
https://refugeesmigrants.un.org/refugees-compact
[2] The Global Compact on Refugees
https://www.unhcr.org/the-global-compact-on-refugees.html
[3] Report of the United Nations High Commissioner for Refugees - Global Compact on Refugees
https://www.unhcr.org/gcr/GCR_English.pdf
[4] Freihandel EU-Afrika - Die Kunst des unfairen Deals 2017-01-17
http://www.taz.de/!5371866/
[5] EU-Freihandel mit Afrika: Unfairer Deal? 2017-01-11
https://www.dw.com/de/eu-freihandel-mit-afrika-unfairer-deal/a-37073640
[6] EU baut mit Mercosur-Staatenbund weltweit größte Freihandelszone auf 2019-06-28
https://diepresse.com/home/ausland/aussenpolitik/5651889/EU-baut-mit-MercosurStaatenbund-weltweit-groesste-Freihandelszone-auf
[7] Große Mehrheit der Deutschen sieht TTIP kritisch 2016-05-04
http://www.spiegel.de/politik/deutschland/ttip-grosse-mehrheit-der-deutschen-sieht-freihandelsabkommen-kritisch-a-1090908.html
[8] 150.000 Demonstranten protestieren gegen TTIP 2015-10-10
http://www.faz.net/aktuell/wirtschaft/ttip-und-freihandel/grosskundgebung-in-berlin-150-000-demonstranten-protestieren-gegen-ttip-13848419.html
[9] "Deutschlands Weg in den Kosovo-Krieg - Es begann mit einer Lüge"
https://youtu.be/ZtkQYRlXMNU
[10] Libya: Examination of intervention and collapse and the UK's future policy options inquiry
https://www.parliament.uk/business/committees/committees-a-z/commons-select/foreign-affairs-committee/inquiries1/parliament-2015/libya-policy/
https://publications.parliament.uk/pa/cm201617/cmselect/cmfaff/119/119.pdf
[11] Mehrheit der Deutschen lehnt Auslandseinsätze ab 2014-12-28
https://www.zeit.de/politik/deutschland/2014-12/umfrage-deutsche-ablehnung-internationale-bundeswehr-einsaetze
[12] Umfrage zu Auslandseinsätzen - Deutsche lehnen stärkeres Engagement in der Welt ab 2014-05-20
http://www.spiegel.de/politik/deutschland/umfrage-deutsche-lehnen-auslandseinsaetze-der-bundeswehr-ab-a-970463.html
[13] Fast zwei Drittel der Deutschen wollen Stopp aller Rüstungsexporte 2018-05-29
https://www.faz.net/aktuell/wirtschaft/fast-zwei-drittel-der-deutschen-gegen-ruestungsexporte-15613393.html
[14] 94 Prozent weniger Migranten in Italien eingetroffen 2019-03-18
https://derstandard.at/2000099728659/94-Prozent-weniger-Migranten-in-Italien-eingetroffen?ref=article
[15] Italy rejects record number of asylum applications 2019-02-14
https://www.theguardian.com/world/2019/feb/14/italy-rejects-record-number-of-asylum-applications
[16] Migration: Weniger Flüchtlinge im Mittelmeer ertrunken 2019-01-03
https://www.zeit.de/gesellschaft/zeitgeschehen/2019-01/migration-fluechtlinge-mittelmeer-gestorben-gesamtzahl-un-fluechtlingshilfswerk [17] Boat arrivals in Australia: a quick guide to the statistics 2014-01-23
https://www.aph.gov.au/About_Parliament/Parliamentary_Departments/Parliamentary_Library/pubs/rp/rp1314/QG/BoatArrivals
[18] Australiens Flüchtlingspolitik - Abschrecken, abschotten, abwälzen 2017-12-10
https://www.spiegel.de/politik/ausland/australien-warum-die-fluechtlingspoliti-kein-vorbild-fuer-europa-sein-kann-a-1181555.html
[19] Australian Border Deaths Database
http://artsonline.monash.edu.au/thebordercrossingobservatory/researchoutputs/australian-border-deaths-database/
https://web.archive.org/web/20180612144325/http://artsonline.monash.edu.au/thebordercrossingobservatory/researchoutputs/australian-border-deaths-database/
[20] Making Migration work for all
https://refugeesmigrants.un.org/sites/default/files/sg_report_en.pdf
[21] Rechtsgutachten zum Migrationspakt
https://www.bundestag.de/blob/557692/8d3c42d79eba902c13660271ba0a32f4/wd-2-052-18-pdf-data.pdf
Global Compact on Refugees , Migration
On December 17, 2018 the Global Compact on Refugees was signed. This should strengthen the rights of refugees and support the host countries. However the situation is so extensive that a closer look at the content and the context is worth it. [1] [2] [3]
Content
The Goals
The Global Compact on Refugees is divided into four chapters totaling 107 points. These points are explicitly formulated as goals. In order to achieve its goals the UN plans to hold a forum at ministerial level every four years. [2]- "Ease the pressures on host countries"
- "Enhance refugee self-reliance"
- "Expand access to third-country solutions"
- "Support conditions in countries of origin for return in safety and dignity"
Freedom of Expression and Censorship
According to the Global Compact on Refugees the reception and the understanding of refugees among the citizens in the receiving countries should be improved. In order to promote a peaceful coexistence between refugees and host communities all forms of discrimination should be fought. This should improve the understanding of the plight of refugees.Recognizing the importance of good relations between communities, pending the availability of durable solutions, programmes and projects will be designed in ways that combat all forms of discrimination and promote peaceful coexistence between refugee and host communities, in line with national policies. Specific programmes and projects will be supported to enhance understanding of the plight of refugees, including through technical cooperation and capacity development for local communities and personnel. Engagement of children, adolescents and youth will be fostered, including through sports and cultural activities, language learning, and education. In fostering respect and understanding, as well as combating discrimination, the power and positive impact of civil society, faith-based organizations, and the media, including social media, will be harnessed. [3,p.16]To be against racism is all well and good. But if migration and all criticism is entirely to be considered as xenophobic or even racist, then there is no freedom of expression or free speech.
Resettlement
As a permanent solution for refugees various solutions are presented in the Global Compact on Refugees. These include voluntary repatriation (return to the country of origin), resettlement and local integration. The resettlement of refugees should relieve the host countries, where there are currently a large number of refugees. For this purpose the UN also wants to expand the repertoire of states for resettlements.One of the primary objectives of the global compact (para 7) is to facilitate access to durable solutions, including by planning for solutions from the outset of refugee situations. Eliminating root causes is the most effective way to achieve solutions. In line with international law and the Charter of the United Nations, political and security cooperation, diplomacy, development and the promotion and protection of human rights are key to resolving protracted refugee situations and preventing new crises from emerging. At the same time, addressing the causes of refugee movements can take time. The programme of action therefore envisages a mix of solutions, adapted to the specific context and taking into account the absorption capacity, level of development and demographic situation of different countries. This includes the three traditional durable solutions of voluntary repatriation, resettlement and local integration, as well as other local solutions and complementary pathways for admission to third countries, which may provide additional opportunities. [3,p.16]However the right of refugees and host countries for refugees to return to their country of origin is neglected. The resources of the main host countries are not taken into account in total. If there is a lack of resources in one host country the next one should step in.
Right of Residence and Family Reunions
In the context of resettlement however complementary reception routes should also be part of the three-year strategy. The states should promote family reunification in the host countries. And regions where refugees are settled should be funded additionally.The three-year strategy on resettlement (section 3.2 above) will also include complementary pathways for admission, with a view to increasing significantly their availability and predictability. Contributions will be sought from States, with the support of relevant stakeholders, to facilitate effective procedures and clear referral pathways for family reunification, or to establish private or community sponsorship programmes that are additional to regular resettlement, including community-based programmes promoted through the Global Refugee Sponsorship Initiative (GRSI). Other contributions in terms of complementary pathways could include humanitarian visas, humanitarian corridors and other humanitarian admission programmes; educational opportunities for refugees (including women and girls) through grant of scholarships and student visas, including through partnerships between governments and academic institutions; and labour mobility opportunities for refugees, including through the identification of refugees with skills that are needed in third countries. [3,p.19]It is explicitly required that refugees receive a permanent right to stay or an offer for naturalization. In order to achieve this regional frameworks should be created where appropriate.
[1] Global Compact on Refugees
https://refugeesmigrants.un.org/refugees-compact
[2] The Global Compact on Refugees
https://www.unhcr.org/the-global-compact-on-refugees.html
[3] Report of the United Nations High Commissioner for Refugees - Global Compact on Refugees
https://www.unhcr.org/gcr/GCR_English.pdf
Whats Missing
Causes of Flight
Under the UN Refugee Convention, all states and relevant stakeholders such as UN agencies, the Red Cross, financial institutions, regional organizations, local authorities, civil society and the media are called upon to fight the causes of flight. According to the Global Compact on Refugees the climate, environmental degradation and natural disasters are considered as well. Although these are not in themselves causes of flight they are increasingly interacting with the driving forces of such population movements. Other much larger and avoidable causes of flight remain unmentioned. [3,p.2]For example the EU is expanding free trade with inferior economies. This means that low-wage countries outside the EU and high-wage countries within the EU have to compete and as a result the inferior sectors and income groups are threatened to lose their market share over imports. [4] [5] [6] The majority of the population is not aware of these free trade agreements also because little is reported about them. And if they know them such as the TTIP agreement then the vast majority will reject the agreement and several thousand people have even demonstrated against it TTIP. [7] [8]
In addition the NATO member states have a very poor record in terms of respect for international law. The incubator lie (Nayirah testimony) and that since 2003 Saddam's weapons of mass destruction are still missing are no secrets. On March 24, 1999 NATO forces bombarded targets in former Yugoslavia under the guise of preventing a humanitarian catastrophe and thus escalated the war and according to the OSCE (Organization for Security and Co-operation in Europe) they were the only reason for the humanitarian catastrophe in Kosovo. [9] And in 2011 NATO forces bombarded Libya under the guise of preventing a humanitarian disaster and overthrew the government of Muammar Gaddafi. In 2015 the UK Parliament noted that the assessment that led to the Libyan war in 2011 was significantly overrated and that the significant Islamist elements of the rebels were not perceived. [10] [10,pdf] But the vast majority of Germans also reject the foreign missions of the Bundeswehr. [11] [12] And even arms exports are rejected by about two-thirds of Germans. [13]
Unsafe Routes
And in the Global Compact on Refugees insecure routes and dangerous incentives are completely omitted as well. Certain routes are dangerous for refugees and the number of those who die is proportional to the number of refugees. The fact that tey are not in the Global Compact on Refugees questions its good intentions.Italy has become one of the main arrival points of the migration crisis since 2015 due to the Mediterranean location and the readiness of previous governments to accept ships with people from Africa. During the time of the Lega and MoVimento 5 Stelle a policy of closed borders was pursued. The policy of Italy has therefore a significant influence on the whole situation. And the number of people crossing the Mediterranean has fallen from 172,301 in 2017 to 113,482 in 2018. At the same time the number of those who drowned or went missing in the Mediterranean fell from 3,139 in 2017 to 2,262 in 2018. [14] [15] [16]
Australia has also become a destination for many people with 4,565 in 2011, 17,204 in 2012 and 20,587 in 2013 due to its isolated location off Southeast Asia. In the meantime however the local government has introduced a policy of closed borders (Operation Sovereign Borders). The policy of Australia has therefore a significant influence on the local situation. And the number of people crossing the sea has fallen from 20,587 in 2013 to 160 in 2014. [17] [18] At the same time the number of those who drowned or went missing off Australia fell from 240 in 2013 to 6 in 2014. In both cases a zero tolerance policy has resulted in fewer deaths. [19] [19,archive]
Making Migration work for all
It is striking that the UN refugee agreement with its logic of utilization or even exploitation is similar to the paper "Making Migration work for all". The Global Compact on Refugees requires refugees to be allowed access to the labor market. [2] In addition the public opinion in the host countries is to be influenced. Thus the final version of the Global Compact on Refugees coincides with the paper "Making Migration work for all". [3,p.16]We must also show respect for communities that fear they are 'losing out' because of migration. While there is powerful evidence that migrants are of significant benefit to both their host countries and their countries of origin, we cannot be blind to citizens’ perceptions and concerns. Communities blighted by inequality and economic deprivation frequently blame migration for their troubles. While it is necessary to explain why such views are mistaken, it is essential to address the underlying vulnerabilities and fears of all citizens so that we can make migration work for all. [20,p.5]After that migration is good for business. Unfortunately anyone who criticizes is mistaken. And criticism should be reinterpreted as xenophobic or even racist.
We must sadly acknowledge that xenophobic political narratives about migration are all too widespread today. We must not allow these to distort our agenda. I applaud the New York Declaration adopted by the Member States, and in particular for addressing the issue in positive terms. Progress towards resolving real challenges associated with migration means, in part, dispelling alarmist misrepresentations of its effects. Political leaders must take responsibility for reframing national discourses on the issue, as well as for policy reforms. [20,p.4]
Liability
According to official figures the Global Compact on Refugees is not legally binding. However the scientific service of the Bundestag has already stated the opposite for the Global Compact for Migration. And both are formally equal.The published paper of the UN is an agreement and it is clear that the plan should commit. Thus the agreement is be politically compulsory. This means that individuals can invoke such an agreement and sue for their content. [21]
[1] Global Compact on Refugees
https://refugeesmigrants.un.org/refugees-compact
[2] The Global Compact on Refugees
https://www.unhcr.org/the-global-compact-on-refugees.html
[3] Report of the United Nations High Commissioner for Refugees - Global Compact on Refugees
https://www.unhcr.org/gcr/GCR_English.pdf
[4] Freihandel EU-Afrika - Die Kunst des unfairen Deals 2017-01-17
http://www.taz.de/!5371866/
[5] EU-Freihandel mit Afrika: Unfairer Deal? 2017-01-11
https://www.dw.com/de/eu-freihandel-mit-afrika-unfairer-deal/a-37073640
[6] EU baut mit Mercosur-Staatenbund weltweit größte Freihandelszone auf 2019-06-28
https://diepresse.com/home/ausland/aussenpolitik/5651889/EU-baut-mit-MercosurStaatenbund-weltweit-groesste-Freihandelszone-auf
[7] Große Mehrheit der Deutschen sieht TTIP kritisch 2016-05-04
http://www.spiegel.de/politik/deutschland/ttip-grosse-mehrheit-der-deutschen-sieht-freihandelsabkommen-kritisch-a-1090908.html
[8] 150.000 Demonstranten protestieren gegen TTIP 2015-10-10
http://www.faz.net/aktuell/wirtschaft/ttip-und-freihandel/grosskundgebung-in-berlin-150-000-demonstranten-protestieren-gegen-ttip-13848419.html
[9] "Deutschlands Weg in den Kosovo-Krieg - Es begann mit einer Lüge"
https://youtu.be/ZtkQYRlXMNU
[10] Libya: Examination of intervention and collapse and the UK's future policy options inquiry
https://www.parliament.uk/business/committees/committees-a-z/commons-select/foreign-affairs-committee/inquiries1/parliament-2015/libya-policy/
https://publications.parliament.uk/pa/cm201617/cmselect/cmfaff/119/119.pdf
[11] Mehrheit der Deutschen lehnt Auslandseinsätze ab 2014-12-28
https://www.zeit.de/politik/deutschland/2014-12/umfrage-deutsche-ablehnung-internationale-bundeswehr-einsaetze
[12] Umfrage zu Auslandseinsätzen - Deutsche lehnen stärkeres Engagement in der Welt ab 2014-05-20
http://www.spiegel.de/politik/deutschland/umfrage-deutsche-lehnen-auslandseinsaetze-der-bundeswehr-ab-a-970463.html
[13] Fast zwei Drittel der Deutschen wollen Stopp aller Rüstungsexporte 2018-05-29
https://www.faz.net/aktuell/wirtschaft/fast-zwei-drittel-der-deutschen-gegen-ruestungsexporte-15613393.html
[14] 94 Prozent weniger Migranten in Italien eingetroffen 2019-03-18
https://derstandard.at/2000099728659/94-Prozent-weniger-Migranten-in-Italien-eingetroffen?ref=article
[15] Italy rejects record number of asylum applications 2019-02-14
https://www.theguardian.com/world/2019/feb/14/italy-rejects-record-number-of-asylum-applications
[16] Migration: Weniger Flüchtlinge im Mittelmeer ertrunken 2019-01-03
https://www.zeit.de/gesellschaft/zeitgeschehen/2019-01/migration-fluechtlinge-mittelmeer-gestorben-gesamtzahl-un-fluechtlingshilfswerk [17] Boat arrivals in Australia: a quick guide to the statistics 2014-01-23
https://www.aph.gov.au/About_Parliament/Parliamentary_Departments/Parliamentary_Library/pubs/rp/rp1314/QG/BoatArrivals
[18] Australiens Flüchtlingspolitik - Abschrecken, abschotten, abwälzen 2017-12-10
https://www.spiegel.de/politik/ausland/australien-warum-die-fluechtlingspoliti-kein-vorbild-fuer-europa-sein-kann-a-1181555.html
[19] Australian Border Deaths Database
http://artsonline.monash.edu.au/thebordercrossingobservatory/researchoutputs/australian-border-deaths-database/
https://web.archive.org/web/20180612144325/http://artsonline.monash.edu.au/thebordercrossingobservatory/researchoutputs/australian-border-deaths-database/
[20] Making Migration work for all
https://refugeesmigrants.un.org/sites/default/files/sg_report_en.pdf
[21] Rechtsgutachten zum Migrationspakt
https://www.bundestag.de/blob/557692/8d3c42d79eba902c13660271ba0a32f4/wd-2-052-18-pdf-data.pdf