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The work of the 3rd part of the 2023 session of the Parliamentary Assembly of the Council of Europe (PACE) continues in Strasbourg. MEP George Loukaidis delivered a speech to the plenary session on the inclusion of refugees and migrants in European societies.
Referring to the tragic deaths of some six hundred people in Pylos and the twenty-five thousand lives lost over the last decade in the Mediterranean, Mr Loukaidis stressed that the Western world has huge responsibilities in the migration issue.
Referring to the tragic deaths of some six hundred people in Pylos and the twenty-five thousand lives lost over the last decade in the Mediterranean, Mr Loukaidis stressed that the Western world has huge responsibilities in the migration issue. The inclusion of migrants in societies, the Cypriot MEP said, is certainly an important aspect, but a holistic approach that takes into account all dimensions of the issue is necessary.
Without overlooking the criminal responsibility of traffickers or the instrumentalization of migrants by some countries, it is important to focus on the root causes of refugeeism and migration, Mr.Loukaidis pointed out. In most cases, he stressed, the fomenting of internal conflicts, illegal military interventions against sovereign states, as well as the exploitation of the rich resources of developing countries are the causes and conditions that lead millions of people to flee their countries, while little has been done to create smooth, dignified and safe routes for those fleeing to Europe.
He further referred to the countries of the Mediterranean South, which have shouldered a disproportionate responsibility in hosting migrants, and deplored the fact that insufficient solidarity has been shown to these countries nor has the successful model of smooth integration of Ukrainian refugees in Europe been followed in relation to the rest of the migrant and refugee population.
He welcomed the recommendations contained in the CSTO Resolution for the better integration of refugees and migrants, advocating the need to protect these people and their right to work, health, housing and education, to promote communication and interaction with local communities and to combat all forms of racism, intolerance and discrimination.
The implementation of the above measures, Mr. Loucaides pointed out, becomes a particularly difficult task in countries where basic human and social rights are not even guaranteed to a large part of the elderly population. The above observation, he added, in no way means that the rights of migrants and refugees should take a back seat. On the contrary, he concluded, respect for the human and social rights of all people without exception, especially the most vulnerable, must prevail through the demonstration of humanity, solidarity and empathy.
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