A total of seventeen organizations gathered on Monday, September 19, 2016, in front of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs and Cooperation to demand that the Spanish State, as part of the international community, assume and request in its negotiations with other countries the establishment of urgent and immediate measures to protect and guarantee the rights of refugees, displaced persons, and migrants in the largest humanitarian crisis since World War II.
The highest authorities of the international community will meet on September 19 and 20 in New York for high-level meetings (the United Nations General Assembly and the Obama Summit) to address the large-scale displacement of refugees and migrants and, on the other, make new commitments on refugee issues.
The Coordinating Committee of NGOs for Development in Spain (CONGDE) âof which Juan Ciudad ONGD is a memberâ and organizations such as Accem, Amnesty International, Ayuda en AcciĂłn, CEAR, Entreculturas, FELGTB, the Spanish Law Foundation, the Cepaim Foundation, InspirAction, Jesuitas Social, MĂ©dicos del Mundo, MĂ©decins Sans FrontiĂšres, Red Acoge, San Carlos Borromeo, Save the Children, and the Jesuit Migrant Service have today denounced the passivity of world leaders, some of whom have been depicted wearing masks and suits, gathered around a table, surrounded by a clock and a banner with the slogan "World leaders, your time is running out."
In this regard, the organizations have addressed a letter to the Spanish government and the King, who will ultimately represent Spain at the United Nations. In it, the signatory organizations ask Spain to publicly and proactively commit to the future adoption of an agreement that guarantees shared responsibility among states for refugees and migrants, and they present a series of measures that urgently need to be implemented.
The organizations believe that postponing the approval of a global pact on refugees until 2018âas finally agreed by United Nations (UN) member states on August 3âis a huge mistake that puts the lives of thousands of people around the world at risk and demonstrates the international community's inability and lack of political involvement to resolve and prevent humanitarian emergencies and fulfill its international human rights obligations.
The responsibility of the Spanish Government
According to UNHCR, more than 65 million people worldwide are displaced from their homes due to conflict, persecution, and human rights violations in their countries of origin. The lack of legal and safe routes is causing a tragic increase in deaths and disappearances: according to the International Organization for Migration (IOM), so far this year, more than 4,320 people have lost their lives or disappeared during the journey. Of that number, 3,207 have drowned in the Mediterranean. A tragedy that could have been avoided if the international community and its States had taken the necessary measures.
In this regard, the Spanish government continues to violate its international agreements. To date, only 480 people have been transferred to Spain, a figure that still falls far short of the 17,337 refugees it pledged to relocate from Greece and Italy, and resettle from non-EU countries, by 2017.
The organizations also denounce the wallsâvisible and invisible (legal impediments, fences, externalization of borders, human rights violations, and xenophobic discourse)âthat refugees and migrants increasingly encounter in host countries, preventing them from accessing protection and decent living conditions.
People in the most vulnerable situations, such as single women or those with dependents, childrenâespecially unaccompanied onesâ, people persecuted for their sexual orientation and/or gender identity, victims of torture or trauma, and people who are ill or have disabilitiesâare left in a situation of total lack of protection and abandonment.
In the letter the organizations have addressed to the Spanish authorities, they ask them, in their negotiations with other states these days in New York, to publicly commit to presenting the following measures as priorities:
1. Policies and mechanisms that guarantee the full protection of refugees, internally displaced persons, and migrants from all forms of abuse, violence, and exploitation. Protection must cover basic needs such as education, healthcare, and housing, without discrimination and without fear of arrest, detention, or expulsion. In addition, specific measures must be adopted to protect the most vulnerable.
2. Immediate adoption of all necessary measures to guarantee legal and safe pathways for refugees and migrants. Saving lives must be a priority over immigration control policies. Furthermore, generous resettlement programs, humanitarian admission, and flexible family reunification, among others, must be guaranteed and expedited.
3. Equitable sharing of States' responsibility to support and host refugees. At least 101% of the world's refugee population must be resettled in safe countries (currently, 861% of refugees are hosted in developing countries, such as Lebanon, Turkey, Pakistan, Jordan, and Kenya).
4. States must refrain from signing, or revoke if already signed, agreements with unsafe third countries. Agreements must contain clauses guaranteeing respect for and compliance with human rights. Furthermore, support for development in countries of origin and humanitarian assistance must be guaranteed, based on a policy coherence approach for development that permeates all foreign action. Peace processes that end conflicts and ensure lasting stability must also be promoted.
5. Full funding and sufficient financial support to ensure the protection and integration of migrants, refugees, and displaced persons in host countries. It is essential to develop adequately funded integration policies that include awareness-raising plans to combat the growing rise of racism and xenophobia against these people.
Press Release: CONGDE.
