On this International Migrants Day, December 18, Caritas Europa calls on European leaders to promote the protection of migrants and recognise their essential contribution to European societies. By facilitating human mobility, we can create a more inclusive society.
Migrants are part of Europe’s fabric and several sectors, such as care, manufacturing, agriculture and construction, would simply not function without them. It is high time that migrants’ economic, cultural and social contributions are acknowledged and cherished. However, fear and suspicion against migrants continue to fuel discrimination and racism and lead to their criminalisation.
Europe is also increasingly focusing on policies that prevent arrivals and speed up returns, while seeking to shift or offshore its responsibilities to non-EU countries. These new policies, such as the new EU Pact on Asylum and Migration, risk eroding access to asylum and leading to widespread detention and poor reception conditions in EU border Member States. But these policies are not discouraging people’s attempts to improve their lives and embark on often perilous journeys to Europe.
The scarcity of legal and safe pathways is only exposing migrants, including unaccompanied children, to all sorts of violence, pushbacks and detentions, both during their travels and upon arrival in Europe. According to recent data, more than 30,000 migrants have died in the Mediterranean since 2014.
Despite the repeated tragedies at sea, European governments seem determined to tighten their restrictive policies. A clear example is the reaction of some European countries to the fall of Bashar al-Assad’s regime, with efforts to speed up the return of Syrian people, which illustrates a clear willingness to restrict protection at all costs.
Caritas Europa proposes an alternative agenda, which facilitates human mobility through simplified access to a visa, work permit and family reunification. Expanding and facilitating regular migration for all skills levels needs to be taken seriously. Migrants' perspectives, desires and rights must be respected, with regular migration paired with decent work and human rights protection.
"Many migrants face barriers due to a lack of stable and secure status, leaving them vulnerable to exploitation and unable to realise their full potential. They are often denied fundamental rights and face stigma. It is time for Europe to create an environment where everyone can thrive and contribute, realising their full potential in a truly inclusive way.”
Maria Nyman, Secretary General of Caritas Europa
Measures that fuel suffering, restrict freedoms and criminalise people in vulnerable situations have no place in a Europe committed to common values and human rights. It is essential that European policies reflect and uphold human dignity and ensure equal opportunities for all, creating a society where everyone feels valued and respected.
About Caritas Europa
Caritas Europa is a network of 49 member organisations in 46 European countries and one of the 7 regions of Caritas Internationalis. Our members assist and provide services to millions of people in need.
Caritas Europa aims at lifting people out of poverty by empowering them and by influencing unjust structures and unfair policies that keep people trapped in positions of disempowerment.
In Finland, you can ask more from Caritas Finland's Secretary General Larissa Franz-Koivisto: larissa.franz@caritas.fi
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