In recent public discussions, UNHCR has observed with concern the conflation of the terms ‘refugee’ and ‘migrant’. Blurring the terms refocuses attention away from the protection for refugees and denial of asylum to them has potentially deadly consequences. Seeking asylum is a universal human right established in Article 14 of […]
Young Afghan children get medical check-ups at Skala Sikamineas transit site on the island of Lesvos. © UNHCR/Gordon Welters
In recent public discussions, UNHCR has observed with concern the conflation of the terms ‘refugee’ and ‘migrant’. Blurring the terms refocuses attention away from the protection for refugees and denial of asylum to them has potentially deadly consequences. Seeking asylum is a universal human right established in Article 14 of the Universal Declaration of Human Rights. In 1951, the Convention related to the Status of Refugees provided the definition of who is a refugee and what are their rights and obligations. This cornerstone of international protection is embedded in EU and Greek national law.
‘Migration’ is often understood to imply a voluntary process, someone who crosses a border in search of better opportunities. But refugees are forced to move and cannot return home safely. They are owed specific protections under law, including access to territory and asylum procedures which are individual, fair and efficient. Asylum procedures are the primary mechanism to ensure that individuals are not returned to situations where they face a risk of persecution or other irreparable harm.
Also, a refugee does not cease to be a refugee simply because they leave one host country to travel to another. A person is a refugee because of the lack of protection by their country of origin. Moving to a new country of asylum does not change this, so it does not affect a person’s status as a refugee. A person who meets the criteria for refugee status remains a refugee, regardless of the particular route they travel in search of protection or opportunities to rebuild their life, and regardless of the various stages involved in that journey.
Greece is receiving the highest number of arrivals across the Mediterranean region – already 46,000 of 79,000, more than Italy, Spain, Malta and Cyprus combined. The vast majority of arrivals are coming with refugee profiles. In September, when sea arrivals climbed to 10,000 – the highest monthly total since 2016 – they were mostly Afghan and Syrian families, most of whom are likely in need of international protection. It is imperative that they have access to a robust and just asylum process.
People fleeing Afghanistan may be at risk of persecution or other forms of serious harm for reasons that are related to the ongoing armed conflict, on the basis of serious human rights violations not directly related to the conflict, or both. Across the EU we see that one of two Afghan asylum-seekers are granted protection.
We need to treat all human beings with respect and dignity and also ensure that the human rights of migrants are respected. The reasons why a migrant may leave their countries are often compelling, and finding ways to meet their needs and protect their human rights is important. Migrants are protected by international human rights law. This protection derives from their fundamental dignity as human beings, who also have humanitarian needs. There are recognized safeguards related to the detention and to returns of people found not to be in need of international protection and without compelling humanitarian reasons to stay in the host country, as well as those who have never sought asylum. People who have withdrawn their asylum claims and who wish to return to their countries of origin also fall into this group.
It is positive that the Greek government acknowledges the need for urgent action to improve the situation on the islands and for the transfer of unaccompanied minors to safe shelters on the mainland. These are measures that UNHCR has been urging for some time and we remain in close cooperation with the authorities to assist in their implementation. We have also taken note of government measures announced at a cabinet meeting on Monday to speed up and tighten asylum procedures and manage flows to Greece. Some of the reported measures raise questions and concerns and merit further clarifications.
We have not yet received the government’s detailed plans, but we look forward to providing our comments in line with our global protection role. Certainly, UNHCR’s priority is that people fleeing wars, violence, and persecution have access to effective protection in Greece and that European countries express more solidarity with Greece which is disproportionately receiving the highest numbers. We have already appealed to the EU to open up relocation places and take unaccompanied children, more than 4,400 of them are in Greece and most face precarious conditions.
Greece has a proud history of welcoming and protecting refugees. It has demonstrated time and again that those in need must be helped. In recent years this has become plainly obvious with the lives saved by Greeks in the Aegean Sea and the solidarity shown to the refugees, who have come after fleeing countries torn by war. We must choose our words when addressing this issue, because their meaning matters.
The op-ed was hosted in Greek by the news site ethnos.gr on 5.10.2019
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