UNHCR Representative in Greece stresses the need for a sustainable European asylum system.
Interview given to Tania Bozaninou.
Refugees from Ukraine arrive at the Moldovan border © UNHCR/Caroline Bach
Effective border management is not incompatible with respect for human rights, nor of course with the sharing of responsibility among EU member states, explains Maria Clara Martin, Representative of UNHCR in Greece, in an interview with To Vima newspaper. She stresses that the dignified return of people who are not in need of international protection is an important aspect of a reliable asylum system.
What do you think about Ursula von der Leyen’s proposals on migration?
“UNHCR has been calling on EU states to better protect refugees in Europe and globally, and in January, we shared a roadmap drawing on best practices from 2022. The Ukraine response has demonstrated the EU’s capacity to welcome and protect forcibly displaced people in an organized and effective way. However, long-term reform is needed to ensure a sustainable EU asylum system that protects refugees wherever they may come from. To this end, agreement on and implementation of the draft EU Pact on Migration and Asylum presents an opportunity to secure a comprehensive, well-managed and predictable approach to asylum and migration. Ensuring access to territory and asylum is a key element of this, together with fair and efficient asylum procedures and responsibility-sharing mechanisms. Managing borders, sharing responsibility, and respecting human rights are compatible. With almost three-quarters of the world’s refugees in low- and middle-income countries, more support is needed for these countries and regions. Such support must however be complementary to ensuring access to asylum in Europe.”
Do you think that concentrating on the return of migrants, whose asylum application has been rejected in Europe, to their countries of origin will benefit refugees because there will be more places for them in the EU?
“Dignified returns for people who are found not to be in need of international protection are crucial aspects of a credible and workable asylum system. Understanding the complexity and challenges in managing population movements, UNHCR is ready to support States in rebuilding confidence in the management of asylum, with fair and fast asylum processes that ensure both protection for those who need it, and returns, with dignity and rights respected, of those who do not.”
Is there a need for NGOs working in the Mediterranean Sea to be regulated in order to make sure they don’t facilitate irregular migration?
“The important work of the civil society, including NGOs, in saving lives must be recognized. NGOs acting in line with international and national law have carried out a vital role by providing additional and much needed capacity when needs have overcome state capacity. It is equally important to note that NGOs, organizations, and volunteers have to abide by the rules and applicable laws and must coordinate with national authorities at all times. Saving lives at sea and providing humanitarian assistance is one of the most basic obligations of humanity, and those performing rescue operations or providing assistance in good faith should not be penalized for doing so. There should be adequate legal safeguards to avoid criminalization.”
The number of people trying to come irregularly to Europe is expected to rise this spring to the highest level since 2015. At the same time, extreme policies are being heard, like the “zero migrant” policy in Denmark. What does this mean for asylum seekers?
“The majority of the world’s displaced – 74 per cent – are, NOT in Europe. It is also a fact that forced displacement is growing and becoming more complex globally. The collective failure to prevent conflicts and tackle crises, continues to produce forced displacement. Currently, 103 million people have been forced out of their home worldwide. We understand the challenges that hosting large refugee populations pose to States. But these challenges do not justify reactions we have seen in some places, such as xenophobic rhetoric, walls and barbed wire, violent pushbacks. These reactions, on the contrary, hinder practical and workable solutions. In this context, the EU should and can do better, and continue to be an example to others. In such a complex world, the response is not exclusion, indifference, or national stand-alone initiatives. What we need is to work together towards finding solutions. The level of solidarity shown by European countries towards refugees from Ukraine should set the example for all refugee crises. In many other regions of the world, the devastation inflicted on civilians is no less real and no less harmful.”
Greece is extending the wall along the border with Türkiye in Evros. Are walls a solution?
“Increasingly restrictive policies contribute to refugees and migrants using riskier routes and means to cross borders, putting themselves and their children in greater danger, which will likely result in further deaths. While we should be mindful of States’ obligation to prevent irregular migration, it is also an obligation under international law to allow those seeking asylum to do so. These two obligations are not mutually exclusive.”
A last question. How is the situation of refugees in Greece nowadays? Have they integrated in Greece?
“UNHCR estimates there are currently some 60,000 recognized refugees in Greece, mainly from Ukraine, Afghanistan, and Syria. They have the right to live, study and work. It is important to remember that even if refugees have left everything behind, they don’t come with nothing. They bring skills, ideas, and aspirations; many bring an education. Study after study has shown the economic boost refugees can give to the local economy if given the chance. UNHCR is working closely with the Deputy Minister on Integration Ms Voultepsi, to support implementation of the national integration strategy. We have developed programmes that help connect refugees looking for a job with companies looking for employees in sectors which local supply cannot entirely meet, such as tourism. We are training refugees in jobs that the economy needs, such as drivers, nannies, and carers. We have many examples of successful refugees. It is definitely a win-win situation.”
This interview was originally published in Greek in Sunday’s TO VIMA newspaper on 5 February 2023.
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