Witnessing greatest refugee crisis in decades, OSCE parliamentarians call for increased burden-sharing

COPENHAGEN, 22 June 2015 – The migrant crisis in the Mediterranean is a challenge not just for the countries of that region but for the whole of Europe, concluded the Chair of the OSCE Parliamentary Assembly’s Committee on Democracy, Human Rights and Humanitarian Questions, Isabel Santos (MP, Portugal), at the close of her four-day visit to Rome, Lampedusa, Catania and Mineo on Sunday.

Following a series of meetings with government officials, migrants, refugees, employees at reception facilities, civil society leaders and representatives of international organizations, Santos noted that Italy is doing a commendable job of responding to the crisis, but that without greater support from the wider European community, it may soon be past its capacity to handle the influx on its own. She urged policymakers not to lose sight of the human face of the crisis.

“Who are these migrants?” she asked. “They are people fleeing from death, war, violence and misery. They are asking us for only one thing – an opportunity for life, life with dignity.”

She also spoke about the Dublin Regulation, a European Union rule that determines which Member State is responsible for processing asylum claims. The regulation has been criticized for placing the burden entirely on southern entry countries and for failing to provide fair and effective protection to asylum seekers. 

“The Dublin system needs to be reformed in order to promote a more humane approach to the crisis. Although we must be careful not to reduce these refugees and migrants to mere numbers, the proposal for a quota system seems like a good way to provide a responsible and humane solution by the European Union,” she said.

“There is equally a need to create Frontex ‘advance’ facilities in the countries from which the refugees are most often fleeing. These should include information offices which would provide advice on legal ways to come to Europe and also help the refugees understand their future once they are in the EU,” she added.

Santos was joined on her visit by Italian OSCE parliamentarians Marietta Tidei, the Rapporteur of the Assembly’s Committee on Economic Affairs, Science, Technology and Environment, and Cristina De Pietro. The delegation conducted a series of visits intended to sensitize Italy and other European countries to the refugee crisis.

In Rome, the parliamentarians met with government officials and representatives of the Italian Red Cross. In Lampedusa, they visited the First Aid and Reception Center, and in Catania, the Caritas Diocesana di Catania Help Center and the Protection System for Refugees and Asylum Seekers (SPRAR) project. In Mineo, they visited the Reception Center for Asylum Seekers (CARA).

By observing the humanitarian situation on the ground and discussing with relevant interlocutors Italy’s efforts to handle the influx, the delegation hopes to increase awareness across the OSCE area that it is time to act on this problem in a way that is equitable, effective, humane and fair.

“These are dramatic days in terms of migration,” said Italian parliamentarian Tidei at the close of the visit. “We are seeing an exodus of biblical proportions and precisely those countries that should feel a sense of responsibility are showing the worst face of Europe, protecting their own interests.”

She added: “The Mediterranean is not only the border of southern Italy, it is the southern border of the European continent. Europe cannot close its eyes and deny its compassion to children dying at sea. It cannot slam the door in the face of women and men who arrive on our shores.”

De Pietro said, “The burden of responsibility should not fall on those countries whose borders are most exposed. Focusing on the issues of migration and refugees, we should at the same time remember our own poor in Europe. There should be no war between poverties of different continents. To avoid racial and class tensions in Europe, there is an urgent need to ensure the migrants are well integrated into our societies. I believe that we should complement immediate measures with long-term programmes and initiatives aimed at addressing the root causes of irregular migration working with third countries especially countries of origin and transit.”

She added: “Moreover, the development of more effective European and Italian social policies should be our priority since in the aftermath of the financial crisis our social model has faced unprecedented challenges. We should also consider Mediterranean migration in a wider context highlighting the positive potential of genuine integration for socio-economic cohesion.”

De Pietro pointed in particular to the work of SPRAR, which is financed by Italy’s Ministry for the Interior and the EU, and provides housing, counseling and other support to asylum seekers. Although small, De Pietro noted it is doing important work in facilitating direct communication between refugees and the local population.

Santos said she was most struck by two things during the visit: one, the suffering of the migrants and refugees, and two: by the commitment, professionalism and passion of the numerous humanitarian organizations, such as the Red Cross, Misericordia, Caritas, and Medici per i diritti umani. These professionals are “missionaries of hope,” Santos said.

The OSCE Parliamentary Assembly will debate a resolution calling for urgent solutions to the Mediterranean migrant crisis proposed by Tidei at the 24th Annual Session in Helsinki on 5-9 July 2015. The resolution reaffirms the right of all people fleeing persecution and conflict to asylum, and calls for reform of EU regulations on migrant reception quotas, as well as a more effective search and rescue initiative in the Mediterranean Sea.

Santos, who has previously visited refugee camps in Turkey, intends to continue her focus on the refugee and migrant crisis, with possible upcoming visits to other affected countries.

Selected photos available here.