International Migrants Day – ADEPT Statement
The word “migrant” is rarely associated with that of “essential”. Wrongly, because if the outbreak of the Coronavirus had only one positive aspect, it is that of having highlighted the crucial role played by migrant workers and those with a migrant background during the pandemic. Well represented in the health and home care, transport, food or sanitation sectors, migrant workers have indeed been on the front lines of COVID-19. We should therefore not wait for a new global crisis to occur to fully appreciate the invaluable contribution of migration.
While the stated will of the European Union to work towards a better consideration of migration, and thus to develop legal immigration pathways could constitute progress, vigilance must nevertheless remain constant when it comes to respecting the fundamental rights of people on the move, whatever their status and the reasons for their departure.
In light of the aggressive and punitive border management of some countries and of the multiplication of migrant camps with deplorable living conditions in certain transit or destination countries, ADEPT and its members wish to recall the importance of respecting the dignity, human rights and fundamental freedoms of migrants and refugees.
Whether caused by climate change, global economic imbalances, or local economic, social factors, and political reasons, migration is above all a natural phenomenon before being cyclical. No repressive policy can contain it. International Migrants Day was established by the United Nations to remind us of this and to highlight the challenges and opportunities that these population movements present. ADEPT intends to continue to contribute to the implementation of the Global Compact for Safe, Orderly and Regular Migration in 2021 and thus allow host and origin societies to fully benefit from the Migration and Development nexus.
