The negative discourse about migration has to be addressed, the director general of the International Organisation for Migration is warning, noting that the current number of people on the move is unprecedented.
Migration was not a problem to be solved but a challenge to be accepted and addressed in a positive way, William Lacy Swing said yesterday, pointing out that large scale migration was inevitable because of demographics and simultaneous disasters.
Migration is not a problem to be solved but a challenge to be addressed in a positive way
“We live in a world on the move. The number of displaced people is greater than any other time in history.
“It is estimated that there are currently 232 million international migrants and 740 million domestic migrants, meaning at least one in seven people is displaced,” he said at the launch of a report by IOM and UNHCR recommending alternatives to detention of unaccompanied migrants and refugee children in Malta (see below).
Pledging the organisations’ support, Mr Swing added: “We are ready to move from words to action as quickly as possible.
“We don’t have a plan for you but resources that we can put at your disposal.
“If we are going to succeed by putting into place a migration framework that takes into consideration the country’s and the migrants’ interests, we also have to address the issue of the current discourse about migration which is negative,” he said.
Migration was also necessary to fill jobs that locals did not want and it was desirable as it enriched societies when migrants brought in new ideas.
Speaking at the occasion, Home Affairs Minister Manuel Mallia assured Mr Swing that the report would not be shelved but cautioned that health and security issues would not be ignored.
“Unaccompanied migrants will be given the support they require, but we feel public security and health issues are paramount and we need to strike a balance between the migrants’ and national interests,” Dr Mallia said.
The launch of the report took place at San Anton Palace where President Marie-Louise Coleiro Preca said it provided the opportunity to renew the government’s relationship with the IOM and UNHCR.
She expressed hope for a brighter future for migrant children because, she said, “these are our children too”.
“May they develop their full potential within their host country and one day also become key players working for the peace, political and economic stability in their countries of origin.”
Health Parliamentary Secretary Chris Fearne said migrant children were treated “as if they were our own”, despite the overall negative view of migration.
These children were not only vulnerable because of their age but there were also language and cultural barriers, he said.
Recommendations
• Malta could consider setting up a permanent inter-ministerial task force to include international organisations like the IOM, UNHCR and NGOs on a consultative basis.
• In collaboration with the Church, Malta could set up a new ‘First Reception Centre’ for unaccompanied children where they are given psycho-social support. This centre would facilitate age assessment, counselling and information about family reunification and tracing.
• While IOM and UNHCR will continue supporting Malta with resettlement and relocation, there is a need to establish mechanisms for local integration.
• Establish cooperation with the countries of origin to ensure information exchange, identification and documentation.
• Malta may consider setting up training and monitoring mechanisms to guarantee quality of care for migrant children by psycho-social workers and cultural mediators.