In the run-up to World Refugee Day on 20 June this year, two inhuman incidents highlighted the plight of those fleeing conflict, persecution and poverty. The first was an eight-day ordeal experienced by more than 600 refugees on the tempestuous Mediterranean Sea. The second was the painful separation of children from their parents who were illegally trying to cross into the United States from Mexico.
In the early hours of Sunday 17 June, six hundred and thirty refugees finally disembarked in the port of Valencia, Spain after a terrible experience in the high seas, which lasted for more than a week. They arrived in three different ships but the ship that has been the focus of world attention is MV Aquarius. The ‘Aquarius’ is a refugee rescue ship jointly operated by ‘Doctors beyond Borders’ (known by the French acronym MSF) and ‘SOS Mediterranean’. Their teams have constantly been picking up people making the perilous journey, through turbulent waters, towards the European coast from sub-Saharan Africa and the Middle East. The ‘Aquarius’ team rescued these hapless refugees which included 123 unaccompanied minors, 11 children and seven pregnant women. They come from 26 countries; the largest groups (about 150 each) are apparently from Sudan and Nigeria, with dozens more from Eritrea, South Sudan and Algeria; majority of the rest are from other African countries; but a handful are from Afghanistan, Pakistan and Bangladesh.
Early last week, the ship was denied the right to dock in the two closest countries, Italy and Malta. There was a natural outrage on this inhuman stance by several other EU countries and from the global community. Fortunately, the newly elected Prime Minister of Spain volunteered to accept them, ordering authorities to allow the rescue ship carrying the refugees to dock in the eastern port of Valencia “It is our obligation to help to avoid a humanitarian catastrophe and to offer a safe port to these people,” the Prime Minister’s office said in a statement.
It meant several extra days at sea for the refugees. Medical workers aboard the Aquarius said the food and water supply on the boat would not last the journey ; that some of the passengers had water in their lungs after falling into the Mediterranean from smugglers’ boats; and there were still others suffering burns caused by boat fuel mixed with seawater or from hypothermia.
“People are in distress, are running out of provisions and need help quickly,” the UN refugee agency UNHCR said, urging governments to set aside political considerations; adding that, “broader issues such as who has responsibility and how these responsibilities can best be shared between states should be looked at later.” The Catholic Church in Italy was also very critical of the new right-wing populist, anti-migrant Government; Cardinal Francesco Montenegro, president of Italian Caritas and head of the Italian Bishops’ Conference’s immigration committee bluntly stated: “Beating your fists on the table is absurd before endangered lives and the international law that imposes the rescue of people at sea. Politics must be the ability to dialogue and search for the common good, safeguarding human rights above all else.”
The group finally made it to Valencia on Sunday morning. A huge banner “Welcome Home” (in English, Spanish, French and Arabic) was prominently displayed in the port. The Archdiocese of Valencia, several international agencies and NGO’s are currently doing all they can to ensure that these hapless victims are provided the necessary medicare, food shelter and other humanitarian necessities. In a message sent to the entire archdiocese of Valencia, Pope Francis said: “You have moved me. I congratulate you and thank the diocese of Valencia for the speediness and generosity with which you’ve reacted, [for] the example you’re giving of charity with these poor people. This is the path, do not ever abandon it: that of charity The Pope is with you, with the diocese of Valencia”
The "zero tolerance" policy of the US Government against illegal migrants has also come in for plenty of flak. In less than a week, more than 2,000 children (including infants and toddlers) were separated from their parents who entered the US illegally. On World Refugee Day, thousands of protests were held all across the United States to express their outrage at this highly insensitive policy. Messages of condemnation flooded mainstream and social media Images of little children housed in metal cages set off an international outcry.
The U.S. Conference of Catholic Bishops termed the policy “immoral” and “contrary to our Catholic values”. Letters were also sent to U.S. representatives urging them to create legislation that is “pro-family” and “respectful of human dignity”. In an interview to Reuters, Pope Francis supported the US Bishops stand on this draconian act saying: “It is not easy, but populism is not the solution.” On 20 June morning he also tweeted: “A person’s dignity does not depend on them being a citizen, a migrant, or a refugee. Saving the life of someone fleeing war and poverty is an act of humanity.” The US President finally had to relent and give in to universal outrage and pressure from all quarters. On Wednesday afternoon, he finally signed an executive order, which ended the administration’s policy of separating migrant families crossing the US-Mexico border. It was a volte-face from his earlier rigid stance.
Throughout his pontificate, Pope Francis has spared no efforts in urging the global community to reach out to refugees and the forcibly displaced. On 14 June, in a message to the Conference on International Migration hosted by the Holy See and Mexico, he said: “We must move from considering others as threats to our comfort to valuing them as persons whose life experience and values can contribute greatly to the enrichment of our society." He added: "There is need to ground responsibility for the shared global management of international migration in the values of justice, solidarity, and compassion; we are called to encounter the other, to welcome, to know, and to acknowledge him or her. These persons, our brothers and sisters, who need ongoing protection independently of whatever migrant status they may have. Their fundamental rights and dignity must be protected, especially those of migrant children. All of them hope that we will have the courage to tear down the wall of ‘comfortable and silent complicity’ that worsens their helplessness; they are waiting for us to show them concern, compassion, and devotion.”
On 14 January, the Catholic Church observed the World Day of Migrants and Refugees In his message for the day, Pope Francis has invited all to reflect on the theme: "Welcoming, Protecting, Promoting and Integrating Migrants and Refugees". He appealed to all not to abdicate one’s responsibility but to positively respond to the cries of the forcibly displaced and excluded saying: “I wish to reaffirm that our shared response may be articulated by four verbs: to welcome.to protect, to promote and to integrate” He also reminded the world leaders of their commitment. “At the United Nations Summit held in New York on 19 September 2016, world leaders clearly expressed their desire to take decisive action in support of migrants and refugees to save their lives and protect their rights, sharing this responsibility on a global level.
"To this end, the states committed themselves to drafting and approving, before the end of 2018, two Global Compacts, one for refugees and the other for migrants. Dear brothers and sisters, in light of these processes currently underway, the coming months offer a unique opportunity to advocate and support the concrete actions, which I have described with four verbs. I invite you, therefore, to use every occasion to share this message with all political and social actors involved (or who seek to be involved) in the process which will lead to the approval of the two Global Compacts”. He reiterated this in his Angelus message of 17 June.
The United Nations Summit for Refugees and Migrants held on 19 September 2016 was indeed historic. It was the very first time that the UN had brought together Heads of State and of Government to develop a blueprint for a more effective international response to perhaps the single most important crises of modern times, which affect millions across the globe today. What emerged from this momentous meet was "The New York Declaration", signed by 193 Member States. The 24-pages path-breaking document said: “We declare our profound solidarity with, and support for, the millions of people in different parts of the world who, for reasons beyond their control, are forced to uproot themselves and their families from their homes. Refugees and migrants in large movements often face a desperate ordeal. Many take great risks, embarking on perilous journeys, which many may not survive. Some feel compelled to employ the services of criminal groups, including smugglers, and others may fall prey to such groups or become victims of trafficking. Even if they reach their destination, they face an uncertain reception and a precarious future. We are determined to save lives. Our challenge is above all moral and humanitarian. Equally, we are determined to find long-term and sustainable solutions. We will combat with all the means at our disposal the abuses and exploitation suffered by countless refugees and migrants in vulnerable situations."
To realise in practice the lofty ideals encompassed in the declaration, world leaders committed themselves to drafting and approving, by the end of 2018, two global compacts: one regarding refugees and the second, for safe, orderly, regular and responsible migration. Both these compacts are meant to have a wide-ranging and positive impact on how the world family looks, protects and cares for refugees and migrants. With less than four months to go, some work has been put in, with "zero" draft documents on both the compacts already in place. As we have seen in the heartrending incidents this past week, it has not been easy for refugees and the displaced all over the world. Last December, the United States announced that it was withdrawing from the two Global Compacts. There is an "official" atmosphere of hostility towards refugees and other migrants in the US today, despite visible and vocal protests from the Church and civil society there – as witnessed in the happenings of the last few days. India on the other hand has literally shut its doors on the Rohingya refugees fleeing persecution in Myanmar.
From Yemen to Myanmar, from Venezuela to the Central African Republic millions continue to flee war, persecution and poverty. At the same time, in several countries xenophobia, racism, discrimination and exclusiveness is on the rise as never before. Right-wing, anti- immigrant ‘populist’ leaders are winning elections in some key western countries. New and tougher anti-immigration policies; the shrill voices for refugees to return home does not help in easing the crisis. The military-industrial complex is definitely not keen that the wars end; they rake in huge profits from the sale of arms and ammunition to all the warring factions. Key members of the UN Security council thrive on the production and sale of deadly weapons. Multi-nationals and other big business houses and even Governments with lop-sided anti-people projects, do not bat an eye-lid in displacing the poor and the marginalised.
The UN Refugee Agency (UNHCR) annual Global Trends Report, which was released on 19 June 2018, states: “We are now witnessing the highest levels of displacement on record. An unprecedented 68.5 million people around the world have been forced from home. Among them are nearly 25.4 million refugees, over half of whom are under the age of 18.There are also an estimated 10 million stateless people who have been denied a nationality and access to basic rights such as education, healthcare, employment and freedom of movement. In a world nearly 1 person is forcibly displaced every two seconds as a result of conflict or persecution”
The Jesuit Refugee Service (JRS) has been doing its best to provide education to refugee children across the globe. Child refugees are estimated to be at least fifty-one million. On World Refugee Day this year JRS and “Entreculturas" have launched a campaign ‘4 Words to Open the World’ to advocate for refugee education. JRS states: "Schools are safe places where children can bond with their peers, thrive after trauma, and regain a sense of normalcy and stability despite their displacement. Education is a way to monitor and foster their safety and wellbeing. Attending school protect children from being exposed to risks such as labour and sexual exploitation, military recruitment, and early marriage. Access to early childhood and primary education is particularly important because this is the foundation for a lifelong learning process. Education is essential for displaced children to develop the tools necessary to fulfil their potential, and contribute to the growth and stability of their communities." They highlight the words of Ali, a Syrian refugee attending one of our schools in Lebanon: “I really like going to school; I don’t want to leave it. My only hope for the future is being able to read and write.”
Internalising and actualising the four verbs given by Pope Francis is a practical, necessary and Christian way to address the refugee crisis. The global family needs to realise that the refugees/displaced do not have any choices. It is important to commemorate the strength, courage, and perseverance of millions of families forced to flee their homes. Nevertheless, unjust systems and political leaders, the rich and the powerful who are responsible for displacing people, for the refugees and the migrants of this world- must also be challenged .World leaders and every single citizen must demonstrate the political will, the courage and compassion to reach out to refugees, to listen to them and to address the endemic issues, which have resulted in the greatest humanitarian crisis after World War II. We need to make room for these, our less fortunate sisters and brothers, in our attitudes and actions, in our hearts and lives. We must restore the joys of childhood, the needed education to refugee children. We need to do all we can to "open our world" by using the four keys given to us by Pope Francis: to welcome, to protect, to promote and to integrate!
Fr. Cedric Prakash SJ, is based in Beirut, Lebanon with the Jesuit Refugee Service (MENA) as the Regional Advocacy and Communications Advisor. Contact: cedricprakash@gmail.com
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