UN expert: ‘Let’s not pretend Europe’s response is working’
The United Nations special rapporteur on the human rights of migrants, François Crépeau, called on August 25 on the European Union to establish a human rights-based, coherent and comprehensive migration policy which makes mobility its central asset. “It is the only way in which the EU can reclaim its border, effectively combat smuggling and empower migrants,” he said in a statement.
“Let’s not pretend that what the EU and its member states are doing is working. Migration is here to stay,” Crépeau emphasised. “Building fences, using tear gas and other forms of violence against migrants and asylum seekers, detention, withholding access to basics such as shelter, food or water and using threatening language or hateful speech will not stop migrants from coming or trying to come to Europe.”
He pointed out that territorial sovereignty is about controlling the border, knowing who comes in and who leaves. It has never been about sealing the border to migration.
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