Although they are gauging the complexity of the whole matter, MEPs are also committed to concluding the negotiations on the Global Pact for Migration. They consider that this pact provides, “an historic occasion for adopting commitments on the question of international migration in all its different facets”.
They made this statement on Monday 19 March in Brussels during an exchange of views between members of three Parliamentary committees: foreign affairs (AFET); civil liberties, justice and home affairs (LIBE); development (DEVE) - and the Special Representative for the UN Special Representative for International Migration, Louise Arbour.
The latter came to present an update on the progress achieved in the negotiations which are “halfway” towards adopting the text in mid-July. The Global Pact for Migration is a United Nations initiative facilitated by Mexico and Switzerland and their permanent Representatives in New York. The UN Special Representative was keen to point out that it would not be legally binding and would provide “a high degree of flexibility".
Ms Arbour stated, “This involves a global pact for migration that is for safe, orderly and regular migration. This does not involve regulation but promoting orderly and safe movements of migration and reducing illegal immigration, which is neither safe for the individuals or states themselves”.
She pointed out that with 250 million migrants in the world, of whom 25 million are refugees, migration is a principally a South/South phenomena rather than one between the South and the North.
As part of its contribution, the European Parliament is preparing a proposition for a resolution on this subject, which will be put to a vote during the April plenary session, following a debate with the EU High Representative for Foreign Affairs and Security Policy, Federica Mogherini. David McAllister, the Chairperson of the AFET Committee explained that the draft resolution is requesting support under the terms of the New York declaration on refugees and migrants, adopted by the UN in September 2016, in addition to the introduction of a follow-up system. His colleague, the Vice Chairperson at the LIBE Committee, regretted the decision made by Donald Trump to terminate the negotiations. She also suggested that the EU should take the lead in this process and speak with “a single voice” in favour of an international regime for managing migration.
Throughout the consultation process that took place last year, members of the UN learnt a lot about the different dimensions of human mobility and showed an open mind with regard to understanding the different situations throughout the world, explained Ms Arbour. With an absence of consensus, a convergence of views was obtained, however, on general aspects such as the need to put human rights at the heart of the process, the reassertion of the sovereignty of states in controlling their borders, respect for the principle of international law, the critical importance of the link between migration and development and respect for the sustainable development goals, particularly objective 10 - reducing inequalities within and between countries.
In reply to a Hungarian MEP, Ms Arbour said that she was aware of the 12 points presented by Hungarian Minister for Foreign Affairs last week. She said that she was “concerned” in this regard and provided assurances that “The UN does not have a position on migration for the moment. 22 agencies are examining the question. The Secretary General presented her vision last January. The global pact will be undertaken by the member state of the UN. There is no promotion of migration by the United Nations”. (Original version in French by Aminata Niang)