Gonzalo Vargas Llosa is the head of the United Nations High Commissioner for Refugees (UNHCR) office to the European Union. For EUROPE, he answered in writing some questions on the situation during the pandemic, on rescues at sea where Malta is accused of turning back migrants to Libya and has recently blocked disembarkations, as well as the EU Pact on Migration and Asylum (Interview by Solenn Paulic)
Agence Europe: All the media attention has been focused on Covid-19, but what has been the migration situation?
Gonzalo Vargas Llosa: While Covid-19 has brought many aspects of life to a standstill conflicts have not stopped, people continue to flee and some populations - refugees, internally displaced persons - are at heightened risk. The crisis exacerbates vulnerabilities and inequalities; over 85% of the world's refugees are hosted in developing regions where health services are often already overwhelmed; many are in overcrowded camps where they lack adequate access to health services, clean water and sanitation.
It is a global crisis which requires a global response. And this includes action by the EU and its Member States. We have recently shared recommendations and have already seen some welcomed action. The Commission, for example, has made exceptions on non-essential travel restrictions for people in need of international protection.
But we need to go further: increased funding for countries outside Europe hosting refugees is needed now more than ever. For the Member States, it can only be stressed that any measures limiting or adapting the right of asylum to prevent Covid-19 must be proportionate and in a way that upholds international laws. The essential aspects must be preserved: including access to territory and dignified reception conditions, through for example, quarantine and health checks. But, here too, we saw some positive responses.
Have there been more departures from Libya and Tunisia to Italy or Malta?
Movements continue where practically possible. What has likely intensified is the struggle for survival by refugees and migrants outside their own countries, as the socio-economic impact of this crisis will probably strip many forcibly displaced of their income.
But in terms of arrivals, despite individual departures on the rise compared to the beginning of 2019 (290% increase from Libya, or 6,629 attempts between January and the end of April 2020, editor's note), the overall number of people embarking on journeys across the Mediterranean remains quite small and manageable, especially when countries work together.
The recent relocation of refugee children from the Greek islands has shown that solidarity is possible, even during a pandemic. The UNHCR has been calling for greater coordination and responsibility-sharing when it comes to responding to arrivals. And this also concerns rescue at sea and agreement on where to disembark rescued asylum seekers. Rescue at sea is still an obligation under international law, and delays in rescuing people can never be justified. Even in Covid-19 times, this can be managed in a way that respects international standards. And no one should be returned to Libya, where it cannot be considered safe.
The EU Pact on Migration and Asylum is due to arrive in June. What does your organisation expect from it?
This will be a unique opportunity to better protect forcibly displaced and stateless people while supporting host countries. We have shared our recommendations with the Commission. We will need to wait and see what is in it, but we expect positive next steps. The UNHCR has been advocating for fair and fast asylum procedures to quickly determine who needs international protection and who does not.
For a common system to be workable, it must also be supported by an effective solidarity mechanism which would mean countries across the EU helping those countries receiving a disproportionate number of asylum claims.
It also requires a strong commitment to resettlement and other legal pathways to prevent dangerous journeys. It would also help States to better manage arrivals in a more predictable manner.
And with 85 per cent of the world's refugees in neighbouring and developing countries, revitalised financial support for countries outside the EU is still needed.