There are many countries that continue to deny their people's basic rights. Moreover because elections by their very nature culminate into change of governments, that jeopardises continual flow of both political and human rights. Consequently, it has been global organisations and multilateral platforms such as the United Nations (UN) that have played roles that guarantee and promote basic human rights. Moreover, these platforms have been significant in exerting pressure on governments across the globe to maintain continual flow of basic rights. Nationalists have used and often misused notions of “national unity” to foster their own type of social and national cohesion. In some countries, they peddle exclusionary and hostile racial, ethnic, cultural and religious sentiments to achieve their political objectives. Frequently, hyped nationalistic rhetoric has also been used to shield incumbent governments from socioeconomic and political failures. Governments, particularly in the developing world, justify their failures by blaming past colonial powers and manipulate shared past traumas to this end. The resurgence of ultra-nationalism at the beginning of the 21st century has fuelled conflict, economic destabilisation and displacement of millions of people. Furthermore, the ongoing conflicts in the Middle East have resulted in increased number of refugees around the world. Deplorable and inhumane conditions, both inside Syria and in bordering host countries, have fuelled an exodus of hundreds of thousands of families into Europe. In 2015 alone, more than one million men, women and children braved the dangerous sea crossings to Europe in hopes of finding peace and opportunities to rebuild their lives.
By the end of 2020, there were 281 million migrants around the world. An estimated 82.4 million of them were forcibly displaced from their countries. The high numbers of refugees and their continued plight call for crucial discussions on the safe passage of people and their protection around the world. Under International law, rights of refugees and displaced people are recognised. Internally displaced people are protected by international human rights law and domestic law and, in situations of armed conflict, by international humanitarian law (IHL). The United Nations High Commissioner for Refugees (UNHCR) was formed to assist the displaced people of Europe after the WWII, it has since extended its mandate to all people of the world. Subsequently, other protocols meant to alleviate the plight of refugees were enacted including Refugee Convention of 1951 and the 1967 Protocol.
The high number of refugees and immigrants arriving in Europe has given rise to ultra-nationalism which has led to anti-migration sentiments. According to the Leiden Model UN 2017 Report, “the refugee and migrant crisis is one of the most serious challenges that the European Union has faced in its history. Since the start of the crisis, xenophobic sentiment has increased across the continent, far-right and populist parties have gained ground, and member states have replaced solidarity with calls for national solutions. Xenophobia has increased all over Europe due to the current refugee and migrant crisis.” Toxic political rhetoric suggesting that immigrants are responsible for high crime rates are outright dangerous, they have also added to the plight of refugees and immigrants. President Emmanuel Macron’s speech on August 2021 referred to anticipated “irregular migratory flows” from Afghanistan has not assisted in this regard. Such rhetoric by politicians unfortunately reinforces anti-migration sentiments and perpetuates ill treatment of refugees.
Despite the UN’s adoption of the Global Compact for Safe, Orderly and Regular Migration (GCM) in 2018. There is still a lack of clarity among receiving nations on how to deal with refugees and other types of immigrants into their countries. The Global Compact is the first inter-governmentally negotiated agreement, prepared under the auspices of the United Nations, covering all dimensions of international migration in a holistic and comprehensive manner. It is a non-binding document that respects states’ sovereign right to determine who enters and stays in their territory and demonstrates commitment to international cooperation on migration. The response to the refugee and immigration crisis has instead tended to frame immigrants as a burden on the state, competing with citizens for public services and jobs, and as a threat to national security and culture. Consequently, there has been negative social consequences for refugees and immigrants particularly in Europe. Discussions that frame immigrants simply as victims who lack agency can be disempowering and could indirectly reinforce the notion that migrants in general are “the state’s problem”.
There are a number of suggested ways to address the growing anti-immigration sentiments which are threating national cohesions especially in Europe. First, a comprehensive and inclusive migration governance policy among receiving states is essential. They should be accompanied by a political rhetoric and media messaging that is congruent with the objectives of GCM. Second, governments, humanitarian agencies and refugee organisations should develop programmes in partnership with refugees and immigrants. It must take into consideration lived experiences as primary sources of data instead of solely relying on official reports. Centring the voices of refugees and immigrants will not only address injustices against refugees and immigrants, it could also increase understating of the plight of refugees and immigrants within host communities. This could ultimately empower all stakeholders and facilitate co-existence and national cohesions in receiving countries.
About the author
Karabo Kgoleng holds a BA Honors degree in Migration and Displacement. Currently pursuing her Masters of Arts degree at the University of Witwatersrand, South Africa. She is a recipient of South African Literacy Award for Journalism and a former book editor for a popular South African weekly, City Press.