The head of the UNHCR, António Guterres, has criticised Europe’s fragmentary response to the biggest influx of refugees into the continent in decades. Guterres has called for a “massive common effort,” stating that “no country can do it alone, and no country can refuse to do its part.” Guterres highlighted the extreme danger faced by Syrian refugees in their crossing to Europe, as well as the chaos, suffering and indignity suffered by them upon their arrival.
As a consequence, Guterres outlined six fundamental principles which should underpin Europe’s approach to and treatment of refugees:
1) Respect the human rights of all migrants, regardless of their legal status
2) Implement a common strategy based on responsibility, solidarity and trust which all EU member states must uphold
3) Take immediate measures to stabilize the situation by putting in place an initial screening process. Responsibility must then be shared amongst all EU member states in the mid to longer term
4) Put in place a mass relocation programme for those found to have a valid protection claim in the initial screening process, with the mandatory participation of all EU member states. Preliminary estimates indicate a potential need to increase relocation opportunities to as many as 200,000 places
5) Those who are found not to be in need of international protection should be helped to return quickly to their home countries, in full respect of their human rights
6) Create more opportunities for people to come legally to Europe and find safety upon arrival such as larger resettlement and humanitarian admission quotas, expanded visa and sponsorship programmes and scholarships
Read the guidelines in full here.