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E D I T O R I A L
Lauren Tropeano
Hanna Geschewski
EDITOR IN-CHIEF
I
EDITOR IN-CHIEF
t feels strange to release an issue
men survived the journey, surrounded by
about migration in the midst of the
bodies. Over the Easter weekend in April,
Coronavirus pandemic. The irony of
four boats of migrants attempting to reach
writing about the movement of people at a
Europe from Libya sent out distress calls
time when movement has been so severely
that went unanswered by EU member sta-
restricted is not lost on us.
tes. This lack of response has been met with strong criticism amid fears that many
Yet the reminders of desperation, risk and
migrants may have perished at sea.
loss that often accompany migration are present even now. At the end of March,
With stories like these as examples of
sixty-four Ethiopian men suffocated in the
commonplace, daily realities, it remains
back of a transport container on their way
important to acknowledge the interlinka-
to South Africa. Fourteen of their country-
ges between migration and development 2
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Photo: Rihaij, Pixabay.
and the changing nature of global population distribution in general. This issue of FUF Magazine will speak to these themes. Happy reading!
3 THIS MAGAZINE AND ALL ARTICLES ARE AVAILABLE ONLINE AT OUR WEBSITE: WWW.FUF.SE/EN/MAGAZINE. WANT TO GET INVOLVED? CONTAT US THROUGH MAGAZINE-LUND@FUF.SE OR VIA OUR FACEBOOK PAGE: @FUFLUND.
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Photo: Break Free, Flickr.
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A news article by Alexandru Mocanu A Kiribati national, after unsuccessful attempts to get asylum in New Zealand, brought his case to the UN Human Rights Committee. In spite of its negative ruling, the Committee seems to have opened the doors for granting protection for people at risk of displacement from climate change in the future.
I
oane Teitiota is a national of the
Pacific low-lying island states are among
island state Kiribati who fled his
those most impacted by climate change,
country and sought asylum in New
with rises in sea levels threatening their
Zealand. He was however unsuccessful
very existence. Although the Committee
and, after exhausting all domestic reme-
did not rule in petitioner’s favour, the Te-
dies, sought protection of his right to life
titiota’s case is described as historic, a
at the UN Human Rights Committee.
wake-up call, and a step forward.
Composed of 18 independent experts, the Committee oversees adherence to the In-
In light of the particular circumstances of
ternational Covenant on Civil and Political
Teitiota’s case, the Committee could not
Rights and allows individual complaints
establish New Zealand’s violation of his
against states for alleged violations.
right to life under the Covenant. It has
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been established that the 10 to 15 years’
life”, where the Commission is called upon
time frame indicated by Teitiota allows Ki-
to handle “significantly irreversible issues
ribati to protect or relocate its population,
of climate change”. Either way, to Kate
if necessary. The Committee did neverthe-
Schuetze, Pacific researcher for Amnesty
less acknowledge that, as a general princi-
International, the message of this case is
ple, a receiving country should not deport
clear: “Pacific Island states do not need to
persons fleeing climate-induced condi-
be under water before triggering human
tions that threaten their lives.
rights obligations to protect the right to life”.
It is noteworthy that two Committee members formally dissented from the findings that New Zealand was justified to
A receiving country should not deport persons fleeing climateinduced conditions that threaten their lives.”
deny asylum and order his deportation. They found, among others, that Teitiota’s life conditions are “significantly grave”, especially with regards to safe drinking water access, and pose “a real threat to his 6
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Photo: Mark, Flickr.
One unsettled issue is that there is no in-
versity of New South Wales, reminds of
ternationally recognized definition of “cli-
the Global Compact on Safe, Orderly and
mate refugee”. The UN 1951 Refugee
Regular Migration - a 2018 agreement
Convention offers no ground to accept en-
that urges governments to create more fle-
vironmental degradation as “persecu-
xible migration schemes protecting again-
tion”. Despite these legalistic constraints,
st the adverse effects of climate change.
the UN Human Rights Committee seems
“The blueprints are already there; our lea-
to have opened the doors to address this
ders just need to find the political will to
protection gap for future cases.
implement them”, adds McAdam.
In this context, Prof. Jane McAdam, director of the Refugee Law Centre at the Uni-
Alexandru Mocanu Alexandru is a graduate student of International Development and Management at Lund University. With a professional background in law, he is currently exploring the interlinkages between human rights, justice, and sustainable development.
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A chronicle by Josefine Nilsson
D
uring these turbulent times, on-
ding to a recent report by Amnesty Inter-
going humanitarian disasters
national, migrants were shot dead at-
are often overshadowed by the
tempting to cross the border from Turkey
coronavirus. There seems to be a tendency
to Greece.
to overlook commitments to international cooperation and assistance. We currently experience this both within the European
There seems to be a tendency to overlook commitments to international cooperation and assistance.�
Union and the United Nations. The EU failed to answer Italy’s request for assistance at the beginning of the outbreak, which has contributed to mistrust in the European partnership. If the EU and the UN do not maintain unity, cohesion and support between its member states, there are risks of long-term impacts.
Experts have highlighted the increased health risks associated with the possible
Photo: Gerd Altmann, Pixabay.
Even before the corona crisis, there were
mass spread of the coronavirus in overcro-
news of inhumane conditions in Greek re-
wded Greek Camps. They have been ur-
fugee camps, and tensions across the
ging EU countries to assist in order to
Greek border rose to the spotlight. Accor-
avoid a medical disaster. The case of Gree9
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ce is one of many examples of how the already vulnerable are at a considerable risk
The already vulnerable are at a considerable risk of getting affected by the virus.”
of getting affected by the virus. This proves the need for all of us to do our part in tackling this crisis together - on the individual, national and international level. As the United Nation’s secretary-general António Guterres writes: “Only by coming together will the world be able to face down the Covid-19 pandemic and its shat-
We should prevent further crises from
tering consequences”. This is true for the
overwhelming us by increasing our prepa-
ongoing situation, as well as in future glo-
redness. We should make sure a virus,
bal challenges.
that knows no borders, will not dispropor-
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tionately affect humans based on an une-
Yemen or any others that face increased
qual global system. We should work in
challenges during these times. The corona
collaboration to make sure vulnerable
crisis should teach us that global pressu-
communities survive.
res are better handled together and that human rights and international unity are
Our eyes should not turn away from refu-
needed to provide a world liveable for all.
gee camps in Greece, the millions of refugees and internally displaced people in
Josefine Nilsson Josefine is a master's student in International Development and Management (LUMID) at Lund University. She recently returned to Sweden after spending the past years traveling, working and studying abroad. India has a special place in her heart, partly due to the delicious veggie food.
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Photo: JT Stewart, Flickr.
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y interest in the relationship
dangerous “other”, to a view on migration
between migration and deve-
as a phenomenon that affects and can be-
lopment grew when anti-im-
nefit all of us. From a human development
migration discourses started to gain a
perspective, migration can indeed func-
stronger foothold in Europe and the US.
tion as a survival strategy, income diversi-
In the meantime, the largest refugee crisis
fication
since the second world war took place in
development on an individual and com-
parts of the Middle East and Africa. The
munity level. A clear example is remittan-
year was 2015, the same year the UN
ces (money sent from a migrant to
adopted the Sustainable Development
individuals/communities in the country of
Goals in Agenda 2030. For the first time in
origin) which worldwide constitutes more
the history of the UN, migration was men-
than three times the value of official deve-
tioned as a part of reaching the develop-
lopment assistance. Destination countries
ment goals. In the introduction of Agenda
and the inhabitants can also benefit from
2030, it states that “We recognize the po-
immigration in the form of labor force and
sitive contribution of migrants for inclusi-
tax income. When people move across
ve growth and sustainable development.
borders, undoubtedly, ideas and knowled-
We also recognize that international mi-
ge spread as well.
strategy,
and
contribute
to
gration is a multi-dimensional reality of major relevance for the development of
However, the optimistic perspective needs
countries of origin, transit and destina-
to be nuanced. It is crucial to recognize
tion, which requires coherent and com-
that all individuals have the possibility to
prehensive responses.”
contribute to sustainable development, both on a personal and societal level – if
Photo: Jaci XIII, Flickr.
I glimpsed a thin light of optimism in the
the conditions are favourable. A few
discourse of migration – a different per-
examples are the conditions of the labor
spective that, perhaps, could help shift the
market in the destination country, the mo-
focus from nationalistic depictions of the
ney transfer fees, and the actual possibili-
immigrant (note: non-westerners) or re-
ty to migrate to another country. Other
fugee as a non-deserving, lazy and even
factors that can inhibit potential positive 1 3
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“To leave one’s country is a human right as well as to seek protection in another country.” effects of migration are economic inequa-
Rather, a global focus on how to produce
lity within countries and repressive politi-
coherent and comprehensive responses,
cal systems or corruption. Moreover,
as proposed by the UN, must be prioriti-
migration should not be regarded as desi-
zed before the whole world can benefit
rable only if it leads to societal develop-
from migration. As pointed out by the
ment (which is a popular perspective in
scholar Hein de Haas: development is a
the EU and its member states). To leave
condition for investment and return by
one’s country is a human right as well as to
migrants rather than a consequence of mi-
seek protection in another country.
gration. In other words, development as a social transformation can be enabled
In a world with stricter visa regulations
through migration only when the right po-
and borders controls, and an increased
litical and economic conditions are put in
gap between the world’s richest and poo-
place.
rest, the hope for development cannot be put in the hands of migrants and refugees.
Alice has a background in human rights studies, and is currently writing a master thesis in International migration and ethnic relations. She has a broad interest in migration issues and how people and societies respond to migration and forced movements.
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Photo: Michael Gaida, Pixabay
Alice Hertzberg
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Photo: Stux, Pixabay.
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A chronicle by Donya Zikry
I
n 2015, UNHCR began rolling out
The use of biometric data could have the
the Biometric Identity Management
potential to serve these people’s needs,
System (BIMS), which collects pho-
considering that the ability to verify iden-
tos, iris scans and fingerprints of refugees.
tities is a matter of human dignity.
They are stored in the organisation’s digital Population Registration and Identity Management Ecosystem (PRIMES), which not only includes BIMS, but also com-
In 2019, 70.8 million people were displaced. 25.9 million of them were refugees. Globally, nearly one person is forcibly displaced every two seconds.”
prises all of UNHCR’s digital registration, identity management and case management tools. The need for reliable, effective and transparent registration systems is underlined by the fact that in 2019, 70.8 million people were displaced. 25.9 million of them were refugees. Globally, nearly one person is forcibly displaced every two seconds. 1 7
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However, it is crucial to also shed light on
tion, this high-tech tool puts refugees’ li-
the failures of UNHCR to uphold these
ves at a higher risk.
principles and protect refugees accordingly. The use of biometric data collection rather shows that refugee registration extends the power of the state in rendering refugees’ lives more intervenable. In late 2018, Rohingya refugees in Bangladesh engaged in a hunger strike against the UNHCR’s proposal to issue smart cards identifying them as “forcibly displaced Myanmar nationals” instead of “Rohingya”. One reason for the strike was the fear
The use of biometric data collection rather shows that refugee registration extends the power of the state in rendering refugees’ lives more intervenable.”
that data would be shared with the Myanmar government, which has a history of systematic discrimination against the Ro-
The role of informed consent is also a hi-
hingya. Thus, instead of offering protec-
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Photo: Sarcaser, Flickr.
emphasizes the importance of informed
In order to address the detected flaws in
consent and full transparency, an internal
UNHCR’s practices, technology has to be
audit by the UN in 2016 revealed a lack of
used in a responsible manner and has to
protection and risks related to tampering,
be human-centred. This also includes the
loss and misuse of personal data during
integration of refugee registration activi-
registration processes in India, Thailand
ties into existing legal frameworks. Parti-
and the Democratic Republic Congo. It
cularly in times of crises and emergencies,
has also been argued that insufficient and
people’s lives must be protected and not
intransparent information was shared
be put at further risk through data misuse
with the refugees in these countries.
and enhanced surveillance.
Donya Zikry Donya is a Master’s student in International Development and Management at Lund University. She is particularly interested in issues surrounding education, digital development and the MENA Region.
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Hundreds of thousands of Nepali migrant workers are directly affected by the ongoing coronavirus pandemic. To learn more about their precarious situation, FUF Magazine spoke with Dr. Jeevan Baniya, a labour and migration expert from Kathmandu.
A
s the coronavirus pandemic con-
currently under lockdown, workers are al-
tinues
ready struggling with the consequences,
to
affect
jobholders
around the globe, the 164 million
Baniya explains.
people employed as migrant workers outside their home countries are particularly
– Many Nepali migrant workers have been
at risk. As noted in a recent ILO brief, “Mi-
laid off from their jobs. Others, such as do-
grant workers are often the first to be laid-
mestic workers, have been forced to work
off but last to gain access to testing or
despite the insecure circumstances. Some
treatment”. This is also the fate of many of
are suffering food scarcity. And some wor-
the three million Nepali migrant workers
kers reported that the hygiene and living
currently living in Gulf Cooperation coun-
situation is quite risky.
tries and Malaysia, among others. Baniya points out that many Nepalis are With the spread of the coronavirus in tho-
not able to get the help they urgently need
se destination countries, many Nepalis,
in this situation.
particularly those working in construc-
Photo: Jeevan Baniya, onlinekhabar.com.
tion, transport and hospitality, have sud-
– Workers have been deprived of informa-
denly lost their jobs – and this trend is
tion about available support. This is partly
expected to continue. The ILO estimates
due to a language barrier, which is a major
that the pandemic will result in the loss of
challenge for them. In March, 40 Nepali
up to 50 million jobs in regions where Ne-
migrant workers were deported from Qa-
pali migrant workers typically reside. In
tar after they were caught shopping despi-
places like Qatar and Saudi Arabia, both
te the curfew. If they would have had 2 1
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adequate information about the lockdo-
ding and demands for a plan for the reha-
wn, they obviously would not have broken
bilitation of these workers and their rein-
the rules.
tegration into the domestic labour market have been voiced. The government needs
As the situation abroad is worsening,
to identify those who are most vulnerable
many Nepalis have been wanting to leave.
and ensure their right to return, says Ba-
It is estimated that at least half a million
niya.
Nepali workers are ready to return home. But the Nepali authorities have made no effort to bring them back, leaving them in limbo for months. – The government is quite reluctant to opt for their repatriation. This seems to be mainly because there is no substantial plan for what to do with them upon their return to Nepal. But the pressure is buil-
The ILO estimates that the pandemic will result in the loss of up to 50 million jobs in regions where Nepali migrant workers reside.�
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After all, Baniya concludes, in turbulent
would say. If governments cannot help to
times like these, it is easy to neglect the
protect the human rights of migrant wor-
right to justice for migrant workers.
kers in a situation like this, then I think we should question the usefulness of these in-
– Migrant workers in this situation are
struments that we have agreed on.
more likely to face a violation of human rights than merely labour rights. 153 countries came together to agree on the Global Compact for Migration in 2018 to protect and promote the rights of migrant workers. This is the time of testing, I
Hanna Geschewski Hanna is currently pursuing her master’s degree in Environmental Studies and Sustainability Science (LUMES) at Lund University. Before moving to Sweden, she spent nine years in Nepal and India.
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Photo: ILO, Flickr.
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A chronicle by Carlos Ranero
C
urrently, there are almost 50 mil-
to experience how these programmes can
lion children that have been for-
make a small but significant difference to
ced to leave their country of
children. In this text I would like to share
origin. This has prompted different orga-
some of my experiences and explain why I
nisations such as Save the Children to
think it is important to volunteer.
establish various programs to help them during their migration. Some of these pro-
The program focuses on helping the chil-
grammes focus on helping the children to
dren have a more enjoyable time during
have a better time while they wait for a de-
their stay at the migration center. For this
cision on their refugee application.
purpose we go to the centre twice a week for two hours each. During the time we
Since 2019, I have been volunteering for
spend there, we carry out various activi-
one of these programs run by Save the
ties ranging from painting, playing with
Children in the SkĂĽne region in Sweden.
toys or just talking, trying our best to en-
Through my participation I have been able
tertain the children. Most of the commu2 4
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Photo: Trocaire, Wikimedia Commons.
nication with the children is done with a
sons. But most importantly these children
mixture of different spoken languages,
deserve a good life. A life in which they can
such as Swedish or ItaĂąol (a mixture of
develop properly and reach their full po-
Italian and Spanish), as the majority are
tential, which could encourage them to go
from Eastern Europe or the Middle East.
back and help change the reality in their
At the end of the activity we say goodbye
home countries. And that is why we
to the children in the hope that we have
should give a day for volunteering.
made their stay a little better. I believe that participation in these types of activities is important for several reaCarlos Ranero Carlos has been working on development projects in Mexico for over five years and is currently pursuing a master's in Development Studies at Lund University.
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