BRUSSELS, 11 Dec. - (ANA) - DiEM25 has put forward a bold new migration policy in direct defiance of the EU’s brutal, dehumanising Migration and Asylum Pact. This isn’t just another policy proposal—it is a manifesto for solidarity, human dignity, and justice.

 

In response to the EU's systematic neglect of migrant and refugee rights, DiEM25 presents a vision that puts people first. The proposed policy doesn’t pit locals against newcomers—it strengthens communities by creating opportunities, protecting jobs, and respecting human dignity, building societies where everyone can thrive, regardless of origin or background.

 

"Our policies push back against the harmful narrative that paints migrants as threats. Pouring billions into higher walls will never address the root causes that compel people to leave their homes and loved ones. Our policies focus on creating real connections between newcomers and local communities. This way, we can build stronger, more united societies that benefit everyone, where solidarity and human dignity come first." says Amir Kiyaei, DiEM25’s Policy Director, who has developed together with DiEM25 members this new vision on migration.

 

This policy is not merely about migration; it is about transforming Europe into a space of equality and mutual support. The operational and financial resources needed to host and integrate refugees and migrants with full rights are essential, rejecting the shameful distinction between political and economic migrants and refugees. This distinction only fuels xenophobia and reinforces discriminatory policies. All migrants are entitled to the same rights and protections.

 

DiEM25’s Migration Policy is rooted in the Universal Declaration of Human Rights, which calls for equality, justice, and the right to seek refuge. The hypocrisy of the EU’s current approach is evident, as it treats migrants and asylum seekers through a racialised, uneven lens. The selective welcome given to Ukrainian refugees—while others suffer in overcrowded camps or face deportation—exposes the ugly, deeply entrenched double standards that DiEM25 seeks to dismantle.

 

This vision is not about managing migration alone; it is about confronting the root causes of displacement and creating communities where all people, whether local or migrant, can unite in the struggle for justice and equality.

 

 

Policy Response: A Humane Reimagining of Migration

 

 

 

 

- Restore and strengthen host communities: ending austerity measures and the long term disinvestment in employment, education and public health services is key to strengthen social cohesion in host communities among newcomers and locals.

 

- Support the creation of work for both migrants and host community members: Provide training, resources, and funding to establish cooperatives that promote economic resilience, address labour shortages, and encourage cross-cultural collaboration. 

 

- End the Externalisation of Europe’s Borders: All migration agreements with brutal regimes like Turkey, Sudan, and Libya that violate human rights in the name of "border control" must be revoked. Migration is not a crime; it is a basic human right.

 

 -Transform FRONTEX into the European Search and Rescue Agency (ESRA): The European Border and Coast Guard Agency (FRONTEX) must shift its focus from militarisation to life-saving operations, ensuring safe passage for migrants and refugees through humanitarian corridors.

 

- Abolish Deportation and Administrative Detention: Laws that allow for the deportation and detention of vulnerable groups—especially children and survivors of trauma—must be ended. Humanitarian visas should be issued directly in countries of origin, allowing migrants to seek safety without the brutal hurdles of a ‘closed-door’ Europe.

 

- Stand in Solidarity with Climate Refugees: The urgent need to support those displaced by climate breakdown cannot be ignored. Policies must be put in place to protect climate refugees from exploitation and ensure they have a safe path to refuge.

 

- End the Barriers to Family Reunification: Families torn apart by conflict and migration must be reunited. Particular focus should be placed on unaccompanied minors and children, who have the fundamental right to live with their parents.

 

- Establish Humane Reception Centres: Inhumane, overcrowded refugee camps that treat people like prisoners must be dismantled. Humane reception centres should be created, ensuring human dignity, safety, and respect for rights.

 

- Rights and Protections for Children and Minors: The rights of migrant children and unaccompanied minors must be fully protected, in accordance with international law and the Convention on the Rights of the Child.

 

This is not a time for incremental change—it’s a time for revolution. DiEM25’s Migration Policy represents a departure from the EU’s callous, exclusionary practices. A Europe that leads by example, upholding the rights of every person, regardless of origin, is needed. A Europe that recognises migrants as political actors, capable of challenging the inequalities of the current global order, is the future we must create.

 

The European Union has failed its people—whether they are fleeing war, poverty, or climate disaster. Now is the time to take a stand. Europe has a responsibility to welcome, protect, and offer equal rights to all people. DiEM25 is ready to lead this fight and will not rest until Europe honours its democratic and humanist traditions, and migratory justice is achieved.   - (ANA) -

 

 

AB/ANA/11 December 2024 - - -