Pope: Protecting and saving lives of migrants utmost priority

By Linda Bordoni

In a message to the Global Refugee Forum taking place in Geneva, Pope Francis underscored the fact that it is a shared responsibility to resolve the plight of refugees and highlighted a series of signs of hope that speak of solidarity, welcome and cooperation.

His message, read on his behalf by Cardinal Secretary of State Pietro Parolin, was addressed to the world’s largest international gathering on refugees. It’s a Forum designed to support the practical implementation of the objectives set out in the Global Compact of Refugees.

Signs of hope

The Pope mentioned signs of hope that he encounters every day listing countries and host communities that keep borders and their hearts open to welcome refugees; those who continue to save lives at sea, and the solidarity offered in reception centres.

He also upheld the hope of migrants “who want to change their lives and contribute to the societies to which they move; and each of us who still consider cooperation as the key solution to global problems.”

Free to choose

Reiterating the right of every person to choose whether or not to migrate, the Pope said “Everyone should have the opportunity to live a dignified life in their own country.”

He decried what he sees as “a certain regression” in this regard noting that “Today, nearly 114 million people are forcibly displaced, many internally, due to conflicts, violence and persecution, including on the basis of religious beliefs, as well as the effects of climate change.”

Inadequate global responses

The Pope noted that the reasons for migration have grown increasingly complex, “yet our responses have not adequately addressed these emerging and pressing challenges.”

“As a result, we continue to mourn the countless lives lost on land and at sea while seeking protection or fleeing from a hopeless future,” he said.

Protecting and saving human lives

The Holy Father reiterated his firm belief that “Protecting and saving human lives must remain our utmost priority.”

In a world overwhelmed with an abundance of news and statistics, he continued, “We often forget that behind these numbers there are human faces, each with their own story and suffering.”

“Each number represents one of our fellow brothers and sisters who are in need of help,” he said.

‘No’ to risky repatriations

Referring to “the principle of safe and voluntary repatriation of those who are forced to flee must be strictly adhered to”, Pope Francis said, “No one should be repatriated to a country where they could face severe human rights violations or even death.”

Conversely, “we are all called to create communities that are ready and open to welcome, promote, accompany and integrate those who knock on our doors.”.

To this end, he continued, “We must acknowledge that being a refugee should not be a mere granting of a status, but a recognition of a full God-given human dignity.”

“As members of the same human family, each individual deserves a place to call home. That means having food, access to healthcare and education, and dignified work,” he said.

It also means, he continued, having a place where one is “understood and included, loved and cared for,” in which one can participate and contribute.

Persons with rights and duties

Upholding the fact that refugees are “persons with rights and duties, not just objects of assistance,” the Pope said they should not be “denied a new start” and they should be allowed to use their talents and skills as a resource for the host communities.

“Only by including refugees as a part of the solution can they flourish as human beings and sow their seeds in the place where they live,” he said.

Crucial moment

Pope Francis concluded noting that we stand at a crucial moment and are called to choose “either the culture of humanity and fraternity, or the culture of indifference.”

The decision is vital, he said, as “history is challenging us to make a leap of conscience in order to prevent the shipwreck of civilization,” and expressed his hope that this Global Forum will set an example of a multilateralism that is relevant to our times.

“It is thus my sincere hope that this Forum will work to revive both the ‘spirit’ and the ‘vision’ of the 1951 Refugee Convention, “ he said, “while at the same time seizing the opportunity to reaffirm the principles of fraternity, solidarity and non-refoulement through greater international cooperation and burden-sharing, thereby