Global Compact on Migration: All human beings deserve protection

By Francesca Merlo

In December, the International Community will adopt two international agreements: The Global Compact for Safe, Orderly and Regular Migration – at an Intergovernmental Conference in Marrakesh and the Global Compact on refugees at the United Nations in New York. 

To Morocco to mobilise 

The adoption of the Global Compact for Migration in Morocco aims to mobilise over 300 civil society organisations who will participate in the Global Forum on Migration and Development from the 5th to the 7th of December.

One of the key partners in drawing up the Compact is the Vatican’s migrant and Refugees Section of the Dicastery for Promoting Integral Human Development. Fr. Michael Czerny, SJ, Co-Under-Secretary of the Migrant and Refugees Section, spoke to Vatican News about the Vatican’s role and stance on this global compact.

“The Holy See has participated fully in the process of consultation and negotiation, so it will participate in the conference” said Fr. Czerny, confirming the vatican’s support.

Four words to implement

He spoke about Pope Francis’ approach, explaining that “he recommends to everyone the implementation of four words: welcome, protect, promote and integrate”. “Because”, Fr. Czerny said, “protection is not something that was invented by the Global Compact. Protection is something that we deserve because we are human beings. That is what it means to have human dignity, to have human rights. To be protected.”

Fr. Czerny went on to say that what has been achieved so far is to be celebrated, and that these two days in Marrakesh will be “a celebration of achievement and encouragement.” “But”, he continues “our response and concern will be precisely the implementation: how can you take the Global Compact off the shelf and give it life in reality?

Think 

“Our way of doing that”, he explained, “is to find concrete ways in the thousands of different situations that we face, that vulnerable people face. How can we really welcome them? Think what the meaning of it is when you’re vulnerable, when you’re on the run, when you’ve run out of hope, to be welcomed.”

Learn to respond 

Fr. Czerny said that the Vatican, which is not “directly involved in policy matters or International negotiation”, is “involved in encouraging and motivating and guiding God’s people and all people of good-will to be able to respond” to the needs of those who most need protection.