The daily battle of Human Rights in immigration
By: Izgi Tezkeser
Human rights belong to everyone by their birthright, regardless of race, color, sex, language, religion, or political opinion.
This is imposed by Article 2 of the Universal Declaration of Human Rights (UDHR). The UDHR is a document adopted by the United Nations General Assembly on the 10th of December 1948 in Paris, France. All 193 member states of the UN that have ratified the UDHR are to recognize the basic rights and fundamental freedoms detailed in the Declaration[1].
Endorsed by articles 13 and 14 of the UDHR, freedom of movement is a human right. This refers to the rights of a person to migrate within a country while keeping the ability to return to their home country. Endorsed by Article 14 of the UDHR, the right to asylum and therefore protection from persecution is a human right. If an asylum seeker request is recognized they will be offered protection and officially claim the title of refugee. Otherwise, if the request is denied they get labeled as an illegal immigrant and are sent back to their country of origin. Asylum seeking is recognized as an obligatory entry into a country, yet numerous countries still refuse to accept refugees. By the end of year 2023 there were 35.3 million refugees in the world, and that number increases every year while EU is struggling to convince member countries to contribute.
Despite the rising number of refugees in the world, some countries make light of the UDHR, by proposing anti-refugee laws and by extension, violate human rights. UK’s Illegal Migration bill that has been adapted in 2023 is an example of this. The parliament stated that it is to prevent and deter ‘unlawful’ migration by those using unsafe routes. This reinforces the idea that anyone who uses these unsafe routes are “illegal”. Although it is not clearly stated, this poses a threat to the rights of asylum seekers and refugees as safe and “legal” routes are rarely available to them.
Being a refugee is not a permanent status, and many refugees wish to return to their country when the conditions that forced them out dissipate. In the case that these conditions are not reversed,
refugees will have to find lasting solutions in their country of refuge.
[1] Declaration = Declaration of Human Rights (UDHR)
If repatriation to their home country is not conceivable, then resettlement in another country is an exploitable possibility for many immigrants. Unfortunately the number of refugees submitted for resettlement makes up less than one percent of the refugees in the world.
Another option, that is benefitial for both the refugees and their country of asylum is integration with the local community and culture.
Through the involvement of the country, asylum seekers can regain their independence socially and economically. For example, countries can find work for the refugees as well as allow them to become citizens by assimilation (the process by which individuals or groups adopt the customs, language, and culture of the dominant society.) and naturalization (an individual gaining the same rights and responsibilities as a citizen by birth). Support for refugees also involves mental help support. Education plays an equally important role in better integration, educating the local community to eliminate misconceptions about refugees and the refugee resettlement process.
References
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• “Universal Declaration of Human Rights.” United Nations,
www.un.org/en/about-us/universal-declaration-of-human-rights. Accessed 26 Jan. 2024.
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www.nrc.no/shorthand/fr/a-few-countries-take-responsibility-for-most-of-the-worlds-
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• “Planning Goals.” UNHCR, www.unhcr.org/handbooks/ih/getting-started/planning-goals.
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• Kaya, Ayhan. “The World’s Leading Refugee Host, Turkey Has a Complex Migration
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• Rodgers, Michelle. “What Is the Difference between Naturalization and Assimilation?”
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(cover image) Aclu.org. (2024). Available at: https://www.aclu.org/wp-content/uploads/2019/09/blog_irp_2.jpg [Accessed 3 Feb. 2024].
