Ethical Handling of Refugees Is Essential to Global Sustainability
Here, Peter Sutherland (pictured), Special Representative for the UN Secretary-General for International Migration, speaks on the moral issues surrounding the processing of refugees. IMO, no one has ever said something like this in a clearer and more compelling way.
Curiously, the concept of nationalism lies at the core of his statement, reminiscent of the video message that Arthur C. Clarke left us: “I hope we’ve learnt something from the most barbaric century in history — the 20th. I would like to see us overcome our tribal divisions and begin to think and act as if we were one family. That would be real globalisation…”
Think of all the unethical carbon dioxide emitted in the transport and resettlement of these refugees from half way around the world. Wouldn’t it be more ethical to resettle them closer to home in an environment that is culturally and geographically more in tune with their inner selves. Political ideology when imposed on a disaster situation is not necessarily going to produce a more humane outcome on refugee or the host.
I don’t claim to know the exact optimal solution here, only that we all share a moral responsibility to help people who are fleeing from persecution.
Craig,
The plight of the worlds illegal migrants, refugees etc, is truly sad.
Good, noble men like Peter Sutherland are not helpful in resolving a burgeoning crisis. The people of the EU, UK, Australia, NZ etc, once so welcoming to refugees have had enough. The people of these nations are demanding their governments not only refuse to take more illegal migrants, but return many of the recent arrivals.
With the best will in the world, even kind, tolerant societies have only a certain capacity to absorb migration, before social problems and order breaks down.
In the past, migrants were anxious to integrate and become loyal productive citizens of the host nation. The host nation welcomed the migrants skills and enjoyed broadening local culture.
This is no longer the case. The current wave of migrants are too many, unable and unwilling to integrate. Many are still too traumatized or feel an entitlement greater than local citizens.
Many have social or health problems that create problems for local infrastructure. Culturally, many of the new migrants demand that the host country adapt to the culture of the migrant and tolerate ancient sectarian violence.
Inevitably a large portion of these migrants become marginalized and content to live in ghettos, where radical extremism and terrorism thrives.
Naturally, the local population grows resentful witnessing the destruction of their nations prosperity, social structure and even cultural identity. become. Worse still, these citizens ( the ones whose hard work and sacrifice built the nation )are lectured by spokespersons like Peter Sutherland it’s morally reprehensible for wanting to have a say in whom is invited into their home!
As the industrialized nations try to implement the conversion of industry to more environmentally friendly production, these advances will be stymied in the chaos of uncontrolled migration.
Most of these refugees are not fleeing persecution, but seeking better economic conditions.
Australia is fortunate in being an island. Even so it took great fortitude and determination by the elected government to stem the flow of illegal migrants.
Although some migrants were caught in the tragedy of indefinite detention,the flow of illegal migration ceased. The people smuggling trade collapsed, and the deaths at sea also ceased. not an ideal solution, but it worked.
Some times it’s necessary to be cruel to be kind.
Britain is not so lucky. This small overcrowded island has proved to be one of the most tolerant societies for migrants to settle and integrate. But the British people have had enough.
If David Cameron can’t receive some very considerable concessions from Brussels, then I fear the UK will exit the EU.
President Obama has done his best for the PM by lending his support for Britain staying in the EU, but he may have done more harm than good. The level of resentment will force a rejection of any further intakes of illegal migrants, even if the UK remains in the EU.
The UN estimates up to 400 million people seeking to migrate, these are staggering numbers. Europe can’t, and won’t, accommodate these people.