AVRUPA TIMES-Geneva - In the last couple of days, we have witnessed Governments instituting a range of restrictions against movements of refugees and migrants from Greece through the Western Balkans and further northwards.This includes people being profiled on the basis of nationality. This is becoming increasingly untenable from every point of view – humanitarian, legal, and also safety related, not least in light of falling temperatures and the risks for children and others with specific needs. These measures by States are creating tension at border crossings and a domino effect, leaving in total limbo some refugees and migrants stranded at different border points.
Belgium, IOM Seek Solutions to Migration and Refugee Crisis
Recent tragic events have demonstrated the importance of integration in our multi-ethnic, mobile world. Today, alongside the Belgian Development Cooperation, IOM is holding a high-level panel discussion on "Exploring sustainable solutions to a pressing migration and refugee crisis." The event is taking place at the Palais d'Egmont in Brussels from 3.30 - 5.30 pm.
Today, worldwide displacement is at the highest level ever recorded, with 60 million people forcibly displaced. As a result of complex and long term crises in Somalia, Eritrea, Mali, Afghanistan, Syria and Iraq, forcibly displaced people are spending longer periods in exile, averaging 17 years. In this context of protracted crisis and growing migration and refugee flows, there is an urgent need to think about the long term responses to guarantee a livelihood for and better integration of displaced people.