Lauding German chancellor Angela Merkel’s bold steps to allow refugees in the country, senior journalists, and researchers threw light on how developing countries are playing a major role in hosting 8
Lauding German chancellor Angela Merkel’s bold steps to allow refugees in the country, senior journalists, and researchers threw light on how developing countries are playing a major role in hosting 80 per cent of the world’s refugees. They appealed that a more compassionate view be taken towards refugees globally while dealing with migration.
The discussions were held on Sunday at the Mumbai LitFest on the topic ‘Refugees: A burden or a responsibility ’ International lawyer Anna Funder, political advisor Omair Ahmad, former union minister Salman Khurshid, journalists Siddharth Varadarajan and Rohini Mohan participated in the discussion.
Debunking the notion that only developed countries host refugees, Mr Ahmad said that developing countries have more refugees than the former. “Europe holds about six lakh refugees while Pakistan alone has half a million, Turkey has half a million while Iran has one million even Jordan. A few lakh are in India also. About 80 per cent of the refugees in the world are hosted by developing countries and not developed countries. It’s not that people are running to the developed world, but countries that can manage the influx,” he said.
Mr Ahmad also refused to accept that migration is a burden in terms of resources and that the economy is affected because of refugees. “The economists have shown that migration benefits the economy. They do not weaken it. It’s a lie that refugees affect economies,” he added.
On the plight of refugees internally, Mr Varadarajan said that the laws are not followed even in the developed countries. “International laws and refugee conventions have become secondary, and ruling governments have articulated these considerations. But they do not take a hard line fearing right wing opposition. One person who has bucked the trail is German chancellor Angela Merkel,” he said.
Speaking in the context of India, Mr Varadarajan said that the country has no laws to deal with refugees. “We have no refugee or migration policy. Any migrant coming to India undocumented has been labeled illegal. There is discrimination in dealing with them. There are instances of some migrants coming to India temporarily to work, but they are harassed by the police and compelled to get residence proof,” he added.
Former Congress minister Salman Khurshid spoke on the need to educate the people and said compassion should be showed to refugees. “We develop expectations from the government to educate people to be compassionate. I think people will come forward to help. We should follow the values of Mahatma Gandhi. The right to work should not be turned down and our markets should open up,” Mr Khurshid said.
Ms Funder narrated how Australia managed the influx at various stages. “We have set up asylums for them. The map of Australia was redrawn to take in more refugees; like we have Christmas island for them,” she said.
