Europe is called to defend incoming immigrants

The rights of all migrants must be protected, regardless of their legal status. This was the central message expressed by participants at a  Jesuit Refugee Service conference held on March 29 in Brussels on the destitution of migrants in Europe.

The conference was attended by more than 100 representatives from trade unions, migration organisations, governments, and education and medical associations.

In a keynote speech, Ms Jean Lambert, a member of the European Parliament, called on member states to "stop criminalising people for wanting to meet their basic needs."

Solutions presented at the conference to prevent migrant destitution include amending EU law to grant asylum seekers the means to become more self-sufficient, and monitoring member states' legal and social practices towards undocumented migrants. Recommendations were also made to ensure migrants are included in the EU anti-poverty strategy.

Governments ought to understand the risks destitution poses to public policy. It is a pan-European problem, and we have to do something about it", Ms Lambert added

Refugee testimony

Mr Simon Tesfamichael, an Eritrean refugee living in Italy, spoke of his experiences of destitution. After a treacherous journey through Sudan and Libya, where conditions were as unsafe as in Eritrea, he made his way to Rome, via the island of Lampedusa, where he was recognised as a refugee.

"I got my freedom. But I had no support from the Italian government. In Rome, I joined a group of 500 migrants living under a bridge. My condition worsened, but JRS Italy helped me get medical treatment", said Mr Tesfamichael.

With little or no support from the state, refugees in Italy, like Tesfamichael, face huge difficulties in becoming self-sufficient and integrating into mainstream society.

The destitution of migrants in Europe is caused by a variety of factors. In Germany and Romania, holders of a 'toleration' status have little to no access to public housing and healthcare. Asylum seekers in the UK cannot work while they await a decision on their application, which can take many months, whereas migrants living in Italy fear seeking healthcare treatment since medical personnel might report them to local authorities.

The solution, according to JRS Europe Senior Advocacy Officer Stefan Kessler, lies in creating networks that can place pressure on EU governments.

"The destitution of migrants concerns all sectors of civil society, from employers to educators, doctors and to policy makers. Together we agreed that human rights should not depend on one's legal status. The EU and its member states are obligated to care for all persons within their territory", stated Mr Kessler.