“What can be done to encourage states to work alongside faith communities to build safe, legal pathways for migrants?” This was the question the Anglican Communion put to the United Nations Human Rights Council at its 59th Session in Geneva.
An interactive dialogue with the Special Rapporteur for Migration took place on the 20th of June. The Anglican Communion's Representative at the United Nations, the Revd Glen Ruffle attended.
He addressed the Council, asking states to support the UN Refugee Agency (UNHCR) and the International Organization of Migration (IOM). He called for the council to challenge some of the dominant political narratives at play in our societies, which often present migrancy as a problem to be solved, at the expense of recognising the challenges that millions of migrants face. Revd Ruffle called on states of origin, transit and destination to acknowledge their shared responsibilities in the protection of migrant lives and encouraged collaboration with churches and faith communities in providing support.
Under item 3 of the Council’s agenda, independent expert (Special Rapporteur), Gehad Madi reported that the lack of safe pathways leads migrants to undertake high-risk journeys that involve routes where access to the essentials of life, including shelter, water, food and medical care, is deeply restricted.
Madi stated, “The promotion and protection of the human rights of migrants are crucial at a time when political discourse on migration has taken a negative, inflammatory and divisive turn, when migration-related disinformation and xenophobia are on the rise, and when, as a result, migration policies are becoming increasingly restrictive and, at times, inhumane. These factors often expose migrants to an increased risk of going missing or being subjected to enforced disappearance.”
Madi went on to say that he had “identified several factors contributing to this phenomenon”. These include safe migration pathways (due to increasingly restrictive migration policies); arduous geographical conditions along remote migration routes which restrict access to humanitarian assistance and a lack of basic services (such as shelter, food, water, medical care and communications). Dangerous transport conditions and obstacles to the identification and/or return of the remains of deceased migrants are also contributing factors.
Madi urged state parties “to take measures to ensure enhanced inter-state cooperation between countries of origin, transit and destinationto effectively protect migrants and prevent their disappearance […] in a prompt and sustainable manner.”
On behalf of the Anglican Communion, Revd Ruffle observed, “The lack of safe and regular migration pathways is identified as a key problem, and our colleagues in UNHCR have been calling for improved pathways for a long time. These would undermine criminal trafficking, protect migrant lives, and ensure help reached those in trouble, reducing the chance of disappearances.”
There are many Anglican churches along migration routes, many of which are working to provide care and aid for those moving. The people who are migrants are often leaving behind communities of faith, finding care on their journeys delivered by communities of faith, and finding new communities of faith when they reach their destination.
Revd Ruffle asked that states “cooperate with faith communities, who are the migrants, who are in the communities people leave, who care for migrants along their journeys, and who are in the communities where they arrive. By supporting churches and other faith groups, states can ensure that assistance and protection are delivered to those migrants most in need.”
Regarding his address to the United Nations Human Rights Council, Revd Ruffle commented, “Inspired by Jesus, Christians across the world are working to encourage governments to recognise that each person carries the image of God in them, and thus each person has the potential to contribute to their new home if only allowed.”
“As Christians, we need to work on being the salt and light in our societies to bring about these changes and to build relationships with states to improve protection and care for those migrating.”
Find the full statement from Revd Ruffle under ‘Anglican Consultative Council’.
Find out more about the Anglican Communion’s advocacy work at the United Nations.