In a recent address in Geneva, Vincent Cochetel, the UN refugee agency’s special envoy for the central and western Mediterranean, sounded a cautionary note regarding the potential repercussions of Europe adopting a more stringent stance on migrants and refugees. Cochetel expressed concern that such a shift in policy within Europe could influence other countries worldwide to reconsider their approaches to hosting refugees, potentially leading to chaos.
Cochetel underscored Europe’s influential role as a model for refugee protection, emphasizing the need for the continent to set a positive example for the rest of the world. He warned that if European values regarding refugee protection were to falter, it could trigger similar responses elsewhere, resulting in less orderly migratory movements globally.
His remarks come amidst anticipation of nationalist, Eurosceptic, and far-right parties making significant gains in the upcoming European Parliament elections scheduled between June 6-9. Cochetel stressed the importance of conveying to Europeans that the influx of refugees and migrants is manageable, drawing parallels to Europe’s handling of the Ukrainian refugee crisis.
Acknowledging the challenge of generating empathy for refugees from distant regions, Cochetel emphasized the necessity of explaining the circumstances prompting people to flee countries like Sudan, currently grappling with a brutal civil war. He urged European countries to prepare for potential increases in arrivals without succumbing to panic.
Highlighting the broader context of global migration, Cochetel emphasized that the vast majority of displaced individuals do not seek refuge in Europe. He presented a new report detailing the dire needs and risks faced by refugees and migrants along migration routes in Africa and elsewhere, emphasizing the urgent need for humanitarian protection and assistance.
Meanwhile, construction efforts are underway in Albania to convert a former military airbase into an Italian-operated migrant center, ahead of a visit by Italian Prime Minister Giorgia Meloni. The Italy-Albania deal to establish these centers, criticized by some UN officials, has drawn scrutiny regarding its compliance with EU law.
Cochetel’s remarks serve as a timely reminder of the interconnectedness of refugee policies and the potential ramifications of Europe’s approach on a global scale. As Europe navigates its evolving stance on migration, the international community watches closely, mindful of the broader implications for refugee protection and humanitarian efforts worldwide.