UN expert on migrants says EU lacks vision

Record ID: 103366

  • Title: UN expert on migrants says EU lacks vision
  • Date: 16th May 2016
  • Summary: ATHENS, GREECE (MAY 16, 2016) (REUTERS) UNITED NATIONS SPECIAL RAPPORTEUR ON THE HUMAN RIGHTS OF MIGRANTS, FRANCOIS CREPEAU SITTING FACING JOURNALISTS AT A NEWS CONFERENCE (SOUNDBITE) (English) UNITED NATIONS SPECIAL RAPPORTEUR ON THE HUMAN RIGHTS OF MIGRANTS, FRANCOIS CREPEAU, SAYING: "I think that there is a lack of vision at EU level, we are collectively in Europe in a situation where there is no long-term, human rights-based migration policy that will include all aspects of migration and mobility and refugee protection. I think we need a much more structured, long-term strategy, a generational strategy, of where we would like to be in 10 years, in 20 years." JOURNALIST ASKING CREPEAU A QUESTION, CREPEAU SEATED (SOUNDBITE) (English) UNITED NATIONS SPECIAL RAPPORTEUR ON THE HUMAN RIGHTS OF MIGRANTS, FRANCOIS CREPEAU, SAYING: "Children should not be detained. Period. The United Nations Committee on the Rights of the Child has determined that administrative detention can never, ever, be in the best interest of the child. Period." TRANSLATOR SEATED NEXT TO CREPEAU SPEAKING/CREPEAU SEATED (SOUNDBITE) (English) UNITED NATIONS SPECIAL RAPPORTEUR ON THE HUMAN RIGHTS OF MIGRANTS, FRANCOIS CREPEAU, SAYING: "I think the question that the appeal committees will have to answer and that we all have to ask ourselves is: "Is Turkey a safe country for all those refugees and migrants who wanted to come to Greece?" CREPEAU LISTENING TO QUESTION (SOUNDBITE) (English) UNITED NATIONS SPECIAL RAPPORTEUR ON THE HUMAN RIGHTS OF MIGRANTS, FRANCOIS CREPEAU, SAYING: "If the appeal committees and we as citizens disagree and think that Turkey is not a safe country for some migrants and refugees then we may have challenge the policies that try to enforce the blocking of the border for all migrants and refugees." PIRAEUS, GREECE (MAY 16, 2016) (REUTERS) VARIOUS OF TENTS PITCHED ON THE WHARF IN PIRAEUS PORT TENTS PITCHED SIDE BY SIDE VARIOUS OF MIGRANT FAMILY SITTING TOGETHER HUDDLED INSIDE TENT MIGRANTS WASHING AT A MAKESHIFT STATION MADE FROM TAPS HOOKED UP TO WATER PIPES ON THE WHARF MIGRANT WASHING FRYING PAN, ANOTHER WASHING FACE, ANOTHER WASHING TEETH MIGRANT WASHING PLATES IN A BUCKET VARIOUS OF MIGRANTS LINED UP FOR FOOD HANDOUTS VOLUNTEER MIGRANTS HANDING OUT FOOD INCLUDING BISCUITS TO OTHER MIGRANTS IN LINE
  • Embargoed: 31st May 2016 13:59
  • Keywords: refugees migrants EU Turkey Greece United Nations
  • Location: ATHENS, PIRAEUS, GREECE
  • City: ATHENS, PIRAEUS, GREECE
  • Country: Greece
  • Reuters ID: LVA0014I24U9Z
  • Aspect Ratio: 16:9
  • Story Text:An U.N. expert on migrants' human rights said on Monday (May 16) there were concerns over the legality and safety of an EU - Turkey deal, the detention of child migrants, and the lack of a long-term strategy after a five day fact finding visit to Greece.
    The United Nations Special Rapporteur on the human rights of migrants, Francois Crepeau, said the European Union lacked long-term strategies to handle the migrant crisis.
    "I think that there is a lack of vision at EU level, we are collectively in Europe in a situation where there is no long-term, human rights-based migration policy that will include all aspects of migration and mobility and refugee protection. I think we need a much more structured, long-term strategy, a generational strategy, of where we would like to be in 10 years, in 20 years," he said.
    During his five day visit the human rights expert met with government officials, international organizations, and migrants. Crepeau, a Canadian university law professor, is independent from any government or organization.
    He said Greek authorities and people rose to the challenge of hosting the migrants, but concerns include the lack of information for migrants on their status, the detention of children and families with children in inappropriate facilities, and overcrowding in holding centers.
    Humanitarian agencies have constantly expressed concern since the migrant crisis began over child migrants - particularly unaccompanied children- detained in inappropriate places such as police cells and detention centers.
    Crepeau said the legality and safety of the EU - Turkey deal was in question, and if it is found Turkey is not a safe country the closed border policy may have to be challenged.
    On Friday, Frontex, the EU border agency, said the number of migrants arriving in Greece dropped 90 percent in April, a sign that an agreement with Turkey to control traffic between the two countries is working.
    Under the EU's agreement with Turkey, migrants and refugees who do not qualify for asylum will be sent back from Greece if they have crossed from the sea. In return, the EU will take in thousands of Syrian refugees directly from Turkey and reward it with more money, early visa-free travel and faster progress in EU membership talks.
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