杏MAP导航

By Linda Bordoni

In a message to the Global Refugee Forum taking place in Geneva, 杏MAP导航 Francis underscored the fact that it is a shared responsibility to resolve the plight of refugees and highlighted a series of signs of hope that speak of solidarity, welcome and cooperation.

His message, read on his behalf by Cardinal Secretary of State Pietro Parolin, was addressed to the world鈥檚 largest international gathering on refugees. It鈥檚 a Forum designed to support the practical implementation of the objectives set out in the .

Signs of hope

The 杏MAP导航 mentioned signs of hope that he encounters every day listing countries and host communities that keep borders and their hearts open to welcome refugees; those who continue to save lives at sea, and the solidarity offered in reception centres.

He also upheld the hope of migrants 鈥渨ho want to change their lives and contribute to the societies to which they move; and each of us who still consider cooperation as the key solution to global problems.鈥�

Free to choose

Reiterating the right of every person to choose whether or not to migrate, the 杏MAP导航 said 鈥淓veryone should have the opportunity to live a dignified life in their own country.鈥�

He decried what he sees as 鈥渁 certain regression鈥� in this regard noting that 鈥淭oday, nearly 114 million people are forcibly displaced, many internally, due to conflicts, violence and persecution, including on the basis of religious beliefs, as well as the effects of climate change.鈥�

Inadequate global responses

The 杏MAP导航 noted that the reasons for migration have grown increasingly complex, 鈥測et our responses have not adequately addressed these emerging and pressing challenges.鈥�

鈥淎s a result, we continue to mourn the countless lives lost on land and at sea while seeking protection or fleeing from a hopeless future,鈥� he said.

Protecting and saving human lives

The Holy Father reiterated his firm belief that 鈥淧rotecting and saving human lives must remain our utmost priority.鈥�

In a world overwhelmed with an abundance of news and statistics, he continued, 鈥淲e often forget that behind these numbers there are human faces, each with their own story and suffering.鈥�

鈥淓ach number represents one of our fellow brothers and sisters who are in need of help,鈥� he said.

鈥楴o鈥� to risky repatriations

Referring to 鈥渢he principle of safe and voluntary repatriation of those who are forced to flee must be strictly adhered to鈥�, 杏MAP导航 Francis said, 鈥淣o one should be repatriated to a country where they could face severe human rights violations or even death.鈥�

Conversely, 鈥渨e are all called to create communities that are ready and open to welcome, promote, accompany and integrate those who knock on our doors.鈥�.

To this end, he continued, 鈥淲e must acknowledge that being a refugee should not be a mere granting of a status, but a recognition of a full God-given human dignity.鈥�

鈥淎s members of the same human family, each individual deserves a place to call home. That means having food, access to healthcare and education, and dignified work,鈥� he said.

It also means, he continued, having a place where one is 鈥渦nderstood and included, loved and cared for,鈥� in which one can participate and contribute.

Persons with rights and duties

Upholding the fact that refugees are 鈥減ersons with rights and duties, not just objects of assistance,鈥� the 杏MAP导航 said they should not be 鈥渄enied a new start鈥� and they should be allowed to use their talents and skills as a resource for the host communities.

鈥淥nly by including refugees as a part of the solution can they flourish as human beings and sow their seeds in the place where they live,鈥� he said.

Crucial moment

杏MAP导航 Francis concluded noting that we stand at a crucial moment and are called to choose 鈥渆ither the culture of humanity and fraternity, or the culture of indifference.鈥�

The decision is vital, he said, as 鈥渉istory is challenging us to make a leap of conscience in order to prevent the shipwreck of civilization,鈥� and expressed his hope that this Global Forum will set an example of a multilateralism that is relevant to our times.

鈥淚t is thus my sincere hope that this Forum will work to revive both the 鈥榮pirit鈥� and the 鈥榲ision鈥� of the 1951 Refugee Convention, 鈥� he said, 鈥渨hile at the same time seizing the opportunity to reaffirm the principles of fraternity, solidarity and non-refoulement through greater international cooperation and burden-sharing, thereby