MPs need to take joint efforts to solve refugee problem

MPs should draw attention to the problem of refugees and take efforts to resolve it, Deputy Chairman of the House of Representatives Viktor Guminsky said during the 133rd Assembly of the Inter-Parliamentary Union in Geneva (Switzerland), BelTA learned from the press service of the House of Representatives of the National Assembly of Belarus.

In his speech, Viktor Guminsky drew attention to the migration crisis in Europe noting that the process has acquired the scale of the disaster. "Every day thousands of people cross the borders of the European Union countries in search of refuge. These people are desperate. They are willing to risk their lives in search of a better life," he said.

"Without a doubt, a huge flow of refugees and migrants to Europe is the result of protracted armed conflicts in a number of countries in the Middle East and Africa. They have caused violence, impunity, poverty, chaos and, consequently, the absence of any hope for a better future," said the Vice Chairman of the House of Representatives. In his view, reducing the opportunities for legal migration to European countries was an additional factor in the growth of illegal migration.

Viktor Guminsky stated that "the red line cannot be crossed,” “people's rights to protection and asylum cannot be infringed on.” “In this context the role of MPs is very important. We must respond to the violations of the rights of migrants and refugees, bring attention to this problem and work together to address it," he said.

According to Viktor Guminsky, greater donor support is required not only for the countries receiving refugees, but also for the regions bordering on the zones of conflicts. It is important to remember about the organizations that help millions of migrants and refugees around the world every day: the International Organization for Migration, the Office of the UN High Commissioner for Refugees, the Red Cross. Viktor Guminsky expressed the hope that the current migration crisis will help improve the migration policy throughout the world, and the countries will strive to meet international standards and commitments.