Pope Francis once reminded us that we cannot treat migrants as mere pawns to be moved around without consideration for their humanity. It is our responsibility to continuously strive to reach out to those who have been forced out of their homelands.
In light of this, it is only fitting that we dedicate a specific day each year to acknowledge the darkness and suffering that so many refugees endure. This is the least we can do to show our support and empathy.
Unfortunately, our own system for accommodating those who seek refuge in our country has been exposed for its inadequacies. Currently, we have over 84,000 refugees and asylum seekers in State-provided accommodations.
The Irish Human Rights and Equality Commission (IHREC) has raised concerns about the unequal treatment of refugees from Ukraine, who benefit from the EU temporary protection directive, compared to those from other parts of the world. Despite facing similar dangers such as war and persecution, these individuals do not receive the same level of support.
It is our hope that we will do everything in our power to treat all refugees with dignity and respect. IHREC has appealed to the government to establish a permanent and stable international protection system.
Global instability and conflict are not new phenomena, yet we still find ourselves unprepared to handle the influx of refugees. Brian Killoran, the chief executive of the Immigrant Council of Ireland, has criticized our short-term and reactive approach to accommodating refugees and international protection applicants, even more than a year after the war in Ukraine.
Although many individuals have stepped up to fill the gaps, we must strive to offer more than last-minute solutions. The recent burning of tents belonging to refugees, whom the State failed to protect, exemplifies the dangers when our duty of care is neglected.
Wherever we have a voice or influence, it is our responsibility to use it to end the injustice and conflicts that drive people to flee their homes. The challenge of resolving displacement is intrinsically linked to the challenge of establishing and maintaining peace.
It is truly disgraceful that the international community cannot agree on clearer safeguards to protect migrants. In the absence of such agreements, we have an obligation to provide at least temporary safety where loopholes exist.
The recent ferry disaster off the coast of Greece serves as a tragic reminder of the catastrophic consequences that arise when safe paths for refugees are not recognized and patrolled.
We must not see refugees as strangers; rather, we should strive to alleviate the separation and isolation they already feel by refraining from further exclusion.
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