Statement on migration challenges in the OSCE area at the OSCE Permanent Council (3 September 2015)

Mr. Chairperson,

I believe that none of us sitting here in the Hofburg can remain indifferent to the problem that is gaining momentum: the stream of refugees from crisis regions, which is literally overwhelming the OSCE area. This matter should not be overlooked by the Permanent Council.

Wars and conflicts blazing in Syria, Libya, Iraq and other countries and regions of North Africa and the Middle East have caused tens and hundreds of thousands of people to flood to other countries in search of a peaceful, stable and secure life.

Perhaps today, in the heat of the migration crisis, it would be premature to give some sort of full-blown evaluation of the current situation, although some conclusions can, in our opinion, already be drawn.

Firstly, the mounting migration challenges should serve as a warning of how outside interference in the internal affairs of sovereign States and imposing one’s own standards upon them can have catastrophic consequences.

Secondly, respect for the rights of migrants must be ensured in accordance with any commitments undertaken. The Director of the Office for Democratic Institutions and Human Rights, Michael Georg Link, drew attention to this in his recent press release.

Thirdly, law enforcement bodies of OSCE participating States must begin to co-operate in order to counter migration challenges. It is unacceptable when the plight of people is exploited by the various kinds of international criminal groups involved in the illegal transport of migrants, often in dangerous conditions. Not a day goes by without reports of migrant deaths at sea or on land. Incidentally, according to data from the International Organization for Migration, some 2,500 people already have died since the start of 2015.

The issue of migrants and refugees is also of current concern for the Republic of Belarus. According to statistics from the United Nations Refugee Agency, there are over 80,000 refugees from Ukraine in our country. The Belarusian authorities are doing their utmost to provide these people with decent living conditions.

Considering especially that Belarus serves as a transit country, Belarusian law enforcement bodies are paying very close attention to combating illegal migration, thereby making a considerable contribution to ensuring pan-European security.

Mr. Chairperson,

In our opinion, a comprehensive approach is needed in order to effectively counter illegal migration and solve refugee problems – one that spans from analysing the root causes of the current migration crisis to co-operating to combat criminal groups involved in illegal migration and trafficking in human beings.

Within its comprehensive approach to security, the OSCE could contribute to that process. In our Organization, a number of documents have been adopted that directly concern migration issues, in particular Ministerial Council Decision No. 5/09 on migration management, adopted in Athens. Perhaps, the time has come to consider how to revive this and other OSCE documents relating to the effective management of migration, taking into account new threats and challenges.

We also suggest that the relevant OSCE executive structures could provide necessary assistance to participating States experiencing problems with migration, in terms of improving both national legislation and law enforcement practice, including through the exchange of best practices.

Thank you, Mr. Chairperson.

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