Preparation of legal guidelines on various types of migration, 'mixed migration' in particular, with specific definition of the term refugee, was part of recommendations made by a training workshop organized recently by the Qatar National Human Rights Committee (QNHRC) in collaboration with UNHCR regional office. The recommendations also highlighted the importance of providing charity organizations working in relief areas with necessary support, and introducing registration as a means of protection for migrants.
"Mixed migration has become one of the major challenges for the GCC societies during the recent years as these countries have become one of the most attractive places in the world for migrants," said Mohammed Saif Al Al Kuwari, Member of QNHRC, in his opening speech. The GCC states are not alone but many parts of the world are also facing the challenge of mixed migration, he added.
The GCC states ratified in Kuwait’s declaration in 2014 the principles and the rights of fair migration outlined by the General Director of International Labour Organization (ILO ) as part of the ongoing efforts to improve the situation of migrant workers in these countries, Al Kuwari emphasized.
Due to the increasing number of political and economical crises and civil wars in many parts of the region, mixed migration rate has also increased along with criminal practices like violence and human trafficking, Al Kuwari stressed. Because of the humanitarian dimension of mixed migration, there is a need for collective cooperation between local, regional and global parties as well government and non-governmental bodies for taking effective and fast intervention steps, Al Kuwari added.
The regional representative of UNHCR, Khalid Khalifa, lauded the humanitarian role of Qatar at all levels (government and national NGOs) in quickly responding to humanitarian crisis anywhere in the world. There is a big number of humanitarian crises worldwide and this is increasing the number of migrants, refugees and the number of displaced people in areas of armed conflicts, he added.
The aim of the training course is to introduce the concept of mixed migration, types of migrants, reasons behind them, the rights of refugees, migrants, and registration as an effective means to grant protection to mixed migrants, Khalifa outlined.
The two-day workshop also discussed legal and security challenges in the case of mixed migration and means of cooperation between different bodies concerned to combat all forms of illegal practices against people who move to foreign countries for a certain length of time and reasons.
