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| Migrants in Calais, June 2015 (Image: Washington Post) |
The word 'migrant' is almost considered the naughty 'm' word. Like the 'n' word in the 1950s and 60s which, unlike Barack Obama, I shall not repeat publicly, 'migrant', or 'immigrant' appears to be an offensive word. We pass a shop that sells Polish groceries, an Indian restaurant, a French patisserie, owned by those not born in our country, they get slandered by the right-wing leaning press like Daily Express and Daily Mail simply because they used their civil freedom and started a new life in the UK when in the country of their birth lacked such opportunity.
The immigration 'issue' has been subject to nationwide debate particularly over the past decade as hundreds-of-thousands have flown and resided to the UK while a significantly smaller number of people emigrate from the country. A large number of those coming here are from non-European Union countries in which the primary reason is simple - to get away from their homes enduring never-ending wars, corruption and extreme poverty.
In the news of late, the migrants in focus are from predominantly western Africa. People from nations like Libya, Eritrea, Nigeria and so on risk their lives, by running away from homes travelling thousands of miles with little physical resources, find their way to the north of the continent, get on treacherous boats through the Mediterranean to Italy and gradually make their way to northern Europe. Tragically, many don't make it all the way with fatalities coming from all age groups in addition to those victim to human trafficking.
This has been going on for a while and instantly, the European Union goes full steam ahead, having emergency meetings where nothing ground-breaking is agreed and therefore the mass migration is fuelled with many not knowing where to go. All the migrants know, whether it's by word of mouth or prior knowledge, is that Sweden, Germany, France, UK and the like are the places to be - for prosperity, for luxury, for a brighter future.
The main focus for British news reporters is Calais, north of France - the town which takes travellers to the white cliffs of Dover by boat or train. I have seen some truly shocking footage of the sheer desperation and great lengths people would go to and enter Britain illegally. They sacrifice everything they have left behind to have a criminal record in a country which they think that offers the best opportunities for them.
You have to feel extremely sorry for the migrants. I know I do. It is never easy to leave your home - even if you really wanted to leave home, for anyone it is a huge life decision. And for so many people of one country to leave and head to unfamiliar territory, it does not reflect well on the people who are meant to look after them. I take Nigeria as an example - economically, the urban areas are doing fine. The rural areas are a stark contrast, where terrorism is rife and poverty is clear to see. Yet politically, nothing is being done to protect them, and sadly, countries like the UK who sympathise and contribute more than the government that are meant to look after their people. These governments are so blind to see that millions of people in which many are patriotic about their home nation are struggling, that they seemingly accept their excruciating suffering as everyday life.
The British government have the ability to change things. As a sovereign state that had several African countries as part of the Commonwealth, they have experience in providing what their people need. A chunk of the UK's budget goes to foreign aid but yet not much difference is being made. The much needed funds go straight to the pockets of the African country's government who then won't distribute the wealth to those that need it for education, health and housing. Sure, lots of the British budget goes to globally recognise charities like Oxfam and Water Aid, but again, there is so much certain powerful governments must do in order to help the poorest abroad. Governments in these African countries need to get their act straight, combat corruption and think of their people first.
Achieving this is a very long-term project. It is practically impossible to obliterate corruption, abolish terrorist groups and get everyone out of poverty. But it is a start to exploit these and weaken their significance and supposed dominance. It's a team effort - countries must meet, not conflict, partner in the world drowned with fear and turn that into hope and ambition for everyone. And a group that must encourage it is United Nations. Yet, the UN are absent from the recent immigration debacle. They aren't doing a good job in uniting nations. Their silence is their way of saying they claim no responsibility and yet their interference is exactly what is needed right now.
The migrants lack direction and aren't being accepted anywhere with open arms. Human beings that are being treated like animals - and we are powerless. Some want to help, others can't wait to demonise them. I suggest that, without the UN, those countries affected by mass migration must team up with the nations of where the migrants are from and come up with a sort of arrangement so that thousands of people can be at peace, wherever they are.
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