Giorgio Marota
Information on immigration and forced migration needs to be more correct. The person is to be respected before his legal status. Refugees in fact do not abandon their land by choice. They are forced to flee knowing that perhaps they will never return home. A refugee is a person who, within the definition acquired by the Geneva Convention of 1951, fears persecution.
Even the notion of "irregularities" seems increasingly relevant. "Any person who leaves his country to go to another country without a visa, is irregular. But if he declares that he has need of international protection he must be accepted. The right to seek asylum is part of human rights."
Today, worldwide, there is the highest number of forced migrants in history. In 2015 the number reached 65.3 million, of whom half are children. One person in every 113 in the planet is forced to leave their homes. Forced migrants include not only refugees, but also internally displaced persons, i.e. those who leave their homes but do not leave their country.
Contrary to what one might believe, Europe receives only 15% of these 65 million. Countries bordering on the countries of emigration are the places that accommodate the greatest number of forced migrants, because those who leave their homes hope, sooner or later, to go back.
More correct information is therefore the starting point, according to the lawyer. It is important to use correct terminology and appropriate language that gives dignity to the person and at the same time respects differences. This is the first step towards ethical and correct information.
