Topic: Rights of Immigrants
Country: France
Delegate Name: Susan Rusinowski
School: Royal Oak High School
Topic page: background guide and all position papers All France position papers GLIMUN 2012 committees
We have seen that, in the past, when a country does not have proper immigration laws or regulations, it has threatened their political stability. We have seen illegal Israeli and Palestinian occupation in each others’ regions lead to violence, and other instances where regulations have not been in place and ultimately, it has harmed the unity and security of governments and their populace.
Countries hold the right to regulate migratory flows in and out of their nation, to facilitate immigrants’ integration to promote national identity, honor the tradition of welcoming political asylum when individuals are being persecuted, and promote solidarity and co-development throughout the general public. It is the jurisdiction of a country to determine whether or not to extend certain rights to illegal immigrants. For example, when illegal immigrants are unaccountable or not paying taxes, it is logistically impossible for a country to extend full citizenship-rights to them. Human rights, including basic necessities will not be denied to anyone of course, but states have the authority to protect their sovereignty.
That being said, France perceives national identity as a zero-sum game. France is a melting pot—immigrants, natives, and all citizens join together to unite through French culture and identity. Amalgamation strengthens national identity, and France is proud of its peoples’ strong sense of identity. The European Union has been incredibly supportive of the Right of Asylum, and France has become the leading host country for asylum seekers, defined by the UN Convention Relating to the Status of Refugees. This process needs to be preserved to protect those being persecuted, and France recognizes the plight of immigrants in these conditions and situations, and the international community should do the same.
