Topic: The Rights and Status of Refugees
Country: Italy
Delegate Name: Jill Pierangeli
School: Forest Hills Eastern High School
Topic page: background guide and all position papers All Italy position papers GLIMUN 2018 committees
The refugee crisis has been a major issue in recent years, due to the violence in places such as the Middle East, North Africa, and Southeast Asia. Syrians, Iraqis, and many others are being forced from their homes because of wars going on on their land, and are struggling to legally find refuge elsewhere. The UN has established the Global Compact on Refugees to promote a better sharing of responsibility, and the The Global Compact on Safe, Orderly and Regular Migration to improve global cooperation and make the movement of immigrants safer. They have also created the Comprehensive Refugee Response Framework (CRRF) and the United Nations Refugee Agency in the UN Human Rights Council. This topic must be addressed so that refugees can find homes in willing countries. They cannot continue to illegally enter countries as they are a danger to citizens and a burden on the economy. The council needs to respect national sovereignty and not allow refugees to enter countries where they are not welcome.
Italy once welcomed immigrants, but it will not be a home for refugees any longer. The new interior minister Matteo Salvini reports that they are bringing drugs into our country and are a danger to our women. The right-wing League says they take jobs from Italians and worsen working conditions for them by accepting lower pay. A new priority for Italy will be sending the illegals currently residing in Italy back to where they came from. Since our legal system is overburdened, we will also be reducing the number of jurisdiction guarantees to decrease the number of asylum seekers in Italy. Asylum seekers awaiting a decision in court can carry out voluntary service for Italy. Italy will also increase funding for the Assisted Voluntary Returns program (AVR). Migrant rescue ships will also be blocked and not allowed to dock at Italian ports. The rest of Europe needs to share the burden of immigrants.
Italy recommends the committee address the problem of illegal immigrants and supports deporting them. The UN should help secure countries by opening migrant detention and deportation centers in every region. We would also like the committee to urge other European countries to share the migrant burden and accept immigrants into their countries, rather than forcing Italy to contain all the unwanted illegals. The UN needs to keep in mind the safety and economies of nations and control immigrant population. Italy would support a resolution that encourages strict border patrol, deportation of illegals, and the increased effort of other European countries to take in refugees.
