WION Dispatch: Thousands march in Brussels against UN migration pact

WION Your Story: Thousands march in Brussels against UN migration pact

Thousands march in Brussels against UN migration pact

More than 150 countries will join a United Nations conference to adopt a global pact to better handle migrant flows, a senior UN official said on Sunday, less than the number that initially worked on the plan.

In July, all 193 UN members except the United States finalized the so-called Global Compact for Safe, Orderly and Regular Migration to better handle migration.

Since then, the text has come under fire from European politicians who say it could increase immigration. At least six European Union members - mostly in formerly Communist Eastern Europe - have shunned the accord

UN Special Representative for International Migration Louise Arbour said more than 150 governments had registered for the event in the Moroccan city of Marrakesh set to adopt the accord on Monday, without giving details.

The pact is not legally binding but can provide very useful guidance for countries facing migration, she told a news conference.

“Many challenges will stand in the way of its implementation, not least the toxic and ill-informed narrative that too often persists when it comes to migrants,” she said.

In the latest political turmoil over the pact, Belgian Prime Minister Charles Michel relaunched his government on Sunday as a minority administration after the biggest party in his coalition quit in a dispute over signing the compact.

The right-wing N-VA pulled its ministers after Michel refused its demand that he does not agree to the pact.

Also on Sunday, Chile’s Interior Ministry Subsecretary Rodrigo Ubilla told El Mercurio newspaper that the country’s representatives would not attend the event, saying: “We have said that migration is not a human right. Countries have a right to determine the entry requirements for foreign citizens.”

In November, Austria’s right-wing government, which holds the EU presidency, said it would also withdraw, saying the accord would blur the line between legal and illegal migration.

Australia also said in November would not sign up to the migration agreement because it would compromise its hardline immigration policy and endanger national security.&nbsp;

Among other leaders, German Chancellor Angela Merkel, whose 13-year chancellorship has been marked by her open-door migrant policy, will attend the event.

The Global Compact for Safe, Orderly and Regular Migration is a framework for cooperation and aims to reduce illegal migration, help integrate migrants and return them to their home countries.&nbsp;

More than 150 countries will join a United Nations conference to adopt a global pact to better handle migrant flows, a senior UN official said on Sunday, less than the number that initially worked on the plan.

More than 150 countries will join a United Nations conference to adopt a global pact to better handle migrant flows, a senior UN official said on Sunday, less than the number that initially worked on the plan. In July, all 193 UN members except the United States finalized the so-called Global Compact for Safe, Orderly and Regular Migration to better handle migration. Since then, the text has come under fire from European politicians who say it could increase immigration. At least six European Union members - mostly in formerly Communist Eastern Europe - have shunned the accord UN Special Representative for International Migration Louise Arbour said more than 150 governments had registered for the event in the Moroccan city of Marrakesh set to adopt the accord on Monday, without giving details. The pact is not legally binding but can provide very useful guidance for countries facing migration, she told a news conference. “Many challenges will stand in the way of its implementation, not least the toxic and ill-informed narrative that too often persists when it comes to migrants,” she said. In the latest political turmoil over the pact, Belgian Prime Minister Charles Michel relaunched his government on Sunday as a minority administration after the biggest party in his coalition quit in a dispute over signing the compact. The right-wing N-VA pulled its ministers after Michel refused its demand that he does not agree to the pact. Also on Sunday, Chile’s Interior Ministry Subsecretary Rodrigo Ubilla told El Mercurio newspaper that the country’s representatives would not attend the event, saying: “We have said that migration is not a human right. Countries have a right to determine the entry requirements for foreign citizens.” In November, Austria’s right-wing government, which holds the EU presidency, said it would also withdraw, saying the accord would blur the line between legal and illegal migration. Australia also said in November would not sign up to the migration agreement because it would compromise its hardline immigration policy and endanger national security. Among other leaders, German Chancellor Angela Merkel, whose 13-year chancellorship has been marked by her open-door migrant policy, will attend the event. The Global Compact for Safe, Orderly and Regular Migration is a framework for cooperation and aims to reduce illegal migration, help integrate migrants and return them to their home countries.

More than 150 governments to adopt UN migration pact in Morocco

Belgium's Prime Minister Charles Michel was left leading a minority administration on Sunday after the Flemish nationalist party quit the ruling coalition over his support of a UN migration pact.

The New Flemish Alliance (N-VA), the largest of the coalition's four parties, had earlier threatened to leave if Michel backed the accord, which has become a cause celebre for European anti-immigration parties.

Belgium's King Philippe accepted the resignations of the N-VA's ministers on Sunday after meeting with Michel at the royal palace, according to a statement.

Michel also presented the king with the names of those who would replace the N-VA ministers in the interior, finance, defence and migration portfolios.

The departure of the Flemish party means Michel will lack a parliamentary majority for five months ahead of legislative elections scheduled for late May.

Interior minister and N-VA member Jan Jambon had confirmed earlier Sunday that he and the party's other ministers would step down.

"It's clear," he told national broadcaster RTBF, following hours of uncertainty.

In power for four years, the coalition has often been riven over the N-VA's anti-migration positions.

Party leader Bart De Wever issued Michel an ultimatum on Saturday night, suggesting that the N-VA would quit the coalition if the prime minister flew to a UN conference in Marrakesh on Sunday to endorse the migration pact.

"If we no longer have a voice in this government... there is no point in continuing," he said.

Michel stood firm, saying he would represent Belgium in Marrakesh as the "head of state of a responsible coalition".

A last-gasp cabinet meeting was held late Saturday, but failed to overcome the differences between the parties. &nbsp;

'Pact with the devil' 
The non-binding UN accord, which would promote a common global approach to migrant flows, was initially supported by all four parties in Belgium's coalition.

But the N-VA changed its mind in late October.

The crisis had been rumbling for several weeks before bursting into the open on Tuesday when Michel turned to parliament after failing to unite his government behind the pact.

The liberal prime minister has steadfastly defended the pact, saying the international "credibility" of Belgium was at stake.

On Thursday, a majority of parliament supported the accord, but the N-VA and the far-right Vlaams Belang party voted against.

French far-right leader Marine Le Pen and Steve Bannon, a former advisor to US President Donald Trump, denounced the UN pact at an event hosted by Vlaams Belang in Brussels on Saturday.&nbsp;

"The country that signs the pact obviously signs a pact with the devil," Le Pen said.

The draft UN pact lays down 23 objectives to open up legal migration and better manage a global flow of 250 million people, three percent of the world population.

The United States dropped out of talks on the pact last year and countries such as Hungary, Austria, Poland, Bulgaria, Slovakia and Australia have rejected it.

The pact is expected to be ratified at the UN headquarters in New York on December 19.

Belgium's Prime Minister Charles Michel was left leading a minority administration on Sunday after the Flemish nationalist party quit the ruling coalition over his support of a UN migration pact.

Belgium's Prime Minister Charles Michel was left leading a minority administration on Sunday after the Flemish nationalist party quit the ruling coalition over his support of a UN migration pact. The New Flemish Alliance (N-VA), the largest of the coalition's four parties, had earlier threatened to leave if Michel backed the accord, which has become a cause celebre for European anti-immigration parties. Belgium's King Philippe accepted the resignations of the N-VA's ministers on Sunday after meeting with Michel at the royal palace, according to a statement. Michel also presented the king with the names of those who would replace the N-VA ministers in the interior, finance, defence and migration portfolios. The departure of the Flemish party means Michel will lack a parliamentary majority for five months ahead of legislative elections scheduled for late May. Interior minister and N-VA member Jan Jambon had confirmed earlier Sunday that he and the party's other ministers would step down. "It's clear," he told national broadcaster RTBF, following hours of uncertainty. In power for four years, the coalition has often been riven over the N-VA's anti-migration positions. Party leader Bart De Wever issued Michel an ultimatum on Saturday night, suggesting that the N-VA would quit the coalition if the prime minister flew to a UN conference in Marrakesh on Sunday to endorse the migration pact. "If we no longer have a voice in this government... there is no point in continuing," he said. Michel stood firm, saying he would represent Belgium in Marrakesh as the "head of state of a responsible coalition". A last-gasp cabinet meeting was held late Saturday, but failed to overcome the differences between the parties. 'Pact with the devil' The non-binding UN accord, which would promote a common global approach to migrant flows, was initially supported by all four parties in Belgium's coalition. But the N-VA changed its mind in late October. The crisis had been rumbling for several weeks before bursting into the open on Tuesday when Michel turned to parliament after failing to unite his government behind the pact. The liberal prime minister has steadfastly defended the pact, saying the international "credibility" of Belgium was at stake. On Thursday, a majority of parliament supported the accord, but the N-VA and the far-right Vlaams Belang party voted against. French far-right leader Marine Le Pen and Steve Bannon, a former advisor to US President Donald Trump, denounced the UN pact at an event hosted by Vlaams Belang in Brussels on Saturday. "The country that signs the pact obviously signs a pact with the devil," Le Pen said. The draft UN pact lays down 23 objectives to open up legal migration and better manage a global flow of 250 million people, three percent of the world population. The United States dropped out of talks on the pact last year and countries such as Hungary, Austria, Poland, Bulgaria, Slovakia and Australia have rejected it. The pact is expected to be ratified at the UN headquarters in New York on December 19.

Belgium lapses into minority government over UN migration pact row

Days ahead of an international conference in Morocco to endorse a<a href="http://www.wionews.com/world/morocco-meeting-to-adopt-un-migration-pact-despite-withdrawals-182116"> UN migration pact,</a> the United States made the case Friday for opposing the deal that it shunned a year ago and which has since prompted a wave of withdrawals.

In a lengthy statement, the United States said the Global Compact for Safe, Orderly and Regular Migration represents "an effort by the United Nations to advance global governance at the expense of the sovereign right of states to manage their immigration systems."

The non-binding pact agreed in July last year has become a target for right-wing and populist politicians who have denounced it as an affront to national sovereignty.

The US, which quit negotiations in December 2017, expressed concern that supporters of the agreement would use it to build "customary international law" or "soft law" in the area of migration.&nbsp;

The three-page US statement outlined a number of objections such as a provision in the compact stating that detention of migrants should be "a last resort," arguing that this was inconsistent with US law.

Washington is also concerned that it "downplays the cost of immigration to destination countries" such as the "loss of employment opportunities" for low-skilled workers and "stresses on public services."

The US statement came with the UN preparing to host a two-day conference opening on Monday in Marrakesh to endorse the pact, despite a string of defections.

Hungary withdrew last year and since then Australia, Israel, Poland, Slovakia, the Czech Republic, Austria, Switzerland, Bulgaria, Belgium Latvia, Italy and the Dominican Republic have quit the pact or expressed strong reservations.

No closed door 

The global pact lays out 23 objectives to open up legal<a href="http://www.wionews.com/world/major-migration-flows-in-the-last-decade-182125"> migration </a>and better manage the influx as the number of people on the move worldwide has increased to 250 million, or just over three per cent of the world's population.

When the deal was approved in July, it was held up as an example of a UN diplomatic success achieved without the United States at a time when President Donald Trump is questioning the relevance of the world body.

UN spokesman Stephane Dujarric said it was "regrettable" that some countries had over the past week walked out but added that there was no "closed door" and that they were "always welcome to come back."

Stressing that the pact was non-binding, he recalled that the accord was aimed at helping countries manage migration and did not pose a challenge to state authority over borders.

"It seems to defy logic to see how you can manage migration without having a global conversation," he said.

UN Secretary-General<a href="http://www.wionews.com/india-news/g20-pm-modi-discusses-global-climate-change-with-un-secretary-general-180330"> Antonio Guterres</a> will travel to Marrakesh for the conference to be attended by German Chancellor Angela Merkel, the most high-profile leader at the event.

The document will return to the UN General Assembly for approval at a session scheduled for December 19.

Days ahead of an international conference in Morocco to endorse a UN migration pact, the United States made the case Friday for opposing the deal that it shunned a year ago and which has since prompted a wave of withdrawals.

Days ahead of an international conference in Morocco to endorse a UN migration pact, the United States made the case Friday for opposing the deal that it shunned a year ago and which has since prompted a wave of withdrawals. In a lengthy statement, the United States said the Global Compact for Safe, Orderly and Regular Migration represents "an effort by the United Nations to advance global governance at the expense of the sovereign right of states to manage their immigration systems." The non-binding pact agreed in July last year has become a target for right-wing and populist politicians who have denounced it as an affront to national sovereignty. The US, which quit negotiations in December 2017, expressed concern that supporters of the agreement would use it to build "customary international law" or "soft law" in the area of migration. The three-page US statement outlined a number of objections such as a provision in the compact stating that detention of migrants should be "a last resort," arguing that this was inconsistent with US law. Washington is also concerned that it "downplays the cost of immigration to destination countries" such as the "loss of employment opportunities" for low-skilled workers and "stresses on public services." The US statement came with the UN preparing to host a two-day conference opening on Monday in Marrakesh to endorse the pact, despite a string of defections. Hungary withdrew last year and since then Australia, Israel, Poland, Slovakia, the Czech Republic, Austria, Switzerland, Bulgaria, Belgium Latvia, Italy and the Dominican Republic have quit the pact or expressed strong reservations. No closed door The global pact lays out 23 objectives to open up legal migration and better manage the influx as the number of people on the move worldwide has increased to 250 million, or just over three per cent of the world's population. When the deal was approved in July, it was held up as an example of a UN diplomatic success achieved without the United States at a time when President Donald Trump is questioning the relevance of the world body. UN spokesman Stephane Dujarric said it was "regrettable" that some countries had over the past week walked out but added that there was no "closed door" and that they were "always welcome to come back." Stressing that the pact was non-binding, he recalled that the accord was aimed at helping countries manage migration and did not pose a challenge to state authority over borders. "It seems to defy logic to see how you can manage migration without having a global conversation," he said. UN Secretary-General Antonio Guterres will travel to Marrakesh for the conference to be attended by German Chancellor Angela Merkel, the most high-profile leader at the event. The document will return to the UN General Assembly for approval at a session scheduled for December 19.

US takes aim at UN migration pact ahead of conference