[LETTERS] We shouldn't confuse genuine refugees with economic migrants

Editor, RE: “Mass migration to Europe is for more than just economic reasons” (The New Times, June 23). Three countries are highlighted by the writer to support his argument, but what if he had chosen to use Senegal, Ghana, and Nigeria, for example, all of which are seeing large numbers of citizens flee to Europe? Migrants choose to migrate for a lot of different reasons, and not all of those reasons involve fear of persecution. Many migrants, such as those from the countries I’ve mentioned, are simply seeking a better life in the west by riding on the coattails of those whose lives are genuinely in danger. There’s nothing wrong with seeking a better life; just don’t expect western governments to help you do it, especially when so many of their own citizens are seeking and often not finding the same thing. And let’s be clear about refugees, as opposed to economic migrants. They get a lot of publicity for the hardships they endure, but they are in a very real sense the lucky ones. They at least have a chance of making it out and finding peace and security. What about the infirm in their countries and those too poor to pay a smuggler? They are stuck right where they are condemned to death or a life of misery. Shouldn’t the international community do more for them? The refugees are the ones we see and they rightly inspire compassion. But so many others, unseen, are suffering even more. They also deserve our attention and compassion. Chris *********************** The countries mentioned by Chris (Nigeria was mentioned in the article) produce negligent number of migrants. They are nowhere near countries producing a significant number of migrants. Syria (4.9 million), Afghanistan (2.7m) and Somalia (1.1m) make up 54 per cent of refugees worldwide. In Africa, Eritrea comes second, followed by Sudan, then South Sudan. Even Burundi has produced more refugees in the past year than Senegal, Ghana and Nigeria combined in the last decade. According to UNHCR data, 84 per cent of Mediterranean Sea arrivals in 2015 came from Syria (3.8m), Afghanistan (2.5m), Somalia (1.1m), Sudan 650,000, South Sudan 616,000... Eritrea follows closely. Also, European nations are not anywhere being near the largest host of these migrants. Turkey hosts 2.5m refugees; Pakistan 1.6m; Lebanon 1.1m; Iran 979,000; Ethiopia 736,000; Jordan 664,000. So, again Chris, your assumption that the majority of people flee to Europe for economic reasons is inaccurate. Economic migrants are there, of course they are. But the number is far too negligible when compared to migrants escaping violence. Perhaps you ought to enlighten yourself. Bony

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[LETTERS] We shouldn't confuse genuine refugees with economic migrants