translated from Spanish: Refugee Day: UN calls on nations of the world “not to build walls” against migrants

During the concert “This is how integration sounds!”, held in this Colombian Caribbean city in commemoration of World Refugee and Displaced Persons’ Day, Grandi said that “there are many countries that reject, that build walls, that do not accept migrants and refugees who even arrive on boats making very dangerous trips.” For Grandi, “this rejection, this exclusion is terrible from the moral point of view and also does not solve the problem of migration and refuge, which can only be resolved constructively with well-organized reception and with the elimination of irregularity as Colombia is currently doing.” I hope that the program of regularization of migrants in Colombia will also be heard by the leaders of countries that reject refugees, because solidarity also goes in the direction of the interest of the host community because that is where the strength of temporary protection lies,” he noted. FANTASTIC MEASUREThe head of the UNHCR described as “fantastic” the implementation in Colombia of the Temporary Protection Status for Venezuelan migrants because it means “their inclusion in public services, in the economy and is also a protection against exploitation and abuse, very frequent in situations of displacement throughout the world.” Considering that refugees can also contribute and become a positive force for the communities that host them, Grandi stressed that the goal is to aim for inclusion, towards the moment when migrants can, if possible, return to their country, which is the most lasting solution. In Colombia, the Temporary Protection Status for Venezuelan migrants aims to benefit some two million citizens who have arrived fleeing the economic and social crisis in their nation. The report on refugees in the world released by the agency shows that in 2020 the number of people who had to leave their places of origin reached a record 82.4 million. As for Venezuelans in that condition, the organization said that there are 4.9 million, of which 1.7 million are in Colombia.La country’s deputy foreign minister, Adriana Mejía, who accompanied Grandi in Barranquilla, stressed that the Protection Statute will contribute to the socio-economic integration of the migrant population, reduce their conditions of vulnerability, and allow them to access state goods and services.CONCERT “THIS IS HOW INTEGRATION SOUNDS”To commemorate World Ref Day ugiado and displaced, UNHCR through its campaign “Somos Panas Colombia” organized in Barranquilla the concert “¡Así Suena la Integración!”, which had as its main attraction the group Monsieur Periné and the Venezuelan singer-songwriter Rafa Pino.Catalina García, lead voice of the musical group, said that the purpose of the concert is “to enhance the courage and courage of those who were forced to leave their homes seeking protection.” In my personal case, my father was a refugee in the United States and I think that all Colombians have some close history in our families about displacements that have not necessarily been out of desire, and as a society we have a historical debt to so many families,” the vocalist told EFE before her presentation. He added that “for us it is an honor to be part of this commemoration and to be able to raise our voices for those Venezuelan families who are separated, to be able to give encouragement to those people who need courage to make the decision to leave their country and leave their hearts in their land, and to be grateful that through music we can also build bridges.” Santiago Prieto, guitarist and founder of Monsieur Periné, said that they decided to start their presentation with the song “Mi libertad”, because they considered it appropriate since “it sends a very nice message of empowerment of the human being”.

Original source in Spanish