Report from the ODIHR Conference “Migration, Human Rights and Inclusion“

We are pleased to share with you a report from the ODIHR Conference “Migration, Human Rights and Inclusion: Assessing the Role of Civil Society in the OSCE Region” in Warsaw on 27 and 28 June 2022.

This document summarizes key notes from the conference to which the general secretary of Legis, Jasmin Redjepi, contributed among the others:

“Coordination may need to be formalized, such as by concluding a memorandum of understanding with partners, especially when state institutions are involved. International non-governmental organizations and inter-governmental organizations can also play a role in coordination and information sharing between multiple state- and non-state stakeholders, especially when seen as reliable and trusted partners with knowledge of the local context. For example, in North Macedonia, the OSCE mission acted as a mediator between non-governmental organizations (NGOs) and government in times of emergency response to migration flows. To proceed towards more systemic thinking and longer-term perspectives, a constructive and sustained dialogue between civil society actors and state authorities and mutual recognition of evolving roles is crucial. While NGOs are often more flexible and effective in providing emergency responses, when structural responses are established, CSOs’ role may need to shift over time. However important the engagement of civil society is, the ultimate responsibility for responding to emergency migration flows and migrant integration lies with national authorities. To achieve a constructive dialogue, it is necessary for the authorities to acknowledge their own limitations and have the courage to ask questions and learn from mistakes. At the same time, CSOs need to avoid assuming the role of those, who always know best what needs to be done. Experience from different countries shows that effective cooperation between national and local authorities and civil society is often hard to achieve and sustain. Particularly challenging are the election campaign times when political competition contributes to securitization and politicization of migration and diverts attention from the pressing issues on the ground.’’