The International Catholic Migration Commission
serves and protects uprooted people: refugees, internally
displaced persons and migrants, regardless of faith, ethnicity or nationality.
serves and protects uprooted people: refugees, internally
displaced persons and migrants, regardless of faith, ethnicity or nationality.
    See and protect ICMC publishes study of legal obligations and responses to boat people arriving across the Mediterranean and North AtlanticBRUSSELS, 8 December 2011—ICMC today launches its new publication "MAYDAY! Strengthening responses of assistance and protection to boat people and other migrants arriving in Southern Europe". The publication sheds light on gaps in responding to boat people and other migrants arriving in Greece, Italy, Malta and Spain. "It is not so much the arrivals of migrants and refugees that should be put to question, but rather the response mechanisms," observes Johan Ketelers, Secretary General of ICMC.Read more  International Day for Disaster Reduction Children and young people in the spotlight of Disaster Risk ReductionGENEVA, 13 October 2011- In support of the International Day for Disaster Reduction (IDDR), ICMC welcomes the global initiative to raise awareness about what can be done to reduce the exposure to disasters, and to promote the inclusion of children and young people in disaster prevention and mitigation processes.Read more  A regional conference of the 'DRIVE' project Regional conference to put mixed migration expertise center stageBRUSSELS, 19 September 2011—This Wednesday, the major actors and stakeholders engaged in responding to boat arrivals and mixed migration flows in the Mediterranean will gather in Brussels for the closing conference of the DRIVE project, organized by ICMC.Read more  Pakistan: Displaced Afghans recount personal experiences of hardship while looking to the futurePAKISTAN, 20 June 2011—Having survived war, hardship and insecurity in Afghanistan, refugees whose lives were again touched by disaster in the wake of last year’s flooding in Pakistan gather in a rural Pashtun village to share their experiences and perspectives on the future on the occasion of World Refugee Day 2011.Read more JRS Press release: "People are more important"15 June 2011 (JRS Malta)—In a statement issued today, Jesuit Refugee Service Malta expressed grave concern at the predicament of the 100 men, women and children stranded on board the Almirante Juan de Borbón in worsening conditions, and called upon the States concerned to allow them to disembark immediately pending a final agreement on who will assume responsibility for them.
African migrants are drowning in the MediterraneanBRUSSELS, 8 June 2011 (CoE)—Another boat carrying migrants from Libya capsized last week. At least 150 persons drowned, while others were saved by the Tunisian coast guard and fishing boats. In a similar tragedy in May, about 600 persons lost their lives. There are other reports about missing vessels with migrants on board and it is likely that the death toll for this year has now reached 1 400, or perhaps even more.Read more Tunisians save hundreds as another Lampedusa-bound boat capsizesTUNISIA, 3 June 2011 (UNHCR)—At least 150 people have drowned and scores remain missing following a boat capsizing off the Tunisian coast on Wednesday afternoon. This appears to be one of the worst and the deadliest incidents in the Mediterranean so far this year.Read more  A regional workshop to exchange practices and expertise Responding to boat arrivals and mixed migration flows in the MediterraneanSICILY, 10 May 2011—Lending a particular sense of urgency to the issues at hand, nearly one thousand migrants arrived at the island of Lampedusa last week as policy makers, public service providers and local practitioners from eight European countries gathered in Catania, Italy for an experts workshop on practical responses to boat arrivals and mixed migration flows in the Mediterranean.Read more Vatican aide recalls shipwrecked African migrants: Highlights Pope's words at Yad Vashem MemorialVATICAN CITY, 11 APRIL 2011 (Zenit)—A Vatican spokesman is remembering in prayer the hundreds of people who died in recent weeks in the Mediterranean Sea while fleeing conflicts in North Africa. Since the unrest and conflict began in various countries of North Africa in February, close to 22,000 migrants, the majority Tunisians, have arrived on the Italian island of Lampedusa, reported the Italian interior ministry.Read more UNHCR calls on States to uphold principles of rescue-at-sea and burden sharingGENEVA, 8 APRIL 2011 (UNHCR)—In light of the massive loss of life in the Mediterranean this week in a refugee boat capsizing, UNHCR is calling on the European Union (EU) to urgently put into place more reliable and effective mechanisms for rescue-at-sea.Read more
 Welcome Europe! New EU Resettlement Programme offers safe haven and new start for refugeesBRUSSELS, 29 March 2012—With the European Parliament vote on March 29th, the International Catholic Migration Commission (ICMC) congratulates the European Union on adopting a formal framework for welcoming refugees in need of resettlement to Europe, and expressing its commitment to human rights, refugee protection and solidarity with those most in need.Read more See and protect ICMC publishes study of legal obligations and responses to boat people arriving across the Mediterranean and North AtlanticBRUSSELS, 8 December 2011—ICMC today launches its new publication "MAYDAY! Strengthening responses of assistance and protection to boat people and other migrants arriving in Southern Europe". The publication sheds light on gaps in responding to boat people and other migrants arriving in Greece, Italy, Malta and Spain. "It is not so much the arrivals of migrants and refugees that should be put to question, but rather the response mechanisms," observes Johan Ketelers, Secretary General of ICMC.Read more Global Forum on Migration and Development 2011 Civil Society Urges Governments to Fill Leadership Gaps in MigrationGENEVA, 2 December 2011—The Civil Society Days of the Global Forum on Migration and Development concluded with high energy at the “common space” between civil society and governments on the morning of December 1st. After two days of working sessions that built upon the recommendations of past GFMDs and brought to light new concerns, civil society presented a statement to governments calling for more engagement and leadership to combat xenophobia and promote rights-based migration policies. The statement was followed by a debate on demographics, development and positive alternatives to irregular migration, moderated by BBC correspondent Zeinab Badawi with over 700 participants present.Read more Global Forum on Migration and Development 2011 Civil society groups worldwide to meet with governments on migrationGENEVA, 9 November 2011—Civil society representatives from over 60 countries will convene in Geneva to propose rights-based migration policies to governments at the Global Forum on Migration and Development (GFMD) to be held from November 29th to December 2nd. 180 delegates will meet for two days to formulate recommendations on labour migration, which they will present to governments from some 130 countries on December 1st.Read more Global Forum on Migration and Development 2011 Civil society delegates set to bring wide panorama of expertise to the GFMD tableGENEVA, 14 October 2011—Addressing issues including irregular migration, the rights, contribution and challenges of migrant workers and their families, the role of migrants abroad in the development of their countries of origin, job creation “at home” and other alternatives to migration, 180 civil society actors will be bringing their on-the-ground experience to high-level discussions with governments at this year’s Global Forum on Migration and Development (GFMD).Read more Unveiling of new website brings invitation to apply now for GFMD Civil Society DaysGENEVA, 19 August 2011—In the countdown to the 2011 Global Forum on Migration and Development, a new website providing broad information about the GFMD has been launched, together with the invitation for civil society representatives to apply now to participate directly in the 2011 Civil Society Days.Read more Global Forum on Migration and Development 2011 GFMD 2011: Support for Civil Society receives boost with appointment of new programme staffGENEVA, 4 July 2011—The International Catholic Migration Commission is pleased to welcome Ms. Wies Maas, Senior Programme Officer, and Mr. Andrés Morales, GFMD Programme Officer, to its Geneva headquarters, in support of Civil Society activities related to the 2011 Global Forum on Migration and Development (GFMD).Read more  Turkey: Governor’s welcome offers refugees a refreshing reprieve on World Refugee DayTURKEY, 20 June 2011—Rarely able to travel far beyond their host city of Afyonkarahisar, Turkey, nearly 200 refugees relished the opportunity to gather at the 26th of August Natural Park for a festive day of food, games and children’s crafts some 20 kilometers outside of the town centre, in celebration of World Refugee Day.Read more  "Paving the way": New handbook provides ‘rich inspiration’ for refugee resettlement in EuropeBRUSSELS, 7 June 2011—Joined by the International Organization for Migration (IOM) and the UN High Commissioner for Refugees (UNHCR), the International Catholic Migration Commission launched today a new handbook for policy makers and local practitioners working in the area of refugee reception and integration.Read more  Ethiopian Bishops to UN: “The crying voices of migrants in the Sinai are getting louder and louder at our doors”GENEVA, 6 June 2011—Ethiopian Bishops’ Conference Secretary General and ICMC member, Abba Hagos Hayish, made a plea to governments, international organizations and civil society representatives gathered at the United Nations Human Rights Council in Geneva, calling for action on behalf of the hundreds of migrants kidnapped and held hostage for ransom in the Sinai desert.Read more
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