Ethics and Migration

People are on the move both in Europe and in the rest of the world. The number of migrants has risen continuously the last 20 years and today more than 3% of the world’s population consists of international migrants. Migration has many causes. Some people are forced to leave their country due to political oppression, expulsion on ethnic and religious grounds and – more recently -climate change. But the main reason is poverty with its manifold roots.

People have always looked for opportunities in other countries and continents. The wealthy nations attract workers from poorer countries in their hope to get a better life in the new country. Immigrants are remitting large amounts of resources back home providing much needed revenues. On the other hand, when young and educated people leave their countries there are obvious risks of further deterioration.  

Amnesty International and other NGOs continuously report on the maltreatment of refugees and immigrants. For example, in European border countries, they are often treated as criminals and detained in sub-human conditions. Especially female refugees from war zones fare extremely ill. Refugees and immigrants are in vulnerable situations. They are forced to leave their homes and they become potential victims of human trafficking and other forms of exploitation. Ethical questions arise as to how a global political practice respecting their dignity can be morally justified?

Migration is often followed by segregation and alienation. Poverty on the one hand, social exclusion and socially not accepted (and sometimes not acceptable) behaviour on the other hand reinforce each other; it is a vicious circle. This correlation is most evident in the case of migrants, but it is not limited to them. Ethnic minorities are often marginalized in their own countries. Again, it is an ethical issue how this vicious circle can be broken and the human rights of all be secured.

For some people, immigrants pose a threat to their own life styles and ways of social organization. They tend to react with fear, hatred or even violence. These reactions have changed the European political landscape and new political parties with an agenda of anti-immigration and xenophobia are gaining in support. What are the political and ethical implications of this development?

As one of Europe’s border countries, Romania is a perfect setting for a conference on ethics and migration. A special conference focus is also on Romania as a home country for the Roma people with its history of social exclusion, poverty and alienation. This context makes it possible for ethics to meet practice.