Don’t call them migrants

By Lorenzo Rilasciati, Deputy Co-ordinator of OSCE Economic and Environmental Activities (a.i.) 

Faced with the increasing number of people fleeing the conflict in Ukraine, I feel the urgency to express my concerns about the escalation of the conflict and my compassion for the many who have lost and are losing their loved ones, their homes, their future.  We are witnessing yet another migration crisis, the sorrowful spectacle of a frightened humanity moving in search of safety and protection.

In these dramatic circumstances, the statement of the High Representative of the European Union, Josep Borrell, on 28 February 2022, was particularly meaningful. “Don’t call them migrants”, he said. “I insist, do not call them migrants”, he emphasized.  

Why should we not call them migrants?

The repeated appeal of the High Representative sounded like a heartfelt call to use language in a careful way. Although, according to international law, refugees are migrants with special protection needs, as they cannot return to their country due to the persecution they are victims of, or because of circumstances that put their lives at risk, in public conversations migration has been discussed in different terms.   

Too often, migrants and refugees have been described as a “swarm” massing at borders, threatening the hosting communities’ way of life. Often depicted as hordes pushing at fences to get into destination countries, or as helpless and hopeless aliens ready for anything, the conversation about migration and migrants has turned increasingly into a polarized debate.

The very term “migrant” is toxic and no longer fit to describe the horror of people looking for shelter escaping the war, their lives before the circumstances that pushed them to leave, and the eagerness to rebuild, learn, grow and prosper with the hosting community.  Far from accurate, such language not only plays to people’s fears, but it strips suffering people of their voice.

Borrell’s appeal sounds like a necessary warning to use language that preserves migrants’ and refugees’ humanity.

Words matter

The fact that the term “migrant” has turned into a label that stigmatizes people is not only sad, it is dangerous. It undermines social cohesion, it is a threat to the peaceful coexistence of individuals, it does not allow people to feel valued and give the best of themselves.

The impression is that in this overall discussion, we have lost sight of the fact that migrants and refugees are people – men, women, children, mothers, fathers, teachers, engineers, just like us - except they come from Ukraine, Syria, Eritrea, Afghanistan and elsewhere.

Their story is the story of humanity, the story of search for safety, security, peace, growth, prosperity. Indeed, it is a simple story, today painfully reminded by the many Ukrainians who are seeking protection outside their country.

In search of a new language: the E-MINDFUL project

With the E-MINDFUL project, we are in search of a new language to tell the story of people on the move. We wish to understand how words, visual images and other symbols contribute to the construction of a balanced concept of migrants and refugees in hosting communities. The objective is to offer governments and civil society knowledge and tools to avoid the black-and-white trap when discussing migration and prevent the further stigmatization of migrants and refugees. By offering an alternative to the stereotyped debate, the intention is to expand the political space for suitable policies that can unlock their socioeconomic potential.

As the project unfolds, and we are about to share the initial results of our analysis, I wish to reiterate the relevance of this initiative and, in light of the ongoing displacement of individuals in need of protection, I encourage everyone to join Borrell’s appeal: do not call them migrants.