Protecting Illegal migrants’ dignity, a legal must, says Algerian Human Rights Advisor.

The chairman of the National Advisory Commission for the Protection and Promotion of Human Rights (CNCPPDH), Farouk Ksentini revealed to Echorouk that ongoing cooperation between Algeria and European countries on mixed migration will result in issuing a new international law that protects illegal migrants’ dignity including boat people. Mr. Ksentini also said an exhaustive report on the matter will be submitted to the Algerian president of the Republic at the end of the current month. Ksentini explained in an exclusive statement to Echorouk that the mixed migration issue is treated through legal channels that ensure migrants’ and refugees’ dignity but also the security and interests of the countries that are suffering from this scourge. Kesntini also stressed the importance for the quoted countries to elaborate laws that would enable them ensure their security as well as human rights for illegal migrants and refugees. ‘’Algeria has become a route for illegal migrants and what is annually recorded by the concerned authorities is alarming and shows that the phenomenon is dangerous. This has worsened for Algeria especially after European countries tightened their grip illegal migration at their borders.’’ In this regard, the CNPPDH chairman said ‘’A research-like report will be developed by my institution and facts and figures on the matter will be presented to the President of the Republic at the end of December 2011’’ A recent workshop in Algiers examined regional migration trends and the impact of war, revolution and economic hardship on refugee flows. Participants in the October 25th seminar discussed the security and social challenges posed by the increased immigration, as well as ways to protect migrants and manage the influx. Experts called for the creation of a regional mechanism to monitor the phenomenon, whether related to immigrants seeking asylum for political or social reasons or refugees. The event was organised by the Algerian National Consultative Committee for Promotion and Protection of Human Rights (CNCPPDH) in co-operation with the Italian Refugee Council. More than 94,000 mixed migrants have entered Algeria in the past year, according to Yasmina Taya, chairperson of the permanent sub-committee for foreign relations and co-operation at CNCPPDH. She attributed the numbers “the revolutions taking place in Algeria's neighbouring countries”, adding that “the figure is likely to rise”.