At the UN - Economic migrant or refugee? Theresa May calls for refugee rule book to be rewritten

Economic migrant or refugee? Theresa May calls for refugee rule book to be rewritten

THERESA May has called for the refugee rule book to be rewritten as she highlighted the need for a distinction between economic migrants and those fleeing war.

By ALIX CULBERTSON & REBECCA PERRING

PUBLISHED: 00:00, Mon, Sep 19, 2016 | UPDATED: 18:40, Mon, Sep 19, 2016

The British Prime Minister has set out plans at a major United Nations summit in New York to tackle the global migrant crisis, as authorities continue to probe an explosion in a crowded Manhattan neighborhood.

At the summit Mrs May told fellow world leaders there should be a better distinction between refugees and people attempting to enter a country for economic reasons.

She also called for refugees to have to claim asylum in the first safe country they reach.

Theresa May is calling for different rules for economic migrants and refugees.

Mrs May called for migrants to have to claim asylum in the first safe country they arrive i

We cannot simply focus on treating the symptoms of this crisis, we need to address its root causes too

The Tory leader stressed nations do have a right to control their borders and a responsibility to prevent illegal and uncontrolled migration.

Addressing global leaders she said: "Across the world today there are 65 million displaced people. That has particular resonance for the United Kingdom - it is equivalent to our entire population." 

The prime minister called for the “international community to come together and find new ways of dealing with the challenges we face today”. 

She went on: "We must all do more. The UK will continue with their global response. 

"We must continue our efforts to end conflicts, tackle human rights abuses and persecution and support those affected. 

"It is the duty of every country to respond. "

Mrs May said the crisis has been “exacerbated by unprecedented levels of uncontrolled migration. 

She said: "It is not only refugees that are making large numbers, it is also those seeking greater economic opportunities and this is a global challenge, imposing huge strains across countries including Asia, Africa Americas and Europe. 

"Of course controlled, legal migration fits our economies and there is nothing wrong with the desire to migrate for a better life. 

"But the uncontrolled migration we see today is not in the best interests of migrants who are exposed to danger, not in the best interest of the rest of the countries they are leaving, travelling through or seeking to reach. 

"It is not in the interest of refugees, of whom popular support is reduced. "

Charity workers in NYC have placed hundreds of life jackets used by migrants to get across to Europe Her urgent calls for reforms to the way refugees are treated represents one of the strongest appeals for change.

Last year more than a million refugees claimed asylum in the European Union (EU), with most heading to Germany after Angela Merkel announced an open-door policy.

The majority of migrants arrived in Greece, Turkey or Italy, but most traveled on to claim asylum in western European countries.

Mrs May, added: "As the world's second-largest bilateral humanitarian donor, the UK is already playing its part and we will step up our efforts with further financial assistance and concrete action in partnership with the countries most affected.

"But we cannot simply focus on treating the symptoms of this crisis, we need to address its root causes too.

"While we must continue our efforts to end conflict, stop persecution and the abuse of human rights, I believe we also need a new, more effective global approach to manage migration.

"This should be based around three principles which will better serve the interests of migrants, who are exposed to danger; the interests of the countries they are leaving, travelling through or seeking to reach; and, most importantly, the interests of refugees, for whom we all share a responsibility to help."

Many migrants have arrived in Greece then trekked across Europe to the west of the continent.

As well as speaking at the UN event, chaired by secretary-general Ban Ki-moon, Mrs May will also take part in a summit on refugees hosted by US president Barack Obama on Tuesday.

By setting out her plan, Mrs May is laying down an early marker as the UN begins two years of negotiations on politically binding contracts on refugees and migrants.

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