Let’s be on right side of history

The first ever international deal on the migration crisis was signed just a couple of days ago by a majority of UN States, despite vociferous objections led by the United States. The historic, non-binding global pact seeking to better manage migration was approved by delegates from 164 nations following 18 months of debate and negotiation.

The UN's Global Compact on Safe, Orderly and Regular Migration, signed in Marrakech, Morocco, is aimed at coordinating action on migration around the world. US President Donald Trump rejected it a year ago. Since then Austria, which hold the EU presidency, has pulled out of the process, along with Australia, Chile, the Czech Republic, Italy, Hungary, Poland, Latvia, Slovakia and the Dominican Republic. As Merkel, rightly defended the deal, it is about "nothing less than the foundation of our international cooperation". Signing in favour of the deal only means that one is on the right side of history.

There will be criticism that the accord could challenge national sovereignty and that it will lead to influx to refugees. International opinion is yet to consolidate in favour of it. At least 39 out of the 193 countries that agreed to the deal did not attend the meeting. Six countries including Israel and Bulgaria are mulling to pull out after signing the deal. There could be several reasons for this to happen.

Mostly, it is all about international or domestic politics. Ruling parties are worried about the raise of the right-wing extreme thought among its populations. Agreeing to the migration could trigger an unpleasant opposition from within too for the parties. However, this is not about domestic compulsions alone. This is a far bigger issue. This is about the humanity itself.

The world has suffered two worst wars and strife still rules the roost in several countries due to vested interests’ role including that of the big powers. A part of mankind is inflicting tragedy upon tragedy on those populations in pursuit of their exploitative goals and forcing migration on a large scale. The Syrian tragedy is just one of those where millions of people had to flee their country ravaged by at least three forces inimical to humanity. Leaders like Trump who do not belong to the thinking human race always oppose the deal and try to enforce their views on others. What such leaders fail to understand is that there is only one Earth for all of us. Whether one likes it or not, one has to live here.

Whatever resources are there on the planet, those are also limited, and they have to be shared. It is a choice one has to make. A choice about living together or perishing together. If man aims to finish off a neighbourhood man, then he will soon find himself losing out. The present deal will help governments work together to better manage migration and ensure that people making cross-border journeys can do so in a legal, orderly and safe way. The idea of the agreement is to create a political platform for States to cooperate. Let everyone join hands in support of mankind.