The Right to Remain and the Causes of Forced Migration

Executive Summary

Pope Francis dedicated his Message for the 109th World Day of Migrants and Refugees to the freedom that should characterize one’s choice whether to migrate or remain. With his message, developed by constantly listening to the local Churches, the Holy Father wanted to promote a new debate on a right not yet codified at an international level: the right not to have to migrate, or more precisely, the right to remain in one’s homeland.

The forced nature of many current migration flows requires a careful consideration of the causes of current migrations. The right to remain is pre-eminent, deeper, and broader than the right to migrate. It involves the possibility of participating in the common good, the right to live with dignity and have access to sustainable development. All of these rights should be effectively safeguarded in the countries of origin with the responsible involvement of the international community.