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{
    "id": 951660,
    "url": "https://info.mzalendo.com/api/v0.1/hansard/entries/951660/?format=api",
    "text_counter": 227,
    "type": "speech",
    "speaker_name": "Sen. Cheruiyot",
    "speaker_title": "",
    "speaker": {
        "id": 13165,
        "legal_name": "Aaron Kipkirui Cheruiyot",
        "slug": "aaron-cheruiyot"
    },
    "content": "The contributions of the 28 countries that form the EU come from a position of understanding that these challenges can be surmounted. That a solution can be found for these young people from the countries facing upheavals so that they can settle in their countries by solving that particular problem, instead of just closing their borders and saying: “Nobody is allowed here.” People will allows find a way in, whether you like it or not. That is the experience that Europe has had for the last five to 10 years. The stricter they become with their immigration laws, the more creative those who want to beat the system have become. One way or the other, you end up having the illegal immigrants with you. Therefore, it would make more sense if, in conferences like these, you suggest solutions. There is the discussion of what the EU Development Fund Aid is doing in many of the African, Caribbean and Pacific countries. It will be good that in such deliberations, they get to hear from the leaders on what it is that will create more impact; what is it that will keep this bulging young population from thinking that the only way out of the challenges they are facing as a country is by running away to Europe. I have read in the Report that the delegation also spent time discussing the xenophobic attacks and discrimination. It is good that countries, in forums like this, get to have knowledge and information transfer on how each of the individual countries is able to surmount many of these challenges. Of course, it would be good to hear from our colleagues from the affected countries. While our colleagues in the southern part of Africa continue to face this challenge of xenophobic attacks, Europe also has a similar challenge of racism. Football fans know that one of the biggest challenges on the issues of integration that Europe continues to face is that they take a firm stand against fans or people that discriminate others based on the color of their skin. It will be a good learning experience to our colleagues who we have had a discussion in this House, where we felt that, for example, South Africa is not responding in the right way to the challenges of discrimination. It would be good to learn from our counterparts in Europe on how they are taking a firm stand. Two days ago, I saw how West Ham United Football Club was able to put out the name of a racially abusive fan, and they banned him for life. He can, therefore, not be part of them, because that is not the world they believe in. These are good experiences that us, who come from this particular region, can also be firm with the rest of the region. Discrimination, although pronounced in countries like South Africa, happens even to us, at a local level. When you are a leader, you have to learn from experiences. We were challenging our colleagues the other day when we were having tea at the Senators Lounge that discrimination begins even with you, as a Senator. The number of people that you employ in your office, do they only come from the dominant community in your county? How is the representation of the minority in your county reflected in your office as a Senator? Those are the issues of discrimination that we need to be alive to. These are such interesting times for such conferences. I would have liked to hear what the key highlights were; the moments that stole the show or challenged people to The electronic version of the Senate Hansard Report is for information purposesonly. A certified version of this Report can be obtained from the Hansard Editor, Senate."
}