Open Societies are Healthy Societies
Libraries
are at the heart of healthy societies. By bringing people together – students, researchers,
creators, citizens – they support learning, sharing, and the creation of new
ideas.
They
also support the delivery of key human rights, as set out both in national
constitutions and international conventions, most importantly the Universal Declaration of Human
Rights: freedom of expression and access to information, as
well as the right to participate in cultural life and enjoy the benefits of
scientific progress.
Libraries
have long supported the flow of ideas and information across borders. IFLA has
called for reforms to laws that hold this back. Evidence shows that such flows
promote innovation and creativity, which in turn drives growth, jobs and
equality everywhere.
However,
arbitrary and unjustified barriers to the movement of people jeopardise this
situation. Such policies run contrary to states’ obligations under
international law, which prohibit discrimination of any kind on the basis of
race, colour, sex, language, religion, political or other opinion, national or
social origin, property, birth or other status, as set out in the UN’s New York Declaration for
Refugees and Migrants.
The International Migration Convention
also provides the right to temporary absence from the country of residence, a
right which can be undermined by barriers to re-entry.
IFLA
condemns such policies, wherever they take place in the world. The recent
Executive
Order issued by US President Trump temporarily barring entry into the
United States by individuals from seven countries is one such policy.
This
policy will affect students, workers and academics, families and children. All
use libraries to generate new ideas and perspectives which will benefit social,
economic and cultural life.
The
policy also adversely affects refugees fleeing extreme poverty, persecution and
conflict. Libraries’ doors are open to help them find support and encouragement
to learn the language and develop the skills needed to find their place.
Focusing on successful integration, rather than rejection, will produce the
scholars, artists, workers and engaged citizens of tomorrow.
History
has demonstrated that openness and exchange make countries great. We call on
governments, for the sake of the future, to protect these principles.
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SOURCE: www.ifla.org/node/11176
SOURCE: www.ifla.org/node/11176
