Over than 40 European NGO Networks signed an open letter addressed to the thousands of people crossing our borders to escape war, persecution and poverty. #WeApologise on behalf of our national and European leaders for their inexcusable lack of coordinated humanitarian aid to their situation.
On initiative of Social Platform a broad coalition of European NGOs came together, including members of the European Platform on Migration and Asylum (EPAM) as well as CONCORD Europe (development NGOs). Such a swift initiative and broad consensus to agree on a joint message ahead of Juncker’s (President of the European Commission) State of the Union demonstrates how the humanitarian emergency in Europe has brought together both citizens and civil society.
The same day, migration and asylum NGOs meet to discuss among others the situation in the Mediterranean. UNHCR updated us on the emergency at Lesbos and the concern of Golden Dawn being present in Kos. While ‘hot-spots’ has advanced in Italy, it is not yet as organised in Greece. On Thursday UNHCR will release their proposals on how to improve the situation.
As Social Platform we have carried out a campaign to Criminalise Solidarity in order to build our case for a revision of the humanitarian clause of the EU Facilitation Directive. The current humanitarian response by organisations and individuals, sometimes even embraced by national Ministers, supports our case by showing how unreasonable it is to criminalise or sanction those that try to help in solidarity with people escaping war, persecution or poverty.
The European Commission is currently preparing its next European Migration Forum, which will focus on economic migration, including the EU Blue Card Directive (2009/50/EC) . NGOs are raising concerns about what defines highly skilled and educated, and whether the Blue Cards could be accessible also for asylum seekers and for students or other migrants already in Europe. This week the Commission’s plan for resettlement will be released. NGOs are asking what the timing is, who it is for and what the criteria’s will be. First out is the approval by the European Parliament and secondly a roadmap will follow. Another issues of concern is return to safe countries of origin, NGOs are questioning which countries are considered safe and not and which Member States are agreeing on this or not.
The questions and concerns are many. While we will follow the outcomes of the Justice and Home Affairs Council meeting next week, we unfortunately anticipate to once again say #WeApologise on behalf of our national and European leaders…
– See more at: http://www.socialplatform.org/blog/weapologise-on-behalf-of-our-national-and-european-leaders/#sthash.FVJ8NV7R.dpuf
Today (8 September) more than 40 European NGO Networks signed an open letter addressed to the thousands of people crossing our borders to escape war, persecution and poverty. #WeApologise on behalf of our national and European leaders for their inexcusable lack of coordinated humanitarian aid to their situation.
On initiative of Social Platform a broad coalition of European NGOs came together, including members of the European Platform on Migration and Asylum (EPAM) as well as CONCORD Europe (development NGOs). Such a swift initiative and broad consensus to agree on a joint message ahead of Juncker’s (President of the European Commission) State of the Union demonstrates how the humanitarian emergency in Europe has brought together both citizens and civil society.
The same day, migration and asylum NGOs meet to discuss among others the situation in the Mediterranean. UNHCR updated us on the emergency at Lesbos and the concern of Golden Dawn being present in Kos. While ‘hot-spots’ has advanced in Italy, it is not yet as organised in Greece. On Thursday UNHCR will release their proposals on how to improve the situation.
As Social Platform we have carried out a campaign to Criminalise Solidarity in order to build our case for a revision of the humanitarian clause of the EU Facilitation Directive. The current humanitarian response by organisations and individuals, sometimes even embraced by national Ministers, supports our case by showing how unreasonable it is to criminalise or sanction those that try to help in solidarity with people escaping war, persecution or poverty.
The European Commission is currently preparing its next European Migration Forum, which will focus on economic migration, including the EU Blue Card Directive (2009/50/EC) . NGOs are raising concerns about what defines highly skilled and educated, and whether the Blue Cards could be accessible also for asylum seekers and for students or other migrants already in Europe. This week the Commission’s plan for resettlement will be released. NGOs are asking what the timing is, who it is for and what the criteria’s will be. First out is the approval by the European Parliament and secondly a roadmap will follow. Another issues of concern is return to safe countries of origin, NGOs are questioning which countries are considered safe and not and which Member States are agreeing on this or not.
The questions and concerns are many. While we will follow the outcomes of the Justice and Home Affairs Council meeting next week, we unfortunately anticipate to once again say #WeApologise on behalf of our national and European leaders…
– See more at: http://www.socialplatform.org/blog/weapologise-on-behalf-of-our-national-and-european-leaders/#sthash.FVJ8NV7R.dpuf