Letter to EU president: common humanitarian
action needed
action needed
Brussels, 10
September 2015
September 2015
The Jesuit Refugee Service (JRS) and its members
across Europe, today called upon the President of the European Union, Donald
Tusk, to lead member states to agree on common humanitarian action on refugees
in their meeting of 14 September. The letter signed by 13 JRS offices and two
Jesuit partner agencies calls for EU political measures to back up the warm
welcome civil societies have given to refugees across the continent.
across Europe, today called upon the President of the European Union, Donald
Tusk, to lead member states to agree on common humanitarian action on refugees
in their meeting of 14 September. The letter signed by 13 JRS offices and two
Jesuit partner agencies calls for EU political measures to back up the warm
welcome civil societies have given to refugees across the continent.
“Not so long ago Poland was a major refugee producing
country during the Second World War and then in the long years of the Cold War.
Today, people from Poland enjoy freedom of movement across Europe as European
citizens. As the first Polish leader of the European Council is it not time for
you to lead Europe to take united humanitarian action and help refugees fleeing
war and oppression?” begins the letter.
country during the Second World War and then in the long years of the Cold War.
Today, people from Poland enjoy freedom of movement across Europe as European
citizens. As the first Polish leader of the European Council is it not time for
you to lead Europe to take united humanitarian action and help refugees fleeing
war and oppression?” begins the letter.
“We really urge Mr Tusk to take up the message of this
letter and get EU countries truly working together to save lives and bring the
value of hospitality back to our continent,” says JRS spokesman, Oscar Spooner.
letter and get EU countries truly working together to save lives and bring the
value of hospitality back to our continent,” says JRS spokesman, Oscar Spooner.
It goes on to call for urgent political measures to
save lives now before the onset of the cold winter months:
save lives now before the onset of the cold winter months:
– Refugees arriving in Europe must be treated with
humanity and dignity. Reception facilities need to be improved and made fit to
welcome the most vulnerable men, women and children.
humanity and dignity. Reception facilities need to be improved and made fit to
welcome the most vulnerable men, women and children.
– The EU must enable refugees to travel safely and not
have to rely on smugglers. A common humanitarian visa system must be
implemented and families must be enabled to reunite quickly and fairly.
Finally, comprehensive resettlement programmes need to become a permanent
fixture of EU asylum policy.
have to rely on smugglers. A common humanitarian visa system must be
implemented and families must be enabled to reunite quickly and fairly.
Finally, comprehensive resettlement programmes need to become a permanent
fixture of EU asylum policy.
Finally, the letter calls on Tusk to remind member
states of their saving lives and protecting people fleeing war and oppression
is our States’ moral and legal responsibility. All member states must fulfil
their obligations under the UN refugee convention, European Convention on Human
Rights and the EU Charter.
states of their saving lives and protecting people fleeing war and oppression
is our States’ moral and legal responsibility. All member states must fulfil
their obligations under the UN refugee convention, European Convention on Human
Rights and the EU Charter.
“Europe, because of its history and traditions, should
not turn a blind eye to those most vulnerable and in need in protection.
Hospitality is one of the most well-known Polish traditions. It can be easily
transformed into European value.” Ends the letter.
not turn a blind eye to those most vulnerable and in need in protection.
Hospitality is one of the most well-known Polish traditions. It can be easily
transformed into European value.” Ends the letter.
NB: The Jesuit Refugee Service (JRS) programmes
are found in nearly 50 countries, providing assistance to: refugees in camps
and cities, individuals displaced within their own countries, asylum seekers in
cities, and to those held in detention centres. The main areas of work are in
the field of education, emergency assistance, healthcare, livelihood activities
and social services.
are found in nearly 50 countries, providing assistance to: refugees in camps
and cities, individuals displaced within their own countries, asylum seekers in
cities, and to those held in detention centres. The main areas of work are in
the field of education, emergency assistance, healthcare, livelihood activities
and social services.
At the end of 2013, JRS employed approximately 1,400
staff: lay, Jesuits and other religious to meet the education, health, social
and other needs of nearly 950,000 refugees and IDPs, more than half of whom are
women. Services are provided to refugees regardless of race, ethnic origin or
religious beliefs.
staff: lay, Jesuits and other religious to meet the education, health, social
and other needs of nearly 950,000 refugees and IDPs, more than half of whom are
women. Services are provided to refugees regardless of race, ethnic origin or
religious beliefs.
