
How can we celebrate the European Democracy Week opening today, while many of those who want to join our democracies die every day so close to our shores ? It took so many deaths till finally European peoples and governments are moved !
Driven by poverty, political, racial, tribal or religious persecution - thousands of men, women and children take the greatest risks to try to survive or live better.
Many of our NGOs are committed with migrants and survivors of disasters, in Lampedusa on other shores. The Council of Europe cannot stand by and do nothing to prevent such tragedies which cannot be left under the sole responsibility of the gateway cities of Europe, as courageous as they are.
We demand respect for the European Convention on Human Rights and the Charter of Fundamental Rights so that the interceptions thrown by Frontex, the '' European Agency for the Management of Operational Cooperation at the External Borders", go along with measures of effective rescue, consistent with human rights and the rights of refugees. Physical strength, in case of shipwreck, must not be the only criterion of admission on our soil !
We call for a review of international treaties on the rights of refugees
We invite the European Union and the Council of Europe Member States to foster a common and effective cooperation and asylum policy, and to intensify the fight against the criminal activity of traffickers and smugglers.
We urge all colleagues to relay this call to parliamentarians and national and local governments of the 47 Member States of the Council of Europe.
Anne -Marie Chavanon Israel Mensah Vera John Mikolajewski
President Vice-President Vice-President
Driven by poverty, political, racial, tribal or religious persecution - thousands of men, women and children take the greatest risks to try to survive or live better.
Many of our NGOs are committed with migrants and survivors of disasters, in Lampedusa on other shores. The Council of Europe cannot stand by and do nothing to prevent such tragedies which cannot be left under the sole responsibility of the gateway cities of Europe, as courageous as they are.
We demand respect for the European Convention on Human Rights and the Charter of Fundamental Rights so that the interceptions thrown by Frontex, the '' European Agency for the Management of Operational Cooperation at the External Borders", go along with measures of effective rescue, consistent with human rights and the rights of refugees. Physical strength, in case of shipwreck, must not be the only criterion of admission on our soil !
We call for a review of international treaties on the rights of refugees
We invite the European Union and the Council of Europe Member States to foster a common and effective cooperation and asylum policy, and to intensify the fight against the criminal activity of traffickers and smugglers.
We urge all colleagues to relay this call to parliamentarians and national and local governments of the 47 Member States of the Council of Europe.
Anne -Marie Chavanon Israel Mensah Vera John Mikolajewski
President Vice-President Vice-President
Above, Amnesty international campaign
EU background notes
Articles 77-80 of the Treaty on the Functioning of the European Union, the Council Directives 2009/50/EC , 2004/83/EC, 2003/9/EC and 2001/55/EC of July 20, 2001 ; Council Regulation (EC) No 343/2003
Council of Europe recent texts
Asylum seekers and refugees: sharing responsibilities in Europe
Doc. 12630, report of the Committee on Migration, Refugees and Population, rapporteur: Mr Chope). Text adopted by the Assembly on 21 June 2011 (22nd Sitting).
Resolution 1820 (2011)1
Recommendation 1973 (2011).
EU background notes
Articles 77-80 of the Treaty on the Functioning of the European Union, the Council Directives 2009/50/EC , 2004/83/EC, 2003/9/EC and 2001/55/EC of July 20, 2001 ; Council Regulation (EC) No 343/2003
Council of Europe recent texts
Asylum seekers and refugees: sharing responsibilities in Europe
Doc. 12630, report of the Committee on Migration, Refugees and Population, rapporteur: Mr Chope). Text adopted by the Assembly on 21 June 2011 (22nd Sitting).
Resolution 1820 (2011)1
Recommendation 1973 (2011).