On behalf of our members, Anglican, Orthodox and Protestant Churches and Christian service, relief and development organizations, and based on our extensive experience of working with people in situations of extreme precariousness and vulnerability we callon you in your discussion at the Informal Justice and Home Affairs Council to commit to a unified, ambitious and rights based refugee and migration policy.
We, along with many people in Europe and the rest of the world cannot accept the death, destitution and dehumanizing across our Union that is a direct result of asylum and migration policies that are unrealistic, unfocused on human beings and lack solidarity. The resulting loss of life or social and economic deprivation experienced by those coming to Europe has shown the urgent need for the European Union and its Member States to agree and act on a new approach to asylum and migration whether it be towards economic migrants, refugees or asylum seekers. As Ministers for Justice and Home Affairs you have the opportunity and the responsibility to ensure policies concerning migrants, asylum seekers and refugees meet the needs of those affected as well as the expectations of people across Europe who believe that Europe should provide refuge, protection and opportunity for those who need it.
Read the full statement here.