JOIN THE CAMPAIGN

FOR A WELCOMING EUROPE

WELCOMING PEOPLE WITH OPEN ARMS

A growing number of municipalities and regions in Europe are prepared to welcome asylum seekers; and many citizens want to help and show solidarity. We want to make sure that people who want to welcome other people with open arms are actually able to do so, and without being harassed or intimidated.

EU GOVERNMENTS BLOCKING AND CRIMINALISING SOLIDARITY

In today’s European Union, the voice of citizens wanting to welcome refugees and asylum seekers is not taken into account. People and NGOs helping refugees with food and water or rescuing people at sea are even being harassed and criminalised.

We need to stand up for and support the people who are being harassed for their humanity, and reform the Migration and Asylum Pact so that those who want to welcome refugees can do so properly.

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WHAT NEEDS TO CHANGE

Specifically, we want to support the solidarity of NGOs and citizens that are rescuing people, influence decision makers and rally around NGOs that are being criminalised for helping refugees and asylum seekers. We believe that citizens’ initiatives and the work of NGOs should be a starting point in any future solidarity and relocation schemes in Europe.

Also, since the current Pact on Migration & Asylum discussed by European institutions does not address the growing movement of local communities, it needs to be reformed. We want to make sure that it reflects the clear support for “welcoming” initiatives, so that national authorities stop blocking people from welcoming those in need.

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HOW WE WORK FOR A WELCOMING EUROPE

Let’s support solidarity !

  • We support NGOs and citizens that are being harassed, receive threats and are sometimes dragged to court because they rescue refugees and migrants at sea, or because they give them water, food or clothes.
  • We raise awareness around these cases and put pressure on national governments to fight against these worrying trends in many Member States
  • We showcase local initiatives throughout Europe that are ready to welcome asylum seekers and refugees, and amplify their voices on EU level
  • We mobilise EU citizens to take action and put pressure on their local governments to show solidarity and follow the example of other cities and municipalities
  • We team up with NGOs, researchers, think tanks and Green municipalities to raise awareness around these initiatives
  • We advocate for the voluntary reception capacity concept on EU level (to be included in the Migration Pact) and for the fact that the EU should provide financial incentives to municipalities and regions receiving asylum seekers.

OUR CAMPAIGN ACTIVITIES

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©International Federation of Red Cross and Red Crescent Societies (CC BY-NC-ND 2.0)
Refugees boat close o the Greek islands
Press release |

Urgent need for search and rescue mission in the Mediterranean

MEPs have just voted on the need for an EU search and rescue mission in the Mediterranean. The Pylos shipwreck in Greece, which occurred on 14th June, leading to the death of over six hundred men, women and children, is a recent example of countless predictable and preventable deaths at sea. The Greens/EFA Group has long called for an EU-…
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Event |

Exhibition “1000 Dreams”

The interviews and photographs that make up 1000 Dreams have been produced by 50 refugees who currently reside in Europe. Every refugee storyteller went through a workshop and mentorship program, teaching them photography and interviewing skills. It’s a project about refugees, by refugees. 1000 Dreams is a project created and run by Witne…
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European Union
Hemicycle European Parliament Strasbourg
News |

Plenary Flash 10-13 July 2023

On the agenda this week: nature restoration law, Fit for 55 & industrial emissions directive, search & rescue in the Mediterranean, EU Chips Act, ecodesign regulation, ING2/Qatargate,...
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© borderline-europe
Picture of three refugees from Syria on trial for driving the boat
Study |

A legal vacuum - the systematic criminalisation of migrants for driving a boat or car to Greece

This report aims to give new and in-depth insights about the criminalisation of people on the move for "smuggling" in Greece, analysing the current legal framework as well as its practical enforcement. It shows that instead of protecting the rights of smuggled migrants and asylum seekers, these policies criminalise them and expose them to…
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Event |

Afghanistan, where the world failed humanity

Since the Taliban takeover in 2021, Afghan people are living through an absolute nightmare. Women and girls are facing particularly difficult conditions under Taliban rule. During this conference, policymakers, Afghans, and civil society actors will focus on the humanitarian situation in Afghanistan, in particular for women and girls.
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Press release |

Greens/EFA Group will continue to fight for fair & effective approach to migration

The Civil Liberties, Justice and Home Affairs Committee voted on four key files from the Commission’s Pact on Migration. "Overall, we support a reform that improves the situation of refugees and asylum-seekers in the EU but we cannot endorse the current trends towards widespread and prolonged detention at our external borders" said MEP Ti…
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© European Union 2017 - Source : EP
Picture of the European Parliament - Strasbourg
News |

Debriefing of the March I Plenary Session

Greens/EFA priorities for the plenary week included the Energy Performance of Buildings Directive, regulation for Land Use, Land Use Change and Forestry, right for an adequate minimum income, EU Guidelines on Human Rights Defenders, among others.
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©abraham osorio
see rescue
Press release |

Deaths at sea preventable but predictable until EU changes course

Members of the European Parliament will debate the recent, tragic loss of life in the Mediterranean Sea. The Greens/EFA Group called for today’s debate to draw attention to the lack of sea rescue missions, and safe passage for refugees, which is contributing to the high loss of life at the EU’s borders.
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Domenico Lucano Criminalisation of Solidarity - Thumbnail
Domenico Lucano Criminalisation of Solidarity - Thumbnail
Video |

We stand with Domenico Lucano - against Criminalisation of Solidarity

Domenico “Mimmo” Lucano, the former mayor of Riace, was sentenced to 13 years and 2 months in prison for “criminal conspiracy to assist illegal immigration, fraud, embezzlement and abuse of office“.
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© Picture credits: ERIK MARQUARDT
Refugees walking in a field
Study |

Addressing the violation of fundamental rights at the external borders of the European Union

Violations of fundamental rights at the external borders, including pushbacks and violence committed towards third country nationals, have been well-reported and documented by journalists and NGOs. This study looks at infringement proceedings and conditionality in EU funding instruments.

SHOWCASE SOLIDARITY

Since the start of the migration crisis in 2015, over a thousand municipalities in Europe have demonstrated their willingness to welcome asylum-seekers and refugees. But despite the willingness of people across the EU to show compassion, shelter and assistance to refugees, EU asylum policy currently prevents cities and municipalities to receive those in need.

BUT YOU CAN ACT!

Check out our interactive map, and discover the communities that are willing to welcome, place your city there or write to your mayor. Also make sure to read our blog!

Find out what you can do to help