WeMove Europe is an independent and values-based organisation that seeks to build people power to transform Europe in the name of our community, future generations and the planet.
While the right to asylum was finally reinstated in Greece in May 2020, violence against asylum seekers continues across EU borders, including in Greece. [1] This is why we launched an official complaint to the European Commission to investigate and end violence and abuse against asylum seekers. You can follow developments of our case by signing this petition: https://act.wemove.eu/campaigns/moria-in-flames
At the end of the year, we also learned that the EU's border agency known as Frontex helped Greek border guards attack asylum seekers, forcing them away from EU waters and leaving them stranded at sea. [2] The allegations claim that Frontex is not only involved in human rights abuses, but tried to cover them up. Even their director, Fabrice Leggeri, knew about these violations and lied to our elected representatives. You can follow developments of our campaign asking for Leggeri to resign immediately by signing this petition: https://act.wemove.eu/campaigns/leggeri-resign-now
[1] https://www.unhcr.org/news/press/2021/1/601121344/unhcr-warns-asylum-under-attack-europes-borders-urges-end-pushbacks-violence.html
[2] https://www.bellingcat.com/news/2020/10/23/frontex-at-fault-european-border-force-complicit-in-illegal-pushbacks/
Ursula von der Leyen (President of the European Commission), Charles Michel (President of the European Council) and David Sassoli (President of the European Parliament)
Petition
Given the worrisome response of Greece and Europe on the Greece-Turkey border, we call on you to
:- Ensure humanitarian assistance is provided to all those in need
- Refrain immediately from the use of violence
- Reinstate the internationally recognised right to seek asylum and the principle of non-refoulement that are also emphasised in EU law
Why is this important?
Greek police are firing teargas and smoke grenades at hundreds of people on the Turkey-Greek border fleeing war and poverty. [1] Yesterday, a child died after a boat capsized off the Greek island of Lesbos. [2]
Rather than protect people, all three Presidents of the EU institutions support Greece in their blatant disregard of international law -- for using violence, and suspending asylum applications. [3]
Not only are they supporting Greece’s illegal efforts to close borders, they intend to strengthen these acts and send additional forces from Europe’s border police, Frontex.
Sign to tell them that we will not stand for this. They alone do not make up Europe. We do. And the Europe we want is one that protects people and puts humanity first. We stand united in condemning all forms of violence against any human being.
References:
- https://www.independent.co.uk/news/world/europe/greece-turkey-refugee-crisis-tear-gas-police-border-a9366456.html; https://www.theguardian.com/world/2020/feb/28/tensions-rise-between-turkey-and-russia-after-killing-of-troops-in-syria
- https://edition.cnn.com/2020/03/02/europe/greece-turkey-migrant-child-drowns-intl/index.html
- https://twitter.com/vonderleyen/status/1233828575029186567 ; https://twitter.com/eucopresident/status/1234188948735430656
Tweet to Ursula von der Leyen (President of the European Commission), Charles Michel (President of the European Council) and David Sassoli (President of the European Parliament)
All three Presidents of the EU institutions will be at the Greek-Turkish border to support Greece in their blatant disregard of international law -- for using violence and suspending asylum applications.
But they alone do not make up Europe. We do. Send them a tweet to let them know that the Europe we want is one that protects people and puts humanity first.
Send a tweet
Next step - spread the word
Humanity First
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Can you spread the word?
Humanity First