Refugee Council statement
Pavarotti, Bill Morris, Isabel Allende and others join refugee agencies to call on European decision-makers to fulfil international obligations on refugee protection
Just before senior government ministers from around the world re-pledge their commitment to the principles of the Geneva Convention for Refugees, Luciano Pavarotti, Bill Morris, Anita Roddick, Isabel Allende, Bianca Jagger, Roddy Doyle, Mariella Frostrup, Felipe Gonzalez, Bertrand Tavernier and many others are joining the European Council on Refugees and Exiles (ECRE) to call on EU Governments to demonstrate this commitment in practice.
The "full and effective" re-affirmation to the Refugee Convention takes place in the same week as the Laeken Summit where Prime Minister Tony Blair and other heads of government are set to discuss the future of the European Union, including common asylum and immigration policies.
ECRE appeal signatory Bill Morris, General Secretary of the Transport and General Worker's Union said: "This country has a proud, centuries old tradition of offering a safe haven to those in need, and has become the richer for it. So I am heartened to see our Government reaffirm its commitment to the 1951 Refugee Convention. It is as relevant today as it ever was - and its principles of humanity, respect and sanctuary should be the guiding light of asylum policies for the 21st century, for every nation. Rich western countries should not be using immigration policies to plug their skills shortages yet turn those fleeing war or persecution away. The EU nations should be setting the best standards of provision for refugees, not erecting the highest barriers."
More follows
Over two hundred European prominent public figures ranging from pop stars, actresses and bishops to authors and comedians signed up to the appeal by ECRE. Details of the appeal, along with the full list of signatories from each country are being published by ECRE to commemorate the 50th anniversary of the Geneva Convention. The pamphlet, Europe and Refugees: Freedom, Security and Justice? is being launched at a high profile event of the same title taking place in Brussels on 10 December looking ahead to issues of the EU summit which opens on 14 December. The ECRE event unites over 70 different European NGOs with senior figures.
Refugee Council Chief Executive and ECRE Chair Nick Hardwick said: "Positive commitments were made at the Tampere Summit two years ago but since then, the priority seems to have been trying to keep people out instead of exploring how to fairly share our responsibilities to help vulnerable people we have an international duty to protect. The Laeken Summit must produce a commitment to setting standards based on the best, not the worst practice from across Europe and to tackling the global poverty, poor governance and other root causes of refugee flight. These words must then be translated into action."
ENDS
Note to Editors:
1. The ECRE event takes place on Monday 10 December from 9am at the Theatre du Residence Palace, Rue de la Loi 155, B-1040 Brussels.
Speakers include Eddy Boutmans, State Secretary from the Belgium Government, Gustaaf Borchardt, Director of DG Justice and Home Affairs, European Commission, Aminullah Habbibi, a refugee from Afghanistan, Nick Hardwick, ECRE chair and Refugee Council Chief Executive. Interviews can be arranged through Peer Baneke 078082956 or in Brussels through Irene Donadio 0497427421.
2. Senior government ministers from around the world meet in Geneva on 12/13 December to reaffirm their commitment to the Refugee Convention in response to an invitation from the Government of Switzerland and UNHCR. This pledge recognises the heavy burden borne by developing countries and that the refugee protection regime should be developed further to "strengthen" the 1951 Convention and its Protocol. The declaration also calls for a continuing commitment to "respect for the rights and freedoms of refugees", inviting states who have not yet signed up to it to do so.
3. The EU Summit takes place at Laeken, Belgium on 14/15 December.
