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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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.
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Christopher Jahn/IFRC (CC BY-NC-ND 2.0)
migrants greece
Event |

Resilience and resistance: the criminalisation of solidarity across Europe

Join us for a live event on 29 June in European Parliament on the increasing criminalisation of migration and solidarity with refugees. What are the challenges, what could be the solutions?
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© Picture credits: PEXELS - PHOTO BY RODNAE PRODUCTION
Solidarity
Study |

Resilience and Resistance - a case study

Acting in solidarity with migrants and refugees in the EU has been difficult for years. Our study found that between January 2021 and March 2022, no less than 89 people have been criminalised for helping migrants and refugees. The EU must take immediate action to fight against the crackdown on solidarity and prevent the criminalisation of…
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©maria-teneva
Picture of a façade with banner Refugees welcome
Event |

European Parlamentarians with Mimmo Lucano Against Criminalization of Solidarity

Too many citizens and local authorities - like the the former mayor of Riace (Italy) - are facing prosecution and sentences for acting in solidarity with those seeking refuge in the EU. Three MEPs from progressive groups will travel to Riace beginning of June to show their support and speak out in an event organised with Mimmo Lucano.
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Press release |

Migration : solidarity should not be a crime

A delegation of MEPs from progressive groups held a press conference with the former mayor of Riace Domenico “Mimmo” Lucano who was sentenced to 13 years and 2 months in prison for criminal conspiracy to assist illegal immigration. MEPs wanted to express their solidarity with Mimmo Lucano and to highlight their commitment in favour of an…
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Erik Marquardt
ukraine poland refugees
Opinion |

Letters from Lviv, Ukraine - MEP Erik Marquardt visits the Polish-Ukrainian border

Erik Marquardt
Opinion by Erik Marquardt
Almost three million people have fled the Ukraine to seek safety in the EU. Read about MEP Erik Marquardt’s visit to the border between Ukraine and Poland.

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