Is border security more important than human life?: World Refugee Day

Since 1993 at least 8,000 migrants and refugees have died trying to enter 'fortress' Europe; that's equivalent to three people every two days.  Indiscriminate and inhumane border controls force desperate people to take even greater risks to flee extreme poverty, persecution and war.

On 20 June, World Refugee Day, Jesuit Refugee Service Europe (JRS) is calling on governments to reflect on this needless loss of life and act to place human rights above tight border security.  While governments have a right to manage their borders, this right is not absolute.  They also have obligations to protect those fleeing persecution and serious human rights abuses, and do all in their power to prevent unnecessary loss of life.

To remember those who died, JRS, in cooperation with Kerkwerk Multicultureel Samenleven, held an inter-religious prayer vigil 'Chemin sans Issue' in Saint Roch Church in Brussels on 15 June.  Christians, Muslims and Buddhists paid their respects to those who never reached Europe alive.

'We wish to highlight these inhumane policies which give border security precedence to human rights protection.  We hope by raising public awareness others will not suffer the same fate' JRS Europe Director, Jan Stuyt SJ, stated.

European policies increasingly restrict entry into Europe.  Border fences are higher and patrols have been intensified.  Air and sea companies are fined for carrying undocumented migrants and immigration officials are sent to countries of origin to prevent migrants and refugees from leaving in the first place.  However, these policies do not deter people from trying to enter Europe.  Rather, they force the most vulnerable individuals to seek more and more dangerous and desperate methods of entry.

For more information about the victims of 'fortress' Europe, click on the link below, or visit the JRS-UK website.


 Victims of 'fortress' Europe

 JRS-UK