EU policy contravenes human rights

Louise Zanré, JRS UK national director, will be one of the speakers at a press briefing tomorrow at which first-hand evidence on the destitution of migrants in Europe will be presented.  Throughout Europe thousands of migrants are deprived access to education, social welfare, housing, health care and employment.

Research done in the last six years by JRS (Jesuit Refugee Service) shows that destitution is a consequence of EU member state policies that exclude migrants from society.  Illustrative is the case of migrants who cannot be returned due to circumstances that are out of their control, such as ongoing violence in their home country.  They are allowed to remain in the member state with virtually no economic and social support.  Their estrangement makes them vulnerable to racism and xenophobia.

Ms Zanré will describe how state policies force migrants into destitution, based on her daily contact with destitute migrants in London.  Also on the platform will be Mr Stefan Kessler, JRS Europe senior policy and advocacy officer. 'Destitution is a human rights violation', says Mr Kessler. 'The EU cannot allow member states to make migrants destitute because doing so contravenes the core values of the Union - respect for the human rights of all persons living in Europe'.

The press briefing will take place on Tuesday, 29 March, at Les Ateliers des Tanneurs, Brussels, from 09:10 to 09:45am.  For more details, contact Philip Amaral, policy and communications officer, JRS Europe, Tel: +32 2 250 32 23 / Mobile: +32 485 173 766 / Email: europe.advocacy@jrs.net / www.jrseurope.org


 JRS Europe