Caritas Europa decries restrictions on immigration
March 16, 2017
Caritas Europa, an umbrella organization for Catholic relief agencies in Europe, has issued a statement denouncing the European Union’s March 2016 agreement curbing the flow of immigrants from Turkey.
Free eBook:
|
| Free eBook: Ecclesiastical Minefield |
The Caritas Europa statement, issued on the anniversary of the agreement, said that the “shameful” deal has “left thousands of people stranded in inhumane and degrding conditions in Greece, inevitably resulting in others taking more dangerous routes to seek protection in the EU.”
“We need a paradigm shift and must stop criminalizing migration,” said Jorge Nuño Mayer, the secretary-general of Caritas Europa. The group called upon EU nations to accept more immigrants, ensure protection of their human rights, open procedures for seeking asylum, and provide safe routes for migrants seeking to reach Europe. The statement argued:
The EU-Turkey deal is not a solution, since it fails to respect basic human rights and shifts the governments’ responsibilities under humanitarian and international law back to countries of origin and of transit.
For all current news, visit our News home page.
Further information:
All comments are moderated. To lighten our editing burden, only current donors are allowed to Sound Off. If you are a current donor, log in to see the comment form; otherwise please support our work, and Sound Off!
-
Posted by: [email protected] -
Mar. 17, 2017 10:30 PM ET USA
Europe may finally be waking up and Caritas Europa objects. It is time for legal and controlled immigration everywhere. This lack of control causes chaos and disrespect for the citizens and country they enter. Some of our leftist bishops need realize the same truths and stop and think about we the citizens and the impacts they are creating. Chaos and division will be the greater result if they continue.
