We, the undersigned professionals of the European film industry want these deaths to stop. We want to remind you that the European Union was founded “on the values of respect for human dignity, freedom, democracy, equality, the rule of law and respect for human rights, including the rights of persons belonging to minorities (…) in a society in which pluralism, non-discrimination, tolerance, justice, solidarity and equality between women and men prevail.” (Article 2, Treaty on European Union 2008)
We appeal to our governments and the E.U. to take immediate action to place these values at the core of their asylum politics:
- The European Union must offer legal ways for people fleeing war, terror, or political persecution to seek protection in the E.U. by setting up infrastructures in their countries of origin, and in third party countries, where they can apply for asylum. This will stop forcing them to take illegal routes and risk their lives.
- European nations must act in solidarity as we are facing the biggest refugee crisis since WWII. The Dublin convention has obviously led to absurd and unjust burdens for the bordering countries of the E.U. Consequently, immediately repealing the Dublin convention and enforcing a better division of refugees across the various E.U. states is a must.
- The European nations must stop hindering those individuals, groups and organisations that are trying to help and support refugees on arrival and throughout their stay. They should instead embrace them as a valuable resource which can support their activities. These people are doing YOUR job.
- The European Countries must create living conditions for refugees that embrace human rights, personal freedom, dignity and physical safety without restriction, and devote the necessary means to ensure that refugees can work legally, get access to education and build a new life.
Europe must act now. Let’s not risk another life.