AMNESTY INTERNATIONAL
MEDIA ADVISORY
European paralysis forces tens of thousands of asylum-seekers to live in appalling conditions
• One year on from promises to relocate over 66,000 asylum-seekers from Greece, just 6% relocated
• Press resource pack with case studies, data and photographs
• Spokespeople available for interview
A year after EU leaders agreed on an emergency relocation scheme to share responsibility for asylum-seekers, tens of thousands remain stranded in appalling conditions in Greece, Amnesty International revealed in a new briefing published today.
Our hope is broken provides detailed case studies, evidence and data on the ways in which European Governments’ lack of political will is condemning extremely vulnerable people to crippling insecurity and hardship. It reveals that just 6% of the commitments for relocation from Greece have been fulfilled.
“At the current rate it will take 16 years to fulfill the relocation commitments made a year ago. It is shameful that Europe cannot put politics aside and solve this humanitarian crisis by fairly sharing responsibility for a relatively small number of refugees,” said Monica Costa, Migration Campaigner at Amnesty International.
“European governments must live up to their pledges and provide the protection, hope and dignity that asylum-seekers deserve. To do this they must increase the number of relocation places, speed up the process, grant humanitarian visas and establish fast-track and accessible family reunification procedures.”
For more information or to arrange an interview contact
Amnesty International press office in Brussels on [email protected] +322 5482773
or Stefan Simanowitz in London on [email protected] +44 2030365599