EU and member states must do more to prevent further loss of life. Now is the time for action!

22/10/2013 – Further to our statement to the Justice and Home Affairs Council on 8 October in the wake of the shipwreck off the coast of Lampedusa which cost the lives of 360 people, we are reiterating our concerns on European migration policy to heads of state and governments meeting at the European Council on 24-25 October.

17/10/2013 – People who have fled the conflict in Syria, including both Syrian nationals and Palestinian refugees who were living in Syria, are now fleeing discrimination and human rights violations in Egypt.

Given the deplorable detention and deportation measures, it’s not surprising that so many refugees from Syria are leaving Egypt and risking their lives again at sea to reach Europe. What is surprising and shocking is that EU member states appear to be turning a blind eye to the human rights violations by third countries. By closing the borders and preventing the arrival of refugees on European shores, member states are further aggravating the plight of refugees.

More than 100 migrants died off the coast of Lampedusa in the latest tragic accident. © STR/AFP/Getty Images

Dozens of Palestinian police attacked peaceful protesters during two demonstrations in Ramallah in July 2012. © ABBAS MOMANI/AFP/GettyImages