The Council conclusions on migration painfully show that the expressions of sadness and solidarity were nothing more than crocodile tears. Europe’s priority clearly is not to save lives or to protect people along the borders. Instead it is to prevent people from arriving in Europe at all costs, even if those people are in need of safety and protection. 

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