In response to the European Commission’s communication ‘A comprehensive vision for an integrated European border management system for the 21st Century’, Tim Finch, Director of Communications for the Refugee Council said:

“Good border management at an EU level is in everyone’s interest, but that must include safe and legal routes into Europe for people fleeing for their lives. The Commission’s vision does not address in any meaningful way how the EU is going to live up to its international obligations to offer sanctuary to refugees.

“The number of applications for asylum in the UK and EU are falling, yet the number of refugees globally has increased. It is imperative that the EU remains a place of safety for people fleeing persecution, and that richer European countries don’t leave the poorest countries of the world to shoulder this responsibility. Yet there is still no legal route to claim asylum in any EU country.

“Only this week, a group of people were found close to death in the back of a chemical tanker they had hidden in to flee their homelands. It is shameful that incredibly vulnerable people, including children and victims of torture, are forced into such desperate measures – but this is what happens when borders are sealed so tight. Borders must have doors for refugees who need our help.”

Ends

Notes to editor:

Further information on the Communication: ‘A comprehensive vision for an integrated European border management system for the 21st Century’