MSF denounces the inhuman attitude of Europe

(B2) "We will remember this year as the one in which the European Union catastrophically failed in its responsibilities to meet the urgent assistance and protection needs of thousands of vulnerable people." The report just published by Médecins Sans Frontières (MSF) is a real wake-up call.

Migrating to Europe: an obstacle course

For the humanitarian organization - which has chartered a ship in the Mediterranean since May, the Argos Bourbon —, the European Union and its Member States have caused more dangers for migrants with the implementation of anti-immigration policies for its last 15 years and particularly in 2015. Facts of “police and military intimidation, complex and constantly changing registration procedures” have made the migrant route a real " obstacle course ".

MSF recommendations

MSF urges the European Union to set up a rescue system at sea “as close as possible to the departure points of the boats”, to provide migrants with the means for asylum seekers to apply "including at the external borders such as Evros, between Turkey and Greece" and “investing in an intra-European relocation system and the creation of safe passages ". Lastly, it calls on the European Union to “put an end to acts of violence by the authorities and criminal groups”.

(Johanna Bouquet)

NB: in 2015, more than one million people fled to Europe.

Download the report "Obstacle Course to Europe" or to read on the MSF website