Amnesty International blasts EU over Syrian refugee policy

[Thanas]

Guardian

EU countries should 'hang their heads in shame' for resettling so few trying to flee conflict, Amnesty International says


The UK has been heavily criticised by Amnesty International for failing to resettle vulnerable Syrian refugees. Amnesty said the government should "hang its head in shame" for not opening its borders to the some of the millions of people displaced by continuing violence in Syria. The UK is one of a number of European Union countries who have offered no resettlement or humanitarian places, Amnesty said. The government says it has no plans to plans to resettle or provide temporary protection to Syrians, but would consider individual asylum claims.

Amnesty International's secretary-general, Salil Shetty, said: "Across the board European leaders should hang their heads in shame."

The number of Syrians the EU was prepared to resettle was "truly pitiful", he said.

"The EU has miserably failed to play its part in providing a safe haven to the refugees who have lost all but their lives. The EU must open its borders, provide safe passage and halt these deplorable human rights violations."

Earlier this week the international development secretary, Justine Greening, said Britain would provide a further £60m to help Syrian refugees get through the third winter of fighting. Greening said the cash would go towards winter tents, shelter materials, warm clothing and heaters for thousands of families, as well as clean water, food, heating fuel and healthcare for refugees in Syria and neighbouring countries.

She warned of fears that this would be "the worst winter yet" because of severe weather conditions and crowded refugee camps susceptible to the rapid spread of life-threatening illnesses such as pneumonia. Britain has committed £500m to help those affected by the Syrian conflict – Britain's largest ever response to a humanitarian crisis.

Amnesty International said 55,000 refugees from Syria had reached an EU country and claimed asylum, but many had risked their lives to do so. So far 10 member states have together offered 12,000 humanitarian places to those affected by the crisis – 0.5% of the 2.3 million people who have fled Syria.Germany has been the most generous, according to the charity, pledging to take 10,000 refugees. France has offered just 500 places and Spain 30.

A Home Office spokesman said: "The UK has no plans to resettle or provide temporary protection to Syrians. Instead, we are giving as much help as possible to people in the region. We are one of the highest international donors to the Syrian relief effort – our £500m pledged so far is more than the other EU member states combined."

For a "propaganda mouthpiece of the west" they sure seem to be pretty mouthy.

[Siege]

I would tend to agree that the current numbers are ridiculous. The Netherlands for example pledged to accept 50 refugees. It'd be hilarious if it weren't so pathetic and insulting. Two million people on the run and winter's coming but don't worry gentlemen, we'll take fifty people! That'll surely be a relief!

A more honest statement would be "we're too busy with our own financial navel-gazing to worry about Middle Eastern people freezing to death, so tough luck you're on your own".

[Dr. Trainwreck]

Can't an EU state recognize them as refugees on its own and issue them UN passports? I'm pretty certain such a thing as a UN passport exists and allows a refugee to travel to any UN member country they wish.

You know some years back, I wrote an essay about the EU to participate in a visit to Strasburg; it's some EU school program whose name I can't remember. I am sad because that essay must still be somewhere gathering dust, looking more ridiculous by the minute.

[Irbis]

Can't an EU state recognize them as refugees on its own and issue them UN passports? I'm pretty certain such a thing as a UN passport exists and allows a refugee to travel to any UN member country they wish.

If a politician wants to lose his career to all the brain dead, outraged rightmost strata of political scene, sure. There are already parties that want to ban legal migrants and EU wide freedom of movement, and you want to let in refugees? Who are probably all brown skinned terrorists anyway?

You know some years back, I wrote an essay about the EU to participate in a visit to Strasburg; it's some EU school program whose name I can't remember. I am sad because that essay must still be somewhere gathering dust, looking more ridiculous by the minute.

But... but... states rights!

Typing this I couldn't help but notice the irony and similarity to USA. Oh well.