danishdemininggroup.dk: Appeal for Libya

Appeal for Libya

28.02.11

NGOs call on European governments and the European Union to stand with them in helping people who are fleeing Libya. As member of the European Council on Refugees and Exiles (ECRE) the Danish Refugee Council is part of a broad European appeal to the European Union regarding refugees from Libya.

“We need to address the grave situation in Libya, not only because it is taken place right on the borders of Europe – but because it represents a major humanitarian crisis with thousands of civilian victims, says current Chairman of ECRE and Secretary General of the Danish Refugee Council Andreas Kamm

The European Union must not play a cynical, political game in protecting its borders rather than people. The violence and political unrest in Libya is a challenge for European countries and the European Union. How Europe responds to the political unrest in Libya will test our core humanitarian values. Will we assist those fleeing the violence and unrest in Libya, or will we close our borders and watch people die?

Foreigners trapped inside Libya are in a particularly precarious situation. Prior to the uprising, UNHCR registered 8,000 refugees in Libya, from war-torn countries such as Iraq and Somalia. Libyans are also caught up in the violence. The fate of these people will depend on whether they can find a safe route out of the country. Many are heading for Tunisia, a country that is struggling with its own political and economic challenges.

The European Council on Refugees and Exiles represents seventy non-governmental organisations across Europe. We call on European governments and the European Union to take a stand with us in preparing to help people fleeing the chaos in Libya. There is an immediate and urgent need to offer humanitarian assistance to the countries in the region to receive and identify people who need protection.

At the same time we cannot ask countries in the region to take sole responsibility for all the people fleeing Libya. The European Union must act responsibly and humanely together with countries in the region in hosting a fair share of the refugees. European NGOs have capabilities that can be made available to receive refugees. We urge governments and the European Union to use the tools and resources it has in cooperation with civil society. Europe responded to previous crises by providing a safe haven. We can and should do the same now.

Photo by UNHCR

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