On World Refugee Day, the Methodist Church in Ireland echoes the call of non-governmental organisations (NGOs) for the European Union (EU) not to be complicit in refugee lives lost at sea and to end rights violations at Europe’s borders.

The tragic sinking of a trawler off Greece's Peloponnese peninsula last week, reported to have approximately 750 people on board, and particularly the lack of an adequate response by the coastguard authorities, is a consequence of the EU’s failure to allow people seeking protection to reach Europe safely.

As the NGO statement highlights:
"For too many years, we have heard empty words from the European Commission and EU Member States, being “concerned”, “saddened” and “appalled” by the loss of life, without taking action. This time must be different. It is time to finally protect the lives and the rights of people seeking safety in Europe."

As Methodists, we call on our local and European representatives to ensure that this tragedy marks a turning point: to ensure that search and rescue obligations are met; to end human rights abuses and illegal push backs at European borders; and to put in place a European asylum system that guarantees people the right to seek protection in full respect of their rights.

At a local level, we call on everyone living on the island of Ireland to be welcoming to migrants and refugees. We also call on Government and political representatives to continue to work to improve the asylum system and to ensure that anti-immigrant and racist sentiments are being challenged and that misinformation is addressed.

The Methodist Church in Ireland, through its World Mission Partnership, actively supports Mediterranean Hope (MH). Mediterranean Hope is a programme of the Federation of Protestant Churches in Italy (FCEI) which supports refugees and migrants. Every year, MH provide food, water and welcome to thousands of migrants who make the treacherous journey across the Mediterranean. They also work with the Italian Government and EU to change narrative and policy about migration, and to establish safe, legal alternatives to the criminal gangs and unjust systems which continue to exploit vulnerable migrants.

The Methodist Church in Ireland is writing to all Irish MEPs with this call.

ENDS

Jesus was a Refugee (Refugee Week 2022)