Europe urgently needs to convene a humanitarian conference on Syrian refugee crisis
Pressrelease from the Alliance of Liberals and Democrats for Europe
In addition to pushing for a political solution to end the civil war in Syria and taking a strong and targeted response to deter possible future use of chemical weapons, the EU should take convene a major Conference focused especially on the Syrian refugee and humanitarian crisis with a view to facilitating temporary access for those fleeing the conflict to EU countries.
Cecilia Wikstrom (Folkpartiet, Sweden), who is author of Parliament’s report on the Dublin Convention for a fairer distribution of asylum seekers between Member States said:
“People smugglers are trawling round refugee camps on Syria’s burdens with offers of transport to EU countries in return for substantial payments, further exploiting the misery and suffering of Syrian civilians and their families. Winter is approaching and the camps lack food, medicine and shelter from the cold.”
“EU Member States have the capacity and moral duty to offer protection to these Syrian refugees. It is better to provide safe and legal entry than leave them to the mercy of ruthless.”
“We have been working hard to set up a common European asylum system that offers fair and equal treatment to those seeking protection. The EU should consider issuing temporary humanitarian visas for Syrians fleeing their country with Member States committing to share the responsibility, just as they would commit money at a donor conference.”
