Sadly, largely the tone and narratives on migration is becoming increasingly hostile. Government policies and political discourses convey a commitment to pursue with relentless gusto an anti-migration agenda unless it serves its domestic priorities.
The purpose of this torrent of hostile anti-migration policies across Europe is to force migrants into pathways of inhumane and degrading treatment that violates their humanity, human rights and for some their right to life.
What can we do?
Migrant Action is working with partner across the UK and in Europe to mark the 3rd of October as a day of ‘Welcome and Memory’. This campaign commemorates October 3rd when 368 people including children, women and men lost their lives in a shipwreck off the coast of Lampedusa. http://www.snapshotsfromtheborders.eu/
Please support the Snapshots from the Borders campaign for a human rights-based approach to migration and solidarity with migrants.
The aim is to get 25 000 signatures to push the EU parliament for policy change, and to shift towards a human rights-based approach to migration. Over 10,000 people have signed so far, please help us reach our target, and enable representation for this in the European Parliament.
You can sign the petition here: bit.ly/2LHJ6W6 and forward to your networks.
If you are in Leeds or able to travel to Leeds, We’d also like to invite you to come to our free screenings of 2 Award-winning films, which we are putting on with Leeds Film Festival:
24th October: To the Four Winds – the story of a ‘heroic’ French people smuggler, who helps migrants to safety. 5-7pm at Leeds University, Rupert Beckett Lecture Theatre, Michael Sadler Building. Free food and drinks!
30th October: Revenir – a unique insight, which follows the ‘real-life’ journey of a migrant from the Ivory Coast. 6-8pm Belgrave Music Hall. Free drinks for the first 40 people
Let’s work together in solidarity to change policy and make a difference in people’s lives!
Migrant Action Director Fidelis Chebe sharing the campaign on Fever FM