Category Archives: Migration & Asylum

Migration and asylum are human rights issues. Frequently, individuals and families leave their places of origin or residence seeking an improvement in their living conditions or simply fleeing violence or war.
The current scale of the phenomenon at the EU borders is worrying, as are the tragedies and deaths that result from the desperation of migrants, many of them victims of criminal activities of smugglers and traffickers. Integration of migrants and asylum seekers is also a challenge.
The COMECE Secretariat works for the rights of migrants, refugees and hosting societies to be harmonised and respected in the EU for the sake of the common good in the Christian spirit of welcoming the stranger.
COMECE is assisted in this mission by a Working Group on Migration and Asylum.
Migration & Asylum, Policy Areas, Press

Press Release

STATEMENT | International Migrants Day, “let’s advance the cause of humanity through a fair and just EU Pact on Migration and Asylum”

On the occasion of the International Migrants Day celebrated on 18 December 2023, the Commission of the Bishops’ Conferences of the European Union (COMECE) wishes to express some underlying principles that should guide the ongoing trilogue negotiations on the EU Pact on Migration and Asylum.   These principles should orient the policy makers to put in place legislations and mechanisms that ensure a fair, just … Continue reading »

Migration & Asylum, Policy Areas, Press

Press Release

Position paper on EU legislation on Labour Migration released by the Christian Group on Migration and Asylum

The Commission of the Bishops’ Conferences of the European Union (COMECE) shares on Wednesday 29 November 2023 the Position Paper elaborated by the Christian Group on Migration and Asylum in view of the negotiations between EU institutions regarding the legislation on Labour Migration. Download the Position Paper The document includes comments on the recast of the Single Permit Directive and of the Long-term Residence Directive … Continue reading »

Migration & Asylum, Policy Areas, Press

News

Santa Marta Group presents its strategic plan to enhance the fight against human trafficking

On Wednesday, 10 May 2023, COMECE facilitated a series of dialogue meetings between a delegation of the Santa Marta Group and members of the European Parliament. The discussions addressed ways to enhance the fight against trafficking in human beings. The delegation of the Group was led by H.E. Mgr. William Kenney CP, who presented the strategic plan of the Santa Marta Group to a number … Continue reading »

Migration & Asylum, Policy Areas, Press

Press Release

Statement of the General Secretary of COMECE on the Morocco-Spain border cross tragic incident

Following the tragic incident that occurred on 25 June 2022, when around 2,000 migrants crossing from Morocco tried to break through the Melilla border fence, Fr. Manuel Barrios Prieto, General Secretary of the Commission of the Bishops’ Conferences of the European Union (COMECE), releases on Monday 27 June 2022 the following statement (EN – ES). “COMECE laments the death of dozens of migrants and asylum … Continue reading »