The EU is moving to a migration policy that reinforces its external dimension. After the EU-Turkey “deal” and Partnerships with some African countries, a new agreement between Italy and Libya, endorsed by EU leaders, has been signed last 2 February, to help the UN-backed Libyan government curb migration. In fact, the Central Mediterranean corridor is currently the main entry point for migrants and refugees, especially … Continue reading »

Migration : UNHCR welcomes moral stand of Bishop Zsifkovics UNHCR, the UN Refugee Agency pays tribute to the moral stand of the Bishop of Eisenstadt and COMECE member who, in 2015, “refused to allow a border fence to keep out refugees to be built on church land, and helped to change Austrian government policy on border security.” The Eisenstadt diocese gave temporary shelter to 1,000 … Continue reading »

The reform of the Common European Asylum System (CEAS) proposed by the EU Commission, despite some positive developments, does not implement the expected higher protection standards in what should be a fair asylum system. This is the assessment formulated by COMECE together with Christian Churches and organisations working in the area of migration & asylum in a response submitted to the EU Commission and the … Continue reading »

Mass migration prompted by global conflict and ecological crises has stirred up unresolved fears in European societies. Understanding and responding to this was the central theme of a dialogue seminar that took place on 24 October between churches and the European Commission. Participants in the seminar identified two widely experienced types of fear. The first is the fear of rejection, violence, and exclusion many migrants … Continue reading »