International Migrants Day

On the occasion of International Migrants Day – 18 December, Caritas Bulgaria joins Caritas Europe’s call to promote the protection of migrants and recognise their contribution to European societies.
The position also states that Europe is increasingly focusing on policies that deter arrivals and speed up their returns, while seeking to shift its responsibilities to countries outside the EU. These new policies, such as the new EU Pact on Asylum and Migration, risk jeopardising access to asylum and leading to widespread detention and poor living conditions of migrants in EU border states. But these factors do not discourage people from trying to improve their lives and from undertaking often dangerous journeys to Europe.
Risky attempts to cross borders expose migrants, including unaccompanied children, to violence and detention, both during their journeys and upon their arrival in Europe. According to the latest figures, more than 30,000 migrants have died in the Mediterranean since 2014. Despite these alarming figures, European governments seem determined to tighten their restrictive policies.
Caritas Europa proposes an alternative agenda that facilitates human mobility through simplified access to visas, work permits and family reunification. It is essential that European policies reflect and uphold human dignity and guarantee equal opportunities for all, creating a society in which everyone feels valued and respected.
According to Maria Nyman, Secretary General of Caritas Europa, “Migrants are denied fundamental rights and face stigma. It is time for Europe to create an environment in which everyone can flourish and contribute, realizing their full potential in a truly inclusive way.”
You can read more about Caritas Europa’s position here