{"id":8873,"date":"2022-03-16T09:18:55","date_gmt":"2022-03-16T09:18:55","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.migpolgroup.com\/?p=8873"},"modified":"2025-04-18T07:47:58","modified_gmt":"2025-04-18T07:47:58","slug":"wea-statement-ukrainian-refugee-crisis","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.migpolgroup.com\/index.php\/2022\/03\/16\/wea-statement-ukrainian-refugee-crisis\/","title":{"rendered":"Statement from the Welcoming Europe Alliance (WEA) regarding the Ukrainian refugee crisis"},"content":{"rendered":"
[vc_row][vc_column][vc_single_image image=”8874″][\/vc_column][\/vc_row][vc_row][vc_column][vc_column_text]The Welcoming Europe Alliance (WEA), a network of grassroot NGOs across Europe that campaigns for a more \u2018Welcoming Europe\u2019, has issued the following statement:<\/span><\/span><\/span><\/p>\n

Statement from the Welcoming Europe Alliance (WEA) regarding the Ukrainian refugee crisis<\/span><\/span>\u00a0<\/span><\/span><\/h2>\n

Grassroot NGOs across Europe\u00a0applaud the welcoming response of EU member states to refugees from Ukraine and call for this solidarity to be extended to all refugees.<\/b>\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

BRUSSELS 14 March 2022 \u2014 In recent weeks, Europe has been reminded of the full horror of war, with Russia\u2019s full-scale invasion of Ukraine and the bombing of civilian populations, hospitals, and schools, leading to at least 1,300 civilian casualties (UNHCR).\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

The subsequent exodus of over two million refugees (UNHCR) has, however, been met by an extraordinary display of solidarity, with EU member states opening their borders to Ukrainian refugees by activating\u00a0the Temporary Protection Directive<\/a> in record time.\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

Members of the Welcoming Europe Alliance \u2014 a network of grassroot NGOs across Europe that campaigns for a more \u2018Welcoming Europe\u2019 \u2014 applaud this act of solidarity. Indeed, the welcoming response shown by EU member states goes a long way to fulfilling the goals of the alliance.\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

WEA members point out, however, that there is still work to be done. While the response to Ukrainian refugees has been so encouraging, refugees of other nationalities, ethnicities and religions have not always received the same treatment. Although the recent response by EU member states should be commended, they highlight the existence of \u2018double standards\u2019, forcing us to question the uneven \u2014 and unfair \u2014 treatment of refugees. \u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

Rather than criticising governments\u2019 actions, the alliance proposes that the recent approach can serve as a \u2018roadmap\u2019 to the future treatment of all refugees, as outlined by WEA\u2019s spokesperson below:\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

\u201cWe, WEA and its network of grassroot NGO members across Europe, applaud the speed and action taken by EU member states in relation to the Ukrainian refugee crisis. Such action is a testament to what is possible and provides a roadmap for the treatment of all refugees\u201d \u2014 Richard Girling, WEA spokesperson.<\/i>\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

Subsequently, we call on EU member states, in accordance with the 1951 Geneva Convention and Universal Declaration of Human Rights,\u00a0to use the positive example of the welcoming response shown to Ukrainian refugees, and to extend it to all refugees<\/i> fleeing war, violence, conflict or persecution, irrespective of their nationality, ethnicity, religion, belief, or sexual orientation.\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n[\/vc_column_text][\/vc_column][\/vc_row][vc_row][vc_column][vc_separator][\/vc_column][\/vc_row][vc_row][vc_column][vc_column_text]\n

About the Welcoming Europe Alliance (WEA)<\/h2>\n