Thursday, September 17, 2015

Chain Reaction - #refugeeswelcome - VIDEO

Published on Sep 16, 2015, 1:10 min

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     On Sunday 13th September 2015, Amnesty International Italy, Art for Amnesty and the Italian NGO "Insieme Si Può" organised a massive 'human chain' event, linking arms around the three peaks of Lavaredo, a mountain within the Dolomites mountain range in Italy.. An estimated 5,000-6,000 people joined in. Participants in the human chain signed a human rights manifesto including support for refugees and migrants. Signatures will be sent to Italian Foreign Minister, Paolo Gentiloni, and to Federica Mogherini, High Representative of the European Union for Foreign Affairs and Security Policy. We face the biggest refugee crisis since World War II. Millions of people are fleeing unthinkable violence and abuse in their home countries – from barrel bombing and gas attacks in Syria, to torture and enslavement in Eritrea. A shameful response.
     Since January 2015, over 411,000 people, most of them refugees, have embarked on dangerous journeys in search of safety in Europe. Over 2900 have died in the attempt. Disgracefully, their hardships are far from over when they reach it. This is unacceptable. The greatest impact of this crisis is not felt on our doorstep – or even in Europe. Lebanon hosts more than one million refugees from Syria alone, making up a quarter of its population. Countries like Pakistan, Ethiopia and Chad are also hosting refugee populations that put most European nations to shame. EU leaders must show some humanity.European institutions must deliver a coordinated and effective response to this crisis that ensures refugees arriving in Europe receive the welcome and support they’re entitled to.