Migration and Asylum
Violent conflicts have erupted on Europe’s doorsteps in recent years. Refugees find it increasingly difficult to enter Europe and access effective protection. Increasingly high numbers of refugees stranded at European borders underline the need to extend solidarity with those who cannot access European territory.
Through the Churches’ Commission for Migrants in Europe we take initiatives to promote meaningful forms of refugee protection, in particular the resettlement of refugees to Europe. CCME cooperates with European Institutions, Member Churches, organisations and relevant networks to achieve its aims.
Work in this area includes:
- Safe Passage
- Refugee Protection
- Anti-Trafficking in Human Beings
- Uniting in Diversity
- Inclusive Communities
- Migration and development
- European Churches responding to migration
For more information and resources on Migration and Asylum, please visit CCME website.
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Do not forget to show hospitality to strangers: Statement on external borders of the EU especially the Mediterranean
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Together the Churches’ Commission for Migrants in Europe (CCME), the Conference of European Churches, and the World Council of Churches grieve the drowning of hundreds of migrants in the Mediterranean. As many as 700 people are feared dead following the capsizing of their vessel just outside Libyan waters. Rescue efforts are underway and so far 28 survivors have been found.
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9 Nov, 2014
Press Release: Council of Europe Sides with CEC on Human Rights complaint
The European Committee of Social Rights has delivered a decision in favour of the Conference of European Churches in its complaint against the Netherlands. In early 2013, CEC asked the Committee to find that the right of undocumented adult migrants to food, clothing, and shelter has not been respected, in violation of the European Social Charter.
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1 Oct, 2014
CCME Press Release: Remembering persons who have lost their lives calls for a commitment to prevent such catastrophes
One year after the tragedy off the shores of Lampedusa, persons across Europe remember the persons who have lost their lives in this and many other incidents in the Mediterranean Sea. The Churches’ Commission for Migrants in Europe takes this opportunity to call on churches, governments, European institutions and people across Europe for a commitment to prevent such catastrophes.
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28 Jun, 2014
CCME 19th General Assembly
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25 Jun, 2014
CCME Press Release: Ecumenical European meeting on “Crossing borders – at what price?”
The 19th General Assembly of the Churches’ Commission for Migrants in Europe (CCME) started on 26 June at the Sigtuna Foundation. The Church of Sweden and the Christian Council of Sweden, the two Swedish member organisations in CCME, are hosting the event in Sigtuna. One of the issues discussed on the opening day is how the churches can influence European countries to take greater responsibility for the refugee crises in our vicinity.
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Press Release: Commemorate Persons who lost their lives on their way to seek safety
The Assembly of the Conference of European Churches held in Budapest in July 2013 has renewed the call on churches to “to commemorate those who have died on their journey to find a dignified life in Europe through an annual day of prayer.”
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Europäische Konferenz in Frankfurt/Main 27.-28. März 2014 : „ Die Vergangenheit erinnern, sich zukünftigen Herausforderungen stellen“
„Die Rolle von Religion in Migration zu verstehen war ebenso wichtig wie das Eintreten für die Rechte von Migranten und Flüchtlingen bei politischen Institutionen“ erklärt Doris Peschke, Generalsekretärin der Kommission der Kirchen für Migranten in Europa (CCME). „Migration hat und wird die kirchliche und religiöse Landschaft in allen Ländern Europas verändert. Die Vielfalt der Konfessionen und Kulturen anzuerkennen, ist Herausforderung und Geschenk zugleich“.
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26 Mar, 2014
CCME European Gathering in Frankfurt am Main, 27-28 March 2014: “Recalling the past, meeting the challenges of the future”
In 1964, the World Council of Churches created the then Churches’ Committee on Migrant Workers in Europe, to find churches’ responses to the guest worker programmes in Western Europe at the time. Migration is internationally defined as crossing the borders and living in another country than one’s own for a year, therefore, Beyond Borders seems to be the appropriate title to celebrate the 50th anniversary of CCME.
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Deaths at European Borders: Churches advocate for “Safe Passage”
Deaths at European external borders can and must be ended, alternatives are available and need to be implemented. This message was highlighted by speakers and participants throughout the conference “Deaths at European Borders – there are alternatives” held in Rome 23-24 February 2015. Politicians and representatives of churches and non-governmental organisations talked about the need for a “toolbox”, because – as Stefan Keßler of the Jesuit Refugee Service Europe highlighted – “not one instrument fits all situations.”