Time to act! Letter to the government

The current situation of refugees on the Greek islands and on the Turkish-Greek border is catastrophic.

European border guards use tear gas and stun grenades to shoot people who have fled from war and have already experienced unspeakable suffering, military target practice over several days in the border area, boats deliberately destroyed or aborted. They are imprisoned, beaten, tortured, robbed except for their underpants, even killed, under the direct witness of the European population. At least two people were shot.

The number of German federal police officers who support the Greek border guards has now reached over 70. The pogrom-like mood on the Greek islands is further exacerbating the situation. Refugees, volunteers, NGO employees, photographers and journalists are attacked, supply centers and social places of support and hope burn down.

However, the situation in the camps on the Greek islands has certainly not only been catastrophic since the last weekend in February this year. NGOs and individual politicians have been reporting on the grievances there for years - refugees, many of them unaccompanied children and adolescents, have been living there for years in the most miserable and unsanitary conditions, in completely overcrowded camps that generate violence and stress. The lack of prospects, hunger, cold, loneliness and traumatic experiences that continue on European soil result in an increasing suicide rate - even among children and adolescents - as well as a drastic increase in physical and mental illnesses. People are still drowning every day on their way to Europe in the Mediterranean.

Regardless, government rescue missions were suspended last year. Private sea rescue initiatives do what the EU member states cannot agree on - they save lives and are criminalized for this. Criminalization also affects the refugees themselves - with devastating consequences. Recognizing refugees in their refugee existence and understanding them as defenseless people is their only remaining protection in this world. What these people experience is the most catastrophic thing that can happen to a person in their existence.

"Everyone has the right to have rights."
- Hannah Arendt

This sentence, drawn from the barbaric reign of terror of National Socialism, formulates the principle on which European and international human rights are based, which are also enshrined in the Basic Law of the Federal Republic and to which you, as a member, are obliged. This shameful minimum consensus on which the Federal Government recently agreed (together to accommodate 1,000 to 1,500 refugee children up to 14 years of age in a so-called “coalition of the willing”) is in no way adequately met this human rights conscience.

IT'S TIME TO ACT. NOW!

Since summer 2018, people across Europe have been involved in the international movement "SEEBRÜCKE", which is supported by various alliances and actors from civil society. You are committed to a change in EU foreign policy with regard to sea rescue. They call for safe escape routes, decriminalization of civil sea rescue and a decent reception of refugees.

In the course of this movement, three cities - Rostock, Greifswald and Neubrandenburg - have so far declared themselves safe ports by decisions of the citizens or the city council in Mecklenburg-Western Pomerania. There are currently 138 safe harbor cities throughout Germany. These cities show solidarity with people fleeing, are committed to dying in the Mediterranean and for a dignified reception of refugees.

These cities are ready to take responsibility and accept refugees in addition to the Königsstein key. This requires the federal states' own admission programs. According to a current legal opinion available to us, the federal states can set up their own admission program after informing the Federal Ministry of the Interior without having to rely on its approval, as previously assumed. The Federal Council initiative launched by Berlin in September last year to change Section 23 (1) sentence 3 of the Residence Act is not absolutely necessary according to this report, because even now the Basic Law already provides clear regulations that are not further interpreted by Federal Laws. The admission of refugees from crowded camps on the Greek islands can thereforenot be refused by the federal government.

The federal states have the right to admit particularly vulnerable persons such as children and mothers or unaccompanied minors - even without the consent of the Federal Ministry of the Interior. In this way, the federal states can develop specific state admission programs.

Seize this opportunity!

If you meet the demands of civil society and your own obligation to act as a Member of Parliament on the basis of human rights, let us not outsource responsibility! We here in Mecklenburg-Western Pomerania also want to take responsibility for the people who have had to leave their home, their belongings, their work, their families and much more. We do not want to continue to watch how these people are fought on the borders of Europe and their dignity is reduced! Civil society is ready and willing to accept refugees in our society, take on sponsorships, support and support - that is, responsibility.

Dear Ms. Schwesig, Dear Mr. Caffier: Now it is up to you to act. Lead by example and show that you stand for human rights and humane coexistence in Europe!

We demand:
- a country admission program for people seeking protection from the Turkish-Greek border and from the camps of the Greek islands. NOW!
- Support from Greek authorities and local NGOs in the selection of those particularly affected.
- Immediate organization of the trip of these people in safe accommodations in our state.
- Fast medical care, psychological and social worker care.
- Processing of asylum applications in a fair national asylum procedure.

Alliance SEEBRÜCKE MV