Nevermind?
Over the past decade, more than thirty thousand people have drowned in the Mediterranean Sea, partly due to Europe's deadly migration policies. They deserve better than indifference, apathy, and impunity.
Never mind? Drownings are political choices
For a moment, the iconic Nirvana cover of the world-famous album Nevermind evokes different associations than the song "Smells Like Teen Spirit." This association hits hard, provokes, and leaves us with many questions. We hold up a ruthless mirror to European migration policies that violate human rights daily. The mass drownings in the Mediterranean are not unfortunate accidents; they are primarily the result of political choices.
Just in July this year, 846 drownings have been reported so far, including 62 children. The EU has reduced rescue capacity and made it increasingly difficult for NGOs to fill the gap. In some member states, aid workers even risk prosecution. The new European migration pact also offers no solutions.
Why and how does 11.11.11 advocate for a humane migration policy?
Fleeing is not a choice. People risk their lives in search of safety and a better life. However, refugee shelter in their own region is often inhumane, and along the way, they face violence and human rights abuses. Moreover, reception and solidarity in the destination countries are sometimes hard to find.
11.11.11 advocates for sustainable solutions for refugees. To achieve a humane migration policy, we:
- Put pressure on policymakers, both in Belgium and Europe
- Collaborate with international partners, including in Lebanon en Turkey
- Conduct local actions and campaigns with thousands of volunteers in Belgium
What solutions are we fighting for?
We need a migration policy that benefits everyone. For that, we need bridges, not walls:
- Addressing the root causes of forced migration, such as inequality, climate change, or unfair trade
- Investing in rescue capacity at sea
- Ending pushbacks and violence at the European external borders
- Creating safe and legal pathways to Europe
- Providing quality protection for refugees in conflict regions
- Implementing a European distribution plan with a fair allocation of asylum seekers