Since our governments are struggling to handle migration, we – European citizens, students, volunteers, families, unions and communities of faith from all walks of life – have stepped in to help. But our right to help is being criminalised as thousands of Europeans have been fined or arrested for simply offering humanitarian assistance to people fleeing persecution.
This is not the Europe that we want. Together we can reclaim those acts for what they are: reflecting our European and human values of community, compassion and kindness. This is why we have joined forces to launch the first European Citizens’ Initiative* to empower a #WelcomingEurope and reclaim our right to help. Through this direct democracy tool, we can compel the European Commission and Parliament to respond to our demands.
Ask the European Commission to:
- Ban the criminalisation of solidarity in member states
- Support European citizens who want to offer safety to people fleeing persecution
- Guarantee effective access to justice to all victims of exploitation and abuse
*What is a European Citizens’ Initiative (ECI)?
A European Citizen’s Initiative (ECI) is the most visible and legally binding tool for direct democracy in Europe. If 1 million European citizens from at least seven member states sign the petition within a year, the European Commission will be obliged to hear the demands of the citizens in a formal procedure.