UNITY STATEMENT
We are a Europe-wide formation of grassroots organizations with a migration background, religious organizations, non-governmental organizations, civil society formations, institutions, political parties, influencers, academics and concerned individuals for migrants (regular and irregular), immigrants, refugees, asylum seekers, and displaced peoples are united by our common objectives and shared values that all people have the right for equal protection in the continent.
In this time of Covid-19 pandemic, irregular or undocumented migrants who for the longest time, while continuously contributing to the socio-economic development of their European host countries, working as carers for the elderly and children, cleaners of homes, cooks, and servers of meals in restaurants, pickers of fruits and vegetables, builders of office towers, deliverer of takeaways, etc. are still NOT receiving health care services and social benefits. In the UK, Ireland, and Spain, irregular or undocumented migrant workers and asylum-seekers with professional medical training are already being recruited to work in care homes and hospitals in response to the medical emergency.
In recognition of the vulnerable situation of migrants and refugees, Portugal granted full citizenship rights and allow them access to health care and financial aid during the pandemic. Similar calls for regularization of irregular or undocumented migrants are being made by French, Spanish, and Italian parliamentarians.
As we face the pandemic, we call on each other to strengthen our solidarity among migrants, refugees, and displaced people with workers and the local population in receiving countries and the sending countries. We need to continue the fight not only against the virus but also against forced migration, exploitation, and oppression brought about by globalization.
We call on the head of states and policy-makers of all European institutions to ensure that during and after the pandemic, the most vulnerable communities of migrants, refugees, and displaced people are protected and afforded social and welfare assistance in recognition of their sacrifices and contribution towards alleviating the current global health crisis.
To this end, we demand the following:
* Regularization and/or full citizenship rights for all migrants, immigrants, refugees, asylum seekers, and displaced peoples, including irregular or undocumented migrants!
*States should provide health and other social services regardless of immigration status and address homelessness and food insecurity!
*End immigration detention and deportation!
We give our commendation to all the health workers and other key workers, substantial numbers of them coming from migrant and immigrant communities. They exposed themselves to the risk of infection in serving and taking care of those in need. We express our highest respect for those who have already fallen in the course of their service, and we mourn for the tens of thousands who have succumbed to the sickness.
We commit to build this April 28 Coalition. Beyond this, we pledge to continue working with each other for the upliftment of the most vulnerable people.
As our firm commitment to our united calls, we sign this unity statement this 28th day of April 2020 during the Commemorations of the UN’s World Day for Safety and Health at Work and the International Day of Remembrance and Action for Workers killed, disabled, injured or made unwell by their work as declared by the International Labor Organization.
The Right Revd Antonio N. Ablon
Iglesia Filipina Independiente – Europe Chaplaincy
Lead Convenor
With the following participating and convening organizations and more…
- Agustino Recoleta International Solidarity Network (ARCORES) International
- Anakbayan Europe
- Associazione Mande
- Coalition for Human Rights in the Philippines
- Comitato Degli Immigrati
- Europe Network for Justice and Peace in the Philippines
- European Coalition (EUC) for Refugees & Migrants
- Federatie Nederlandse Vakbeweging (FNV) – Migrant Domestic Workers
- Federatie Nederlandse Vakbeweging (FNV) – Mondiaal
- Federation of Domestic Workers Association (FDWA)
- Filipino Ecumenical Migrants Ministry – IFI
- Fronte Popolare
- Gabriela Germany
- Gabriela London
- Gabriela Roma
- Gabriela Switzerland
- Gesellschaftgestalten eV
- Indonesian Migrant Workers’ Union (IMWU)
- Iglesia Filipina Independiente (IFI) Europe Chaplaincy
- Interculturale Madre Sierra
- International Coalition for Human Rights in the Philippines – Europe
- International Migrants’ Alliance (IMA) Europe
- Ivorian Community in Greece
- Kabalikat
- Kanlungan Filipino Consortium
- La Strada Internacional
- Makabayang Samahang Pilipino (MkSP)
- Marxistisch–Leninistische Partei Deutschlands (MLPD)
- Migrante Austria
- Migrante Bologna
- Migrante Denmark
- Migrante Europe
- Migrante Firenze
- Migrante Mantova
- Migrante Milano
- Migrante Netherlands Amsterdam
- Migrante Netherlands Den Haag
- Migrante Netherlands Utrecht
- Migrante Sectoral Partylist (MSP)
- Migrante Zurich
- Migrants Organise
- Milan OFW Kapitbisig
- Nagkakaisang Pilipino sa Pransya (NPSP)
- Partito Comunista (Svizzera)
- Partito della Rifondazione Comunista
- Pastoral Ministry for Migrants Zone IV (Archdiocese of Milan)
- Pinay sa Holland – Gabriela
- Promotion of Church People’s Response (PCPR)
- Red Acoge
- Refugee and Asylum Seeker Participatory Action Research (RAPAR)
- Samahan ng mga Kabataan sa Netherlands (SAMAKA-NL)
- Sentro Pilipino Chaplaincy
- Ugnayan ng mga Pilipino sa Belgium
- Umangat Migrante
With individuals from:
- International Institute of Social Studies –Erasmus University in Rotterdam
- Anglican Communion
- Canton of Ticino’s Parliament
Several organizations are Europe-wide and from Germany, Italy, Switzerland, United Kingdom, The Netherlands, Belgium, Greece, Austria, Denmark and France
