April 28 Coalition Unity Statement

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…

1. Agustino Recoleta International Solidarity Network (ARCORES) International
2. Anakbayan Europe
3. Associazione Mande
4. Coalition for Human Rights in the Philippines
5. Comitato Degli Immigrati
6. Europe Network for Justice and Peace in the Philippines
7. European Coalition (EUC) for Refugees & Migrants
8. Federatie Nederlandse Vakbeweging (FNV) – Migrant Domestic Workers
9. Federatie Nederlandse Vakbeweging (FNV) – Mondiaal
10. Federation of Domestic Workers Association (FDWA)
11. Filipino Ecumenical Migrants Ministry – IFI
12. Fronte Popolare
13. Gabriela Germany
14. Gabriela London
15. Gabriela Roma
16. Gabriela Switzerland
17. Gesellschaftgestalten eV
18. Indonesian Migrant Workers’ Union (IMWU)
19. Iglesia Filipina Independiente (IFI) Europe Chaplaincy
20. Interculturale Madre Sierra
21. International Coalition for Human Rights in the Philippines – Europe
22. International Migrants’ Alliance (IMA) Europe
23. Ivorian Community in Greece
24. Kabalikat
25. Kanlungan Filipino Consortium
26. La Strada Internacional
27. Makabayang Samahang Pilipino (MkSP)
28. Marxistisch–Leninistische Partei Deutschlands (MLPD)
29. Migrante Austria
30. Migrante Bologna
31. Migrante Denmark
32. Migrante Europe
33. Migrante Firenze
34. Migrante Mantova
35. Migrante Milano
36. Migrante Netherlands Amsterdam
37. Migrante Netherlands Den Haag
38. Migrante Netherlands Utrecht
39. Migrante Sectoral Partylist (MSP)
40. Migrante Zurich
41. Migrants Organise
42. Milan OFW Kapitbisig
43. Nagkakaisang Pilipino sa Pransya (NPSP)
44. Partito Comunista (Svizzera)
45. Partito della Rifondazione Comunista
46. Pastoral Ministry for Migrants Zone IV (Archdiocese of Milan)
47. Pinay sa Holland – Gabriela
48. Promotion of Church People’s Response (PCPR)
49. Red Acoge
50. Refugee and Asylum Seeker Participatory Action Research (RAPAR)
51. Samahan ng mga Kabataan sa Netherlands (SAMAKA-NL)
52. Sentro Pilipino Chaplaincy
53. Ugnayan ng mga Pilipino sa Belgium
54. 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