THE BARCELONA MEDICAL ASSOCIATION’S BOARD STATEMENT ON THE EUROPEAN REFUGEES CRISIS
Due to the severe crisis caused by the arrival of thousands of citizens, who are running away from their own countries which war or violent regimes are forcing them to leave and come to Europe, the Barcelona Medical Association’s Board (COMB) states that: 1. We are deeply concerned to see how thousands of people desperately have to leave their countries, risking their lives in an attempt to reach a country that can offer them some guarantees of survival and hope for them and their children. We are facing one of the biggest movements of political refugees in Europe of the last hundred years. 2. We must remember that Catalonia has been, throughout its history, a land that has welcomed many of those seeking a better future for themselves and their families. Our country became a host country long ago, and its citizens have excelled in their capacity to integrate such exoduses, no matter whether they were caused by economical or political reasons. Likewise, many Catalan citizens found asylum abroad during domestic conflicts. 3. The Europe of the States, of freedom and welfare, does not know how to react while we watch, ashamed of their inaction and how difficult it seems or States of the EU to act in united manner and in a coordinated and generous way to effectively address this tremendous crisis. This situation casts into doubt the very essence of the EU. 4. This board believes that refugees have the right to be assisted when escaping from violent regimes or from their countries if they are at war. 5. The right to asylum of people who are at risk or who are seeking pillar of the rule of law and a principle of humanism. It is not only of goodness and solidarity, but of respect and application of international treaties (we especially refer to the European Council 2004/83 CE)
help is a a matter rules of Directive
6. This Board invokes all European amenable politicians to apply the Directive approved by the Commission and the European Parliament. Humanitarian corridors should be opened to guarantee the right to asylum and the safety of people, given that the vast majority come from countries such as Syria, Libya or Yemen; resettlement quotas, to establish an annual quota for each state that can or is willing to welcome refugees; humanitarian visas so people seeking asylum can reach it in a safe way, and lastly, the linking of migration control to the conflicts that causes it.
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7. We ask Spanish politicians, especially the Spanish parliament and Government — who hold the relevant competencies — to give a rapid and generous response, according to the current severity of the crisis, and accept the quota established by the EU and, if they are reached, extending the number of refugees, also counting on local authorities and NGO who deal in this ambit. 8. Owing to the many citizens in our country who have expressed their desire to host refugees, we ask the political authorities of the competent administrations to promote and facilitate procedures by which this process can be carried out with guarantees. We urge the Catalan Government to specify, according to its competencies, which steps to take in order to coordinate all resources, especially those offered by municipalities. 9. The Barcelona Medical Association (COMB) will stand for refugees, being sensitive to their needs and to ensure their right to healthcare. We ask the Catalan Government to organize resources to guarantee health assistance to this population. 10. This board will promote specific proposals for volunteering of our physicians that will make possible the offering of hosting and assistance to refugees.
Barcelona, September 4th, 2015
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