Resolution on Equal Rights and Treatment
of Beneficiaries of International Protection (Refugees), Migrants, Asylum seekers, Internally Displaced Persons and Beneficiaries of Temporary Protection *) in Europe.
Preamble
From the cradle of democracy in Athens and the General Assembly of YMCA Europe we send the call to the members to strengthen democracy for freedom and equal rights for all empowering young people to engage in the election process. The health of individuals is tighthly connected to the wellbeing of communities which rely on safe and democratic political systems and governments.
YMCA Europe and YMCAs in Europe strive for peace in Europe and globally, fostering harmony among nations and individuals. As a worldwide youth movement with extensive experience in relief work for refugees we are dedicated to upholding and furthering the UN Declaration of Human Rights.
Considerations:
• Many civil societies address the consequences of conflicts, extreme poverty, discrimination and wars, by providing shelter and safe places to people who have needed to flee, leaving everything behind.
• In accordance with its worldwide mission, YMCA supports Beneficiaries of International Protection (refugees), migrants, asylum seekers, Internally Displaced Persons (IDP’s) and Beneficiaries of Temporary Protection to enable them to continue with their lives.
• In their daily work YMCAs acknowledge the difference in legal status (asylum seeker, refugee, migrant, beneficiary of temporary protection, IDP) which determines the rights and the access to goods and services that individuals are likely to receive in their host communities.
• As YMCAs in Europe we observe unequal treatment of people who have the same status but come from different backgrounds which leads to additional discrimination in already very vulnerable situations.
• We, in the YMCA, support that all people who cannot return to their places of origin because they would be putting their lives or life chances at risk should have equal rights.
Therefore:
1. YMCA Europe and its members will promote this resolution within YMCA to raise awareness.
2. We recognise our own responsibility as YMCAs to avoid unequal treatment and discrimination of individuals.
3. We call YMCA Europe to collaborate with the European Union to strive for equal treatment for all.
4. We encourage YMCAs in Europe to call on their respective governments and public administrations to ensure equal treatment for all.
5. YMCA will continue to collaborate to transfer knowledge and share best practices.
This resolution was adopted on 25 May 2024 by the members of YMCA Europe, meeting in Athens (Greece) at their annual General Assembly from 23rd. – 26th.
*) This is the official term for refugees from Ukraine.