A coordinated EU response to the Libyan crisis is needed now

A coordinated EU response to the Libyan crisis is needed now
JRS urges EU governments to prioritise the needs of the most vulnerable refugees

(Brussels, Rome, Valletta) – The Jesuit Refugee Service welcomes the actions and statements by several European governments since the Libyan crisis began. The meetings of the EU foreign ministers on 10 March and the European Council on 11 March are the moments to move to more coordinated action.

The evacuation of Egyptians in Libya by the Maltese, French and UK governments, and offers of aid by Italy are all welcome steps. Yet this response must not be limited to Libyans and migrant workers – the approximately 11,000 refugees in the country should not be forgotten.

The EU fact-finding mission sent by High Representative Catherine Ashton is a first step. In addition to ensuring concrete measures are taken to halt the violence in Libya and the delivery of ongoing and adequate humanitarian aid is guaranteed, JRS earnestly appeals to EU governments to:
a.Identify and relocate within the EU asylum seekers and refugees trapped in Libya; and
b.Develop an emergency plan to deal with the spontaneous arrival of refugees and migrants into the European Union, including the full activation of the Temporary Protection Directive (2001/55/EC) if numbers increase, and the suspension of the Dublin Regulation in relation to Italy and Malta

While many migrants in the country are being evacuated by their host governments and the International Organisation for Migration, refugees have nowhere to go. Refugees and asylum seekers stuck in Libya are extremely vulnerable to attacks. In the past days, JRS has received reports of innocent sub-Saharan Africans being beaten, stabbed and even killed, as they are wrongly suspected of being mercenaries hired by Gaddafi to kill Libyans.

Since mid-February, approximately 180,000 people have fled Libya, with thousands arriving daily in Tunisia and Egypt. Mediterranean nations cannot be expected to bear the responsibility of protecting these refugees alone. In times of crisis, European nations are called upon to demonstrate their commitment to the respect of human dignity and rights.

The 1951 refugee convention is based on the principle of responsibility sharing. Where states evade this responsibility, it is refugees who pay the consequences. If Tunisia can offer protection to tens of thousands of men, women and children fleeing generalised violence, European governments should be in a position to ease the suffering of the most vulnerable.

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Contact information:

JRS European Regional Office
Philip Amaral, Policy and Communications Officer
Tel: + 32 2 250 32 23; fax: + 32 2 250 32 29
This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.; www.jrseurope.org
Jesuit Refugee Service International
James Stapleton, Communications Coordinator
Tel: +39-06 68977468; fax: +39-06 6897 7461
This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.; www.jrs.net

JRS Malta
Katrine Camilleri
Tel: +356 21 44 27 51; fax: +356 21 44 27 52
This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.; www.jrsmalta.org

JRS Italy (Centro Astalli)
Donatella Parisi, Information Officer
Tel. +39-06 69925099; fax +39-06 6796783
This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.; www.centroastalli.it