Breaking Barriers event brings the youth of Europe together to create a monitoring platform to promote transparency in the processing facilities of refugees in Europe.
The Breaking Barriers event, organized by the Council of Europe (CoE), the European Free Alliance Youth (EFAy) and the Unrepresented Nations & Peoples Organization (UNPO) is a four-day study session focusing specifically on the migration crisis currently affecting every nation of Europe.
The four-day long workshop lead to the creation of Safe Haven, a new monitoring platform that seeks to gather information on the refugee processing facilities throughout Europe. The campaign has launched with an aim of promoting transparency and improving the conditions and general experience for refugees in Europe.
Founding members include representations from Scotland, Germany, Italy, Finland and Ahwazi. They are asking for anyone with information on refugee processing facilities to fill out a short form found on their website to gather as much information about these facilities as possible.
Speaking on behalf of Safe Haven, Rhiannon Valentine Spear said,
‘There are over one million refugees seeking a Safe Haven in Europe for a variety of reasons. Some are fleeing war; some persecution; and some for other reasons. When they get here, they should be treated with the utmost respect and dignity in suitable conditions that any person would expect.’
‘By gathering this information and working together we want to promote transparency and better conditions for every refugee who comes to Europe.’
‘Everyone deserves a Safe Haven; and together, we can provide it.’
The delegates from Wales were Christian Webb and Owain Glyn Hughes from Plaid Cymru Ifanc Youth.
Speaking after the event, Christian said,
‘It was an amazing and unforgettable experience to meet other members of the smaller nations of Europe to discuss how we can contribute to help refugees,’ said Christian, ‘Although Wales is a small country, there is nothing preventing us from contributing to solving the world’s largest problems.’
‘I have made friends for life with those I met during the four day event,’ he added, ‘I look forward to working closer for the future of all our respective nations.’
Facilities used to house refugees – such as detention and processing centres or their homes – are under increasing scrutiny due to revelations of inhumane conditions.
These facilities can be run by governments, NGOs or outsourced to private contractors profiting from human misery. Safe Haven is the campaign to highlight those reneging on their human right responsibilities to refugees and to campaign for improved conditions and treatment.
In some instances, refugees have protested their living conditions inside their facilities. Staff members who work in the facilities, have also testified to sub-standard living environments.
A failure to provide proper follow-up programmes once processing is completed leaves refugees in a country in which they can face xenophobic attitudes from local populations and a very limited support network. Those still awaiting their decision are left in limbo in an environment that no human being should be expected to endure.
Organising locally, volunteers can contribute to our database to highlight the issues asylum seekers and refugees face.
