Jesuit Refugee Service - Europe
News Release - Immediate
December 9th 2001
Death of refugees at Waterford
The discovery yesterday of the bodies of 8 refugees in a container at Waterford has shocked us all. JRS offers its sympathy to the families and friends of the victims as well as prayers for the recovery of those ill in hospital.
This tragedy brings close to us the reality that when people are desperate they will resort to desperate and dangerous means. And in this situation they become easy prey for unscrupulous traffickers.
Trafficking in human beings is to be deplored. It is the issue which needs to be addressed urgently. There are many aspects to it and many efforts being made to curtail it. We would here highlight two concerns:
- In the face of increased migration and in an effort to minimise movement
of peoples, governments are tightening border controls. But these new
measures can mean that those fleeing their countries feel they have no
choice but to turn to the 'professionals' i.e. the traffickers. And this
can have fatal consequences. We urge governments to consider seriously
this fact: increasingly restrictive border controls can serve to
strengthen the power of the trafficking networks, something which none of
would want.
- Many measures taken to regulate migration flow also serve to criminalise, at least in the public mind, those who are fleeing; they are the ones who are caught. But we should remember that those responsible for this trade in human beings, the traffickers, are the real criminals.
The regulation of migration flows is a Europe wide issue and the EU is working to harmonise its legislation on asylum by 2004. JRS along with other non governmental organisations is participating in the discussions at policy level. This tragic event shows the importance and the urgency of these discussions.
Further details: John Dardis SJ, +32-494-307476
Jesuit Refugee Service - European Regional Director
Tel: +32-2-2503220
Fax: +32-2-2503229
Mobile: 0494-307476 (in Belgium)
e mail: john.dardis@jesref.org
Haachtsesteenweg 8
1210 Brussels, Belgium.