Stop the number of refugee deaths in the Mediterranean

03 April 2019

Germany, 3 April 2019 – More than 250 German and international refugee and human rights organisations, sea rescue organisations, churches, trade unions and youth organisations have called on Chancellor Angela Merkel in an open letter to take urgent action in light of the number of refugee deaths in the Mediterranean.

Signatories recall that EU Member States have the duty to rescue people at sea as this is enshrined in international and European law. Against the background of EU migration policies based on deterrence, the NGO alliance calls the German Government to work towards a refugee policy in Europe that is driven by the respect of human rights and the principle of solidarity. 

Full joint letter in German