Europe must stop people drowning in the Mediterranean. Not sometime in the future, but this year. A political emergency solution is needed, a Europe-wide mechanism for distributing those saved from distress at sea.
Everywhere in Europe cities, municipalities and citizens are very willing to assist. However, there is no Europe-wide distribution mechanism to accommodate refugees rescued in the Mediterranean in the European Union.
After the European elections, Bishop Heinrich Bedford-Strohm, chair of the Council of the Evangelical Church in Germany (EKD), has urged an increase in international efforts to rescue and receive refugees.
“The criminalisation of sea rescues must end” – EKD Council Chair Bedford-Strohm criticises the confiscation of the Sea-Watch and the toughening of penalties planned for civilian sea rescuers in Italy.
The German Bishops’ Conference and the Evangelical Church in Germany (EKD) published the Joint Statement “Strengthening Trust in Democracy” on 11 April 2019. It is based on and follows the Joint Statement “Democracy requires Virtues” published in 2006.