Link to the letter sent on August 18, 2020
https://freedom-dignity-respect.blogspot.com/2020/08/stop-violence-in-moria-refugee-camp.html
Link Petition
https://www.gopetition.com/petitions/stop-the-violence-in-the-moria-refugee-camp.html
Letter text:
Dear Ms Ribecco,
Thank you for your letter to Commissioner Johansson of 18 August, in which you share your concerns regarding the situation of migrants in the Greek islands, especially of Lesvos. The Commission is fully aware of the challenges in the Greek hotspots and supports the Greek authorities to manage migration in respect of the EU values and of human rights.
Since the outbreak of the COVID-19 pandemic, the Commission has promptly supported the Greek authorities in setting up and implementing an emergency support plan to limit the risks of COVID-19 in the Reception and Identification Centres (RICs).
We also support and coordinate the voluntary relocations of unaccompanied minors, sick children with their family, refugees and vulnerable asylum seekers from Greece to other Member States, including Germany, and Norway, Switzerland and Iceland, with so far more than 1 600 transferred persons.
In light of the fire that destroyed the RIC of Moria on Lesvos in September, the Commission granted further emergency assistance to support the Greek authorities in providing adequate shelter to the people affected and transfer vulnerable persons, and notably unaccompanied minors, to the mainland.
In addition to this immediate support, the Commission established a European Task Force to improve the reception conditions on the island in a durable way to ensure that, in future, there will be no more situation like in Moria. The taskforce which is composed by relevant Commission services, EU Agencies and Member States, will help making sure that migration is managed effectively and in compliance with EU law and standards, especially as concerns adequate living conditions and faster procedures.
With the aim to find sustainable solutions, including improved legal pathways, the European Commission recently launched the New Pact on Migration and Asylum, based on solidarity and a fair share of responsibility among Member States. You can find here more information on the Pact and on the new solidarity mechanism envisaged in it.
Yours sincerely,
Martin SCHIEFFER
Head of Unit
