Debates

Tuesday, 19 January 2021 - Brussels

Humanitarian situation of refugees and migrants at the EU's external borders (debate)

  Dietmar Köster (S&D). – Madam President, the situation for people stuck at the EU’s external borders is unbelievably devastating and it is a shame for the European Union.

In the camps in which refugees are forced to live, basic human rights are curtailed. This policy is deliberately designed to make the residents’ lives as miserable as possible. The fact that the EU agency, Frontex, actively commits human rights violations is a disgrace. Frontex has failed and the person in charge must resign.

In Bosnia and Herzegovina, people are again forced to live in the forest in sub-zero temperatures. This devastating situation is a direct consequence of the EU’s externalisation policy. We need a radical change in migration policy. The refugees must be evacuated into the European Union. The inhuman camps must be dismantled at the external borders both inside and outside the EU.

No-one should be left behind.