EU: Inadequate response to arrival of refugees shows no signs of aba..
As the European Union's (EU) collective response to the surge in refugees coming to Europe continues to shock for its combination of border abuses, inept crisis coordination and absent leadership, Amnesty International has spokespeople available for interview in key locations.
The organization has research teams monitoring the situation in Hungary and on the Greek island of Kos. Likewise it has experts with in-depth knowledge about what is driving the crisis available in Brussels and London.
"Europe as a whole is facing its biggest test of humanity in decades, and so far European leaders are failing miserably. The crisis is not people coming to Europe, the crisis is Europe's woefully inadequate response. Our message to European leaders is clear and consistent - live up to your
international obligations to protect those who need it," said Gauri van Gulik, Deputy Europe Director at Amnesty International.
"No more fences and razor wire. No more tear gas and stun grenades. No more forcing refugees to die in cramped, hellish conditions on perilous journeys."
Talking points include:
* Up-to-the-minute information on the human rights situation on the ground in Greece and Hungary
* The abuses and violations at border crossings
* The dire conditions faced by people forced to stay in informal camps and settlements in Greece and Hungary
* The lack of coordination - at the local, national and EU levels - to respond effectively
* The need for more safe and legal routes to Europe to minimize the risk people have to take