EU leaders can save lives this winter if they change migration policies

NGO Statement ahead of the European Council of 15 December 2016

Publication date: 14 December 2016
Author: Oxfam, Amnesty International, Save the Children, Human Rights Watch, International Rescue Committee and others

Thousands of people are at risk this winter as the EU-Turkey deal keeps migrants, including refugees, stuck in dangerous and degrading conditions in Greece, a coalition of more than 20 humanitarian agencies and human rights organisations warned in a joint statement. The organisations most of which work with migrants in Greece, say that men, women and children could die because of worsening winter conditions.

The organisations have identified concrete steps that EU leaders urgently need to take to improve the situation on the ground and save lives.