1,000 signatures reached
To: Helen McEntee, Minister for Justice
Protect all people fleeing war
The European Council of Ministers are voting tomorrow on a directive on the temporary protection of Ukrainian refugees.
We want our Ministers at the meeting to urgently endorse this directive and simplify the procedures for all people fleeing war, regardless of their nationality, skin colour, gender identity or sexual identity.
Why is this important?
Procedures should be simplified so that people at the border can enter without needing a passport.
More than 800,000 Ukrainians have fled their country since the beginning of the Russian invasion.
But it is not only Ukrainian citizens who are queuing to leave, but also foreign students and people who have already been granted asylum in Ukraine.
Europe must protect all people fleeing war, regardless of their nationality, the colour of their skin, gender identity or sexual identity.
This means not only agreeing to give people the right to live and work in Europe, but also removing barriers to entering the territory, such as the need for a passport. Many people have never traveled abroad and do not have a passport. They must also ensure that ethnic minorities and foreigners in Ukraine are not treated differently.
Irish Ministers have a unique chance to prove that the European Union can respect Article 1 of the human rights convention:
"Women and men are born and remain free and equal in rights. Social distinctions can only be based on common utility."
Image credit: BEATA ZAWRZEL/NURPHOTO VIA GETTY IMAGES