MEDIA RELEASE 17/06/2005

There is a tragedy going at the Walls of "Fortress Europe". While European capitals struggle for the European Constitution and the inner consolidation of the Union, at the same time migrants and refugees keep on dying at its borders. More than 6.300 deaths have been documented by UNITED for Intercultural Action. Meanwhile, official Europe keeps its eyes wide shut.

UNITED for Intercultural Action, the pan-European network against racism, has monitored refugee deaths since 1993. The network of more than 560 anti-racist and refugee rights organisations has documented over 6300 deaths: in the Mediterranean See and the Strait of Gibraltar, in minefields between Turkey and Greece... Numerous refugees suffocated while transported in trucks or committed suicide imprisoned in Europe's detention centres.

And still, the vicious circle keeps turning. Wealth in the continent´s core produces poverty and desperation at the boundaries. Refugees and migrants from deprived parts of the world will not stop trying to reach Europe, the place where they believe to be safe from harm. Often enough, this is a delusive hope. Still migrants are seen as an obstacle on the curvy road towards a strong and unified Europe. UNITED believes that social peace and political stabilisation in Europe can not be approached nor profoundly
developed without closely monitoring and improving the situation of migrants and refugees at the borders.

UNITED spokesperson states: "Dense Borders are a political illusion. Europe can no longer ignore the circle of desperation around its borders. The more Europe tries to keep migrants out of its societies and economies, the higher the risks refugees will take to come to Europe."


20 June International Refugee Day

Many non-governmental organisations co-operate in support of refugees around
20 June, the International Refugee Day 2005. In many European countries activities take place, for example:
- "Give Refugees a Chance" is the title of a big event with an exhibition, lecture, information evenings, cabaret and concerts in Wien
- In Great Britain several human rights and refugee organisations organise a Refugee Week with activities all over the country such as the "One World Party" a community based event with music, henna decoration, face painting, story telling, international food and information in Peterborough
- In Turkey, AEGEE Europe - Ankara branch organises street actions titled "No One is Illegal"
-Discussions followed by concerts with refugee musicians take place in Budapest and Peest, Hungary...

More information about the Refugee Day campaign including a full list of activities and the UNITED list of refugee death cases:


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UNITED for Intercultural Action
European network against nationalism, racism, fascism
and in support of migrants and refugees
Postbus 413, NL-1000 AK Amsterdam, Netherlands
phone +31-20-6834778, fax +31-20-6834582
info@unitedagainstracism.org, www.unitedagainstracism.org