2018
On 10 December 1948 the Universal Declaration of Human Rights was adopted by the United Nations in Paris (France). This historic milestone in international human rights law continues as a source 
of inspiration for states and people in the fight for the dignity of all. “The Universal Declaration has helped countless people gain greater freedoms and equality,” said UN High Commissioner for Human…Read more
In the spirit of Christmas, European church leaders are affirming the values of dignity, respect and compassion for refugees and migrants. Today a strong Christmas statement signed by church leaders from Europe and beyond was jointly issued by the Churches’ Commission for Migrants in Europe (CCME) and the Conference of European Churches (CEC) and was presented to Mairead McGuinness, First Vice-President of the European Parliament in Brussels. Read more… CZECH, ENGLISH, FRENCH, GERMAN, GREEK, ITALIAN, RUSSIAN, SWEDISH
A meeting of 150 asylum experts from churches and civil society drew strong criticism of current European asylum policies and plans in this area. The 15th European Asylum Conference took place in Athens from 15 to 20 October at the invitation of the Churches’ Commission for Migrants in Europe and Diakonie Deutschland. The conference started on Chios, one of the Aegean islands where the so-called…read more
Churches in Europe have reacted with disappointment to the outcomes of yesterday’s European Union summit mainly addressing migration. General Secretary elect of the Churches’ Commission for Migrants in Europe (CCME), Torsten Moritz, criticised the conclusions of the European Council held on 28 June in Brussels. “Once again the summit has missed the chance to discuss how….read more
Since 2000, more than 30,000 people have died on their way to Europe, drowning at sea or in rivers, or suffocating in trucks and ships. Recent events relating to the rescue ship Aquarius underscore that some policy makers are not prioritising the lives and wellbeing of those stranded at sea. This refusal to receive points to moral bankruptcy and the failure to enact European values. Against these trends, churches must continue to….read more
2017
We see expressions of hope in those multiple prayers and actions of European citizens that have supported the common good. They are working to share Christian principles of solidarity, peace, generosity and the imperative to welcome the stranger. We have seen hope in the contribution of hundreds of thousands of people across Europe. Many people are….Read more
The biblical imperative to welcome the stranger was at the heart of a Churches’ Commission for Migrants in Europe (CCME) conference in Prague (Czech Republic) this week. The event brought together more than 70 representatives from Czech, Hungarian, Slovak, and Czech churches, governments, UNHCR, regional non-governmental organisations, and delegates to the CCME General Assembly, which follows on 23 and 24 June. The opening session of the conference focussed on the Czech context and good practices emerging from church and diaconal...read more
Since 2000, more than 30 000 migrants and refugees have lost their lives on their way to Europe, often drowning at sea or suffocating in containers on trucks and ships. Churches throughout Europe have responded through intensive solidarity and humanitarian efforts at Europe’s borders and by advocating for safe and legal passage. The Christian response has also included widespread ….Read more
Saturday, 8 April marks International Roma Day, established to recognise and honour Romani people and celebrate their culture. In Europe this year, the day follows an EU Roma week with events organised in the European Parliament in Brussels and across Europe to raise awareness about their struggle for justice and...read more
When Martin Luther 500 years ago in the small university town of Wittenberg fought against religious paternalism, dependency and exploitation, he put a reformatory movement in transition. He stood up for personal self-determination in a trusting relationship to God. In his theological reflection, the freedom of humans and of service to others belonged together.
With this International Seminar in Wittenberg we would like to join the renewed impetus of the Reformation and ask what...read more
2016
Being Church in Europe Today: Migration through a theological lens
Migration touches all aspects of church life in Europe today. From social and diaconal action, to liturgical life, pastoral care, and theological reflection, churches are responding and adapting to the movement of migrants within Europe and from beyond its borders. These changing landscapes were the focus of a recent consultation convened by … Read more
Refugees and Communication Rights in Europe
New project to assess media portrayal of refugees in Europe and promote their rights to speak on their own behalf
As increasing numbers of people are seeking refuge in Europe, a new project aims to promote the rights of refugees to speak on their own behalf, to assess their portrayal in the media and uphold good journalistic practices, and to raise the visibility of refugee voices and networks. Launched on 1 December by the World Association for Christian Communication – Europe (WACC Europe) and the Churches’ Commission for Migrants in Europe (CCME), the project will:…Read more
At its meeting in Athens, Greece from 24 to 26 October 2016 the Executive Committee of the Churches’ Commission for Migrants in Europe (CCME) learned about the current situation with regard to refugees in Greece and heard reports from other European countries. Many governments and authorities in European countries have recognised the protection need of refugees, especially from Syria, Iraq, and Afghanistan, but increasingly grant subsidiary status rather than full refugee protection status. A year ago, more than 90% of Syrian and Iraqi refugees received refugee protection status, while in 2016 more than half are only granted ….read more
Today, 19 September, the UN General Assembly is hosting a historic high-level summit addressing the large movement of refugees and migrants at its headquarters in New York (USA). Here heads of states from all regions of the world, as well as international observers will work toward a more coordinated approach to growing worldwide refugee crises. Read more…
The ACT Alliance , World Council of Churches (WCC) , Churches’ Commission for Migrants in Europe (CCME) , and Churches Witnessing With Migrants (CWWM) welcome the initiative of the United Nations Secretary General to convene on the 19th of September a summit for addressing large movements of refugees and migrants. There is hope among global civil society that it will provide an opportunity to kick-start a process towards real and substantive improvements in government responses to the situation of refugees, migrants, and the world’s displaced. The Summit on the Global Refugee Crisis…read more
At the upcoming European Council, European Union (EU) leaders will discuss the European Commission’s Communication on a new Partnership Framework with third countries. The Communication proposes an approach which aims to leverage existing EU and Member States’ external cooperation instruments and tools in order to stem migration to Europe. The undersigned organisations express their grave concern about the direction the EU is taking by making ….read more
The Alliance against Antigypsyism is a coalition of organisations that promote equality of rights for Roma, to advance a better understanding of antigypsyism. The Alliance counts more seventy members from across Europe. The Alliance counts more seventy members from across Europe and its reference paper was launched on 5th July 2016 to stir the debate about the nature and implications of antigypsyism. For more information please visit: www.antigypsyism.eu
Today, 2 August, marks Roma Holocaust Memorial Day, commemorating the extermination of more than 3,000 Roma children, men, and women at Auschwitz-Birkenau in 1944. On this day the Conference of European Churches (CEC) and the Churches’ Commission for Migrants in Europe (CCME) recall this event, honour the memory of those who died, and encourage all to work for reconciliation with the 10 to 12 million Roma people living in Europe. Read more…
The European Union is set to open a dark chapter in its history unless it rejects the European Commission’s proposal on migration, a coalition of more than 100 NGOs warned on Monday. Shifting towards a foreign policy that serves the single objective of curbing migration, the EU and its member states risk further undermining their credibility and authority in the defence of human rights, the organizations say. They call on European leaders to reject the Commission proposal that would …read more
Photo: E. Kabalisa/CCME
Today, 20 June, is World Refugee Day. The United Nations estimates that every minute 8 people flee from war, persecution, or terror. This day is observed to bring attention to their collective struggle and to address the widespread global displacement of millions of people….read more.