Press 2016-2018
2018
All are born free and equal
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
This Christmas, European church leaders unite for refugees and migrants
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
Stop hotspot approach, create safe passages: Church asylum experts gather in Athens
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
No Refugee Guantanamo: Churches call for safe passage following EU summit
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
Churches called to commemorate lives lost seeking safety
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
Have No Fear – But Hope
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
Conference of experts confirms churches’ role in creating welcoming and integrating societies
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
Commemorating lives lost on the way to safety
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
Ending discrimination, working for reconciliation: Statement for International Roma Day
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
29th International Seminar on Intercultural Pastoral Care and Counselling
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
CCME Executive Committee expresses its concern at erosion of protection of refugees in Europe
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
Churches stand with refugees as world leaders meet at UN summit
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…
ACT Alliance, WCC, CCME and CWWM Statement on the UN Summit on Refugees and Migrants
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
NGOs strongly condemn new EU policies to contain migration
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
CCME joins the Alliance against Antigypsyism
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
Porajmos: Remembering Roma lives lost during World War II
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…
Reject dangerous migration response plan
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
World Refugee Day: “Have No Fear” – Churches call for intensified efforts
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.
Press 2013-2015
2015
2014
- Remembering persons who have lost their lives calls for a commitment to prevent such catastrophes / Full Statement
CCME 50th Anniversary
Recalling the past, meeting the challenges of the future
Message by Anders Wejryd, Archbishop and Primate of the Church of Sweden and Europe President of WCC:
For fifty years CCME has served modern societies and old churches, which both have to face the needs of uprooted people in respect for their individuality and traditions.
Churches are vital for integration and they are among the most efficient tools for integration. We, as church people, can affect the use of this vital and efficient tool. If we are inspired by Jesus, we do see “the Other” and when we see “the Other” we may see Jesus. A video message can be accessed on the following link: https://dl.dropboxusercontent.com/u/87584620/CCMEgreeting_AW.zip
- Fotos: Rolf Oeser
- CCME 19th General Assembly, Sigtuna 25-29 June 2014 / Public Statement / GERMAN Version / DUTCH Version
- Fotos: Emmanuel Kabalisa
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2013
News 2010-2012
2012
- 64 NGOs call the EU Member States and the European Commission to safeguard family life of migrants and refugees / FRENCH Version , SPANISH Version
- Right to Family Life and Family Reunification: 20 NGOs call the EU Member States and the European Commission to safeguard family life of migrants and refugees
- 2012-04-02-CCME Executive Committee calls on “EU member states to agree on more ambitious targets”/ Spanish Version…
- 2012-03-12 Press Conference Brussels 15 March 2012: Labour trafficking: European NGO campaign asks EU citizens to “open your eyes !”
2011
- 2011-10-03-Conference Labour Trafficking: Identification and referral of victims – challenges and policy options. Brussels, 18 October 2011
- 2011-06-20-Economic crisis changes patterns of migration in Europe; Prof. Dr Victoria Kamondji elected moderator of CCME
- 2011-06-18-Public Statement of the General Assembly of CCME, Bucharest 16-19 June 2011
- 2011-05-27-Day of intercession in memory of those who have died at the borders of the EU, 2011
- 2011-05-27-Tag der Fürbitte und des Gedenkens an die Toten an den Grenzen der EU 2011
- 2011-05-27- Día de intercesión en memoria de los que han muerto en las fronteras de la Unión Europea 2011
- 2011-04-07- Civil Society Input to the New Agenda for Integration
- 2011-04-06 JOINT NGO STATEMENT: “Emergency in the South Mediterranean – towards a true policy of addressing humanitarian assistance, protection, cooperation and solidarity“
- 2011-02-21 – Churches Contribute to European Roma Strategies
- 2011-01-28 – HEARING: COMBATTING TRAFFICKING FOR FORCED LABOUR; European Parliament Brussels (ASP 3E2), 9th February 2011
2010
- 2010-12-20 Message by the President of CEC and Moderator of CCME on International Migrants Day 2010: Let us celebrate diversity together and find ways to address the common challenges in society – together, not apart
- 2010-12-16 European Leaders Urged To Ratify the Migrant Workers Convention.
- 2010-12-15 Conference – “Year of European Churches responding to Migration 2010-Achievements, Challenges and Future Perspectives”
- 2010-10-11: European Churches initiate review of “first steps” against forced labour trafficking
- 2010-08-26: France: Projet de loi “Besson” sur l’immigration – Des organismes chrétiens alertent sur l’avancée des mesures annoncées
- 2010-06-20 – World Refugee Day: Joint Statement CEC-CCME “Commemorate Persons Dying on their way to seek safety”
- 2010-06-16 Christian organisations‘ comments on the recast of the qualification and asylum procedures directives
- 2010-06-10 NGO Statement and Recommendations on the occasion of the European Parliament Seminar on Combating and Preventing Trafficking in Human Beings – the way forward…
- 2010-05-05 Christian Ministry in Cultural Diversity
European workshop reviews churches´ efforts in migrants´ activation, participation and mutual integration - 2010-04 “Criminalisation of Migrants and surge of racism alarming phenomena” CCME tells Italian Parliament
CCME Executive Committee raises human rights concerns with President, Human Rights Commission of Houses of Parliament - 2010-03 Trafficking for Forced Labour in Europe: Emerging Challenges – Emerging Responses. A collection of emerging best practice examples.
- 2010-03-09 Update meeting on migrant policies in the Netherlands
- 2010-03-02 Refugee resettlement to Hungary “important lessons to learn from regional cooperation” A debate on refugee resettlement to Hungary on 1st March 2010 in Budapest brought together representatives of the Hungarian government, the UN refugee agency UNHCR, civil society organisations and other …
- 2010-03-01 Combating trafficking for forced labour: signs of hope among alarming realities. The Bucharest workshop “Trafficking in Human Beings for Labour Exploitation – emerging civil society responses to a growing challenge”….
- 2010-02-11 Refugee resettlement to Germany: maintaining the dynamic between European and national engagement. Round table in Berlin looks at recent national experiences and EU-wide plans
News 2007-2009
2009
- 2009 November – Christian Organisations on Migration and Development in view of the Civil Society Days and the Global Forum on Migration and Development, Athens, 2-3 and 4-5 November 2009 – Statement in English French
- 2009-11-26 Conference of European Churches and Churches’ Commission for Migrants in Europe launch Year of European Churches Responding to Migration 2010
- 2009-09-02 CCME Press-rel Churches welcome EU Proposal on Refugee Resettlement
- 2009-08-27 – Statement – Europe should take its fair share of responsibility in refugee protection – and the active role of the churches is essential
- 2009-08-27 – Swedish Migration Minister: “EU Refugee resettlement programme has to result in a substantial increase of the resettlement quota” Stockholm-Sigtuna
- 2009-08-02 – EU Proposal on Refugee Resettlement “step in right direction, but more ambition needed”
- 2009-07 Recommendations for the Migration and Asylum Policies in the EU “Stockholm Programme” (2010 – 2015) – Christian Group comments
- 2009-05-28 – Refugee resettlement: an opportunity for Portugal “to pay back for the welcome received when we were refugees”
- 2009-05-20 Chr-Com on EC proposals for Dublin II
- 2009-05-19 – Refugee resettlement to Belgium: local actors ready, but political coordination needed
- 2009-05-13 – Refugee resettlement to Baltic states: “not easy, but possible”
- 2009-05-01 – Commitment of Romania to refugee resettlement “encouragement for other EU member states”
- 2009-03-18 – Migrant Christians´ participation in European churches: need to go beyond “filling empty church benches”
- 2009-03-13 – CCME Participation and equality of Roma crucial in European societies
2008
2007
News 2004-2006
2006
- 2006-05-03 CCME Press-rel – RR – Europe could learn from Canada + USA
- 2006-03-13 Chr Com – on EC proposal4 for Return Directive
2005
- 2005-11-25 CCME Press-rel – Enhancing RR – important tool for protecting refugees
- 2005-10-12 CCME Press-rel – European Churches deplore loss of life in Ceuta and Melilla
2004