Photo from the Hellenic Coast Guard’s announcement concerning the incident off Lesbos. Source: Hellenic Coast Guard
Today, twelve people lost their lives in the Aegean Sea, including a baby. For us, as refugee and migrant communities, this news is not just another number in a long death toll.
They are people who could have been our family members, our friends, members of our communities. People who were forced to undertake a dangerous journey because they believed that safety might lie on the other side.
We express our deep sorrow and solidarity with the families and survivors. At the same time, we call for a full and transparent investigation into the circumstances of both incidents.
We cannot and must not become accustomed to people dying at Europe’s borders. Protecting human life must take precedence over any border management policy.
We need effective search and rescue, truly safe pathways to asylum and protection, and policies that do not leave people with a dangerous sea crossing as their only option.
We do not want to issue another statement mourning the next lives lost. We want there to be no more lives lost to mourn.
