Defending human rights / Migration
Our values
Freedom of Movement and Unconditional Welcome
One of Emmaus’ fundamental values is that of unconditional welcome. We welcome all people into our groups, no matter their background, their country of origin, their age or their religious beliefs.
The Emmaus movement fights against racism, antisemitism and all forms of discrimination with our daily work and via our political demands.
© Emaús Fundación Social
Defending Freedom of Movement
The Universal Declaration of Human Rights was one of the reference documents for the manifesto of the Emmaus movement. Article 13 of the declaration recognises that “everyone has the right to freedom of movement and residence within the borders of each state” and that “everyone has the right to leave any country, including his own, and to return to his country.” And yet public policies to control, repress, criminalise and deport migrant persons continue to be strengthened.
Actions under the banner of Article 13
Freedom of movement is now the prerogative of merchandise, capital and of a minority of privileged individuals. Thousands of people die every year trying to enter Europe’s borders in the hope of finding a better life here.
Several European Emmaus communities worked together in recent years on the “Article 13” campaign. The aim of this initiative was to make more people aware of the existence of this article and to call for better welcome for immigrants in Europe.
Political Campaigning and Working as part of a Network
EU migration policy and the policies of the individual member states flout the fundamental principles of human rights’ conventions and exacerbate poverty.
In recent years the Emmaus groups have welcomed increasing numbers of people who are left on the streets because they haven’t been granted a residency permit or as they weren’t able to ask for asylum. These people would do a great job in the workplace if only they were given a work permit – we know this as they do a great job helping with our solidarity activities within the Emmaus groups.
Emmaus Europe, member of the Migreurop
We are also a member of the Migreurop collective of researchers and associations. We work as part of Migreurop to denounce migration policies which flout human rights and which deny people dignity, notably detention centres at the borders and the policy of border externalisation.
At our 2019 assembly in San Sebastian we adopted a declaration summing up our stance on the matter of welcome for immigrants.
Our various stances
Romania
Fighting against modern slavery: victory at last!
In Emmaus groups, we are familiar with migration journeys of companions who have come from afar, enduring violence and exploitation at different stages along the way. These journeys are sometimes within the European continent, particularly for young Romanians welcomed by Emmaus Satu Mare, who were in care as children.
Defending human rights / Migration
European Union
European Commission 2024-2029 : Austerity and competitiveness
We now know the list of European Commissioners put forward for the 2024-2029 term of office. It is no great surprise that the European Commission is heading in a worrying direction for the future of our activities and our values.
Tackling Poverty / Solidarity
United Kingdom
UK-Rwanda deal scrapped
Emmaus welcomes the decision, but warns about the proliferation of this type of agreement impacting the rights of migrants in Europe.
Defending human rights / Migration
European Union
European elections: a crucial issue for Emmaus
Between 6th and 9th June 2024, European Union citizens will elect the MEPs who will represent them at the European Parliament for the next five years. These elections will largely determine what Europe will look like over the coming years.
Tackling Poverty / Solidarity
European Union
New Pact on Migration and Asylum
On 10 April, the European Parliament voted on the New Pact on Migration and Asylum. This pact contains eight texts, all aimed at tightening external border control and undermining freedom of movement and settlement.
Defending human rights / Migration
European Union
Emmaus at the European Parliament
On 31st January, Emmaus Europe organised a commemoration of the 70th anniversary of Abbé Pierre’s radio appeal. To mark the occasion, we took a piece of Emmaus straight to the heart of the European Parliament in Brussels, by recreating an Emmaus salon and setting up an exhibition on Abbé Pierre.
Tackling Poverty / Solidarity
Ukraine
Despite the war the Oselya group is continuing its fight against poverty
Emmaus Oselya is continuing with its work to support vulnerable people whilst also continuing to lead its income-generating activities. This group fights to offer dignified living conditions to the thousands of vulnerable people who are living in the Lviv region as well as to the victims of the ongoing conflict.
Defending human rights / Migration
Italy
Arrivals in Lampedusa
Following the arrival of a record number of people on the move in Lampedusa, civil society, including Emmaus Europe, expresses in a statement its deep concern at the security response of European states, the crisis of reception, and reaffirms its solidarity with people on the move arriving in Europe.
