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Activists gather in Strasbourg demanding action from EU on refugee crisis

Xinhua, September 15, 2015 Adjust font size:

Activists gathered here Monday in front of the seat of the European Parliament to show support for refugees while an extraordinary meeting of the European Union's Justice and Home Affairs Council was held in Brussels to discuss the ongoing migrant crisis.

Organized by the Alsace chapter of Amnesty International, and supported by the Alsace-Syria Association, the demonstration called for immediate action to help the high numbers of refugees who have come to Europe after having fled conflict in their home nations.

"Until now, European leaders have concentrated on borders and the construction of barriers. They've pushed EU neighboring countries to play the role of border guards for them. We are witnessing the dramatic consequences of these choices," declared the Amnesty International regional representative for Alsace, Celia Deiana.

Deiana continued to insist that the European Union must open its borders to refugees, providing safe and legal channels for asylum seekers, and providing much needed assistance once they arrive.

The majority of refugees coming to Europe are Syrian, but the President of the Alsace-Syria Association, Nazeh Kussaibi, pointed out that aid is also necessary within Syria itself: "We must also help people within Syria itself."

The Strasbourg protest was held in tandem with a demonstration in Brussels, also organized by Amnesty International.

According to Amnesty International, 350,000 refugees have reached the EU this year, with 90 percent fleeing countries in a state of war. In addition, the international NGO says at least 2,800 people have lost their lives trying to reach Europe. Endit