AEGEE-Europe strongly opposes the plans of the Hungarian government about the erection of the 176 kms long fence along the Hungarian-Serbian border. The fence itself is not only a too drastic and impractical measure, but it also carries an unwanted symbolism which is against the fundamental ideals of solidarity, human rights, openness and integration, which all members states of the European Union agreed on. Accordingly to the recent tendencies of an alarmingly high number of immigrants and refugees entering the European continent, AEGEE-Europe calls upon the decision-makers, heads of states and ministers to immediately start working on a more sustainable solution for improving the member states’ circumstances and capacity of handling the influx of immigrants.
Hungary is only one striking example of the unattended problematic cases concerning immigrants which have been continuously reported, and left without a proposal for a long-term strategic aid to remedy the situation. According to several sources, including the reports published by the United Nations Refugee Agency and the United Nations High Commissioner for Refugees, the questionably effective nature of the immigration policies proposed by the institutions has been a topic of debate during recent years, yet it is safe to say that the citizens of the European Union are witnessing that the issue has not been given enough importance in the political agenda.
The AEGEE network collecting around 13.000 young Europeans stand for the fundamental values of human rights and acting accordingly to the principles of solidarity and tolerance. AEGEE’s activists feel strongly against any action of any governmental entity that would propose plans of the further division of the Europe which has already been facing a crescendo of acrimony and bickering over the principles of unity and equality all across the continent.
AEGEE strives for a borderless Europe and any act of intolerance and disrespecting the fundamental principles on which the European Union was established upon should be condemned by the European community and the institutions. An urgent, circumspect and feasible agreement needs to be reached by both the national governments and the European Union’s guiding bodies in order to make sure both the European citizens and the arriving immigrants are provided with the best possible circumstances and a solid foundation for a peaceful co-existence. The plans of the Hungarian government to stop migration in Europe by building a fence is showing a lack of respect for the values of solidarity and tolerance. This initiative doesn’t provide any solution to the migration issue and means to turn back clock in Europe. AEGEE has always been striving for European cooperation between people and communities and we consider the freedom of movement and access to mobility as one of the fundamental rights of all residents on the European continent. A strong Europe is built upon the foundations of respect, tolerance and solidarity between all people on our continent. Freedom of Movement and removing barriers have to be encouraged between all countries of Europe, regardless of whether they are in the European Union or not.
AEGEE has always been striving for European cooperation between people and communities and we consider the freedom of movement and access to mobility as one of the fundamental rights of all residents on the European continent. A strong Europe is built upon the foundations of respect, tolerance and solidarity between all people on our continent. Freedom of Movement and removing barriers have to be encouraged between all countries of Europe, regardless of whether they are in the European Union or not. The plans of the Hungarian government to stop migration in Europe is showing by building a fence in the middle of Europe is missing respect for these values of respect and solidarity.
Holger Schmitt, Network Director of AEGEE-Europe:
‘Borders and walls between countries in Europe are so 80’s! By bringing together citizens from all regions of Europe we will create a society that breaks stereotypes and prejudices and overcomes xenophobia. We have to understand that these plans of creating walls and barriers between countries for the purpose of security are only short-term initiatives of short-sighted politicians that won’t stop the process of creating a borderless Europe.’
About AEGEE
AEGEE (Association des États Généraux des Étudiants de l’Europe) is one of Europe’s biggest interdisciplinary student organisations. As a non-governmental, politically independent, and non-profit organisation AEGEE is open to students and young people from all faculties and disciplines. Founded in 1985 in Paris, today AEGEE has grown to a Network of 13000 friends, present in 200 cities in 40 countries all over Europe.
Operating without a national level, AEGEE strives for a democratic, diverse and borderless Europe, which is socially, economically and politically integrated, and values the participation of young people in its construction and development.
