EWL and partners call on EU Member States and European Commission to safeguard family life of migrants and refugees
[Brussels, 15 May 2012] The EWL has joined 19 other pan-EU networks in a Statement calling on the EU to ensure implementation of the Family Reunification Directive for all migrants.
All EU Member States can improve the implementation of their family reunification practices and thus guarantee everybody the right to a family life. According to the Family Reunification Directive, all Member States are obliged to guarantee family reunion which signifies ensuring that there are no legal or practical obstacles to this practice.
In 1993, 15 May was made the official International Day of families by the UN General Assembly. This day reflects the importance of families and their rights. It is an opportunity to promote awareness of issues relating to family rights. For this reason, today the EWL together with 19 other NGOs calls for the realisation of the EU Directive concerning family reunification as well as an evaluation of this issue by the European Commission. The European Commission published a report in 2008 demonstrating that several states do not live up to the EU directive concerning family reunification, a new updated report is now needed.
Read the full Joint Statement.
