Although official border crossings between Croatia and Serbia are closed Croatia is accepting refugees who are entering to Croatia through alternative ways. Up to now around 20.163 refugees has entered Croatia. Tonight, Slovenia has also slowly started to accept refugees. Same as Hungary through Croatian-Hungarian border crossings (crossings between Serbia and Hungary are still steeled). However, situation is changing from minute to minute.

Croatian activist community and citizens have shown great solidarity with refugees - we are advocating for both maximum admission and integration of all who wish to stay in Croatia but also for a safe passage through Croatia for all who wish to continue their journey to richer northern countries like Germany, Netherlands, Belgium and Sweden, where they feel safer and more capable of recreating their lives and social networks. Self-determination, protection from violence and mobility are universal human rights!

Due to the restrictive and destructive EU legislation on asylum (Dublin rules etc.), the only way for the governments to support the refugees is to break these rules and jointly ensure a SAFE PASSAGE THROUGH EUROPE - across the Mediterranean, throughout the Balkans and entire Europe - and to grant them a universal refugee status. International humanitarian law MUST substitute the EU asylum and immigration acquis as a universally accepted and superior legal source and critical policy framework for dealing with this outstanding humanitarian crisis!

According to the humanitarian law, every person in danger of war and persecution has the right to refuge and should not be returned to any place where he/she is in danger. At the same time, it is not fair to place the burden on Balkan countries only – the support to refugees should be shared across Europe with an open heart and coordinated public and citizens’ action. International humanitarian law is the ultimate rule of law in light of this enormous human tragedy across Europe, the Middle East and Africa. Everything else is a crime against common sense and humanity leading to mass violation of basic human rights!

In light of a desperate situation in Croatia, Serbia and neighbouring countries, and on the upcoming EU summit on refugee crisis next Tuesday in Brussels, we appeal to you FOR ONE VOICE ACROSS EUROPE FOR SOLIDARITY BEYOND SCHENGEN AND DUBLIN!

We appeal to you to:

 urgently organise visible and loud protests in your capitals,

 take direct solidarity actions and small protests on border check-points and,

 lobby your governments, other governments, EU institutions and media,

We stand united for urgent political agreement among neighbouring countries and willing EU member states (qualified majority is enough!) on:

 establishment of SAFE AND FREE PASSAGE THROUGH EUROPE,

 focus of public action (police, military, health, humanitarian aid etc.) on HUMAN SECURITY AND SOLIDARITY as opposed to border control,

 immediate SUSPENSION OF DUBLIN REGULATION,

 formal request of the EU to the UN Security Council of the UN for the pronouncement of INTERNATIONAL HUMANITARIAN CRISIS related to the war and political instability in northern Africa.

Let’s stop Europe from turning into fortress!

Please let us know about your plans and actions!

Best activist regards from the Centre for Peace Studies, GONG and the Croatian Platform for International Citizen Solidarity.