February 21, 2018 —  What unites a stethoscope, a school book, and a tea set? For thousands of refugees, forced to flee their homes and facing an uncertain future, these items represent lives put on hold; people who are unable to work, get an education or fulfil their potential.

These items were on display on Tuesday, frozen in ice at Luxembourg Square, right at the heart of the European Parliament. The stories depicted were collected by the IRC from refugees living in camps in Greece, Lebanon and Jordan, and was the latest instalment of the Together for Refugees campaign led by humanitarian organisation the International Rescue Committee (IRC) with ice cream activists Ben & Jerry’s and other national refugee organisations such as the Dutch Council for Refugees.

Right now there are 1.2 million refugees in the world who have been identified as especially vulnerable and in need of resettlement, but who have still not been offered sanctuary in a country where their needs can be met. As the EU continues to grapple with finding a common approach to asylum in Europe, the Together for Refugees campaign is calling on EU Member States to agree an ambitious, sustainable and humanitarian policy so that people are given the chance to rebuild their lives in safety.

The Union Resettlement Framework (URF), which is currently being debated by the three EU institutions (Council, Parliament and Commission), offers real hope. Establishing a framework for resettling refugees would offer safe and legal routes to Europe for those who need them most.

Malin Björk, Member of the European Parliament for Sweden said:  “I am pleased to visit Frozen Futures in Brussels, a powerful art installation from Together4Refugees reminding the EU that we can ensure a better future for refugees. 

“The time is overdue for the EU to come up with safe and legal pathways for refugees and I think we need to work hand in hand with civil society, with organisations like the IRC, and others, and really take a stand to drive the agenda forward for this. We have no time to waste.”

Imogen Sudbery, Head of the International Rescue Committee’s office in Brussels said: “The URF represents a unique opportunity for Europe to show real leadership on this issue.We are talking about people who cannot go back home, nor can they rebuild their lives in the country to which they initially fled. The European Union is in a position to help.

“Having gathered more than 20,000 email actions thus far, the Together for Refugees campaign is a reminder to decision makers and our elected representatives that this issue really matters to the public. That public sentiment must be translated into meaningful legislation.”

A selection of photo frames in the exhibit represented the story of Gulbagon, a widow, who fled Afghanistan with her 13 year old niece, and is now living in Diavata, a refugee camp in Greece. A selection of photo frames represent her story in the exhibition. Gulbagon told the IRC: “I am human. I have a heart and feelings. All I want now is to see my daughter. I don't have my husband, I have lost my son.”

An Afghan family, a mother father and two small boys, stopped to view the artwork. The father told the IRC: “I am so grateful to the people of Europe for their humanity. There is no democracy at home. Now we live in Belgium; we are refugees.  There is no safety at home, my parents were killed by the Taliban. If they (Taliban) knew I was leaving they would have killed me. Humanity is the greatest religion in the world.”

Ed Latham, Social Mission Manager for Ben & Jerry’s, said: “The current situation facing many refugees living in camps and insecure locations makes it impossible for them to plan a future.  In 2018 European leaders have the power to make a change, and ensure more refugees are able to rebuild their lives in safety. They must not let this opportunity melt away”

Members of the public can support the campaign by signing the petition asking our leaders to support the Union Resettlement Framework.  

CONTACT:

Images of the event can bedownloaded here.

Notes to Editors:

Together for Refugees: Launched on World Refugee Day 2017 and is calling for European leaders to support a historic piece of legislation that would help some of the world’s most vulnerable people reach safely in Europe, through a managed and supported resettlement program.

Union Resettlement Framework (URF): The URF is a piece of legislation, currently being negotiated by the European Parliament and Council, that would build on the EU’s migration and asylum policy by creating a common safe and legal route to protection through refugee resettlement. It is vital that under the framework overall resettlement numbers are increased, and that resettlement is based on need, not short term political objectives. It must be implemented in partnership with third countries and established resettlement actors, such as UNHCR.

Refugee Resettlement: Right now there are 1.2 million refugees in the world who have been identified by UNHCR as especially vulnerable and in need of resettlement. This group, which includes unaccompanied children, vulnerable women, and people with very complex medical needs, cannot go back to their own countries nor can they rebuild their lives in the country to which they initially fled.

Ben & Jerry’s: Ben & Jerry’s has a history of championing fairness and equality, raising awareness of a range of causes over the years including marriage equality and climate justice.  Ben & Jerry’s has been increasingly vocal on the issue of the refugee crisis, as part of its European wide Together for Refugees campaign. By working with the IRC, Ben & Jerry’s hopes it can help spread the word about on the ongoing crisis and drive lasting change.

The International Rescue Committee (IRC): The International Rescue Committee (IRC) is a humanitarian organisation working predominantly with refugees and displaced people. The IRC is responding to the crises in Syria and Iraq and in surrounding countries including Lebanon and Jordan. Since 2015 it has been programming in Europe, assisting refugees in Greece and Serbia and along the Balkan route Through its team of first responders, humanitarian relief workers, international development experts, healthcare providers and educators, the IRC has assisted millions of people around the world since its founding in 1933.

For full details of the items features in the Frozen Futures installation and the stories behind them are available here.  A comprehensive briefing on the Union Resettlement Framework can be downloaded here.