“Is this really Europe?” Out of the mouths of babes …..

https://www.gofundme.com/2hu2768k

Sunday – my world was rocked .. seeing the pictures from Idomeni and commentaries from people I know in the area – I felt sick to the stomach.  Children and innocent people in pain and suffering from tear gas and rubber bullets.  All of this in Europe.

One child said in horror, to one of the volunteers in Idomeni;  “is this really Europe?”.  

I imagined what it would be like to be that child, leaving my home, leaving my country and everything I know behind. I imagine what these children have witnessed and the fear they have experienced at such a young age.

Then I think of the parents, all the time trying to reassure their children that the perilous journey is worth the risk. That Europe is safe, they will find refuge there.  They wont hear bombs or guns or be afraid for their lives any more. Its worth it; leaving your home, leaving your country, leaving your friends, taking a dangerous journey across the sea where many have died, using all the family savings to pay smugglers….. its all worth it because, you will be safe and you will have a future.. Yet they are far from safe and their future very uncertain.

Europe has not been a safe haven and these fellow humans have not been welcomed.  On Sunday some refugees in the Idomeni camp attempted to break through the border into Macedonia.  The Macedonian Police reacted with indiscriminate and brutal force, injuring the young, old, infirm as well as the individuals who attempted to breach the border controls.

Yet Europe is quiet as a mouse .. you cannot hear condemnation of these brutal actions as our Leaders shuffle their papers around and mumble about the right to defend borders.  These actions are inhumane and should be condemned, and yet they are accepted by those in power and brushed under the carpet.

 

 

I also thought to myself “Is this really Europe?”

When I was in Lesvos in January I had the great fortune to meet a charismatic and  kind priest who had spent time and resources helping the refugees arriving on Lesvos.  Father Christophos had compassion for all humans whether Muslim, Hindu or Christian and is outspoken about the failure of the EU to provide a safe haven for those fleeing war.

Father Christophos was arrested yesterday in Norway for staging a peaceful protest with a handful of protesters outside the Norwegian Embassy.  Again I thought “Is this really Europe?”

But there are glimmers of hope.. the The EU parliament agreed today that a more centralised approach is needed to accept refugees into Europe . There is a possibility of EU quotas .. my fingers are crossed .. It is non binding at the minute .. but there is hope of a solution.

There is also hope in the many people who have compassion, who don’t want to be divided and who don’t allow themselves to swept along by the anti refugee rhetoric.  My amazing donors, a wide range of people , who have now donated £2K to the Idomeni fund (and £4K was donated to the Winter Lesvos fund in January) .. to them I am incredibly grateful – gofundme page;  https://www.gofundme.com/2hu2768k 

I had a wobble yesterday after experiencing some hateful remarks from a Troll on twitter.. hateful, ill-informed and ignorant -yet the hate dragged me down… i received virtual hugs from all over Europe and someone told me to listen to Johnny Cash – Wont Back Down, so I did ..and I recommend you do too – good night 🙂 x