Brussels, Oct 21 (CTK) – Czech film director Jiri Menzel (Oscar-winning “Closely Watch Trains”) and actor Karel Roden (also played in English-language films) have joined dozens of outstanding European film personalities who have signed the petition For a Thousand Lives: Be Human in support of the refugees now flooding Europe.
The petition has also been signed by a former Slovak presidential candidate, actress Magda Vasaryova (“Marketa Lazarova”), Polish film director Agnieszka Holland, British actor Daniel Craig and French actress Juliette Binoche.
The petition has asked the EU to provide the refugees with legal protection and the relevant infrastructure for a safe application for asylum without forcing them to take illegal routes and risk their lives.
The film-makers also want the European countries to redistribute the displaced persons as a sign of solidarity, not leaving the burden only on the countries on the Schengen border.
“According to Amnesty International, more than 23.000 people have lost their lives that way since 2000. These deaths are a direct consequence of E.U. immigration policies. The guilt doesn’t just lie with the traffickers; Europe cannot deny its share of responsibility,” the petition said.
“To make matters worse, those who reach Europe often find themselves in degrading living conditions and are subjected to inhumane treatment. The E.U. is spending up to twenty times more money on border control, than on welcoming centres for refugees,” it added.
“The past tragedies have already led to a change in attitude for many people as can be witnessed in countless acts of personal compassion as well as public demonstrations of solidarity. Sadly, most official politicians seem to be all too slow in accepting the existence of a humanitarian crisis and finding life-sustaining solutions,” the petition said.
