We took note with great surprise and concern of the positions the Romanian authorities took in the last weeks in the refugee crisis unfolding in the European Union. We are sad to see that an exceptional situation which could have been rationally managed turned into a crisis of democracy and of the European political model. Fundamental rights, values as dignity and solidarity have been abandoned in favour of national egoism and instrumentalization of communitarian fears.
The way the Romanian authorities reacted, through the statements of the President, of the prime-minister and of other ministers is inadequate, ignoring both the tradition of the country which in several occasions opened its doors to refugees and the spirit of the international treaties Romania is part of. The Romanian authorities have let themselves engaged into a cynical attitude, when they did not plainly give in to fears or prejudices towards refugees. At the same time, they ignored the positions urging an approach based on humanity and solidarity.
We regret the lack of public debate at governmental, parliamentary and civic level and we consider that crisis situations should not be solved by imposing decisions taken behind closed doors and in the name of a forced “national interest”, but through the involvement of the society. We call on the authorities to move on from the deadlock they entered and which is pushing Romania into isolation. Romania has the resources to receive more refugees than the authorities rushed to announce. It is a country that benefits from the expertise of dozens of civil society organisations that have developed programs for vulnerable people, including refugees. Some Romanian citizens originally come from the Middle East, and they can assist Romania in its efforts to receive and integrate the refugees coming through the neighbouring countries. Last but not least, ordinary citizens can react with empathy and solidarity to the needs of those that left the path of war and persecutions.
We call on the authorities to reconsider their attitude in managing this exceptional situation and send a signal of trust, humanity and solidarity. We believe the time has come to mobilise local and central public administration and ask for support from local communities, civil society, churches and all the organisations who wish to contribute to this humanitarian effort. We are confident that the society will respond accordingly and that Romania will rise above suspicion and isolation, changing both the lives of those who choose to come here and the unfair international image associated with it recently.