Families belong together. The evidence is clear: when families are reunited, people are better able to settle, participate in their communities and (re)build their lives. Yet across Europe, governments are introducing restrictions that make family reunification slower, more difficult, and in some cases nearly impossible.
This #WorldRefugeeDay Caritas Europa and its network across Europe call on EU Member States to remove unnecessary barriers, accept alternative proof of family links, reduce costs and ensure that professional support is available for those who undertake the process. The European Commission also has a key role to play in monitoring implementation and holding Member States accountable when they fail to uphold this right.
Family reunification is a right, not a privilege. Read more in Caritas Europa’s position paper.