Councillors request emergency motion on refugee crisis
Independent Newry City Councillor Kevin McAteer and Patrick Brown of the Alliance Party have requested an emergency motion of council in relation to the refugee crisis.
The motion reads: “That this council recognises the severity of the current refugee crisis; the legitimate right of the persecuted to sanctuary under international law; and understands the moral obligation to help placed on those nations able to do so.
“This motion calls upon the UK government to show leadership and devote resources to help those in need, and pledges that Newry, Mourne and Down District Council will offer sanctuary to hundreds of refugees, and that the appropriate lines of communication shall be opened by the council to enable this.”
The motion has been submitted by both councillors and they are now waiting to see if it can be debated as an emergency motion at Monday’s full council meeting.
Speaking to Newry Times, McAteer stated, “It is important that we debate this issue and that we debate it as soon as possible, this issue is happening right now as seen from the disturbing images that have been portrayed in the media in recent days.
“There is no reason why Northern Ireland and this district in particular can’t take in refugees; it’s time to take action.”
Councillor Brown added, “At the moment Belfast Council are debating it as an emergency motion and on Monday we hope we can do the same but only if 80% of the councillors allow it to be debated.”
Short URL: https://newrytimes.com/?p=52537
Good on both councillors.this is a crime against humanity fostered through USA and Britain
Europe is guilty of crimes against humanity by attempting to prevent, stop and bully refugees and by creating walls and barbed-wire fencing along its borders.