From compassion to crime

What remains of our humanity if helping becomes a crime?

Many NGOs, civil society organisations, humanitarian workers, lawyers, journalists and private citizens across Europe dedicated their time and skills to help people in need – a commitment our societies and governments should be proud of. In many European countries, however, humanitarian aid to refugees is increasingly portrayed in a negative light, if not openly criminalised.

Individuals and CSOs who provide life-saving assistance, food, shelter, or run search-and-rescue operations in the deadly Mediterranean Sea, risk harassment, arrest and prosecution under the alleged crime of facilitating “unauthorised entry, transit or residence” in Europe.

In the documentary From compassion to crime, Dutch director Stanzen Jelsma tells the stories of individuals who have faced or are still facing intense legal battles and criminal charges for showing compassion towards others.

For more information regarding this event, please do not hesitate to contact Hedwig Giusto, Head of the International Programmes and Editor in Chief of the Progressive Post (hedwig.giusto@feps-europe.eu) and Alice Nicaise, Project and Events Officer (alice.nicaise@feps-europe.eu).