Manifesto

NO BORDER SHOULD BE MORE WORTHY OF PROTECTION THAN A HUMAN LIFE

Between 2014 and today, more than 60,000 people have died trying to reach safety. We refuse to look away. These nine principles guide everything HuBB does — in the field and at home.

  1. Principle 01 01

    No border should be more worthy of protection than a human life.

    For years, people have been dying trying to cross borders into Europe, with violations occurring on both sides. Fortifying Europe is not acceptable.

  2. Principle 02 02

    We need more legal migration channels — we need safe passages.

    Migration is historically constant and asylum represents a moral and legal duty. Aggressive border enforcement won't address root causes or halt trafficking.

  3. Principle 03 03

    We want democracy, integrity and transparency.

    Nationalist rhetoric promoting fear and division must be rejected — particularly when weaponised for political gain.

  4. Principle 04 04

    We need informed and critical citizens.

    Misinformation generates harmful stereotypes; reliable information access is essential.

  5. Principle 05 05

    The economy should serve, not restrict, humans.

    Resource inequality drives migration; profiting from conflict and exploitation perpetuates displacement.

  6. Principle 06 06

    Human Rights must be the fundamental basis of every political decision.

    Partnerships with rights-violating regimes are morally indefensible.

  7. Principle 07 07

    Humanitarian aid is a duty, never a crime.

    Prosecuting aid workers is wrongful; governments bear responsibility for emergencies.

  8. Principle 08 08

    We believe individual action makes a difference.

    Passivity enables migrant deaths and rights violations.

  9. Principle 09 09

    We believe collective action has the power to change the world.

    United resistance against apathy regarding human rights violations is necessary.

Between 2015 and 2018 more than 10,000 people died trying to cross the Mediterranean Sea in search of refuge.

1. NO BORDER SHOULD BE MORE WORTHY OF PROTECTION THAN A HUMAN LIFE.
For years people have been dying trying to cross the European border. On both sides of the borders, people are trapped in camps where human rights are violated. Turning Europe into a fortress cannot be an option.

2. WE NEED MORE LEGAL PATHS FOR MIGRATION — WE NEED SAFE PASSAGES.
Migration has always been part of history and the right to asylum is a moral and legal obligation. Defending borders with violence will not eliminate the motivation to flee, nor will it stop human trafficking.

3. WE WANT DEMOCRACY, INTEGRITY AND TRANSPARENCY.
Let's not be fooled by nationalist discourses that promote fear, discrimination and division. Using this tragedy to push xenophobic ideals and gain political power is unacceptable.

4. WE NEED INFORMED AND CRITICAL CITIZENS.
Misinformation and generalisation feed dangerous myths. We seek and share trustworthy information.

5. THE ECONOMY MUST SERVE PEOPLE, NOT RESTRICT THEM.
While access to opportunities and resources stays unequal, people will keep migrating in search of a better life. Profiting from war by trading weapons and exploiting natural resources of developing countries forces people from their homes. We condemn economic systems focused on exploitation, financial profit and power. We remind the European Union of its commitment to protect the environment and of its promise of de-escalation and demilitarisation.

6. HUMAN RIGHTS MUST BE THE FOUNDATION OF EVERY POLITICAL DECISION.
Cooperating with unstable governments such as Libya, where human rights are entirely disregarded, and with autocratic leaders who only respond to their own interests is shameful. We are outraged by the dirty deals in which the European Union continues to engage.

7. HUMANITARIAN AID IS A DUTY, NEVER A CRIME.
The criminalisation of humanitarian work is reckless and negligent. NGOs respond to emergencies that should be the responsibility of governments.

8. WE BELIEVE INDIVIDUAL ACTION MAKES A DIFFERENCE.
Those who choose passivity accept and perpetuate the deaths of migrants. Silence leaves room for many more human rights violations. We will not let this go unnoticed.

9. WE BELIEVE COLLECTIVE ACTION HAS THE POWER TO CHANGE THE WORLD.
Let's stand together against the growing apathy in the face of human rights violations. We want to raise awareness and call to action. These are our rights. This is our problem.

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HuBB is built by volunteers in Lisbon, Porto, Évora and beyond. Lend your time, your skills or your voice — every action counts.