March 21st 2017

On the 60^th anniversary of the Treaty of Rome, Barbara Hendricks, singer and Honorary Ambassador for life of the United Nations High Commission for Refugees, makes a moving appeal for unity and mobilization for the promotion and defence of human rights before the European Parliament.

A strong and direct speech which remind each of us of our duty to act as “members of the family of Humanity” in order to face the humanitarian crisis we are currently experiencing and questions European citizens about the fraternal future we must build.

“From darkness to light
From injustice to justice
From war to peace
From fear to love
The stakes have never been higher.
We do not have the right to fail,
Not only for our children but for all of the children of the world.
Failure is simply unacceptable. “

A speech that allows to “vibrate with the same string” which last words are a tribute to refugee children, combining the worlds of a Somali refugee with the lyrics of Ella Fitzgerald (Summertime) and Motherless child composed in the United States before the abolition of slavery.

The entire speech is available here (Minute 06:00).

To go further: Also read Barbara Hendricks’ Tribune on the situation in Greece facing the massive arrivals of migrants: Barbara Hendricks, “Greece is an example of solidarity for Europe!”, Humanitarian Alternatives, n° 3, November 2016, p. 188-190, http://alternatives-humanitaires.org/en/2016/11/23/greece-is-an-example-of-solidarity-for- europe/

Barbara Hendricks’ speech at the European Parliament

82 thoughts on “Barbara Hendricks’ speech at the European Parliament”