World

Drowned Aylan's aunt urges EU to 'open heart'

Take action and come up with a shared plan, Teema Kurdi told a press conference outside European Union headquarters

Afp September 14, 2015

Canadian Tima Kurdi, the aunt of of three-year-old Syrian refugee boy Aylan Kurdi who died trying to reach Greece from Turkey, reacts in front of a painting depicting the drowned Syrian child during a demonstration in Brussels September 14, 2015. PHOTO: REUTERS

BRUSSELS: The aunt of three-year-old Syrian boy Aylan Kurdi whose drowning off Turkey shocked the world visited Brussels on Monday and tearfully urged the EU on Monday to adopt an emergency plan to redistribute refugees.

"Open your heart and take action and come up with a shared plan -- that's why I'm here, to honor my brother's family," Teema Kurdi told a press conference outside European Union headquarters in Brussels.

Read: #AylanKurdi: The three-year-old who broke the world's heart

"It's too late for Aylan and Ghalib and Rihana, but it's not too late for thousands of children and their families who risk everything trying to reach safe haven," said Teema, who flew in from her home in Canada.

Teema's brother Abdullah Kurdi buried his three year-old son Aylan, and his other young son Ghaleb and his wife Rihana in the Syrian flashpoint town of Kobane on September 4 after their flight to Europe on a boat ended in tragedy.

Members of the global civic organization Avaaz wearing caricature heads of European country leaders [From L: France's President Francois Hollande, Germany's Chancellor Angela Merkel and Hungary's Prime Minister Viktor Orban] perform a satrical sketch where Merkel, Hollande and Britain's Prime Minister David Cameron cut through barbed wire to open a giant door of welcome for refugees, in front of a "Wall of Welcome" at the Schuman Roundabout square in Brussels, in front of the European Union (EU) headquarters, on September 14, 2015 during an EU General affairs meeting. PHOTO: AFP

Read: Drowned Syrian toddlers and their mother buried in Kobani

"Instead of putting up fences, I appeal to Europe and the world's politicians to open their doors," Kurdi added.

Her visit was organised by the campaign group Avaaz, which circulated a petition with one million signatures calling for action.

Read: Turkish policeman who found Aylan says: 'I thought of my own son'

"Things are not looking great, but what seemed impossible two weeks ago, with the people coming together, with the catalyst effect of Aylan's death, we already see change," Avaaz campaign director Luis Morago said.