Proposal from the interior ministers of the bloc countries is to ask for help for Libya to solve the migratory crisis of the bloc
On Thursday, European Union representatives refused to open other ports to distribute the flow of migrants and refugees to the mainland, mainly from the African coast.
According to the interior ministers of the countries of the bloc, the solution to the crisis is to concentrate the actions in Libya, where most of the ships leave. Human rights groups and Amnesty International, however, say the initiative is irresponsible due to the prevailing climate of instability in the African country.
Critics of the European Union's proposal also argue that the measure may further victimize migrants, who often escape severe human rights violations.
About 100,000 migrants have arrived in Europe since January, of which 85,000 have landed in Italy, according to figures from the International Organization for Migration (IOM).
During a meeting in Tallinn, the interior ministers of the bloc countries acknowledged Italy's urgency, but called on Rome not to take any decisions before negotiating with the other EU member states.
Last week, Italy threatened to veto the entry of foreign vessels carrying migrants rescued in the Mediterranean into their ports and asked their partners to make a concrete contribution to the issue.
Italy proposes measures that require a greater contribution from the rest of the bloc, as well as a division of the migrants rescued from their neighbors in the Mediterranean. However, France, Spain, Germany, Belgium, the Netherlands and Luxembourg have warned that they will not open the ports for ships of rescue NGOs.
The European Union also calls for better coordination of rescue operations with the Libyan Coast Guard - which would be better equipped with aid of € 46 million - and the Egyptian and Tunisian authorities.
In addition, according to the Associated Press, European ministers have amended that they may penalize migrants' countries of origin with visa restrictions if those nations refuse to receive again their citizens who have applied for asylum denied in Europe.
"The situation in the central Mediterranean and the resulting pressure on Italy are of great concern to all Member States," Estonia, which has just taken over the EU's pro tempore presidency, said in a statement.
Despite the statement, no concrete action was announced at the meeting.
Meeting in Rome
In Rome, Foreign Minister Angelino Alfano said Italy has pledged 10 million euros to help countries bordering southern Libya - Niger, Chad and Sudan - to better control their borders and prevent migrants Arrive in Libya. An additional EUR 18 million is to be earmarked for voluntary repatriations of migrants arriving in Libya and giving up on crossing the Mediterranean to Europe.
"To reduce the number of people leaving Libya, we must lower the number of those entering [Libya]," Alfano said at a news conference.
Reviews
According to Amnesty International, the idea of funding and training the coastguard in Libya is "deeply problematic", especially in the face of allegations involving officials of the country in episodes of violence and smuggling.
In August, a boat belonging to Médecins Sans Frontières was attacked off the coast of the African country. Subsequently, a panel of United Nations experts confirmed the involvement of Coast Guard members in the attack.
In May, the coast guard intervened in a search and rescue operation that another NGO commanded. According to Amnesty, the officers threatened migrants with weapons, took control of the vessel and took the migrants back to Libya.
Save the Chldren search and rescue director Rob MacGillivray said in a statement that the rescued migrants report scenes of horror in Libya, including sexual abuse, slave trade and torture in detention centers.
"Simply pushing people back to Libya, a place that many describe as hell, is not a solution," MacGillivray said.
Nenhum comentário:
Postar um comentário