MIGRANTS: EUROPE IS RETREATING IN THE FACE OF A HUMANITARIAN CRISIS

The European Union proves once again that it doesn’t understand the humanitarian crisis it’s facing. Proposals to manage the flow of incoming migrants from North Africa are leaning towards the militarisation of the Mediterranean and the countries through which migrants pass.

Funding migrant centres in Libya, which are in all respects areas of detention and torture; investing in controlling the borders of transit countries, where human rights are systematically violated; closing Italian ports to NGO ships: these are all symptoms of a repressive migration policy that ignores the suffering of millions of human beings.

Europe is pulling back. Tanks have been added to walls. Italy, which has demonstrated since the Mare Nostrum operation, its principles of humanity and solidarity, has to make more proposals to the EU to welcome those fleeing from war and poverty.

Only the opening of legal and secure access channels to Europe (humanitarian corridors, visas for work and study purposes) and only the sharing of common integration and welcoming policies may allow for the regulation of migrant flows and guarantee rights and security for all. And should Italy initially find itself alone in this task, it shouldn’t give up respect for human life and dignity.