The tragedy on October 3rd 2013, in Lampedusa, were 366 victims were counted, should have been the last time. It did not go like that, months pass and Europe continues to count deaths. More than one thousands in two days. Europe recognizes the limits of its instruments, the failure of Triton mission, even if it remains resigned, the fault fall back on the member states. Tears, protests, condolences messages come in succession. Triton’s results are for the eyes of everyone, they show the failure that is not only related to these last days.
Amnesty International, it’s time for concrete actions
“We need an instrument at a European level at least like it was with Mare Nostrum- Iverna Mcgowan acting director at the EU office of Amnesty International said to East – the main priority must be the rescue at sea”.
In the first three and half months of 2015 over 21 thousands immigrants arrived to Italy, 42% more than in 2014. The dramatic data show that examining the same period of 2014, the number of victims increased by 53 times compared to one year ago. “Thursday’s emergency summit will be the litmus test for Europe’s commitment to save lives in the Mediterranean. Words must now turn into concrete action specifically in the form of a European multi-nation and robust search and rescue operation” said Iverna McGowan. Also, accompanying air support operating where needed during rescue actions would be fundamental. According to Amnesty International, until the EU governments won’t offer adequate and safe channels, a place of access to the international protection or real alternatives, migrants will continue to choose crossing the sea by taking unsafe journeys.
Ten points to give an answer
Reinforce Triton and capture and destroy smuggler vessels. Those are some of the main subjects of the ten points from the EU emergency answer presented by the Commissioner for Migration Avramopoulos. In particular, increase of financial and structural sources for Triton and Poseidon and also the extension of their operational area, allowing us to intervene further, with the mandate of Frontex has been established. A systematic effort to capture and destroy vessels used by smugglers in the Mediterranean will take place. Furthermore Easo will deploy teams in Italy and Greece for processing of asylum applications. The member states will be obliged to ensure fingerprinting of all migrants. In the proposals under examination, there is also a pilot project on resettlement for the migrants arrived in Europe based on a voluntary participation from the member states, a new return program for a rapid return of irregular migrants coordinated by Frontex. Furthermore, Europol, Frontex, Easo and Eurojust will meet regularly and work to coordinate the investigation on smugglers. At the extraordinary EU summit taking place this Thursday, it is necessary to give first response, while the presentation of the EU agenda on immigration will be anticipated the first week of May.
“I do not expect any quick fix solutions to the root causes of migration, because there are none. Had they existed we would have used them long ago. But I do expect that the Commission and the European External Action Service will present options for an immediate action. And I do expect member states to contribute immediately” the Council President Donald Tusk said.
