2011-02-16 16:12:16

Magreb Migrants


Italy has warned that an influx of migrants arriving on its shores after fleeing the turmoil in North Africa could threaten the institutional and social structures of Europe. Over 5,000 migrants, mostly from Tunisia, have landed on the Italian island of Lampedusa in recent days following uprisings that led to the removal of the Tunisian and Egyptian presidents.

Italian Interior Minister Roberto Marconi has described the flow of migrants as “an exodus of biblical proportions that has never been seen before.” Susy Hodges interviewed James Stapleton, the International Communications Coordinator for the Jesuit Refugee Services.

Asked whether he agreed with the minister's assessment and use of language, Stapleton replies: "No, I think the statements by the Italian authorites are unhelpful at this moment, a movement of 5,000 people is certainly not a small amount ... but for a country of 60 million, it should be manageable."

When asked what action he would like to see taken, Stapleton says: "We call on the European states ... to continue to accept the arrivals of people and ensure they have access to asylum procedures." "What we're extremely concerned about, is the statements where the Italian authorites are calling on the North African states and other European states to prevent people from leaving."

Several dozen migrants are believed to have drowned in the latest exodus and Stapleton goes on to remind us about the heavy loss of life during these dangerous journeys to reach Europe:
"14,000 people have died trying to get into Europe in the last 15-20 years" and he adds that more casualties are certain in the future: "If the situation continues to be unstable in North Africa, then we're going to continue to see people dying."
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