Lampedusa is popular with tourists – and boat migrants. Last week there was a clash of the worlds. On Tuesday alone, around 5,000 migrants reached the port of the Italian island in the Mediterranean Sea. At times there were 6,800 people in the initial reception center, which was only designed for about 400 people.
There were chaotic conditions in the distribution of food and drinks. The Italian Red Cross warned of a humanitarian crisis. In the meantime, countless migrants have been moved to Sicily and the mainland. Prime Minister Giorgia Meloni and President of the European Commission Ursula von der Leyen visited Lampedusa on Sunday.
The escalation in recent days is extraordinary, but not entirely new. Lampedusa has been a hotspot for irregular migration via the so-called Mediterranean route for years.
Why Lampedusa?
The island, which is only about 20 square kilometers in size, is exposed. It is closer to Africa than to Sicily. The Tunisian port city of Sfax, where a large number of boats have been departing recently, is less than 200 kilometers away. This makes Lampedusa a favorite destination for migrants, especially from Africa, and their traders.
The approximately 6,500 residents respond with great willingness to help, but feel abandoned by the Italian government and the EU. They fear that Lampedusa will become a “second Lesbos”. Today, the Greek island is best known for its migrant camps, some of which lived in inhumane conditions.
How did it escalate?
The Mediterranean Sea was unusually calm last week, making the weather ideal for a crossing. But Tunisian President Kais Saied is also accused of fueling migration with a campaign against black Africans. There have been numerous raids against refugees and smugglers in Tunisia in recent days.
What is Italy doing?
During last year’s election campaign, Giorgia Meloni announced that she wanted to stop irregular migration. The opposite happened. More than 127,000 people have come to the country this year, almost twice as many as in the same period last year. This puts the head of government of the post-fascist Fratelli d’Italia under domestic political pressure.
On Friday evening, she announced in a video message that camps would be set up “in remote, sparsely populated areas.” Detention pending deportation should be extended to 18 months. Meloni also called for a European mission to stop the migrant boats, if necessary by the navy. That’s easier said than done.
People in North Africa should be stopped from traveling to Europe, Meloni said on Sunday. She is also under pressure from coalition partner Matteo Salvini. The Lega politician described the conditions in Lampedusa as an ‘act of war’ and made a demonstrative appearance on Sunday with the French right-wing populist Marine Le Pen.
What is the EU doing?
Ursula von der Leyen presented a ten-point plan on Sunday. Accordingly, maritime and aerial surveillance should be strengthened, including with the help of the controversial border protection agency Frontex. Cooperation with Tunisia and training of the coast guard should be strengthened and legal migration should be facilitated.
Von der Leyen also “urgently asked other countries to help and accept migrants from Lampedusa.” She could not provide concrete solutions. In June, EU Home Affairs ministers reached a compromise on reforming asylum law, which should allow for faster procedures. But implementation is difficult.
What is Tunisia doing?
Two months ago, the EU and Tunisia signed a memorandum of understanding. It offers the North African country financial assistance and economic cooperation, for example in the field of renewable energy. In return, Tunisia should take more action against the “crime of smuggling” and boat abandonment.
The weekend raids are heading in this direction, but the controversial head of state Kais Saied, who is increasingly behaving like a dictator, is accused of duplicity. He said in June that he “would not play border police for Europe.” Members of the EU Parliament expressed doubts about whether the deal would work.
Agreements with third countries are at the heart of the EU’s asylum reform agreed in June. Accordingly, asylum procedures should in the future be carried out in countries such as Albania or Morocco. Critics see this as an attack on humanitarian asylum policy. There is still no agreement. We will probably see more photos like this from Lampedusa in the near future.
Soource :Watson
I am Amelia James, a passionate journalist with a deep-rooted interest in current affairs. I have more than five years of experience in the media industry, working both as an author and editor for 24 Instant News. My main focus lies in international news, particularly regional conflicts and political issues around the world.
