Migratory and asylum pressure at the Italian border not yet curbed

In the past few days more than 300 people died as a consequence of three different incidents with vessels that were trying to cross the Mediterranean Sea from North Africa to Europe.

After the three incidents of last week, the total amount of deaths in the Mediterranean Sea has risen to 1'900 people according to the UN Refugee Agency (UNHCR). Most of the vessels arriving at the Italian border come from Libya. However, not only Libyan people are fleeing from violence, conflict and persecution in their home country. Also persons with other nationalities, like for example Eritreans, Somalis and Syrians are taking huge risks to get to Europe.

The UN Refugee Agency (UNHCR) is urging Europe to take prompt and concerted action to cope with the dramatic situations at its borders, as the security situation in the countries of origin, like Libya, is getting worse. Exemplary for this is the relocation of all EU personnel of the EU border Assistance Mission in Libya (Eubam) to Tunesia, as a consequence of the rising violence in Tripoli (Libya). Eubam was set up by the European Union last year in order to support the Libyan authorities in improving and developing the security at the country’s borders.

Tomorrow, Wednesday the 27th of August, the EU home affairs commissioner Cecilia Malmström will meet with Italy’s interior minister, Angelino Alfano to discuss what the EU can do to support Italy.
 

Publication Date: Tue 26 Aug 2014
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