Mediterranean migrant deaths: EU holds urgent talks
Source: BBC News
Some southern European nations say the EU's credibility is now at stake after last year's decision to scale back search and rescue efforts.
The UN says the North Africa-Italy route has become the world's deadliest.
"We have a political and moral duty to exercise our role. The Mediterranean is our sea and we have to act together as Europeans. It is also [in] our interest, [in that] of our credibility; the European Union was built and is built around the protection of human rights, human dignity and the life of human people - we need to be consistent in that."
"We have what is possibly becoming a failed state at our doorstep. We have criminal gangs [in Libya] having a heyday organising these trips in rickety boats... We need to get the Libyan factions together to form some sort of government of almost national unity."
Rescuers help children disembark in Sicily after a merchant vessel rescued about 100 migrants on Sunday in a different disaster
Read more: http://www.bbc.com/news/world-europe-32377768
Human smugglers are taking advantage of the political crisis in Libya to use it as a launching point for boats carrying migrants who are fleeing violence or economic hardship in Africa and the Middle East.
Glad to see that EU leaders are finally going to face this crisis head on.
As EU foreign policy chief Federica Mogherini said: "We have a political and moral duty to exercise our role. The Mediterranean is our sea and we have to act together as Europeans."
marym625
(17,997 posts)If you're interested
E.U. Ministers Set to Discuss Immigration After Ship Capsizes
http://mobile.nytimes.com/2015/04/21/world/europe/european-union-immigration-migrant-ship-capsizes.html?referrer=
This is so horrific. I can't believe things like this are still happening in the world, where people have no place to go.
Between 700 and 950 people feared dead and only 24 bodies found. Senseless, needless death. I hope that the E.U. comes to a decision that will change this.
And where are we? What has the US done to help these refugees? I realize that this is not our sea but it's not like we don't know what is happening or have the capability to help.
Surya Gayatri
(15,445 posts)is mobilizing as we speak to try to get a handle on this catastrophe.
marym625
(17,997 posts)And all the refugees from Vietnam and Cambodia in the little boats dying. And even from Cuba. I know that eventually the US paid for or accepted many of the refugees from Vietnam, but not until after tens of thousands died. And even then, many were held for extended periods or sent back.
Worse, the people from Europe trying to escape the Nazis during WWII. So many could have been saved
Why are we so determined to "help" with war and not with the aid needed? I truly hope we step up immediately and join with the E.U. In this crisis
Surya Gayatri
(15,445 posts)Rescuing and assisting our fellow humans? Not so much.
marym625
(17,997 posts)Just physically ill.
Surya Gayatri
(15,445 posts)JustAnotherGen
(31,937 posts)IE What would each of us be willing to call our Member of the House and Senators and say? We kind of started this - with our involvement in some and not other countries over there. *sigh*
marym625
(17,997 posts)I will go check it out