The Lampedusa tragedy emphasizes Europe’s failures to address the needs of the refugees. While the EU Frontex policy has been focused on keeping the refugees out, at all costs, no investments or policies have been made to secure the safety of the refugees who are trapped. Official policies that aim to prevent unauthorized migration into Europe are partly to blame.
“Italy’s immigration law is inhumane,” Giusi Nicolini, Lampedusa’s mayor, says. “Three fishing boats didn’t offer rescue and left the vessel to its destiny because our country has put fishermen who helped migrants at sea under trial accusing them of facilitating illegal immigration.”
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