Category Archives: Italy

by | 22 Aug 2009 · 20:34

Over 70 Feared Dead In Waters Between Libya and Lampedusa (News)

The Italian Guardia di Finanza rescued 5 Eritrean migrants near Lampedusa.  The migrants had apparently been lost at sea for three weeks. The survivors said that smugglers arranged for their departure from Libya on 28 July with insufficient petrol and water.  Their boat became disabled and they drifted for 20 days before being rescued by Italian authorities.   The survivors say there were about 73 other migrants in the boat and that their bodies were put into the sea after their deaths.  A German patrol helicopter working with Frontex reportedly has observed seven bodies floating in the water.  No efforts have been made to recover the bodies because they are located within the Libyan search and rescue area.  The survivors are being held at the Lampedusa Contrada Imbriacola “reception centre”.  The survivors say that several boats passed near them, but no one rescued them until the Italian boat arrived.

There is confusion about the circumstances under which an Armed Forces of Malta patrol boat encountered the migrant boat before the Italians rescued the survivors.  The Maltese AFM patrol boat may have provided some assistance to the migrants before leaving them.  The Maltese AFM has said that the migrants appeared to be in good condition when found.

UNHCR spokeswoman Laura Boldrini condemned the apparent refusal by other unknown boats to rescue the migrants.  She said “it appears that what is prevailing is fear of providing assistance over the duty of rescuing whoever is found in conditions of difficulty at sea.”

Click here, here, here, and here for articles.

Click here for video of survivors.

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Filed under Frontex, Italy, Libya, Malta, Mediterranean, News

by | 13 Aug 2009 · 20:43

Newborn and Mother Rescued; 80+ Remaining Migrants Forcibly Returned to Libya (News)

Times of Malta. AFM sergeant Neville Cilia holds a baby girl born on boat. Italian Military Mission, Malta.

Times of Malta. AFM sergeant Neville Cilia holds a baby girl born on boat. Italian Military Mission, Malta.

An Armed Forces of Malta helicopter rescued a newborn baby and the baby’s mother from a boat carrying approximately 84 migrants.  The rescue occurred 90 miles south of Malta.  At some point after the rescue, an Italian Navy vessel intercepted the migrant boat and, according to the Times of Malta, turned all remaining migrants over to Libyan authorities.

Click here and here for articles.

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Filed under Italy, Libya, Malta, Mediterranean, News

by | 12 Aug 2009 · 08:05

EC to Consider EU Resettlement Programme in September (News)

“Addressing the first meeting of the newly-constituted Civil Liberties Committee of the European Parliament [in July], EU Justice Commissioner Jacques Barrot said the Commission was finalising the workings of the first intra-EU resettlement programme and would present it to member states in September for approval.”

“…Malta and Italy are insisting that this pilot-project should be compulsory, in order to force member states to share the burden of the southern EU member states, Mr Barrot said this was not possible under the EU treaties and would therefore have to be on a voluntary basis.”

Barrot “underlined the importance of cooperation with third countries, notably Turkey and Libya. He said that he was urging these countries to embark on patrols to bring illegal departures to a halt, to set up systems for readmission of illegal immigrants and to establish reception centres for asylum seekers in their countries.”

“During the debate the issue of Italy’s new policy of turning back migrants to Libya and its newly adopted law on security measures in the area of immigration were harshly criticised by Socialist MEPs who claimed that Italy was violating its obligations and the rights of migrants through these measures.”

“In response Commissioner Barrot noted that the Commission was studying the compatibility of Italy’s security package with European law, whilst it was also carrying out a survey with Italian authorities on the exact facts surrounding those incidents where it turned migrants back to Libya. He said that the Commission was now waiting for Italy’s response.”

Click here and here for articles.

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Filed under European Union, Italy, Libya, Malta, Mediterranean, News

by | 11 Aug 2009 · 18:48

UNHCR awarded Italy’s Terre e Pace peace prize (News)

The award is given to organizations and individuals deemed to have contributed to world peace.  “The prize’s organizing committee said it chose UNHCR as this year’s recipient because of its work to protect the rights of asylum seekers in Italy, many of who arrive in overcrowded boats from Libya. Accepting the award, [UNHCR Regional Representative Laurens] Jolles said 2009 had been a difficult year for UNHCR in Italy as it sought ensure individuals’ rights to international protection were upheld in the face of restrictive government policies which, in some instances, has included returning boats to Libya.”

“This award is evidence that UNHCR is not alone in its conviction that safeguards for asylum seekers must be maintained, even on the high seas,” said Jolles. “It is essential that those who seek refuge from persecution are able to access international protection and that borders are not closed to them.”

Click here for more information.

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Filed under Italy, News, UNHCR

by | 10 Aug 2009 · 20:41

Maritime Security and Defence Conference (Conferences)

The biennial Maritime Security and Defence conference will be held 30 September to 2 October 2009 in Hamburg.

Among the scheduled presenters is Rear Admiral (UH) Salvatore Ruzittu from the Italian Navy who will speak about the situation in the Mediterranean region and the stream of migrants from Africa.

Click here for more information.

Click here for conference web site.

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Filed under Colloques / Conferences, Italy, Mediterranean

by | 10 Aug 2009 · 20:32

ECRE Interview : Thomas Hammarberg, COE Commissioner for Human Rights (News)

Excerpts:

“ECRE: The European Union is very keen in strengthening cooperation with neighbouring countries such as Turkey and Libya in order to reduce the number of migrants entering irregularly the Union. Do you think this could have consequences for refugees who try to reach a safe haven in the EU?

TH: Migration policies are to be based on effective consultations and cooperation among host countries, transit countries and countries of origin. However, as stressed in my reports, legislative and other measures adopted by the EU or European states in order to effectively deal with migration flows should fully abide by international and European human rights law and standards. In this regard, I have made known my disapproval of bilateral or multilateral agreements for the forced returns of irregular migrants with countries, such as Libya, with a long-standing, proven record of torture. […]”

“ECRE: What is your opinion on the Italian policy of pushing back migrants to Libya without an assessment of their need for protection?

TH: Both in my latest report on Italy published in April and in subsequent statements that I made I have expressed my deep concern about migrant boat interceptions and forced returns of migrants from Italy to Libya. What requires states’ particular attention is the fact that among irregular migrants there are usually a substantial number of people who flee persecution or violence that necessitate the provision of international protection to them by European states. It is recalled that about 75% of the irregular migrants who reached Italy by sea in 2008 applied for asylum and around 50% of them were granted refugee or subsidiary refugee status. As a consequence, any legislative or administrative measures adopted with a view to tackling the phenomenon of irregular migration and entry into the country should not fail to take into proper consideration the particular needs of people who arrive in Europe and are in need of international protection.”

Click here for full ECRE interview.

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Filed under Italy, Libya, Mediterranean, News

by | 03 Aug 2009 · 15:44

Italy Forcibly Repatriates More Migrants to Libya (News)

14 migrants, after being rescued by an Italian fishing boat and after a renewed Maltese-Italian dispute over where the rescued migrants should be taken, were taken on board an Italian government vessel which in turn transferred them to a Libyan navy vessel.  The migrants were first spotted by a Frontex aircraft operating from Malta.

“The incident yet again sparked the ire of the United Nations High Commission for Refugees (UNHCR), who through its spokesperson Laura Boldrini insisted that both Malta and Italy should assume their international responsibilities and be humanitarian.  The UNHCR spokesperson implored both states not to forcefully repatriate the migrants to Libya.”

Click here for article.

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Filed under Frontex, Italy, Libya, Malta, Mediterranean, News

by | 30 Jul 2009 · 15:36

Increased Shooting Deaths at Egypt-Israel Border May Be Related to Italy-Libya Agreement to Stop Migrants in the Mediterranean (News)

Reuters reports that there has been a recent increase in the shootings of African migrants by Egyptian authorities along the Egypt-Israel border.  Six Africans have been shot to death by Egyptian police since May.  “Monthly migrant arrests by Egypt at the border have surged, rising five-fold in May to 55 and then doubling again to 114 in June and 160 in July, security sources said. That compares to just six arrests in January.”

The article suggests that the migrant and refugee stream from the Horn of Africa that has most recently tended to cross Egypt to Libya and then on to Italy may now be shifting to the east because the route from Libya to Italy is blocked by the Italy-Libya agreement to turn back migrants.

“’The numbers (at the Egypt-Israel border) are increasing. That route is being used again more heavily than before,’ said Gasser Abdel Razek, Egypt country director of refugee legal aid group AMERA. ‘I heard it (Libya) is becoming difficult for them … I am hearing there is strong monitoring along this route, on the border between Libya and Sudan,’ said Mohamed Dualeh, head of an office of the U.N. refugee agency in Kassala in east Sudan, through which many migrants transit, especially Eritreans.  ‘If you are a human being, and you cannot go because one route is blocked, you look for another route,’ he said.”

Click here for the article.

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Filed under Egypt, Israel, Italy, Libya, Mediterranean, News

by | 27 Jul 2009 · 21:56

EC Asks Italy for Explanation Regarding Forced Returns (News)

EC Justice Commissioner Jacques Barrot said “the commission had asked the Italian government for explanations on how some boats with irregular migrants, some asking for humanitarian protection, were returned to Libya.”  The EC is trying “to determine whether Italy is breaching obligations set down in international and EU law.”

“We want to know exactly and in detail what happened and what kind of operations were carried out, Barrot’s spokesman said on Monday (20 July). Italy has not been given a deadline by which to reply to the Commission.”

“The UNHCR says at least 900 people have been picked up and sent back to Libya since May, when Italy began its new policy of intercepting boats and returning would-be immigrants.”

“However, Barrot appears to believe that the incident will not be repeated.  I’ve been reassured that there is no perceived need for such operations, because, thanks to [the] agreement between Italy and Libya, far fewer illegal migrants are coming in, he said after meeting [Italy’s interior minister Roberto] Maroni.”

Click here and here and here for articles.

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Filed under European Union, Italy, Libya, Mediterranean, News

by | 22 Jul 2009 · 20:40

UNHCR Criticises Italy’s Push-Back Policy (News)

“UNHCR staff in Libya have [interviewed] people who were intercepted by the Italian Navy on the high seas on July 1 about 30 nautical miles from the Italian island of Lampedusa. They were transferred to a Libyan ship and later transported to Libya. Based on subsequent interviews, it does not appear that the Italian Navy made any attempt to establish nationalities or reasons for fleeing their countries.”

“Once in Libya, the group was placed in detention centers….  Of those attempting to reach Italy, 76 originate from Eritrea, including nine women and at least six children. Based on UNHCR’s assessment of the situation in Eritrea and our interviews with the people themselves, it is clear that a significant number from this group are in need of international protection.”

“During interviews UNHCR heard disturbing accounts alleging that force was used by Italian personnel during the transfer to the Libyan vessel. …  In view of the seriousness of these allegations, UNHCR has sent a letter to the Italian Government requesting information on the treatment of people returned to Libya and asking that international norms be respected.”

“Since the beginning of May, a new push-back policy was introduced and at least 900 people trying to reach Italy by sea have now been sent to other countries, mainly to Libya. UNHCR has expressed serious concerns about the impact of this new policy which, in the absence of adequate safeguards, can prevent access to asylum and undermines the international principle of non-refoulement.”

Click here for UNHCR briefing note.

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Filed under Italy, Libya, Mediterranean, News, UNHCR

by | 10 Jul 2009 · 07:41

Frontex: Italy-Libya Repatriation Agreement is “Effective” and Saves Lives (News)

Further to the previous post, in the same press conference, Frontex’s Arias-Fernandez seemed to characterise the repatriation agreement in a completely positive manner and, while conceding that the fate of migrants returned to Libya is unknown, Arias-Fernandez apparently did not express concern over the fact that migrants who are forcibly repatriated to Libya have no procedure by which to seek protection under international refugee law, EU subsidiary protections, or the European Convention on Human Rights.

Arias-Fernandez: ”From January 1 2009 to July 5, there were 333 illegal arrivals [by boat in Italy] according to our people in the field. For the same period last year there were 776. As for Sicily, including Lampedusa, the [number of migrants] passed from last year’s 14,806 to 6,760 this year.”

“From May 15 on … when the [Italy-Libya] agreements became effective, [Frontex] agents noticed even more of a decrease. The decrease in this last month and a half may have even reached -70%.  Based on our statistics, we are able to say that the agreements have had a positive impact. On the humanitarian level, fewer human lives have been put at risk, due to fewer departures. But our agency does not have the ability to confirm if the right to request asylum as well as other human rights are being respected in Libya.”

Click here for ANSA article.

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Filed under Frontex, Italy, Libya, Mediterranean, News

by | 09 Jul 2009 · 22:39

Frontex: Italy-Libya Agreement has “strong dissuading effect” (News, Statistics)

Frontex deputy director Gil Arias Fernandez said that the economic crisis has caused a drop in the number of migrants coming to the EU and that the Italy-Libya migration agreement has also had “a very strong dissuading effect.”  “When you see people who have spent a lot of money on their journey, who have faced great danger during the sea crossing, come back having been expelled from the country of arrival, you think twice before undertaking a similar voyage.”

Frontex reports a 16% reduction in the overall number of irregular migrants stopped at EU borders over the past year.  Sicily and Lampedusa experienced a 54% reduction in migrants over the first six months of 2009 compared with 2008 figures, 6,760 vs. 14,800.

Click here for article.

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Filed under Data / Stats, European Union, Frontex, Italy, Libya, News

by | 08 Jul 2009 · 12:14

Camps d’enfermement de harraga en Tunisie (News)

From Al Watan:

“[300 harraga] sont actuellement détenus dans des centres de rétention secrets. Ces centres seraient au nombre de 11 puisqu’en contrepartie de sa coopération dans la lutte contre l’immigration clandestine, l’Italie s’était engagée à aider son partenaire tunisien et ce, dans le cadre du premier accord bilatéral sur l’immigration qu’ils ont signé en 1998.

“… 13 camps d’enfermement [ont été construits] dont un près de Tunis, un autre entre Gabes et la frontière libyenne. « Où sont les 11 autres camps ? » Cela a toujours été un secret….

” [D]ans [un second accord signé le 27 janvier 2009], il est question de la définition d’un plan qui permet la simplification et l’accélération des procédures d’identification des migrants tunisiens enfermés dans les centres de rétention italiens et l’expulsion « graduelle et constante » des migrants….  En réalité, indiquent ces sources, Tunis a accepté l’expulsion de 500 migrants, à la condition qu’elle soit étalée dans le temps 150 migrants expulsés par mois les deux premiers mois succédant l’entrée en vigueur de l’accord, ensuite 100 personnes par mois par petits groupes de 7 personnes maximum.

“Le nombre de personnes expulsées dans le cadre de cet accord n’est pas clair, vu qu’aucun chiffre officiel n’est donné. …

“[L]’un des points de l’accord … prévoient … la réadmission, par la Tunisie, de ses citoyens mais aussi de ressortissants de pays tiers entrés illégalement sur le territoire italien en provenance des côtes tunisiennes… ainsi que l’intensification des contrôles des forces de l’ordre des deux pays le long des côtes tunisiennes. ”

Click here for article.

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Filed under Algeria, Italy, Mediterranean, News, Tunisia

by | 08 Jul 2009 · 08:31

MSF Report on its Mediterranean Activities (Reports)

Blog - MSF Report CoverDoctors Without Borders/Médecins Sans Frontières has issused a short report on its activities in Italy, Greece, Malta, and Morocco: “Migrants, Refugees and Asylum Seekers: Vulnerable People at Europe’s Doorstep”.

Click here for the link.

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Filed under Greece, Italy, Malta, Mediterranean, Morocco, Reports

by | 06 Jul 2009 · 22:56

UNHCR: Mediterranean Migrant Situation Unnaturally Calm (News)

The numbers of migrants reaching Malta and Italy are significantly smaller than last year’s numbers.  UNHCR spokeswoman Laura Boldrini said that the current situation is “so calm it’s almost unnatural.”  The assumption is that the recent Libya-Italy agreement and resulting (and unknown) actions by Libya are a cause of the reduced numbers.

MaltaToday reports that “[b]etween April and May, just two vessels carrying a total of 99 migrants arrived [in Malta and] no landings occurred in June.  Over the same period in 2008, some 872 African migrants landed on Malta…”

“Similarly, at …Lampedusa, [Italy] arrivals have declined 33% and 95% in April and May respectively, compared to the same period in 2008, according to UNHCR.”

“A source from the [Maltese] Ministry of Justice and Home Affairs told MaltaToday that recent crackdowns had led to a drop in illegal immigration.  Among these were reports in the Italian media that Libyan boat factories had been shut down by the authorities there, leading to criminal organisations making use of rubber dinghies and fishing vessels, an indication of a more haphazard trafficking organisation.”

“[I]t is not yet certain what sort of action is being taken by joint [Italian-Libyan] patrols and Frontex operations, and whether immigrants are being forcibly returned – in breach of international law – to Libya without being given the right to apply for asylum.”

Click here for article.

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Filed under Italy, Libya, Malta, Mediterranean, News, UNHCR