The dignity of human being has clearly breached by EU member states since long time. The hide and seek game of Italy on the issue of immigration and immigrants becomes number one to be criticized. Since its agreement with Libyan counter part in 2003, Italy is found at the back of every human right abuse in Libya. Italy financed detentions and deportation flights regardless of the fate of the victims. The largest thing Italy is doing is mocking good activity just by some make-ups when the politicians come before camera. The government of Italy worked very hard not only to convince Libya, but also advocating the good sides of the border polices in patrolling the frontiers. It used media to tell the EU in general and Italian population in particular about how good migration policies Italy is undergoing.
Since 2003, Italy endangered thousands of immigrants; among many were refugees and potential refugees. All of them were detained with out any screening and many others deported back to their countries. Among them, hundreds of Eritreans detained in Italian financed Libyan detentions and deported back to Eritrea by Italian financed flights. They faced abuse on their return in their country and many died either in detention or on second trial for escape. Yet, Italy stays safe and acts as if it is free from any thing that happens in Libya and in Mediterranean Sea. HRW, Amnesty, UNHCR and EU human right groups seriously criticized Italy, but Italy continued to help Libya to endanger asylum seekers and refugees mixed with illegal immigrants.
The worst Italian action to tackle the influx of immigrants starts from May 2009. The push-back policy was advocated as the best way to stop flow of immigrants to Italy, and EU; thus Italy and Libya signed a deal that enables Italy to dump any immigrant caught in the sea back to Libya. Libya in turn to get some patrol boats and other logistics that will be used to control the southern border. Not only this, but also to get compensation for the colonial periods under Italy. The thing is not their fund and cooperation, but all this is done at the cost of immigrants, many of which are refugees.
Thus, after the push-back policy started in May 2009; hundreds of asylum seekers and refugees from Eritrea and Somalia were sent back to Libya with out any screening. The interception was just in the high seas and they do not get chance to apply for asylum in Italy; a country signatory to Geneva Convention and that pretends as EU member of standard human right respect. All the pushed back Eritreans and Somalis remain in different Libyan detention centers for more than a year. The bad news is then, these detainees who spent at least one year and at most three years in detention centers are in danger of forceful deportation back to Eritrea.
In June 30, 2010 more than 240 Eritrean refugees from Misrata detention center were transferred to Brak center near Sebha. Before their departure, they were all beaten, and many injured seriously. Thanks to the Human right groups, journalists and Eritreans in Diaspora, they made a loud cry on behalf of the Eritrean refugees. Italian government was they exposed to condemnation and criticism. The media it self made too much pressures on both Libya and Italy, thus they were obliged at least to mock for a while. Italy sent its delegate to Tripoli and signed agreement.
Do not be surprised! Italy is continuing its hide-and-seek game on refugees. Due to the pressure from media and Human Rights group, Italy worked to free Eritreans from detention centers in Libya, but their asylum rights remain out side the issue. They have been given very big and green paper that expires in three months, and they are told they will be free in Libya. But, Italy becomes very proud by what it so far accomplish, the rights to apply for asylum is not part of the deal. Detainees are arriving from the near by detention centers but hardly arrive from Brak. They remained in Sebha as their papers do not allow traveling to Tripoli, where they can either visit UNHCR or other groups.
As from the side of the released detainees, they are happy for the development so far as they are at least allowed to see the rising of the sun like us. They miss it to much; they were eager to get fresh air and to get free Vitamin-D from sun, which God gave to every body. They did not hesitate for the temporary freedom as they spend years in closed rooms. Yes, it is shameful for EU, shameful for Italy and shameful for Libya, to sell the freedom and rights of refugees, and to say proudly “they are released at the cost of work”. Countries who advocate about human rights to others, it is more than shameful to see them breaching the basic human rights.
Else, Eritreans in Tripoli sees this development as good step forward, because their brethren are taking fresh air as everybody. Yet, we urge the international community to resettle these desperate Eritreans for durable solutions. Libya is not the destination of Eritreans; they want asylum! Give them opportunity for international protection. Else leaving them down hear is other type of detention. From detention to detention!!!
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