While the EU debates, thousands continue to die

Wolfgang Hansson  

While the EU debates, thousands continue to die 

Published: Less than 2 hours ago  

This is a commenting text. Analysis and positions are the writer's.  

At least 62 migrants died this weekend after their boat capsized in the Mediterranean. Photo: Valeria Ferraro / AP 

COLUMNISTS  

The at least 62 dead migrants washed up on a beach in Italy this weekend is not the last tragedy to unfold in the Mediterranean.  

Since 2014, at least 25,000 people have drowned at what is probably the world's deadliest border. It into the EU.  

With a new anti-immigration government in Italy, things will get worse before they get better. 

The scenes of the wrecked boat and the belongings of the dead floating in the high waves feel sadly familiar. This has been the case for years while those responsible continue to debate whose fault it is.  

Is it that of the refugee smugglers who organize the trips and extort money from poor people fleeing war or dreaming of a better life in Europe?  

The boat in question is said to come from Izmir in Turkey and is said to have had as many as 200 refugees on board from countries such as Afghanistan, Pakistan, Iran and Somalia. Among the dead are at least twelve children. About 80 survivors managed to get ashore.  

Since Europe started seizing the ships, the smugglers have started using simpler and cheaper craft, often rubber boats or wretched wooden boats, which they load to the breaking point. All to squeeze a few extra dollars out of their criminal activities. 

They must have known about the difficult weather conditions when they sent the boat out. But since they've already been paid, it's not a disaster if their customers don't survive.  

Or is it Italy's fault? Their new prime minister, Giorgia Meloni, whose Brothers of Italy party has neo-fascist roots, did indeed regret the tragic incident but promised at the same time that she will do everything in her power to put an end to the dangerous journeys.  

A few months ago, she refused to allow a ship full of refugees rescued in the Mediterranean to dock in an Italian port. The justification was that Italy cannot be the only country to receive migrants arriving by sea. 

Failed again  

After extensive backbiting, France finally accepted the ship after the refugees were forced to spend 15 days at sea, but at the same time accused Italy of violating international law.  

What responsibility does the EU have? It goes without saying that it is not reasonable for Italy, Greece and Malta to receive all the refugees and migrants who make the dangerous journey across the Mediterranean. Somehow the burden should be shared.  

But despite the fact that the EU has tried to resolve this knot at least since the great refugee crisis of 2015, the Union has failed. It is only a few weeks since the EU leaders at another summit had the migration issue on their table. But as so many times before, they failed to agree on the critical point; How should the refugees be distributed?  

The only point on which all 27 member states seem to agree is to further strengthen the EU's external border and make it more difficult for refugees and migrants to enter the EU.  

Rescue workers next to a car loaded with one of those who died in the sinking.  Photo: Paolo Santalucia/AP 

Italy also wants to make it more difficult for the aid ships from various voluntary organizations trying to rescue refugees in the Mediterranean. A few days ago, a new law was introduced that forces rescue ships to enter port after each rescue operation instead of remaining at sea and looking for more people in need of help before heading to port. The law makes the work of relief vessels more expensive and allows them to rescue fewer people.  

Violation of the law means fines in the half million range.  

The reason is that Italy believes that the rescue boats are in practice collaborating with the people smugglers who know that rescue is available if their boats capsize. In doing so, they help the smugglers keep their business model alive.

"Never again" 

In 2013, a high-profile tragedy occurred when a fire broke out on a ship with 500 refugees on board while it was off the Italian island of Lampedusa. 300 perished. Then-EU chief José Manuel Barroso and other senior European dignitaries traveled to the island and vowed that a similar tragedy would "never happen again".  

But that's exactly what it did. Not once but many times. Month after month. Year after year.  

The International Migrant Organization, IMO, states that at least 25,000 people have drowned or disappeared at sea since 2014. That's almost 3,000 people per year. It's like an invisible war going on.  

The ones who have to pay the price because the EU cannot find a solution to the migration issue are the poor and vulnerable people who seek refuge or a better life in Europe. First they have to pay the smugglers for the crossing and then with their lives if they drown in the Mediterranean.