Read updates from the Delegation in Italy

One year to the day after 368 people lost their lives in a boat disaster off the coast of Lampedusa in an attempt to reach safety in Europe, GUE/NGL MEPs reiterate their condolences to the loved ones of the victims and denounce the EU’s despicable approach to migration policy.

Today in Lampedusa, senior politicians will gather to commemorate the victims while continuing to sponsor militarized border surveillance policy and cutting off resources for search and rescue operations.

We need an adequately funded collective European search and rescue operation for the Mediterranean. It is obvious that Mare Nostrum will not be replaced by joint operation Triton (Frontex +) which has nothing to do with search and rescue. The current increased budget for militarized border controls is unacceptable. European resources should be redirected towards search and rescue and improving reception infrastructures.

The MEPs call for the opening of safe and legal humanitarian routes to asylum in Europe, without any further militarization of the Mediterranean sea and vow to continue to fight for the rights of those seeking safety in Europe. They will today meet with representatives of the relatives of missing or deceased migrants and join a peaceful march in Lampedusa to commemorate the anniversary of last year’s tragedy.

GUE/NGL MEPs in Lampedusa:
Eleonora Forenza
Marie-Christine Vergiat
Barbara Spinelli
Cornelia Ernst
Malin Björk

 

GUE/NGL Press Contact in Lampedusa:
David Lundy +32 470 85 05 09
European United Left / Nordic Green Left
European Parliamentary Group