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Italy Resumes Expelling Migrants

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Europe on the March (Jun. 2002)

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BBC News, Oct. 6

Italy has resumed the forced expulsions of migrants to Libya, brushing aside criticism from the United Nations.

The UN refugee agency says the expulsions, which first started at the weekend, are preventing migrants from applying for refugee status.

After the flights were halted on Tuesday, at least two military planes carrying refugees left the southern island of Lampedusa on Wednesday.

Italy says the expulsions will continue in the short term.

UNHCR envoy Juergen Humburg has accused Italy of preventing the agency from meeting the migrants.

The expulsions were triggered after more than 600 people arrived on Lampedusa in one night.

More than 1,000 migrants, all claiming political asylum, have arrived by boat from North Africa in the past few days. The island is the nearest geographical point of arrival in the European Union from North Africa.

Italy has sent about a dozen planeloads of migrants to Libya since Friday.

Italian Prime Minister Silvio Berlusconi is due to visit Libya on Thursday to discuss the crisis.

Earlier, the Italian interior ministry said in a statement: ‰¥þThe process of expelling illegal immigrants who arrive by sea will be completed over the coming days as the situation evolves.‰¥ÿ

No official explanation was given for the suspension of the flights on Tuesday.

Numbers

Mr Humburg, sent to investigate the situation, left Lampedusa on Tuesday after he was denied entry to the detention centre where the latest arrivals were being held.

He said the Italian government had to find ways to identify the asylum-seekers and the refugees among them.

‰¥þIt is not acceptable from our point of view to reject these people just because they arrive in big numbers,‰¥ÿ he said.

‰¥þEven if we have mass influxes of people who are fleeing persecution and human rights violations, we cannot make it a question of numbers. They should be given access to a safe country, to asylum, to protection.‰¥ÿ

The Italian government has defended the policy, saying the repatriations will discourage people from setting off.

Mr Berlusconi䴜s trip to Libya will be his second in less than two months. He is expected to discuss with Libyan leader Colonel Muammar Gaddafi ways of stemming the numbers of illegal immigrants heading for Italy.

Libyan Foreign Minister Abdel Rahman Shalgham told the BBC that the country was working with Italy to tackle immigration from ‰¥þdifferent dimensions‰¥ÿ.

A boat carrying 21 illegal immigrants arrived on Lampedusa overnight䴊the first arrivals in three days.

(Posted on October 7, 2004)

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Comments

I think this is great!

PM Berlusconi has taken the right stand, with this wretched sideshow-freak Juergen Humburg from the UN. Ignore him, what can he do other than spew his maudlin inanities? The fact of the matter is, Italy's government has an obligation only to the Italian people and their interests, not Third World invaders and a buffoonish UN sanctimony monger.

It is interesting that since these deportations began, hundreds of the invaders were coming and the last boatload was only 21 of them. Hmmm...show a bit of backbone, and these "refugees" get the hint. The free lunch is over!

Posted by John P. M. at 6:58 PM on October 7

If the UN is serious, why don't they take in a refugee or two in their private residences in New York? I believe their apartments are spacious enough and they could prove the world that they mean what they say.

Hehe.

Posted by Malacka at 8:20 PM on October 7

Ah...perhaps the brave Italians will not allow the scenario played out in "The Camp Of The Saints" after all.

Posted by JeanElaine at 11:09 PM on October 7

Italian people support our government and the immigration law Bossi-Fini, we also support the propose of the right-wing party Lega Nord: TO CLOSE THE BORDERS TO ALL THE MUSLIM IMMIGRATION.

Posted by Giovanni at 8:34 AM on October 8

Italy may be the last western european country left in a few decades.

Posted by Frank P. at 10:59 AM on October 8

You can't let just anyone into your house. Italy knows that. So should the UN.

Posted by American Woman at 2:50 PM on October 8

Giovanni,
Thank God for the backbone of the Italian people. How thrilling that you have an actual Prime Minister with this kind of stalwartness. We have mostly fools and timid cowards among American politicians. I see few American politicians with Berlusconi's seriousness and determination. Go Italians !!!

Posted by Wesley in Philly at 6:39 PM on October 8

Bravissimo Italia,
Now if we can just get Italian men away from their mothers and married, then they can start replenishing the population of Italy with lots of bambini.

Meanwhile Spain,
You need to get off your nalgas before the star and crescent replaces the national coat of arms.

Posted by Taurus689 at 12:54 PM on October 9

Italy has the right sort of thinking. I recall that Benito Mussolini's granddaughter ran for parliament on a Fascist ticket and was actually elected. Austria has had some good ones, too. Where is Kurt Waldheim now that Europe needs him again?

Posted by M. Scott at 3:58 PM on October 10


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